Here’s a story I can relate to.
Scrumptious chocolate-malt truffles, perfect for a holiday indulgence, might soon be made with malt from a superb new barley. So might your favorite breakfast cereal or brew, according to plant geneticist Donald E. Obert, a barley and oat breeder with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The novel barley, named “Charles,” is the result of more than a decade of testing by Obert and others at the ARS Small Grains and Potato Research Unit in Aberdeen, Idaho.
Let’s root for “Charles” since:
. . . a major U.S. brewery is leading rigorous tests to determine if the barley meets the exacting standards of the American Malting Barley Association, a feat no U.S.-grown winter malting barley has yet achieved. Results are expected by late 2006.
Rib Roast Sales Spike At Christmas
Just in time for the holidays we’ve got a news release from the Missouri Beef Industry Council that’s sure to get you drooling. The picture is a Salt Crusted Beef Ribey Roast. You can find the recipe on their website.
Like the rare Who-Roast Beast in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” roast beef is a big part of the Christmas dinner celebration for Americans. Most of the year sales of beef rib and loin roasts average about four million pounds a month. But, in just the week before Christmas, sales are triple that monthly average, at about 12 million pounds.
Missouri Beef Industry Council Executive Director Steve Taylor says the surprising findings were revealed in a 2004 retail market survey done for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board by Freshlook Marketing. “I was totally shocked to find out that about a third of all the rib and ribeye roasts that people buy during the whole year are purchased during that one week, right before Christmas.” (Full Release)
You can also check out a great holiday recipe on their site for Beef Tenderloin With Easy Cranberry Balsamic Sauce. I’m going to try this one.
Brownfield Special & International
I’ve got a couple of Brownfield Network announcements. Lane just keeps cranking them out.
The last twelve months have been filled with much growth and change in agriculture. In recognition of the challenges and accomplishments of American farmers throughout the past year, Brownfield will offer a special hour-long program, “Agriculture In 2005″, a review of the top agricultural news stories and events. Hosted by Brownfield’s Tom Steever, the program will be available to network affiliates and as a podcast beginning December 30 on the network’s website. The program can be heard by visiting the site, www.brownfieldagnews.com, under the “In the Spotlight” section, starting on Thursday, December 29.
It says the program will be a podcast. (Only if I can subscribe to it). It’s nice to see the farm podcast field continuing to grow.
Brownfield’s Gary Truitt will be one of 30 Indiana agricultural and agribusiness leaders to travel to Central America with Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Congressman Dan Burton. The purpose of the six-day trade mission to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama is to create new business opportunities for Indiana’s food and agricultural industry.
Truitt will be reporting news from his travels and making posts to the Brownfield Blog while on his trip to Central America. The group will travel to the Central American region January 8-13, spending one or two days in each country.
Wow Gary. Send me some photos too and I’ll post ’em. How about a cool one for a Zimmage?
AgWired Gets Media Creds Again
How many of you would consider AgWired a “legitimate” media outlet? Are we providing information? Is it news? Does that make me a reporter?
I ask because you may be surprised how often I have to re-apply for media credentials after being turned down. A company that I won’t name just turned me down, saying that I didn’t fit their definition of true media. I was invited to appeal and make a case that I am “legitimate.” I’m happy to report that they have agreed to allow AgWired “in.” Here’s part of the message I just got “Thank you for the additional information. You now have Media access . . .”
Ha Ha Ha . . . I have to laugh. I love this.
Actually, in all fairness, I’m sure they hesitate because of the way they’ve been treated by some of the irresponsible bloggers out there. Here at AgWired I’m not out to flame and embarrass anyone. My goal is to inform, entertain and challenge you to look at what you’re doing in a new way. I hope I’m successful at that.
You be the judge. In the meantime, I’m going to seek access wherever I need it in order to bring you the latest and most interesting news and information about the business of agrimarketing.
The FarmAssist.com Strike It Rich Promotion
I know the picture is kind of small but Syngenta is running a”33 Chances To Strike It Rich” promotion. The farmer in the picture is standing in a field and good old greenbacks are falling from the sky. Who wouldn’t want it to rain like that?
It’s a FarmAssist.com related promotion and all a farmer has to do is fill out a short survey to be entered. Winnings will include:
One Grand Prize ― $2,500
Two First Prizes ― $500
Thirty Second Prizes ― $50
Florida Citrus May Get New Symbol
The Florida Department of Citrus will be forming a committee to come up with a new symbol that will help consumers know if they’re getting the “real” Florida product or not.
I’m really not sure what the current one is. After looking at their website I guess it’s the Pure & Simple picture. I still like the old Florida citrus tree with the state outline. In fact, I can still hear Anita Bryant singing the Fresh From The Florida Sunshine Tree jingle. Let’s bring ‘er back I say. I met Anita once at a Department of Citrus function and thought she was a very friendly person who couldn’t have been a bigger supporter of Florida citrus.
Christmas Rib Roast Time
The Missouri Beef Industry Council’s weekly MBIC Report this week is with executive director, Steve Taylor.
After interviewing Steve for this week’s MBIC Report I went out and bought a roast to cook for Christmas. Steve quotes some interesting information about how many rib roasts are purchased for this holiday.
You can listen to this week’s MBIC Report here: 
The MBIC Report is an AgWired podcast which you can subscribe to using the link you’ll find on our “Blogs & Podcasts” page or on the MBIC website.
Real Christmas Tree Export Update
Here’s the Chistmas tree in the White House this year (courtesy of National Christmas Tree Association). Being in a Christmas mood I thought it made a good post matched up with a USDA story by Gary Crawford. Gary provides the latest on how Christmas tree exports are doing this year.
Missouri Corn Scholarships Available
CornTalk is the week’y interview program of the Missouri Corn Growers Association. This week MCGA’s Becky Grisham talks about the Missouri Corn Scholarship program. High school and college students may apply for 6 scholarships which will be awarded in 2006. She says the application forms are available on their website.
You can listen to this week’s CornTalk here:
CornTalk is a weekly AgWired podcast which you can subscribe to using the link you’ll find on our “Blogs & Podcasts” page.
Gateway NAMA Blogging Workshop
If you’d like to know more about the blogging and podcasting business then come to St. Louis on January 10 and attend the Gateway NAMA lunch meeting and my workshop that follows the meeting. You’re invited even if you’re not a member although we would appreciate your rsvp. I’ll show you the basics of blogging, podcasting and rss and discuss why these should be part of your marketing vocabulary.
Here’s the details:
Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Time: 11:30 a.m. reception; 12:00 p.m. lunch & program; 1:30-2:30 – Blogging Workshop
Cost: $20 per person – no charge for workshop
Location: Sheraton Westport Plaza
Register: Reserve your spot for the lunch and/or workshop by e-mailing gatewaynama@yahoo.com or calling 636/449-5040 by January 6.
The lunch program is “How the internet is changing how the agricultural industry does business,” presented by Kip Pendleton, President of Agristar Global Networks.