New Pork Board Officers

Chuck Zimmerman July 26, 2005

I’m not related to Brian from Nebraska in case you’re wondering.

National Pork Board Elects New Officers

Danita Rodibaugh, a pork producer from Rensselaer, Ind., was elected president of the National Pork Board at the board’s summer meeting in Dallas, Tex., July 21. Wayne Peugh, a producer from Edelstein, Ill., was elected vice president.

Rodibaugh, who had been vice president of the organization, succeeds Dave Culbertson, a producer from Geneseo, Ill., as the leader of the 15-member board, which administers the demand-building, research and consumer information programs supported by all producers through the Pork Checkoff. Culbertson completed his one-year term as president and remains on the board.

The board also seated new members Carol Hein of Spickard, Mo., and Brian Zimmerman of Beatrice, Neb. They replace Hugh Dorminy of Russellville, Ark., and Mike Bayes of Orient, Ohio, both of whom completed two three-year terms on the board and who were not eligible for reappointment. Hein and Zimmerman will serve three-year terms.

Ag Groups, Pork

New “Fight Agroterrorism” Collaboration

Chuck Zimmerman July 26, 2005

I’m not sure what a “new collaboration with states . . . ” means. I’d kind of like to think that these folks have all been working together already but maybe this announcements means to reassure us.

USDA, FDA, DHS AND FBI JOIN STATES AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY TO PROTECT NATION’S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SUPPLY FROM AGROTERRORISM

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2005 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) today announced a new collaboration with states and private industry to protect the nation’s food supply from terrorist threats.

“Ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply is a top priority for President Bush and USDA,” said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment as government and the private sector work together to protect our agricultural commodities from terrorism. We look forward to working with our partners.”

For more information contact Angela Harless, USDA (202) 720-4623, Susan Trevino, FDA (301) 827-6244, Kirk Whitworth, DHS (202) 282-8010, FBI Press Office (202) 324-3691. I guess the contact at the FBI Press Office is secret. Shh.

Uncategorized

Ethanol Gains Ground In DC

Chuck Zimmerman July 26, 2005

The big news out of Washington, DC today is very good news for the ethanol industry.

Senate-House Energy Bill Negotiators Agree to Double Demand for Ethanol – American Motorists will have Access to More Clean, Cost-Effective Fuel

Sioux Falls, SD (July 26, 2005) – The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today praised the Energy Bill Conference Committee for passing a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) calling for at least 7.5 billion gallons of homegrown ethanol to be used by 2012, thereby reducing the nation’s dangerous dependence on foreign oil and providing a much needed boost for rural economies.

“The American Coalition for Ethanol applauds the energy bill conferees for approving a dramatic Renewable Fuels Standard as part of the comprehensive energy bill. This is a critical step towards doubling ethanol use by 2012. We encourage Congress to adopt the overall energy bill containing the RFS later this week,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President. “The historic bipartisan Senate-House agreement on renewable fuels guarantees the U.S. will replace a modest level of high-priced foreign oil with cleaner, less expensive ethanol and biodiesel. It’s a win for American farmers and American consumers.”

The 7.5 billion gallon RFS agreed upon in committee is just shy of the 8 billion gallon RFS passed in the Senate version of the energy bill.

For more information contact Kristin Brekke.

Ag Groups, Ethanol

Cattlemen’s Beef Board To Set New Budget

Chuck Zimmerman July 25, 2005

The Cattle Industry Summer Conference is about to get underway in Denver. The conference is actually a joint effort of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the American National Cattlewomen. Here’s what the CBB will be working on:

CATTLEMEN’S BEEF BOARD TO DISCUSS FISCAL 2006 CHECKOFF DIRECTION
CBB Budget up for Approval at Summer Meeting in Denver

CENTENNIAL, COLO. – The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will review a recommended budget for fiscal 2006 and will hear proposals for specific beef checkoff programs for the year during the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver July 25-30.

The Beef Board’s Executive Committee will meet July 27, when it will receive a financial report from the Board’s treasurer and get an update on the status of state beef council marketing plans and audit reports, among other items.

A CBB Update Session on Thursday, July 28, will give Beef Board members an opportunity to raise any questions, concerns or suggestions they have about current checkoff topics in an open-discussion environment.

For more information contact Diane Henderson.

