We’re Going To Kansas City

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Convention 2006I just had a feeling this would happen. I applaud the decision and look forward to having the biggest and best NAMA convention ever in Missouri next year!

We were notified this week by the Hyatt Hotels national sales office, that the Hyatt New Orleans will be closed through December, 2006. In an Executive Committee conference call on Wednesday, September 14, the decision was made to hold the conference in Kansas City. We are now in the process of making the arrangements for this change.

The conference theme will remain “Jazzed!” as Jazz music “grew up” in Kansas City and shares that musical bond with the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans.

Special thanks to those of you who called, e-mailed or sent information to the NAMA office regarding alternate locations for us to explore. We greatly appreciate the time and effort you spent to help us during this waiting period.

If you’re not a NAMA member yet then fill out this online form to become one. There’s also a permanent “Join Now” button in the left sidebar.

NAMA

Mulhollem Retires From ADM

Chuck Zimmerman

Archer Daniels MidlandIt’s succession plan time at Archer Daniels Midland, the “Resourceful By Nature” people.

Paul B. Mulhollem, President and Chief Operating Officer, announced his decision (yesterday) to retire from the Company, effective immediately. G. Allen Andreas, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of ADM, will temporarily assume the duties of President and COO.

“Mr. Mulhollem’s contributions to the Company in his various assignments over his years with ADM are significant,” said Mr. Andreas. “Paul’s insight and acumen will be missed. During his tenure, Paul worked closely with me in expanding our global reach and building a solid foundation for the continued growth and success of ADM. On both a personal and professional level, Paul’s contributions are appreciated by all of us at ADM.”

“In retiring from ADM, I am leaving behind a great company and many friends and colleagues,” said Mr. Mulhollem. “I wish them and the Company continued success in the future.”

Agribusiness

Guess The Members & Win A Jacket

Chuck Zimmerman

Holstein Association USAIt’s nice to see an organization promoting and using its website! It’s an interactive medium after all. Take this contest being run by Holstein Association USA. You can meet each of the Holstein Association’s members of the day in their booth at World Dairy Expo between 11am and 2pm.

Think you can guess who each Holstein Association Member of the Day is? Use the clues below (also available on the Holstein Association website) and enter your guess for a chance to win a free Holstein Association jacket! Contest starts on September 16 and ends on September 26. Entries can be submitted on the Holstein Association website: www.holsteinusa.com or via phone at 800.952.5200 x 4174. Contest winner will be announced on September 27, 2005

QuestionTuesday, October 4: This young couple from Wisconsin both graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Their homebred animal was named Junior Champion at the 1999 World Dairy Expo. “Registered Holsteins give our farm more opportunity in almost every arena – milk production, longevity, merchandising and marketing,” said Tuesday’s mystery member. Their farm is only a stone’s throw away from becoming internationally recognized for excellent Registered Holsteins.

For the rest of the clues you’ll have to visit the Holstein Association website. Lisa Perrin’s already got entries so start guessing!

Ag Groups, World Dairy Expo

Bou-Matic Gets Monster Exposure

Chuck Zimmerman

Bou Matic Monster MilkerI used this story on World Dairy Diary and think it’s too cool not to use on AgWired as well. I wish I had some video to post but not until after the show airs.

Put a cow in one end and get chocolate and regular milk out the other. Who’d have thought it possible? With a little help from Bou-Matic it is and it’ll be on display at World Dairy Expo.

In a bit of reality TV and a lot of professional planning, design, engineering and finish welding and polish help from California Bou-Matic Dealer Turlock Dairy & Refrigeration, the entire five-day process of rebuilding a 1959 Chevrolet milk truck into a mobile milking parlor and the successful conclusion of milking a cow was chronicled on tape.This is all being done for the Discovery Channel show Monster Garage.

The Monster Milker will be featured in the show that airs at 8pm Central time on October 3rd, the day before Expo. I interviewed Bou-Matic’s Mark Clarke, product manager, who was on the design team for the truck. You can listen to my interview with Mark here: Download MP3 File (MP3 File 5MB)

Mark describes how the project came about, the team and how they worked to create the design the show wanted and how his company is using it in its promotional efforts.

Agribusiness, Audio, World Dairy Expo

Lifestyle Veterinarians

Chuck Zimmerman

Vetz MagazineWe’re certainly hearing a lot about “lifestyle” farming these days. How about lifestyle veterinarians or is it veterinarians who have a lifestyle? That’s the subject of a relatively new magazine called Vetz. Here’s information on their second issue:

VETZ Magazine, the first-ever lifestyle magazine for veterinarians, announced their Technology issue today available for veterinarians and industry experts coast to coast. After an astounding response from the industry, VETZ brings the latest news in technology, law, HR and practice management to the forefront of the industry catering to the needs of the next generation veterinarian.

