New Pork Board Officers

Chuck Zimmerman

National Pork BoardI’m not related to Brian from Nebraska in case you’re wondering.

National Pork Board Elects New Officers

Danita Rodibaugh, a pork producer from Rensselaer, Ind., was elected president of the National Pork Board at the board’s summer meeting in Dallas, Tex., July 21. Wayne Peugh, a producer from Edelstein, Ill., was elected vice president.

Rodibaugh, who had been vice president of the organization, succeeds Dave Culbertson, a producer from Geneseo, Ill., as the leader of the 15-member board, which administers the demand-building, research and consumer information programs supported by all producers through the Pork Checkoff. Culbertson completed his one-year term as president and remains on the board.

The board also seated new members Carol Hein of Spickard, Mo., and Brian Zimmerman of Beatrice, Neb. They replace Hugh Dorminy of Russellville, Ark., and Mike Bayes of Orient, Ohio, both of whom completed two three-year terms on the board and who were not eligible for reappointment. Hein and Zimmerman will serve three-year terms.

Ag Groups, Pork

Ethanol Gains Ground In DC

Chuck Zimmerman

American Coalition for EthanolThe big news out of Washington, DC today is very good news for the ethanol industry.

Senate-House Energy Bill Negotiators Agree to Double Demand for Ethanol – American Motorists will have Access to More Clean, Cost-Effective Fuel

Sioux Falls, SD (July 26, 2005) – The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today praised the Energy Bill Conference Committee for passing a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) calling for at least 7.5 billion gallons of homegrown ethanol to be used by 2012, thereby reducing the nation’s dangerous dependence on foreign oil and providing a much needed boost for rural economies.

“The American Coalition for Ethanol applauds the energy bill conferees for approving a dramatic Renewable Fuels Standard as part of the comprehensive energy bill. This is a critical step towards doubling ethanol use by 2012. We encourage Congress to adopt the overall energy bill containing the RFS later this week,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President. “The historic bipartisan Senate-House agreement on renewable fuels guarantees the U.S. will replace a modest level of high-priced foreign oil with cleaner, less expensive ethanol and biodiesel. It’s a win for American farmers and American consumers.”

The 7.5 billion gallon RFS agreed upon in committee is just shy of the 8 billion gallon RFS passed in the Senate version of the energy bill.

For more information contact Kristin Brekke.

Ag Groups, Ethanol

Cattlemen’s Beef Board To Set New Budget

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattlemen's Beef BoardThe Cattle Industry Summer Conference is about to get underway in Denver. The conference is actually a joint effort of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the American National Cattlewomen. Here’s what the CBB will be working on:

CATTLEMEN’S BEEF BOARD TO DISCUSS FISCAL 2006 CHECKOFF DIRECTION
CBB Budget up for Approval at Summer Meeting in Denver

CENTENNIAL, COLO. – The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will review a recommended budget for fiscal 2006 and will hear proposals for specific beef checkoff programs for the year during the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver July 25-30.

The Beef Board’s Executive Committee will meet July 27, when it will receive a financial report from the Board’s treasurer and get an update on the status of state beef council marketing plans and audit reports, among other items.

A CBB Update Session on Thursday, July 28, will give Beef Board members an opportunity to raise any questions, concerns or suggestions they have about current checkoff topics in an open-discussion environment.

For more information contact Diane Henderson.

Ag Groups, Beef

IFAJ Photo Contest Entries Available Online

Chuck Zimmerman

International Federation of Agricultural JournalistsEverybody like to look at pictures so take a look at the entries to the IFAJ Photo Contest. They have some good ones to judge. Hopefully we can enter next year. The awards will be presented at the upcoming 2005 IFAJ Congress which we’ll be blogging.

Pioneer Hi-BredAgWired reports on IFAJ Congress 2005 are sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred.

IFAJ

East Region Biofuels Workshop Scheduled

Chuck Zimmerman

Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show - East RegionWhile I’m on the topic of ethanol I wanted to point you to the upcoming Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – East Region that’s being organized by the folks at BBI International. They are really into this ethanol conference thing with the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Kansas City and one coming up in China later this year!

The Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – Eastern & Atlantic Region is the second regional conference to focus on near-term development of commercial-scale ethanol and biodiesel production and use. In 2004, The Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show Western & Pacific Region in Sacramento, California, presented important technical and political issues that can enable biofuels production and use in the Western United States and Canada, and the Pacific Rim.

The main objectives of the 2005 conference program are to exchange information and expertise that targets regional development of a biofuels industry; bring together key people that can facilitate the development of a biofuels industry; offer reliable and viable technology options; and identify action steps to create a path forward. The Biofuels Workshop was an important opportunity to share resources, expertise, services, products and technology with this rapidly emerging biofuels industry.

You can register here.

Ethanol

Ethanol Job Bank

Chuck Zimmerman

ethanol-jobs.comI picked up a card about ethanol-jobs.com at the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop and have been meaning to post a notice about it. It’s a very nicely done website by the folks at BBI International that is exactly what it says it is – an online ethanol industry job bank for both those looking for a job or to hire someone. It’s very easy to use and I like the simple, clean design.

