Dueling Satellite Radio Update

Chuck Zimmerman June 22, 2006

It’s time for an update to my cross country, side-by-side, dueling satellite radio contest. I really don’t have a clue which one is going to win this yet.

I’ve noticed that I don’t lose the XM signal going through tunnels or under bridges, even long ones. I lose the Sirius signal right away. That’s kind of major.

However, Sirius has a channel called “The Vault.” That is my music and XM has nothing that I’ve heard that even comes close. In fact, I find myself changing channels on XM to land on songs I want to listen to.

Sirius has bragged about getting Howard Stern but I see this as a major negative. Why in the world would I want to listen to a profanity spewing talk show that focuses on sex? I think it’s repulsive and considered cancelling my subscription when Howard was announced. Of course I just don’t listen.

Both services have good news choices like Fox and CNN. However, sometimes it gets annoying to hear the announcer describe something you can’t see.

Well, that’s all on this subject for now. I’ve also had a couple days when I never got to listen at all due to phone calls and press conference stops. And of course, I still listen to my podcasts on my iPod!

Uncategorized

Commissioner Cahn on Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman June 22, 2006

If you ever need someone to set up a tailgate party for you then the Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn is your man. He was out in the sun tailgating here in Omaha for the AASHTO Celebrate the Interstate Convoy again today.

This time we were treated to some excellent jambalaya and bratwurst. He’s a great guy with an awesome perspective and outlook on life and I’m glad to have met him.

Before saying goodbye to Joe I got this little video clip to share with you. Joe says corn is hard to find in Nebraska to cook with and explains why: Commissioner Cahn on Ethanol (1 min WMV)

Corn, Ethanol, Video

Ethanol Blend In Nebraska

Chuck Zimmerman June 22, 2006

Our convoy is in Omaha, NE now. We’ve got a morning press conference then a display at the QWest Center. Yesterday we finally found a fuel stop that blended ethanol in its gasoline.

I interviewed the Travel Center of America shop manager, Bill Buettner, and found out that he’s also a corn grower and ethanol enthusiast.

Bill says that since they’ve labelled their pumps and blended ethanol he hasn’t really had much feedback from customers. He assumes that’s because consumers accept it more now than they used to.

Here’s my interview with Bill: Bill Buettner Interview (2 min MP3)

Audio, Ethanol

Making Progress In Cheyenne

Chuck Zimmerman June 20, 2006

Blogging time is a challenge on a long road trip and I’m on a LONG road trip. Tomorrow’s going to be a 502 mile segment of this convoy trip from Cheyenne to Omaha with 2 stops on the way.

At our morning press conference today, Bill Newman (left), Safety Manager for Wyoming Ethanol drove up in Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal’s E85 GM Avalanche. It was nice to see someone from the ethanol industry on hand. The Wyoming Department of Transportation pointed the vehicle out to attendees and the brightly wrapped truck caught a lot of eyes.

Bill followed the convoy on to Cheyenne after the event. Before leaving though I asked Bill a few questions, including telling us a little about Wyoming Ethanol.

Listen to Bill: Bill Newman Interview (1 min MP3)

Audio, Ethanol

NAMA On RFD-TV

Chuck Zimmerman June 20, 2006

Did you miss the NAMA convention this year? Wonder what the awards ceremony is like? Then watch it on tv.

For the first time ever, a national television audience will get to see America’s most impressive agricultural promotions honored when RFD-TV presents the Best of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Awards ceremony Monday, June 26. The 90-minute show, slated for debut 7 p.m. (EDT) and rebroadcast at 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. (EDT) June 27, is expected to reach more than 29 million viewers of rural affairs network RFD-TV.

The program, which features footage from the awards ceremony, interviews with winners and highlights of the winning entries, also will be made available in DVD format free of charge to NAMA members. (Send DVD requests to RFD-TV, 12809 W. Dodge Rd., Suite 301, Omaha, NE 68154 or via e-mail to Mike@rfdtv.com.)

NAMA

New Biofuel

Chuck Zimmerman June 20, 2006

Here’s some interesting news from ZimmComm’s latest talking news release project. I’m on the highway as you hopefully know but Cindy’s holding down the office.

DuPont and BP are partnering up to develop, produce and market “the next generation of biofuels” to help meet increasing global demand for renewable transport fuels. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a subsidiary of DuPont, is playing a role in this new partnership, according to Pioneer President Dean Oestreich.

He says the first jointly developed product the partnership will bring to market is biobutanol. “Butanol is simply another molecule that is different than ethanol, but it’s also a fuel. And what we’ve done here is we’ve found a way, through use of our science, to make the process more efficient and economically viable.” Oestreich says biobutanol and ethanol in a blend can actually make a better fuel.

Here’s an inteview with Oestreich about the announcement and the potential for biobutanol. Pioneer Interview (7 min MP3)

Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer

Beef Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman June 20, 2006

There’s a whole lot of beef blogging going on. The latest one is “The Beef Blog.” This is Purdue University’s Department of Animal Sciences. They’re off to a great start with lots of posts.

“For example, a producer who visits the Beef Blog might find information on such topics as grass tetany, pinkeye, beef exports, cattle breeds and mad cow disease,” Lemenager said.

The Beef Blog is unlike many blogs in that it more closely resembles a news service than a personal journal. But like most blogs, the Beef Blog is updated regularly and allows readers to post comments, said Phil Reid, Purdue beef distance learning coordinator.

Besides Purdue’s new blog keep Beef Board Meeting in mind as well as MOBeef Update. There are more. I’ll let you Google to find them.

Beef

Ethanol Promoted By Utah Governor

Chuck Zimmerman June 20, 2006

Ethanol got a huge plug at this morning’s press conference from Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. Although not a member of the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition he should be. I interviewed the Governor prior to his remarks before he got on his Harley to escort us to the Wyoming line. Here you can see him getting ready to saddle up and lead us out of town.

Listen to Governor Huntsman here: Governor Jon Huntsman Interview (1 min MP3)

The Governor also mentioned ethanol in his public remarks at this morning’s press conference: Governor Jon Huntsman Ethanol Comment (1 min MP3)

Here’s a short video clip of the Governor getting on his bike to lead us out: Governor Huntsman Leads The Way (1 min WMV)

Audio, Ethanol

Satellite Radio On The ZimmCast

Chuck Zimmerman June 18, 2006

This multi-state ZimmCast is about satellite radio with an interview with XM Satellite Radio VP, Roderick McKenzie.

Roderick talks about some interesting data applications using their satellite system and I asked him about using it for agricultural information and marketing to rural audiences. He says that’s something they’re very interested in.

I am also doing a side-by-side comparison of both Sirius and XM on my trip across country. Call it “Dueling Satellite Radios.”

Listen here: ZimmCast 73 (16 min MP3)

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

Audio, ZimmCast

Riding With A Convoy Truck

Chuck Zimmerman June 18, 2006

Travelling along with our convoy is Ralph Garcia, Highway Safety Truck. Ralph was my ride back to the hotel last night from our welcome reception here in Salt Lake City.

It was my first time ever in an 18 wheeler and I have to say it was smooth. I interviewed Ralph about his part of the convoy and the program he’s representing out here. All of us who are driving in the convoy became certified in Highway Watch before we left San Francisco.

Ralph is a career trucker who says the Highway Watch program impressed him and he felt that supporting it was a way he could help make a difference in safety on the highway.

Listn to Ralph here: Ralph Garcia Interview (3 min MP3)

You can also see the inside of Ralph’s truck in a short video clip here: Riding In The Highway Watch Truck (1 min WMV)

Audio, Video

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