Manitoba leads in Confection Sunflower Acres

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensNorth Dakota has traditionally led in confection sunflower acres. However, this year if estimates prove true and projections are on, Manitoba may have more acres than North Dakota. “It has to do with alternative crops,” said Fred Parnow of Seeds 2000, Crookston, Mn. “When we got into spring time here, the farmers finally realized that confection contract prices were not going to be to the price levels they were in previous years. Wheat futures had a pretty good boost coming into spring.”

Rob Park, Oilseed Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture said ND had 230,000 acres last year, dropping to 125,000 this year, 54 percent of 2005. The confection market overall in the US and Canada is only 54 percent of 2005, dropping to about 350,000 acres this year. Read More

International

Passionate About Beef

Chuck Zimmerman

Amanda Nolz and Melissa GreenTwo of Beef Ambassadors attending the Cattle Industry Summer Conference are Melissa Green (left) and Amanda Nolz.

Melissa describes the purpose and function of the Beef Ambassador program and Amanda describes what they do during the year that they serve.

According to Melissa this program is worth the investment to have young people out in the public who are passionate about the beef industry. She says the reception they get is always positive. You can listen my interview with them here: Green-Nolz Interview (3 min. MP3 File)

Audio, Beef

NCBA President Mike John

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike JohnThe President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is Mike John, from Missouri (left). Mike took over the reigns in January at the annual convention. Here at the Summer Conference he said he was happy to hear about how beef demand has been good recently but knows that there’s a lot of work to do to continue to grow demand for his product.

Another think Mike says which I’ve heard over and over from cattle producers here is how the NCBA or the CBB offer a grass roots input process for cattle producers to have an impact on what these organizations do and the effect they can have on the beef business.

Hear Mike’s perspective in my interview with him here at the conference: Mike John Interview (5 min. MP3 File)

Audio, Beef

World Ag Expo Communications Director

Chuck Zimmerman

Beth SequeiraIt’s picture of people morning here on AgWired. I like it. Keep the pics coming folks.

The International Agri-Center and World Ag Expo has a Communications Director. This is a newly created position. She’s Beth Sequeira and she got her start on July 5. Got business cards yet Beth? Being the first with a newly created position is always fun. You’ll get to form what the position is like and that will be fun.

“Beth’s pleasant personality and drive toward results will be a tremendous asset to the International Agri-Center. Her background and dedication to family farms will contribute to the effort put forth by the World Ag Expo to promote agriculture throughout the world,” said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center general manager.

A recent graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Sequeira earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural science with a minor in agricultural communications and agribusiness. Born and raised in Hanford, Calif., Sequeira looks forward to returning home to her agricultural roots.

Farm Shows

Colleen Church McDowall Promoted

Chuck Zimmerman

Colleen Church McDowallShe’s been a regular on AgWired. It has something to do with the shoes. She’s Colleen Church McDowall and she just got a great promotion at Osborn & Barr Communications.

Osborn & Barr Communications has named Colleen Church McDowall to Vice President, Director of Public Relations. She will serve as the strategic leader for O&B’s Public Relations division and will be responsible for new business development, strategic management of all public relations accounts and administrative management of the division.

Formerly the Associate Director of Public Relations, Church McDowall has provided extensive agricultural knowledge and public relations expertise to accounts such as John Deere, Intervet Inc., USDA Rural Development, Monsanto Dairy and Specialty Fertilizer Products during her three and a half years with the agency.

Congratulations Colleen.

Agencies

Beefmobile Wrangler Tracey Orsburn

Chuck Zimmerman

Tracey OrsburnTracey Orsburn is one of the Beefmobile Wranglers and is here at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference. She puts in a lot of miles travelling around the country and making sure producers better understand the Checkoff. Her vehicle is also a travelling billboard for beef.

Tracey says she’s personally driven over 100,000 miles for the Checkoff since she started and has been through 43 states.

You can learn more about the Beefmobile by listening to my interview with her in which she explains the program and describes the kind of producer feedback she receives. You can listen to my interview with Tracey here: Orsburn Interview (4 min. MP3 File)

Audio, Beef

Merial Sponsors The Media Room

Chuck Zimmerman

Merial Sponsors The Media RoomThe media room at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference is sponsored by Merial.

Representing Merial is Jim Tate, Marketing Manager. I spent a few minutes with Jim this afternoon getting an update on Igenity. This program seems to keep evolving in what I believe is its third year.

Jim says Igenity started out as a DNA testing business but is now able to provide a comprehensive profile of an animal. He says the technology is very computer driven so it can do much more than it used to for less investment by the producer. You can listen to my interview with Jim here: Jim Tate Interview (5 min. MP3 File)

Agribusiness, Audio, Beef, Dairy

How To Enhance The Beef Brand

Chuck Zimmerman

Kim Essex & Rick HustedThis morning at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference there are a series of industry Issues Forums taking place. One of them is titled, “Enhancing The Brand.” The brand referred to is beef. I think the consumer research that’s being done by organizations like NCBA with Checkoff funding is fascinating. What’s even more interesting is seeing how they put that research into action.

Presenting this session are Kim Essex and Rick Husted who work for NCBA, which has been contracted by the Beef Checkoff to conduct consumer research. Some of the results of that on-going research are being presented here today.

I spoke with Kim in between sessions to see what producers are being told. For example, she says that Checkoff-funded research says there’s a need to target consumers with a message that focuses on rational reasons to choose beef. She says beef has great emotional appeal. You can listen to my interview with Kim here: Essex Interview (6 min. MP3 File)

Audio, Beef

Margy Fischer In The Field

Chuck Zimmerman

Margy Fischer At WorkMaybe you remember student blogger on AgWired, Margy Fischer? She helped me cover Commodity Classic this year.

Well she’s now a working professional for Farm Journal, seen here in the field. I hope she’ll put those blogging skills to work in the future!

Thanks to Mica DeLong at Monsanto for the picture.

Publication

Restructuring Western Canada’s Wheat Classes

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensPrairie swine producers are applauding a Canadian Grain Commission plan to restructure western Canada’s wheat classes.

Last month, the Canadian Grain Commission unveiled plans to eliminate kernel visual distinguishability requirements on all classes of wheat except hard red spring and amber durum and introduce a new general purpose wheat class. The changes, set for August 2008, will clear the way for the registration of high yielding wheat varieties suited for feed or industrial uses such as ethanol, currently not allowed because they resemble milling wheats. Read More

International