Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes February 3, 2014

The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) announced the launch of GreenDecoys.com, a website devoted to exposing radical environmentalists camouflaged under outdoor-sounding names whose real objective is to serve the interests of their wealthy backers.
The Aurora Cooperative, a leading grain marketer and agricultural supplier based in Nebraska and serving America’s farmers in multiple states, announced finalization of its Aurora Agronomy expansion in Colorado with the acquisition of Tri County Ag, located in Wray and Paoli, CO.
Registration is now open for the 2014 New England Meat Conference happening March 7-8 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, New Hampshire.
Three long-time members of the agriculture community and one media organization were honored for their contributions to the sheep industry during the American Sheep Industry Association/National Lamb Feeders Association Convention, held Jan. 22-25 in Charleston, S.C.

Novus Endowed Poultry Professorship

Cindy Zimmerman February 3, 2014

In 2003, Novus International inaugurated a new Endowed Professorship in Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas and the first recipient was poultry nutrition professor Park Waldroup.

Last week at the International Production and Processing Expo, Novus honored professor Waldroup for his work and endowed a new professor with the honor – Dr. Casey Owens, who specializes in Poultry Processing and Products. Both are pictured here with Novus chief innovation officer Chris Knight and president Thad Simons. (left to right: Knight, Owens, Simons, Waldroup)

Park says the professorship allowed him to supplement his research program and support graduate students in poultry science. “Over the course of the years I was able to put three graduate students through for their PhD and they all have entered the poultry industry,” he said. “I’m a poultry nutritionist and have worked over the years on just about every aspect of poultry nutrition, focusing on amino acid requirements, energy requirements, you name it.” Interview with University of Arkansas Professor Park Waldroup

This is just one of many ways that Novus supports education and research in the field of animal health. Novus focuses on Solutions, Service and Sustainability for the industry, and Thad notes that people are an important part of sustainability. “The Novus vision is helping to feed the world wholesome and affordable food and improve the quality of life,” said Thad, noting that Novus expands that vision by encouraging young people to pursue scientific and agricultural careers in a variety of ways, from endowments to student support to internships, both in the United States and developing countries. Interview with Novus International CEO Thad Simons

International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Animal Health, Audio, Education, IPPE, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Meet New ZimmComm Intern

Jamie Johansen February 3, 2014

Our internship program has been a huge success. Not only have the young college students who have taken advantage of the opportunity gained skills in all aspects of the ag media industry, but have also added so much to our team.

The ZimmComm Team is proud to announce our spring intern. Join us in welcoming Kristin Liska from Nebraska. She is a senior at Iowa State, but is proud to say she is still a Husker fan. This May she will be wrapping up her degree in animal science and journalism. Kristin has had a busy college career with her involvement in numerous clubs, including Block and Bridle and Bacon Expo. Twitter seems to be her number one hobby, along with reading and taking pictures. Be sure and follow her on Twitter at @KristinLiska1.

The ZimmComm Team have a full schedule of events this spring and you will have the opportunity to meet Kristin at Commodity Classic and NAMA Convention. So, don’t be shy when she comes up to you with a mic in hand.

Ag Groups, Education, ZimmComm Announcement

Climate Corp Adopts Data Privacy Standards

Cindy Zimmerman January 31, 2014

The Climate Corporation today announced principles and commitments related to data use and privacy published on-line in a Guiding Principles on Data and Privacy statement.

“The application of data science in agriculture is relatively new, and with the development of new technologies comes some level of uncertainty about its potential implications. In our experience, farmers are more likely to embrace new technologies that will drive the evolution of agricultural production when they have certainty about the use, privacy and control of the data they personally generate on their own farms,” said David Friedberg, CEO of The Climate Corporation.

The Climate Corporation, which was acquired by Monsanto in October 2013, also announced the formation of an Open Agriculture Data Alliance (OADA). The alliance will be comprised of “providers and farmers to act as an independent body that will ensure that different platforms share common interoperability, common data formats, and security and privacy standards.”

Climate Corporation held a call with reporters on Friday to talk about the announcement: Climate Corporation media call

Since privacy of agricultural data is becoming a big concern for farmers and ranchers, the American Farm Bureau Federation adopted specific policies this year on that issue. AFBF president Bob Stallman issued a statement on the Climate Corporation announcement saying they are “encouraged that agribusinesses are taking our clear policy position into consideration” noting that “the company is working to address some of the concerns about data privacy, security and ownership expressed by our members.”

AFBF, Audio, Precision Agriculture

Why One Democrat Voted for Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman January 31, 2014

More Democrats than Republicans voted against the conference committee farm bill this week in the U.S. House, mostly because of the nutrition program reforms, but 89 did vote in favor despite that and one was Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), former mayor of Kansas City.

In an interview today, Rep. Cleaver said it’s not a perfect bill, but it’s the best bill they could get. “I’ve been pushing compromise since I went to Congress ten years ago and this was an opportunity for me to practice what I preach,” said Cleaver, who is a United Methodist pastor by profession.

Rep. Cleaver, who has both rural and urban interests in his district, says he was heavily lobbied by Democratic groups, including the Progressive Caucus, to vote against the bill. “Because I represent almost four rural counties where I have a large number of farms and where I operate with a farmers’ advisory committee, I believed that in spite of some of the deficiencies, this was the best chance we had of getting a sound farm bill,” he said. “After all, it’s been two years trying to get a bill approved.”

