Keep at it – Spring is a New Beginning!

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensIn attending the Canadian Association of Ag Retailers Icebreaker Reception in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan recently, I got the feeling there’s optimism in the air.

Several people told me it’s not near as negative as some make it out to be. One person in the hotel elevator told me farmers are the eternal optimists – they’ll make it happen.

Yes, that is all fine and good. However, while also being an optimist, I’m also a realist and recognize when farmers get ready to head to the fields, their attitudes change. This year, it all depends how the banker views their finances.

One farmer at Morris, MB told me a few banks are telling some farmers – thanks but no thanks. You’re in fine shape, but two years of poor crops and no inventory, and low commodity prices are make it difficult to pencil out a profit, we don’t need your business. Case closed.

How many of those cases are there, I’m not sure, probably not very many. For a group that’s shrinking in numbers, and for the most part those few are most likely the younger set, two or three is too many. Yes, another bank may look at their case, and may indeed finance their operating loan, but in some cases, no one will. What happens to that farmer and to his land? Someone will farm it, but the mix gets smaller.

For those who are left, who have the finances, and who look for the small niches and little positives, the excitement level rises because ingenuity, new crop prospects, a support industry ready to lend that helping hand, it’s a brand new year. It’s simply, “time to get at her,” as they say . . .

Siemens Says

Uncategorized

Siemens Will Say It On Agwired

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensLet me introduce you to Harry Siemens because you’ll be seeing his writing here on AgWired on a regular basis. We’re in a global farm economy right? So why not have some Canadian perspective? This is going to be fun. I’m just getting to know Harry and you and I will get to know him better together. Harry lives in Winkler, Manitoba. That’s not too far from the U. S. border. Harry “gets” this blogging thing and I’m really excited to have him become a part of the AgWired world.

Harry’s bio says he, “has spent over 33 years in farm communications as a broadcaster and journalist, farm advocacy speaker and corporate trainer to agribusiness. People listen to what Siemens Says and respect his deep knowledge and love of the farm.

Harry delivers opinionated educational and motivational commentary on relevant agricultural issues with a rare, common sense, honest and opinionated advocacy that gets heard, gets attention and gets results in an industry that is so often affected by issues beyond its control.

When Harry speaks and writes, he covers the main farm issues of the day and puts them in perspective for the listener. He sets the record straight with his inspiration and informed opinions that are original, spiced with humor, and candid.”

That sounds like the kind of guest blogger we want on AgWired. We’re just getting started so I’ll be posting his articles for a few days until I get time to set him up for posting on his own. I hope you like this new feature and would love to know your comments.

International

Krone’s Got A Big Baler

Chuck Zimmerman

Krone Big BalerAndy Vance at Buckeye Ag Radio Network has been providing me with some great stories for World Dairy Diary. This one had a broader audience and includes his interview so I thought I’d post it here too.

At the recent Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY, Andy interviewed Brent Raines from Krone North America. They talked about new forage epuipment and the Krone big baler shown here.

You can listent to Andy’s interview with Brent here: Listen To MP3 Audio Brent Raines Interview (6:29 MP3 Fle)

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Shows

Buy A Blue Bull

Chuck Zimmerman

Belgian Blue BreedersDriving to Minneapolis from Holts Summit, MO makes for one long day, especially if your email account goes on the fritz half way up and your Palm Treo turns into a “plain” mobile phone. It’s fixed now for any of you who had problems getting through to me this afternoon.

So, I’m here and surfing around and found a story titled, “Lots of Bull Promised at 10th Annual Belgian Blue Sale.” That caught my eye. It’s the American Belgian Blue Breeders Association sale coming up April 1, 2006, at 1:00 P.M, at the Heely Livestock Market, Inc., Hwy. 32 and U in El Dorado Springs, Mo. The deadline for Nominations is March 5, 2006.

2006 marks the 10th Annual BBB Sale, but it is the first since all US BB breeders have united under one association, the American Belgian Blue Breeders Association, Inc. (ABBB). This translates into a greater number of breeders participating.

Here’s the part I like: “On March 31st at 7:00PM all are welcome to enjoy a Belgian Blue Beef and Catfish buffet and take part in a Benefit Auction for the ABBB.”

Ag Groups, Beef, Biodiesel

ZimmCast With World Dairy Diary Sponsor

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast56-Janet KellerOne of the sponsors for our World Dairy Diary site is Accelerated Genetics. Janet Keller is the VP for Public Relations, Communications and Advertising. She talks about the company and some of the new projects they’re involved in.

You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: Download MP3 File

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar.

You can also now find the ZimmCast on CoolCast Radio or subscribe in iTunes.

Agribusiness, Audio, Dairy, Podcasts, ZimmCast

Blogging From Pioneer This Week

Chuck Zimmerman

PioneerThis week I’ll be blogging at the Pioneer Hi-Bred Science of Solutions event at their campus near Des Moines. It gets started on Wednesday afternoon so I may not have much until late Wed or on Thursday. Look for some pics, interviews and maybe even some video.

I know we’ve got a virtual tour on Wednesday of their Hawaii Research Station. I’ve tried to talk Jerry Harrington into having me out for a live one. Why can’t we be doing this in Hawaii Jerry!!

See you from the road this week. I’ll be in Minneapolis to start and may have some news to post from there as well.

Agribusiness

Give Me Summer Weather To Grill In

Chuck Zimmerman

Beef CheckoffCindy wanted me to barbeque something today but I’m not into “extreme barbeque.” At least not when it’s only in the teens outside. But the Cattlemen’s Beef Board wants us to think about grilling. They’re going to be firing up the Summer Grilling Campaign again.