Ag Groups, Beef

New Outlook Version of NewsGator

Chuck Zimmerman July 25, 2005

I actively promote NewsGator as “the” news aggregator program you should use. For one thing it integrates right into Outlook and although the RSS feeds you subscribe to aren’t email, it allows you to view and handle them like email, including being able to forward a feed to someone as an email!

The online version of NewsGator is free. You create an account, subscribe to the feeds you want and then let NewsGator go retrieve them. With this version you have to visit the NewsGator website and log in to view and edit your feeds. This is why I like the (very low cost) Outlook version. I don’t have to go anywhere except my Outlook folder to see my feeds. The new version is NewsGator Outlook 2.5.

Plus I don’t have to cut and past the news feed url into the online edition, although it’s really not difficult. Here’s how you do it with the Outlook version. When you see the feed you want, you just right click and one of your choices is “Subscribe in NewsGator.” You click on it and you’re done. The feed is added and it checks for updates immediately.

Well now that you know my personal favorite, what’s yours and why? Feel free to post a comment on this or email me. Do you subscribe to RSS feeds? Are you using RSS?

Uncategorized

Sunset in Mid Missouri

Chuck Zimmerman July 25, 2005

It has been a hot and dry month in Missouri. With a few exceptions we need rain and we’re hoping to get it this week. At 4am this morning it was 81 degrees here in Holts Summit!

It looks like relief is on the way. Here’s hoping that’s true. Even with the extreme heat Mid Missouri still gets some beautiful sunsets. This was last night. I was just too lazy to post it then.

Uncategorized

IFAJ Photo Contest Entries Available Online

Chuck Zimmerman July 23, 2005

Everybody like to look at pictures so take a look at the entries to the IFAJ Photo Contest. They have some good ones to judge. Hopefully we can enter next year. The awards will be presented at the upcoming 2005 IFAJ Congress which we’ll be blogging.

AgWired reports on IFAJ Congress 2005 are sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred.

IFAJ

East Region Biofuels Workshop Scheduled

Chuck Zimmerman July 23, 2005

While I’m on the topic of ethanol I wanted to point you to the upcoming Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – East Region that’s being organized by the folks at BBI International. They are really into this ethanol conference thing with the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Kansas City and one coming up in China later this year!

The Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – Eastern & Atlantic Region is the second regional conference to focus on near-term development of commercial-scale ethanol and biodiesel production and use. In 2004, The Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show Western & Pacific Region in Sacramento, California, presented important technical and political issues that can enable biofuels production and use in the Western United States and Canada, and the Pacific Rim.

The main objectives of the 2005 conference program are to exchange information and expertise that targets regional development of a biofuels industry; bring together key people that can facilitate the development of a biofuels industry; offer reliable and viable technology options; and identify action steps to create a path forward. The Biofuels Workshop was an important opportunity to share resources, expertise, services, products and technology with this rapidly emerging biofuels industry.

You can register here.

Ethanol

Ethanol Job Bank

Chuck Zimmerman July 23, 2005

I picked up a card about ethanol-jobs.com at the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop and have been meaning to post a notice about it. It’s a very nicely done website by the folks at BBI International that is exactly what it says it is – an online ethanol industry job bank for both those looking for a job or to hire someone. It’s very easy to use and I like the simple, clean design.

Ethanol

Tractor Supply Company Acquisition

Chuck Zimmerman July 22, 2005

The big are getting bigger. Or should I say the biggest is getting bigger.

Tractor Supply Company Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Del’s Farm Supply
– Provides Second Retail Concept and Entry into Northwest Market –

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., July 22 – Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) , the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, today announced it has signed a letter of intent to purchase privately-held Del’s Farm Supply, Inc. (“Del’s”). Based in Lakewood, Washington, Del’s operates 17 stores, primarily in the Pacific Northwest, that offer a wide selection of products tailored to those who enjoy the rural lifestyle. Del’s specializes in the equine, animal and pet category, which accounts for approximately 70% of its sales. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Del’s generated approximately $34 million in sales.

The acquisition is subject to negotiation and execution of a definitive acquisition agreement that is expected to include representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions typical for a transaction of this type. There can be no assurances that the parties will enter into a definitive acquisition agreement, that the conditions to closing will be satisfied, or that consummation of this transaction will occur.

For more information contact Melissa Merrill, +1-212-850-5600.

Agribusiness

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