Cleaver is hopeful Congress will make progress this year in other legislation important to agriculture, such as transportation and immigration. Interview with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)

Audio, Farm Bill

New Farm Podcaster Tools

Chuck Zimmerman January 31, 2014

Okay farm podcasters. Here’s some news you can use. Zoom just announced a new audio recorder. From B&H Photo:

Zoom turned the pro audio world upside down last year with their acclaimed H6 portable recorder, and now they complete the “one-two punch” with the introduction of their new, smaller H5 Handy Recorder. Following in its big brother’s footsteps, the H5 features an interchangeable microphone system and is compatible with the existing line of H6 mic modules.

Appealing to those who are looking for the functionality of the H6, but don’t need all of its inputs or bells and whistles, the H5 has a black-and-white screen (as opposed to the H6’s color screen) and features 2 inputs for external sources, in addition to its swappable stereo mic capabilities. The H5 will record to external SD cards.

But that’s not all. For you iPhone 5 people they now make the iQ5. And yes, I did order one. Wish they had it in gold though . . .

The Zoom iQ5 is a high-quality mid-side stereo condenser mic, perfect for recording music and compact enough to be slipped into your pocket. Simply connect it to the Lightning connector of your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and get ready to do some serious stereo recording any time, any place.

The iQ5 employs a unique rotating mechanism that enables audio recording with correct left-right stereo orientation whether used vertically or horizontally. Use it in standard “audio” position or simply rotate it to the “video” position in order to record video with the attached iPhone, iPad or iPod touch held horizontally.

And finally, consider their Handy Recorder App for iOS.

Equipment, Media, Podcasts

Truthful Food-Chain Communications

Chuck Zimmerman January 31, 2014

How about a little Truth in Food? Wouldn’t that be nice. Kevin Murphy, Food-Chain Communications, is trying to make it so.

I visited with Kevin by phone today to learn more about his business. Kevin is passionate about the need for education of the public who ultimately consume products that pass through what we call the food chain. Many might know Kevin from his time with Vance Publishing. He started his own company with a vision “to form a marketing organization that understands the complex chain of food production and delivery from beginning to end.” We also talked about why he created Truth in Food and what he thinks of the agribusiness industry attempts to reach out to the consuming public today. I think you’ll find it very interesting.

You can listen to this week’s program here. Food-Chain Communications

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

Agribusiness, Food, ZimmCast

Novus International Connects at IPPE

Cindy Zimmerman January 31, 2014

Despite inclement weather conditions, the 2014 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) this week had more than 24,000 poultry, meat and feed industry attendees from all over the world and 1,148 exhibitors, including our show coverage sponsor Novus International.

The theme for Novus at the expo was “Understanding the Connections” according to Samson Li, vice president for global business. “We understand the challenges of the processing industry and we bring solutions to our customers,” Samson said.

Those solutions include ALIMET, which optimizes amino acid utilization for better performance during high growth and stress periods; MINTREX, which maximizes shell quality and strength, promotes fertility and hatchability and improves chick quality; and CIBENZA, which increases performance through digestion and absorbtion of nutrients.

“It’s always been the mission of Novus to help the world have affordable and wholesome food and have quality of life,” said Samson. “By bringing our solutions and technology to the industry, we help improve the quality of meat and lower the cost.”

Samson explains more about how Novus helps connect the producer, processor and consumer in this interview: Interview with Samson Li, Novus International

International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, IPPE, Meat, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Propane Worries for Poultry Producers

Cindy Zimmerman January 31, 2014

With feed prices lower now than they were in 2012, there is a lot of optimism in the U.S. poultry industry, but now producers are contending with another high input cost – energy.

U.S. Poultry and Egg Association president John Starkey says the propane shortage and resulting higher prices are having a great impact on the poultry industry nationwide. “Particularly in the broiler and turkey sector, the majority of houses are heated by propane,” said Starkey during an interview at the IPPE this week. “The bitter cold weather we’ve had throughout the poultry belt has caused shortages … so that means it’s very difficult for some folks to find propane gas right now.”

Starkey said one of his members in Indiana had to go to Texas to find propane and “gas that he bought a few weeks ago at $1.09 he was going to Texas to pay $5.00 for.” Interview with John Starkey, U.S. Poultry and Egg

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is the world’s largest and most active poultry organization, formed in 1947 with affiliations in 26 states and member companies worldwide.

International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Ag Groups, Audio, IPPE, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Great American Wheat Harvest Documentary Premiere

Chuck Zimmerman January 31, 2014

It’s almost time for the world wide premiere of the documentary, the Great American Wheat Harvest. The screening will take place during national Ag Day activities in Washington, DC.

In collaboration with the Agriculture Council of America, independent filmmaker, Conrad Weaver of ConjoStudios, LLC., announces that the Great American Wheat Harvest documentary film will make its national premiere screening at the 41st Annual National Agriculture Day on Tuesday, March 25, in Washington, D.C.

The film’s GAWH National Premiere Screening & Breakfast Reception will kick off the National Ag Days activities from 8:30 to 11 a.m., at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, which is located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol Building. Seats are limited and you must RSVP for this event at: https://gawhpremiere.eventbrite.com

The Great American Wheat Harvest documentary film focuses on connecting consumers to those who produce their food and will feature stories of North America’s wheat growers and custom harvesters.
Read More

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Wheat

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