Expo Not Just For Poultry Anymore

Cindy Zimmerman January 30, 2014

Once it was just the International Poultry Expo in Atlanta this time of year, but with the addition of the feed expo a few years ago and the meat expo last year, it is now a much more breed inclusive show and pork was center of the plate in the Pig Pavilion.

I had the chance to watch North American Meat Association (NAMA) standards and specifications adviser Steve Olson give a primer on specialty and primal pork cuts at the International Production and Processing Expo this week. As a former livestock and meat marketing specialist with USDA, this guy really knows his stuff and loves what he does. With NAMA, he travels around the country doing Center of the Plate Training® (COP) sessions to teach food industry people the best and most profitable use of each beef, pork, lamb, veal and poultry cut. The next one will be at Texas A&M, June 3-5, 2014. You can also see some of Steve’s Meat Buyers Guide training demos on-line.

Listen to my interview with Steve here and watch a bit of his demo at IPPE below: Steve Olson, North American Meat Association

International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Audio, IPPE, Meat, Pork, Poultry Expo, Swine, Video

Novus Celebrates ALIMET Anniversary at IPPE

Cindy Zimmerman January 30, 2014

It was 30 years ago this week that the first load of ALIMET® shipped out of the Chocolate Bayou Manufacturing Facility near Alvin, Texas and Novus International was celebrating that at the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta.

As an 88% active source of methionine, ALIMET® feed supplement has become the liquid methionine source most frequently used by nutritionists around the world, delivering proven performance and an organic acid effect, reduces nitrogen excretion and supports performance during heat stress.

“Methionine has been a flagship product of Novus since the very beginning,” said Novus Methionine Business Unit President Jeff Klopfenstein. “Liquid ALIMET is the product that works better and provides more value for our customers.”

“For poultry producers, it’s important to get every last edge available,” Jeff said. “To have the methionine benefit of ALIMET, the gut health benefit, the organic acid benefit in terms of feed acidification – all of these applications are part of the ALIMET package.”

Listen to Jeff talk about his favorite subject here: Jeff Klopfenstein, Novus
International Production and Processing Expo Photos

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

Austin Eats Food Tour

Chuck Zimmerman January 30, 2014

This is is an example of having a little meat with your meat for supper. This particularly delicious brisket, ribs and sausage is courtesy of Freedmen’s in Austin, TX. So why am I bringing it to your attention? Because these things are important.

After the NAMA Executive Committee completed its quarterly meeting work this week we did supper as a food tour conducted by Austin Eats Food Tours. Our guide drove us around to four stops. These were South Congress Cafe (calimari, crab cakes); Mettle (fried chicken, burgers); Rio’s Brazilian Cafe (traditional Brazilian chicken stroganoff) and Freedmen’s (brisket, sausage, ribs, smoked banana pudding & more). Wow! I’m still full. They were all good but I give Freedmen’s my top choice. The smoked banana pudding was excellent but I could also have just eaten another slice of brisket for dessert too!

If you’re ever in Austin give Austin Eats a try or look around for a company like them in whatever city you have to visit. This was an awesome foodie adventure.

Ag Groups, Food, Meat, NAMA

The Grass Isn’t Always Greener

Melissa Sandfort January 30, 2014

We’ve all heard the saying that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. That quote goes on to say if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green. I think like an animal that is corralled by a fence, we sometimes feel there’s something better out there – just out of arm’s reach. Our fence may be a job we’re not completely satisfied with, a car that has a few dents, or a house that has old carpet and is in need of a good makeover. But in farm terms, I like to believe that where the cow is standing is the greenest because it’s been fertilized. (Yes, pun intended!)

Best of luck telling a cow that the grass isn’t greener over at the Jones’s when she’s spent all day chomping on dried clumps of grass or weeds! This week, grandpa recalls a story of a yolk they used to put around a cow’s neck to stop her from trying to reach through the fence.

Listen to Grandpa’s story

No one is putting a yolk around our neck in the literal sense of the word, but maybe we need to let go of wanting to stick our heads through the fence and water/fertilize what we already have to make it grow!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

NAMA Executive Committee Meets

Chuck Zimmerman January 30, 2014

The Executive Committee of the National Agri-Marketing Association met yesterday in Austin, TX. Here’s our group hard at work.

