Sequencing The Wheat Genome

Chuck Zimmerman

National Association of Wheat GrowersDoes anyone own a consortium? This seems like one of those “it only makes sense” stories. I mean if you’re going to sequence a wheat genome I think the wheat community should be involved don’t you?

International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium Off to a Great Start

Washington—The first meeting of the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (WGSC) took place last week in Bozeman, Montana. Rudi Appels, Australian co-chair of the WGSC, said that the meeting was an excellent opportunity for the wheat community to take ownership of the consortium. He noted as well that it was particularly exciting to have representation from the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Dale Schuler, first vice-president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), stated that NAWG is fully supportive of mapping the wheat genome and believes it is critical technology in support of breeding, developing new uses, improving yields and quality, competing with other crops, and ensuring a viable U.S. wheat industry.

Wheat Genome Sequencing ConsortiumYou can learn more about this wheat genome sequencing thing at their website WGSC. I normally don’t like moving graphics but I thought this one was pretty cool looking and the movement adds to the impact when you consider the subject. It’s not an effect just for the sake of using an effect.

Ag Groups

Longing For A Pork Expo Blog

Chuck Zimmerman

World Pork ExpoI guess I just missed that there was a nice website for the World Pork Expo or I would have featured it before now. My fault. Better late than never.

I’d like to see a World Pork Expo blog though. How about a series of on-going “live” pictures and articles with audio that we can see and hear. A little streaming video? Just a thought.

I think the information available on the website is great and important but . . . like many groups today there’s a dependency on traditional media to get the message out. I encourage the Pork Checkoff to think outside the box and realize that the internet and some very inexpensive software now allow you to become “the media!”

Post your own stories, pictures, interviews. If you don’t have the staff, hire a blogging consultant to set it up and create the content for you. This way you can put your own spin on the information!!!

Speaking of information. Here’s some more from World Pork Expo.

Pork Checkoff news conference at WPX addressed many issues valuable to pork industry

Now that United States Supreme Court has overturned a lower-court ruling against the Pork Checkoff, the pork industry needs to come together and focus its attention and resources on improving the marketplace for pork, Dave Culbertson, a pork producer from Geneseo, Ill., and president of the National Pork Board said Thursday.

The Supreme Court ruling is good news for producers, Culbertson said, because it means the demand-building, research and education programs supported by the Checkoff will continue. “ But we still have a lot of work to do, and we are eager to continue building on the momentum we’ve established in the last several years.”

Culbertson and Steve Murphy, the chief executive officer of the National Pork Board, highlighted some of the recent accomplishments of the Pork Checkoff in the areas of promotion, research and consumer information during a news conference at World Pork Expo in Des Moines. Murphy said U.S. pork exports, which are supported by the Pork Checkoff, continue to be a huge success story for pork producers. “Exports grew by 27 percent in 2004 and are on pace in 2005 to eclipse that growth,” he said. “Net pork exports for January through March 2005 were 2.7 percent higher than the same period one year ago and are responsible for an estimated 14 percent increase in live hog prices for the first quarter of 2005.”

Ag Groups

Symbol III Is The Ideal Market Hog

Chuck Zimmerman

Pork CheckoffThe World Pork Expo is in full swing and news is slowly trickling out. One of the announcements today focused on a new standard of excellence.

Pork Checkoff Unveils Symbol III at World Pork Expo.

Symbol III, the U.S. pork industry’s “Standard of Excellence” for the modern market hog, was unveiled at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 10.

“The Symbol tradition started in the early 1980s,” said David Meisinger, assistant vice president of education for the Pork Checkoff. “As part of what was then the Pork Value Program, we asked ourselves what the ideal pig would look like. We called it the ‘symbol of perfection’.”Symbol III

Symbol III represents our vision of the ideal market hog in the United States, said Meisinger. It continues the Pork Checkoff’s tradition of creating an icon for U.S. pork. The illustration symbolizes profitability for every segment of the industry. Specialty and niche markets may require additional characteristics. Symbol III has correctness of structure, production, performance, function, attitude, health and optimum lean yield. It also produces the best quality, safest pork that provides the optimum nutrients for human nutrition.

For more information contact Cindy Cunningham.

Ag Groups

Drink Your Fill Of Blog Kool-Aid

Chuck Zimmerman

Chuck & Steve MaysThis morning I was interviewed for Brownfield Network’s “Innovations” by Steve Mays. We talked about blogging, agricultural marketing and of course, AgWired! The interview runs a little over a half hour.

If you’ve never been to the Learfield Communications (owner of the Brownfield Network) headquarters wait a few weeks until the renovations/upgrades/construction is finished and visit. This is going to be a state of the art showplace! We broke in one of the new mini conference rooms.

