He’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)
The 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.
One 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.
This 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.
This 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.
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: 
Joint Advertising Commitee Video (2:44 WMV File)
Regular 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)
They 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.
Our 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: Mike Johanns Speech (25 min. MP3 File)
This is a big head table. Kind of hard to get into one shot. You’ll have to listen to the audio to hear their introduction by Joe Schuele, NCBA. This is the Cattle Industry Convention Media Forum just prior to our reception this evening. The event was sponsored by Merial.
The event provides an opportunity for the media to ask questions of the leaders from both NCBA and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. A lot of the questions were about the coalition of groups coming together to provide input and recommendations on the Beef Checkoff. It’s still too early in that process to know what they’ll come up with but it’s clear that NCBA is taking a lead role in the effort.
You can hear the whole press conference here. It’s about 25 minutes long. I edited it down at least some. We had the lights go out in the room 3 times which was a little odd. Anyway, here it is: Cattle Industry Convention Media Forum (12MB MP3 File)
It has been a very busy day here in Denver. At least for this agriblogger. I’ve posted content onto 6 different blog sites today. I’ve got a lot more to post but it’s time for a break. The Cattle Industry Media reception is coming up in a few minutes. Then it’s on to several other receptions and the CBB Banquet. I’ll have a lot more pictures and interviews just as soon as I get back online.
Until then, stay AgWired!