A big part of our meeting was reviewing the NAMA Strategic Plan to see how we’re doing and consider any tweaks or changes. We’re in year three of the three year plan and according to our calculations NAMA gets a high grade for accomplishing the goals set out by the plan. Helping us work through the process was Kevin Oschner, Adayana, who did a great job keeping us focused and on track to accomplish something that is well thought out and with measurables so we can see how we’re doing at the end of this first three year process.

There was a lot of other mundane “business of NAMA” we went through like reviewing the budget and getting a report from Jenny Pickett, our Executive Director. NAMA is in good shape and primed for another good year.

Ag Groups, NAMA

Farm Bill Could be Final This Week

Cindy Zimmerman January 30, 2014

Agricultural groups hailed passage of the compromise farm bill by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday and look forward to swift action in the Senate.

National Corn Growers Association President Martin Barbre of Illinois observed the floor vote from the House gallery while visiting the Capitol. “This legislation provides an adequate and flexible farm safety net, as well as a strong federal crop insurance program,” said Barbre. “More importantly, farmers need the certainty of a new five-year law, and we are happy to see this legislation includes many reforms we’ve supported and stressed over the years, reforms that make sense both for farmers and taxpayers.”

American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman says the bill includes many Farm Bureau-supported provisions, including risk management for fruit and vegetable farmers and support for livestock farmers during disasters. “It is imperative that all of agriculture unify behind this farm bill, for the good of the whole of American agriculture, consumers, our hard-working farm and ranch families and the rural communities they support,” he said, referring to livestock interests opposed to the bill.

The House vote was 251-166 and many voted for the bill even though it did not contain everything they wanted, like Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN). “The report before us today represents a compromise – I know this is rare in Washington but that’s what’s needed to actually get something done around this place,” said Peterson on the floor, noting he was not completely pleased with the dairy title or the commodity title. Rep. Collin Peterson during Farm Bill debate

Most of the 166 members who voted against the did so because of cuts to the nutrition program, which were far less severe than the original House bill, but some like Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) also had a few farm program concerns, particularly crop insurance and cotton. “We’ve got a domestic cotton program that’s gotten us into trouble with Brazil,” said Kind. “This bill does not fix that cotton problem and now it’s up to Brazil whether they want to level economic sanctions against us.” Rep. Ron Kind during Farm Bill debate

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Bill, NCGA

Ag Leader Proud to Sponsor Iowa Power Farming Show

Joanna Schroeder January 29, 2014

Ag Leader had a great 2013 and 2014 is shaping up to be even better. I caught up with Mike Olson, Ag Leader North America Sales Manager, who gave me an overview of what 2014 will bring as well as spoke to me about their sponsorship of the 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show.

Olson said they have been an event sponsor for the past five plus years and the event in is their backyard (they are located in Ames, Iowa) so Iowa Power Farming is a good show for them to sponsor. He also noted that it’s become the third largest farm show in the country, is very well run and has been very successful.

“We’re really proud to be a part of it,” said Olson. “We have a lot of our customers who come in and share their experiences and learn about new technologies, and it just a good way to meet our customers and spend time with them.”

During the show Ag Leader held some educational seminars including one focused on “AgFiniti– Ag Leader Technology’s Cloud-Based Platform,” presented by Luke James; “Designing a Tile Drainage System Using Your Precision Ag Data,” presented by Aaron Friedlein; and “Put Your Mind at Ease and Your Seed at Proper Depth with Hydraulic Down Force,” presented by Brett Buehler.

Precision agriculture has really grown over the past few years but Olson said that an estimated 50 percent of farm operations don’t use any precision ag technology. He said because of this there are a lot of great opportunities for people to get started and the technology has gotten a lot easier to use. He said the technology is also less expensive and some of the equipment like tractors and planters are easier to interface with. “So people who aren’t in it yet shouldn’t be scared to get into it,” said Olson.

He noted that another big trend in the industry is the value of data and more operations are beginning to see the value in collecting and analyzing data. In addition, for those farmers who have been using precision technologies, Ag Leader continues to innovate and has launched some great new products including AgFiniti and Ag Leader Hydraulic Down Force.

Listen to my full interview with Mike Olson. Ag Leader Proud to Sponsor Iowa Power Farming Show

Click here to view the 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show photo album.

