Final Day Meetings In Progress

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattle Industry Convention-47One of the final meetings here at the Cattle Industry Convention is the NCBA Board of Directors and CBB Meeting. Both organizations sit at the head table and report on their activities. It fosters a very open dialogue with everyone who’s attending.

It’s also where the gavel is passed from outgoing CBB Chairman Al Svajgr to incoming Chairman Jay O’Brien. Hopefully I’ll have a picture of that to share later, along with one of the new NCBA President Mike John. That ceremony takes place after I leave later today.

Cattle Industry Conference

Supper With The Larsons

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattle Industry Convention-45I attended the Cattlemen’s Beef Board banquet last night at which they honor the people who are going off the board and the outgoing chairman. I am seriously glad I decided to go because I got to sit next to two of the people that I’ve missed since leaving Florida about 15 years ago. Pictured with me are Grace and Woody Larson. Woody is a dairy and beef producer from Okeechobee, FL. They, like all these people here, are just the salt of the earth and I couldn’t have been more fortunate than to have been able to sit with them at the dinner and get caught up.

I hope the opportunity comes up again much sooner. Oh, and, How ’bout them Gators?

Cattle Industry Conference

Listen To The New (Almost) NCBA President

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattle Industry Convention-44He’s being double-teamed here by Randy Koenen and Greg Akagi. He’s also the incoming President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He’s Mike John and all of us in Missouri are proud of him. I won’t be able to attend his acceptance speech tomorrow afternoon so I interviewed him myself.

Mike talks about what his priorities will be and the new long range plan for the beef industry. You can listen to my interview with Mike here: Mike John Interview (5:56 min. MP3 File)

Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

NAFB Group Poses For Picture

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattle Industry Convention-34The farm broadcasting members of NAFB posed for a picture after the media reception.

It’s quite a group.

I’ve been finding it interesting to see the range of technology being used by all the reporters here. The newsroom was set up with a lot of computers plugged into ethernet cables for internet access. They didn’t get used as much as personal notebooks though since I’ll bet that at least 75 percent of the reporters brought their own. I think organizational media rooms need to start supplying more open tables with just power outlets and high speed internet cables so we can set up our own. Wireless really needs to become a standard feature too. I heard people asking over and over for wireless. We had none in the room though since it needs to be scheduled in advance.

I am seeing a lot more digital recorders in action too and reporters using audio editing software. I’ve been offering some training and assistance when time allows. There’s still some good old audio cassette recorders in service. Not many though.

Cattle Industry Conference, Media, NAFB

Stop By For Prime Rib

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattle Industry Convention-43One way to get people into your booth is to cook them some prime rib.

At BPI Technology’s booth they were cooking steaks and prime rib. Very good steaks and prime ribs.

Top that off with the Alltech Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale across the aisle and you’ve got a high traffic area.

Cattle Industry Conference

Human Statue Stops Traffic

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattle Industry Convention-41This is a human statue and he’s pretty good. I don’t think I’d want to be painted like that. The only reason I knew he was “real” was seeing him change positions, which he does every once in a while.

Cattle Industry Convention-42This dude is in the SolidTech Animal Health booth. I give them some high marks for creativity. The competition is fierce when you’ve got a couple hundred other exhibitors on hand.

He was definitely a traffic stopper.

I wonder what his day rate is.

Cattle Industry Conference

Watch a Committee In Action

Chuck Zimmerman

If you’ve never attended or participated in one of the committee meetings going on here then you might want to check this out. It’s just real people trying to work through some very complex issues.

I visited the Joint Advertising Committee meeting this afternoon and took a short video clip you can watch. I used this on the Beef Board Meeting Blog too since the idea was actually a board member’s who wanted producers to see what’s going on in these rooms. I have to applaud my client (Cattlemen’s Beef Board) for their open, honest attempt at transparency. They get this blogging thing and are doing it right.

You can watch the video here: Watch WMV File Joint Advertising Commitee Video (2:44 WMV File)

Cattle Industry Conference, Video

Innovative Beef Restaurant In Iowa

Chuck Zimmerman

Trostel's Greenbriar - Beef Backer Award WinnersRegular readers know I’m a pretty big food fan and especially of beef. After seeing the Beef Backer Award winners presented with their awards this morning I’m looking forward to my next trip to Iowa so I can stop in at Trostel’s Greenbriar in Johnston.

The Beef Checkoff conducts this annual restaurant awards program. The winners received their awards and recognition here onstage at the Friday general session.

I interviewed “Innovator of the Year” winners, chef, Troy Trostel, and General Manager, Suzanne Summy.

You can listen to my interview with Troy & Suzanne here: Trostel’s Interview (3:26 min. MP3 File)

Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

AgriTalk Live From Denver

Chuck Zimmerman

AgriTalkThey brought me a picture and audio and I’m happy to let you know what the folks at AgriTalk are doing here at the Cattle Industry Convention. Mike Adams is broadcasting live each morning from here in the convention center in Denver.

Yesterday’s program featured Cattlemen’s Beef Board members Jim Little (far left) from Idaho, currently Chairman of the Joint Nominating Committe and Dave Bateman (center) from Illinois, who has been nominated as the new Secretary/Treasurer.

You can listen to the segment of the show they appeared on here: AgriTalk Program Segment (13 min. WMA File)

You can also find the complete program from their program archives here.

Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

Speech By Sec. of Ag Mike Johanns

Chuck Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Mike JohannsOur U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, was on the program early today here at the Cattle Industry Convention. He spoke for about 25 minutes before taking some questions from the floor.

One of the things he focused on was an animal ID system. He said that he’s put about $100 million dollars into the budget for the development of a national system. He said the budget will be available to look at by next Monday when President Bush announces his proposed budget.

I recorded his comments for you. The audio feed for the press was a little distorted but it’s very clear. You can listen here: Listen To MP3 File Mike Johanns Speech (25 min. MP3 File)

Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, USDA