You can listen to our recorded conversation here Download MP3 File 10MB MP3 file

Audio, Internet, Media, Podcasts

New Look For XS, Inc. Website

Chuck Zimmerman

XS Inc.The new corporate website for XS, Inc. is now up and running. Fulton Breen has been a pioneer in the use of e-commerce in agribusiness. I’m going to see if I can interview him for an upcoming ZimmCast and see what he thinks about some of the new communications technologies that we’re introducing the ag world to.

Here’s what the site says about the company.

Since its formation in 1998, XS has been committed to creating efficiency in the agriculture and specialty markets. Although our roots are in e-commerce, the data management service we provide our clients is often the key to increased client efficiency and productivity. We believe that timely, accurate and integrated data is the foundation for good decision making. We’ve developed a suite of tools that runs on your data giving you visibility to your problem areas and helping you capitalize on opportunities. Your data will be available to whomever you want – whenever you want – in the form you want.

For more information contact the company at info@xsinc.com or media@xsinc.com.

Agribusiness

Skype Me

Chuck Zimmerman

SkypeNo, I’m not making some sort of angry retort. I’m just alerting you to an internet-based phone service that uses your computer. All you need is a microphone/headset and you’re ready to Skype. You can download and set up a free account for use with other Skype account holders. If you want to call people from your computer outside the internet (regular phone line) you have to pay, but it’s not expensive.

I got started on this since it’s the preferred way Robert French (InfOpinions & PR Quest) makes phone calls to conduct interviews for his podcasts. I’m being interviewed by him tomorrow afternoon.

So I’ve got a Skype account now and you can Skype me at “agwired.” As I get more familiar with the service I’ll let you know how well it works.

Internet

Father’s Day On The MBIC Report

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Beef Industry CouncilIn this week’s Missouri Beef Industry Council Report I interview Dawn Thurnau, MBIC director of marketing who provides numerous tips for Daddy Day and a great idea to top off a grilled steak on his day. I’m going to make sure this is done in the Zimmerman household!

You can learn a little more about Father’s Day here. Like, did you know that the first Father’s Day was celebrated June 19, 1910. There’s more interesting information about the day on this site.

You can listen to the MBIC Report here Download MP3 File Here

You can also always subscribe to the MBIC Report podcast using the link in our sidebar.

Ag Groups, Audio, Podcasts

CME Trading ETF Futures

Chuck Zimmerman

Chicago Mercantile ExchangeOkay. Somebody please explain what this means. I’ve been to the CME and I’ve reported on commodity futures prices for years. I still think it’s all about buying and selling something that only exists as a figment of someone’s imagination. Usually people with a lot more money they can risk than I can!

CME Commences Trading of ETF Futures

CHICAGO, June 7, 2005 – CME, the largest U.S. futures exchange, today announced that trading of futures contracts on two of the largest and most actively traded Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the U.S, the NASDAQ-100® Index Tracking Stock (ticker: QQQQ) and the S&P 500® Depositary Receipts (ticker: SPY) began yesterday. A third futures contracts the iShares Russell 2000® (ticker: IWM) will begin trading on Monday, June 20th. All three ETF futures contacts trade on the exchange’s CME® Globex® electronic trading platform. The futures on the S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 trade exclusively at CME.

The release describes ETF’s as “baskets of securities designed to track an index.” That really cleared the whole thing up for me. I wish them well.

For more information contact Anita S. Liskey, 312/466.4613 or Pamela Plehn, 312/930.3446.

Agribusiness

New IS Director For ABS

Chuck Zimmerman

ABS GlobalFENTON JOINS ABS AS GLOBAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIRECTOR

DEFOREST, WISCONSIN – June 7, 2005 – ABS is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Fenton as Global Information Systems (IS) Director.

“Andy has many years of experience managing Information Systems. His work within our UK operations, Genus Breeding, coupled with his background and knowledge of Information Systems make him a natural fit for the Global Information Systems Director position,” stated Mark Kuna, ABS Global Chief Financial Officer.

For more information contact Amy Ryan.

Agribusiness

Interim Help For Holstein

Chuck Zimmerman

Emilie BloughInterim Youth Programs Assistant Joins Holstein Association and Holstein Foundation.

BRATTLEBORO, Vt., June 7, 2005- Holstein Association USA, Inc. and the Holstein Foundation, Inc. welcomes Emilie Blough of Goshen, Ind. to their Brattleboro, Vt. headquarters.

Blough will serve as the Interim Youth Programs Assistant for the Holstein Association and Holstein while Program Specialist, Kelli Dunklee is on leave. Blough will assist with the National Junior Holstein Convention, the National Dairy Bowl and National Jeopardy programs. She will also coordinate the Distinguished Junior Member Program and oversee the National Junior Advisory Committee.

Ag Groups