Ag Leader, Audio, Precision Agriculture

2014 Iowa Power Farming Show Round-up

Joanna Schroeder January 29, 2014

The 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show is in full swing this week in Des Moines, Iowa and according to Tom Junge, show director nearly 25,000 people are expected to attend the third largest farm show in the United States. The show expands 7 acres and features exhibitors from 29 states and 4 Canadian Provinces; represents 750 companies and more than 1,800 booths. Junge says there is an exhibitor waiting list of more than 100 companies.

Junge said the show has been growing each year for the past six plus years and people are driving from out of state to attend. “People are finding out how good the show is and how many exhibitors we have here and once they talk to their neighbors they seem to come the next year,” said Junge.

The farming show features a plethora of different agriculture products ranging from tractors to skid steers, combines to sprayers, planters to utility vehicles to grain trailers, landscape and turf equipment and outdoor power equipment. In addition, there were companies showcasing their precision ag electronics, management software and ag-related accessories.

Junge said that show also features seminars and workshops and new this year are workshops on covercrops. He said that out east they are doing a lot of this although Iowa may be lagging a bit behind the trend. Due to the interest of this topic, over the three days there will be 45 one-hour sessions on just this topic alone. In addition, AgLeader hosted some precision ag seminars and Stewart-Peterson gives the attendees updates on the commodities markets.

Special thanks to Ag Leader for sponsoring ZimmComm coverage of the 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show.

Listen to my full interview with Tom Junge who gives a great overview of the 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show. 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show Round-up

Click here to view the 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show photo album.

Ag Leader, Audio, Iowa Power Show, Precision Agriculture

IPPE Show Goes On Despite Weather

Cindy Zimmerman January 29, 2014

The International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) carried on Wednesday in Atlanta, despite the few inches of snow that nearly paralyzed the city.

Attendance was still pretty good today considering and with so many flights cancelled lots of people are actually staying longer for the show than they planned. “Our crowd has held up today in spite of very severe logistics getting them here to the venue,” said show manager Charlie Olentine with the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, adding that they actually expect a stronger than normal attendance on Thursday, the last day of the show.

The expo got its new name last year with the addition of the American Meat Institute and got a lot bigger. “We’re positioning the show to basically take meat and animal protein production from the farm to the point of sale,” Charlie said. Two years ago, before AMI came on board, the expo had about 21,000 visitors – last year it was more than 27,000. This year, it’s hard to say right now, but Charlie says most of the nearly 6,000 international visitors came in before the storm hit.

Listen to my interview with Charlie here: Charlie Olentine, IPPE Show Manager
International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Ag Groups, Audio, Events, IPPE, Poultry, Poultry Expo

EcoEngineer’s Jim Baker Wins John Deere FFV Mower

Joanna Schroeder January 29, 2014

If there was one item that was coveted above all others at the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, it was the E85, flex fuel riding lawn mower donated by John Deere. Attendees who submitted comments to the EPA in regards to their proposed 2014 renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) were registered to win.

As soon as the show floor opened at 8:00 am, people began jockeying for position to run up to the podium when their number was announced….and the winner is…Jim Baker with EcoEngineers. He noted that he is going to have to buy a new house with a bigger yard to get the full value out of his new toy.

Jim was so excited he was hoping to drive it home but, well, it was a tad cold out. EcoEngineers, who is based in Des Moines, is a company specializing in biofuel compliance issues such as RIN management, plant registrations and more. EcoEngineers also hosts webinars for the industry as well as workshops. It is anticipated that when the weather gets warmers Jim will ride to work on his E85 John Deere riding mower and as a gal about town, I will be sure to get a photo and tweet it out.

Want to get a peek at this bad boy? Jim is taking applications for lawn mowing jobs. I suspect there will be a lot of people lining up to mow his lawn this summer.

Monte Shaw, the executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (Iowa RFA) whose association was the host of the event, said that he wanted to give special thanks to John Deere for their support of the event and the industry. John Deere has been selling agricultural equipment designed to use biodiesel for years as well as other biofuel compatible products.

Listen to my interview with Jim Baker here: EcoEngineer's Jim Baker Wins Coveted FFV Mower

View the 2014 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit photo album.

Audio, Biofuels, Equipment, Ethanol, John Deere

Page 980 of 2,379
←
1
...
979
980
981
...
2379
→