With all the buzz about energy and fuel costs small and limited resource farmers as well as any producers might be interested in USDA’s “Energy In Agriculture, Managing The Risk” conference in Kansas City, MO on June 27-28. You can register online for $90 before June 5. Here’s a draft agenda (pdf file). Some travel scholarships are available if applied for prior to May 30.Read More
Hot Dogging It
This is too good to pass up. In qualifying for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut (pictured) downed 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. This was last week at the Las Vegas qualifier. It is an American record. You can see a complete story on ESPN. Something I just learned in researching this story is that there is an organization called the International Federation of Competitive Eating. In regards to the Joey Chestnut record, IFOCE President Richard Shea said “This is the greatest thing to happen in the history of American sports. Joey Chestnut’s accomplishment may change the course of a nation.”Read More
Ethanol Plant Builder
It’s the final week before the Indianapolis 500. Time to get revved up. I’ll be heading on over later this week. On Thursday the IRL is having an Ethanol Forum which will feature speakers like IRL founder Tony George and USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr. I’ll report on it for you right here.
In leading up to the activities in Indiana I’m going to post some more interviews I conducted during Ethanol Day a couple of weeks ago. So let’s get started. One of the founders of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is Jeff Broin, CEO of the Broin Companies, designers and builders of ethanol plants. Jeff is pictured on the left, next to U. S. Secretary of Energy, Samuel Bodman who attended the event. Jeff describes what EPIC does and what he thinks of all the publicity generated by the ethanol/IRL matchup.
You can listen to my interview with Jeff here: 
Jeff Broin Interview (3 min MP3)
COLT Technologies Now TekVet
Colt Technologies officially changed its name to TekVet, LLC last week. So when I saw this I went to their website and now I’m confused. The website says “Colt Technologies.” But in their newsroom they have the release saying they changed their name. Seems like a webpage update is in order.
In addition to the name change, the company announced it has moved its headquarters back home from Puerto Rico to a facility in North Salt Lake, Utah.
FarmStack Classifieds Now Online
Online classifieds have a new player in the agricultural arena. It’s FarmStack.com. I don’t have anything to buy or sell so I haven’t tried it out.
Basic listings on Farmstack.com are free of charge, whereas Featured and Premium listings carry a small charge. Listings by individual farmers and growers are always free. Registration on the site is free. Individual Farmers and Growers may list tractors, implements, organic foods and many farm related products to seek buyers locally, nationwide and globally.Read More
Batting For Better Sales
Equipment manufacturers are gearing up for their annual marketing seminar. This year it will take place June 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD. This is a pretty full scale marketing conference and since they’re going to Camden Yards for a baseball game the theme is “Take Me Out To The Marketplace.” That competitive challenge the Orioles face is much like the one any business faces as well.
Besides the annual marketing seminar, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers also has plans in place for a their AgExecutive Forum which will be held Tuesday, July 11 at the Renaissance Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, IL.
Get Revved Up For Indy
After a week off, the ZimmCast is back just in time to Rev You Up For Indy. Yes, it’s the final week leading up to the Indianapolis 500. To get you revved up this week’s program is all about ethanol and the IRL, powered by EPIC.
In case you’ve wondered about all the hype over the Indy Racing League converting to ethanol as a fuel you can listen to sound bites from some of the people instrumental in making it happen. The program also includes the latest episode of “Fill up Feel good” the official podcast of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.
So sit back and enjoy using the following link: ZimmCast 69 (9 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.
New ZimmCast On The Way
I’m sure you’ve noticed that I didn’t post a new ZimmCast this week. Mea culpa. It’s the first week in well over a year that I’ve missed an episode. But don’t worry. There will be a new one this coming week and all the weeks after that. After 69 programs I hit a wall this week in ideas and time.
So look for a new ZimmCast by Monday. I promise.
Festival Time of the Year
It’s already time for the festival season to get in high gear. Many of them are tied into agriculture like the Maifest in Herman, MO. Yes, wine, bratwurst, beer, these are all agricultural products.
What I’m interested to know is what’s your favorite festival? Send me an email or post a comment. I’d like to feature the ones you enjoy. If your favorite festival has a website, let me know the URL too.
I don’t think I have a favorite one. I’ve been to too many over the years and I could list a lot of them but I’m interested in the ones you like.
Growing His Own Fuel
Steve King races what he grows. He grows corn and when that’s turned into ethanol he puts it in his number 88 and sprints past the competition.
At Ethanol Day in Indianapolis recently, Steve, sprint car driver, was there to help promote the alternative fuel. Steve is pictured to the right of his parents, Danny & Naomi.
I interviewed Steve while we had a relatively quiet moment (there’s usually never a quiet moment at the speedway). Steve says he began using ethanol about 5 years ago. Besides growing corn he also has a feedlot. He says ethanol allows him to load less fuel at the beginning of a race and that gives him a competitive advantage.
You can listen to my interview with Steve here: Steve King Interview (3 min MP3)