New articles and sections include:
* Extreme Vetz – Meet a veterinarian that traveled to the South Pole
* Gadgets that Get Results
* A comprehensive “Gadget Guide” – High technology equipment for your practice
* Personal Technology: How to get productive, fast
* Health and Nutrition: Chronic Headaches
* Fine Wines: Do you know how many wines are named after animals? VETZ does the round-up.
* Relationships: Making Marriage Merge with Your Business

So if you want to reach the lifestyle veterinarian here’s your vehicle.

Publication

Cotton Leadership Training Begins

Chuck Zimmerman

Cotton Leadership ClassIsn’t this a great looking group? Their leadership training got started at the National Cotton Council headquarters and included communications training.

The class members this year are:

The 23rd class, recently selected by the NCC’s Cotton Leadership Development Committee, includes: Producers – Heath Watson, Mayesville, SC; Jeff Hux, Sikeston, MO; Toby Robertson, Robstown, TX; Kevin Nelson, Tulia, TX; and Tim Cox, Blythe, CA; Ginner – Steve Bullard – BCT Gin Co., Morven, GA; Warehouser – Will Coley, Savannah Warehouse Services, LLC, Savannah, GA; Merchant – Forester Adams, Joseph Walker & Co., Columbia, SC; Marketing Cooperative – Jason Ward – Staplcotn Cooperative Assoc., Greenwood, MS; and Manufacturer – Mitch Hensley, Ramtex, Inc., Ramseur, NC.

Since they’ll be travelling around and meeting with all kinds of industry leaders you know what would be cool? If one of these guys would blog the experience!! Someday someone will think of this.

Ag Groups

Johnson New Deputy Under Secretary

Chuck Zimmerman

USDA Rural DevelopmentHow many of you know Allan Johnson? Congratulate him for his new role at USDA!!

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced today the appointment of Allan Johnson to serve as Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development. “For the past two years, Allan has demonstrated outstanding leadership at USDA Rural Development,” said Johanns. “The people we serve in rural America and USDA will all benefit from his experience and knowledge in this new position.”

Johnson will serve in a leadership role by assisting Under Secretary Tom Dorr in carrying out Rural Development’s mission to support economic activity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.

USDA

New Promotion Board Appointments

Chuck Zimmerman

USDASecretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns was busy making appointments again this week.

To the United Soybean Board:

Appointed members representing soybean producers are: James D. Wilson, Alabama; Houston T. Allen, Arkansas; Larry F. Lewis, Illinois; Jack L. Reed, Indiana; James L. Stillman and Roy P. Bardole, Illinois; John W. Wray, Kansas; George H. Martin, Kentucky; Eugene L. Lowe, III, Maryland; Robert A. Moore, Michigan; Mark S. Pietz, Minnesota; Aubrey M. Beckham, Mississippi; Jason S. Bean, Missouri. Gregory L. Anderson, Nebraska; William R. Coppess, Ohio; Eaddy C. Bozard, South Carolina; Charles R. Friedrich, South Dakota; Gerald G. Caldwell, Tennessee; Richard T. Raun, Texas. Alternate members are: Harold R. Phillips, Alabama; Joseph A. Derrick, South Carolina; and Tom Rotello, Texas.

To the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Board:

Newly appointed members are: David Trotter of Indiana and John L. Oswalt of Michigan representing producers; Joseph O. Harper of West Virginia representing feeders; William R. Brennan of South Dakota representing first-handlers; and, Laurie K. Hubbard of Pennsylvania seedstock producers.

USDA

Canned Beef On It’s Way To Hurricane Evacuees

Chuck Zimmerman

MBIC Report PodcastMany Americans are working together to help hurricane evacuees and that certainly holds true of people in agriculture as you can see in my last post. The Missouri Beef Industry Council has made a donation of $5,000 through the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for a program to send beef products with a long shelf life to aid the people in need. This program was initiated by Heartland Farm Foods (Montgomery City, MO) CEO, Mark Uthlaut. In this week’s MBIC Report, Mark discusses how the program came together and the unique canned beef product his company has made available.

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

The MBIC Report is an AgWired podcast which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar or on the newly designed MBIC website.

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, Podcasts