Conducted on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, the 19-week program spans from May to Labor Day and is an integrated retail marketing effort that features all grilling cuts of beef, including the chuck and round, and incorporates the well-recognized tagline, “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.”

According to FreshLook data, last year’s promotion helped drive total beef sales up nearly 4 percent on a dollar basis versus the same period in 2004, despite a slightly reduced supply. Dollar increases in light of a reduced supply is further indication of the strong demand for beef.

Through Labor Day, the beef industry will run national radio advertising with retailer tags in the top 40 markets, which will reach more than 94 percent of beef’s target audience. In addition to the radio advertising and summer promotion, two national print campaigns focusing on beef’s enjoyment and nutrition messages will run in publications such as Food & Wine, Southern Living and Sports Illustrated.

Ag Groups, Beef

Hemp Seed Products Make You Happy

Chuck Zimmerman

Planet Hemp ProductsI will just bet I know why Planet Hemp Products is part of the Happy Planet Group. They claim their seed products don’t contain the THC drug though. I’ve got to wonder what quality control is like in their facility! I’m betting that one of their products, Skoobie Snax, makes for some very happy dogs.

Locally (Brisbane, Australia) established hemp distributor, Planet Hemp Products, exported Australian grown and processed human-grade hemp food to China this week. Planet Hemp Products is the first company in Australia to export hemp food to China. For many years, China has been one of the largest producers and exporters of hemp seed and hemp fibre products in the world. “It is a credit to the Beattie Government practices, persistence and AusTrade that we are in a position to begin competing in such a sustainable agricultural industry”, said Thomas, general manager of Planet Hemp Products.

The first commercial industrial hemp crops were sown in Queensland in 2002. In that same year, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recommended that the Australian Health Council approve hemp seed foods for human consumption. For the first time in Australian history, the Health Council of Australia has ignored a FSANZ recommendation leaving Australia as the last western democracy in which hemp seed foods for humans remain controlled by State Criminal legislation.

The only hemp foods currently available in Australia are for our pets. Ironically, the Australian made pet food contains the same Australian hemp seeds contained in human grade food that Planet Hemp Products now exports.

“We are now in discussions with the largest and best hemp seed processor in north America to gain the use of their processing experience. We have also discussed supplying Canada and the USA with Australian grown hemp seed by-products in their cold season,” said Thomas.

Who is the largest and best hemp seed processor in north America?

Agribusiness, hemp, International

LongHorn, Not The Long Tail

Chuck Zimmerman

Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of AmericaI will bet this is a very friendly group of people and would be a lot of fun to attend. It’s the Legacy II sale of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America. They say that Texas longhorns are dressed up and ready for a night on the town and I believe it. The president of TLBAA sounds like a real promoter to me.

“When people think about a livestock auction, usually a sawdust-covered arena comes to mind, not a five-star resort with a golf course and a spa,” said Don L. King, president of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America. “But when you consider how revered the Texas Longhorn is, it’s a lot easier to understand why we wanted to give this event a bit of star treatment this year.” The Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale II is scheduled for March 18, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas near the Texas Motor Speedway. Last year, the top dollar spent on a single Longhorn was $81,000, and TLBAA members invited to the event include celebrities, such as Jeanine Turner, Barry Corbin, Red McCombs and Don Imus.

Ag Groups

Promotion Board Appointments

Chuck Zimmerman

National Honey BoardSecretary Johanns was busy doing the appointing thing again last week. He must have to do a lot of interviews to fill these positions don’t you think?

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns appointed four members and four alternate members to serve on the National Honey Board.

Newly appointed members are: David M. Shenefield, Producer Region 7, LaFontaine, Ind.; Dale D. Bauer, Importer 2, Fertile, Minn.; and Mark Mammen, Cooperative, Sioux City, Iowa. Clint Walker III, Producer Region 5, Temple, Texas, is a reappointed member of the board.

Newly appointed alternates are: John M. Williams, Producer Region 5, Jonesboro, Ark.; Ann W. Harman, Producer Region 7, Flint Hill, Va.; Bartlomiej R. Jelonek, Importer 2, Jersey City, N.J.; and Bob Brandi, Cooperative, Los Banos, Calif.

National Watermelon Promotion BoardAgriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of 11 members to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.

Thomas A. Smith, a producer from LaBelle, Fla., District One, and two handlers, District One’s William Robert Ward, Jr., Lakeland, Fla., and Michael A. Caruthers, Immokalee, Fla., have been reappointed. Chandler Mack, a producer from Babson Park, Fla., District One, is a new appointee.

Three importers, Francisco Ramon Murillo, Jr., Nogalez, Ariz.; Matthew J. Bradley III, McAllen, Texas; and Alan Guzi, Delray Beach, Fla., have been reappointed. Three other importers, Jesus Enrique Lopez, Rio Rico, Ariz.; Michael Warren, Coral Springs, Fla.; and Mario W. Cardenas, Boca Raton Fla., are new appointees.

Maureen Ellis, Sterling, Va., is a new appointee to the board as a public member.

Hass Avocado BoardAgriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of three alternate importer members to serve on the Hass Avocado Board.

Pilar Oyarzun, from Los Angeles, Calif., and Elena H. Garcia, Chandler, Ariz., are appointed to serve three-year terms beginning immediately and ending on Oct. 31, 2008. Alan M. Parr, Miami, Fla., is appointed to serve a two-year term beginning immediately and ending on Oct. 31, 2007.

Ag Groups, USDA