Ethanol

Tractor Supply Company Acquisition

Chuck Zimmerman

Tractor Supply CompanyThe big are getting bigger. Or should I say the biggest is getting bigger.

Tractor Supply Company Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Del’s Farm Supply
– Provides Second Retail Concept and Entry into Northwest Market –

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., July 22 – Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) , the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, today announced it has signed a letter of intent to purchase privately-held Del’s Farm Supply, Inc. (“Del’s”). Based in Lakewood, Washington, Del’s operates 17 stores, primarily in the Pacific Northwest, that offer a wide selection of products tailored to those who enjoy the rural lifestyle. Del’s specializes in the equine, animal and pet category, which accounts for approximately 70% of its sales. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Del’s generated approximately $34 million in sales.

The acquisition is subject to negotiation and execution of a definitive acquisition agreement that is expected to include representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions typical for a transaction of this type. There can be no assurances that the parties will enter into a definitive acquisition agreement, that the conditions to closing will be satisfied, or that consummation of this transaction will occur.

For more information contact Melissa Merrill, +1-212-850-5600.

Agribusiness

New ED For NAFB

Chuck Zimmerman

National Association of Farm BroadcastersThe National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) officially announced their new Executive Director today. He’s Bill O’Neill. I think it’s very interesting to see a broadcast organization (that I’ve long belonged to) hire a “print” person. There are certainly challenges ahead for NAFB and maybe Bill can bring some new ideas to the organization to help them out! Look for an interview with Bill here as soon as I can get in touch with him. Gene, good job in the interim. I agree with Emery.

NAFB President Emery Kleven had this to say:

It is my pleasure to announce that Bill O’Neill will join NAFB as the new Executive Director effective August 1, 2005. This is the position that Gene Millard has held since the first of this year. Gene will stay on during this transition period in a consulting capacity until our November convention in Kansas City. At that time, his continuing role with NAFB will be determined.
Gene Millard was hired as Executive Director of NAFB to take the position vacated by Ken Root on January 15, 2005. Gene informed the NAFB Board of Directors at that time that he did not see this as a long-term position, especially with his commitments to other industry boards and the operation of Millard Family Farms. He agreed to serve as Executive Director for up to two years or until a suitable candidate could be identified. Neither Gene, nor the board wanted to use the Interim Director title, as we wanted to give him full authority to do the business of the association. On this point, he has done work above and beyond what was expected. His many years of management have helped NAFB become a more efficient organization. Gene focused on establishing solid business operations and prepared NAFB for a productive future.
One of the many roles given Gene when he became Executive Director was to at some point, find and identify a person who would be capable of taking over the position as the NAFB Executive. This was a process that could take 6 months or 18 months. There was no definite timeline on it. As it turned out, we became aware of a highly qualified candidate, Bill O’Neill.
Bill was with Vance Publishing in Lenexa, Kansas for more than 28 years as an editor, publisher and from 1998 – 2004, he served as Executive Vice-President. Among his duties, Bill had responsibility for Vance’s largest revenue brand group and two of the company’s agricultural Divisions, as well as corporate promotion.
Bill has been chair/board member of the Partnership for Food Industry Development, USAID and Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Michigan and a Trustee at the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Communications, Lawrence, Kansas. Bill has been and still is very active in his church and community.
Bill brings broad experience in business-to-business services, media brand and product startups, client relationship management, and organizational leadership and development.
The NAFB executive committee and the entire board engaged in several discussions about this important decision. We wanted to do what was best for NAFB. We understand the importance of positioning our industry for the future and being receptive to new ideas that can bring economic successes and professional recognition to farm broadcasting. We believe Bill O’Neill is the person who is best qualified and experienced to lead NAFB as we continue in our 62nd year. I believe he is the right person at the right time for NAFB. I hope you will welcome him to the ‘NAFB family’.
For Gene Millard, to say thank you seems not to be enough. He has worked long and hard these past several months to set a very stable platform from which we can all work from and benefit from. It’s my hope that we will continue to gain from his wealth of knowledge and experience in this industry.
Thank you

Media

BIV Receives APHIS Approval

Chuck Zimmerman

Boehringer IngelheimI wonder if they’re doing any radio for this announcement? Not only would the products be difficult to say but what they treat is even more difficult.

Boehringer Ingelheim receives approval
for simultaneous use of oral vaccines in swine

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (July 19, 2005) – Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., received approval for simultaneous use of Enterisol® Ileitis FF, Enterisol® SC-54 FF and Ingelvac® ERY-ALC from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) division of the Department of Agriculture.

The new claim allows swine producers to administer the three oral vaccines simultaneously while maintaining the efficacy of each vaccine and saving management time and labor expenses. The use of simultaneous vaccination also allows veterinarians and producers the option to utilize a single medication-free window for oral vaccine administration.

For more information contact R. Kelly Schwalbe at 816-474-3166.

Agribusiness