MBIC Executive Director Leaving to Head Horse Breed Group

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Columbia, MO (AgNewsWire) The Missouri Beef Industry Council announces the resignation of long-time executive director Steve Taylor, who has accepted the CEO position at the Appaloosa Horse Club headquartered in Moscow, Idaho starting August 1.

Taylor started with the beef council in early 1987, just after the nationwide checkoff program was launched. He leaves behind a solid program with a reputation for a good mix of checkoff-funded activities at the state level and effective support of national and international marketing efforts.

(Read Full Release)

Grilling for Father’s Day

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Columbia, MO (AgNewsWire) Father’s Day is a great day to fire up the grill for steaks and burgers. A brand new gas grill also makes a great gift for dad on his special day and the Missouri Beef Industry Council has one for some lucky father, according to marketing director Dawn Thurnau.

“This year we have teamed up with the Missouri Propane Association which has donated a $650 grill that we are going to give away on Father’s Day.”

Thurnau says anyone can enter to win the Phoenix brand Propane Grill on either the Missouri Beef Industry Council website at www.mobeef.org, or the Missouri Propane Association website at www.missouripropane.com.

(Read Full Release)

Crop Insurance Discount Moratorium Eliminates Opportunity For up to $120 Million Annual Savings for America’s Farmers

Posted on June 12, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

West Des Moines, Iowa – (AgNewsWire) On May 23 the House of Representatives voted to extend the 2007 moratorium on the USDA’s Premium Reduction Program through the 2008 crop season. The Premium Reduction Program (PRP) was authorized in the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1994 in order to allow farmers the opportunity to benefit when insurance companies are able to reduce their administrative and operating costs.

“This discount plan has been working since 2003, and has proven its value by returning more than $4 million to farmers,” said Bruce Trost, executive vice president of property-casualty companies of FBL Financial Group, Inc., West Des Moines, Iowa. “The federal crop insurance program should benefit farmers. If proven innovative products like this are waylaid by the will of Congress, there will be no incentive for the development of new products to benefit farmers.” (Full Release)

Global Seed Market Valued at $17 Billion

Posted on May 18, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

DES MOINES, IA – May 18, 2006 – (AgNewsWire) Global crop production shifts, transgenic and hybrid seed technologies and changes in targeted plant populations helped increase the value of the global proprietary seed market to more than $17 billion in 2005. That is a 30 percent increase over the past five years, according to the latest edition of an extensive global seed market survey completed by The Context Network, a business management consulting service to the world’s leading agriculture, biotechnology and food companies.

“Expanded plantings of oilseed crops and maize (corn) and the continued adoption of biotech seed are two mega trends that are pushing up the value of and importance of proprietary commercial seed globally,” says Mark Nelson, a consultant with The Context Network. “These two trends have had the most significant impact on the growth of the global seed market.” (Full Release)

Beef Industry Increases Advertising Efforts

Posted on May 14, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Columbia, MO (AgNewsWire) With a near “perfect storm” of market forces this summer, beef producers are stepping up promotional efforts to keep beef center of the plate for consumers.

Missouri Beef Industry Council Chairman David Dick of Sedalia says consumers have a lot to choose from at the meat counter.

“There’s a glut of the other proteins in the market, chicken and pork, with some overproduction issues there. But we have also fed a few more cattle then we have in years past, so there’s a lot of meat on the market.”

As a result, Dick says consumers will be seeing more beef advertising this summer, due to an increased campaign funded by the Federation of State Beef Councils, which includes Missouri. (Read Full Release)

American Farmland Trust Report – New Framework For U. S. Farm Policy

Posted on May 8, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Washington, DC – (AgNewsWire) On the same week as the 73rd anniversary of the first farm bill (May 12, 1933), two former Secretaries of Agriculture under Republican and Democratic administrations and two Midwestern farmer leaders today endorsed new, visionary policy recommendations for the 21st century contained in a report released today by American Farmland Trust (AFT). Entitled Agenda 2007: A New Framework and Direction for U.S. Farm Policy, the new AFT report is a product of more than a year of consultation with hundreds of farmers, ranchers, economists and policy experts. Agenda 2007 offers guidelines and policy recommendations for the next farm bill. It was developed to respond to mounting budget deficits, the trade distortions of existing policies, the inequitable distribution of farm bill benefits and insufficient focus on infrastructure investment and on conservation, environmental, energy and other programs of great potential benefit to rural America. (Full Release)

Domestic Fuel Blogs Clean Cities Congress

Posted on May 5, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Phoenix, AZ-May 5, 2006- AgNewsWire – Regularly updated information will be available from the Clean Cities Congress and Expo 2006, May 7-10, in Phoenix, Arizona on Domestic Fuel (www.domesticfuel.com), an industry weblog (also known as a “blog”) featuring information about domestic fuel alternatives. The Clean Cities Congress is the leading industry event that features speakers and exhibitors representing a wide range of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. It is presented by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVI) on behalf of industry sponsors and Arizona Clean Cities.

The Clean Cities Congress blog will offer ready access to written updates, press releases, pictures, audio interviews and video clips from the conference. A blog is a web-based publication updated frequently to record the activities, information, and people who are part of the Clean Cities Congress. The blog is an interactive communication mechanism, designed to foster discussion. (Full Release)

May Is Beef Month In Missouri

Posted on May 4, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

(Columbia, MO – AgNewsWire) Beef Month in Missouri officially kicked off Tuesday, May 2, at the state capitol front lawn in Jefferson City under sunny skies filled with the aroma of hamburgers on the grill. The Missouri Beef Industry Council joined with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association to provide a variety of activities for the third annual “Beef Day,” including a live cattle display and pictures with “Molly Moo.”

According to MBIC board member John Kleiboeker of California, the beef cattle industry is a billion dollar industry in the state of Missouri.

“Beef cattle are by far the largest livestock commodity in the state of Missouri and we are the number two cow-calf state in the nation. So, it’s a very, very important part of our rural economy and it’s growing.” (Full Release)

Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Joins CityHome™ Program

Posted on April 20, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Omaha, NE (April 19, 2006) (AgNewsWire) – The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) has become a sponsor of the CityHome™ program. CityHome is a national air quality initiative that is helping to improve urban air quality and provide city residents with a better quality of life through the use of O2Diesel™, a blend of ethanol and diesel fuel.

Tom Slunecka, executive director of EPIC, says the CityHome program fits in with EPIC’s goal of promoting ethanol to consumers.

“By utilizing the CityHome platform, new consumers will start to see the value that ethanol can bring to their communities – reducing CO2, reducing particulate matter, increasing our economic viability and reducing our dependence on foreign oil – in a new source, through diesel fuel as opposed to straight gasoline.” (Full Release)

Merial Stands Behind Cattle Gain with IVOMEC Plus Challenge

Posted on April 18, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Merial DULUTH, Ga., April 18, 2006 (AgNewsWire) – Merial announces the return of a program that encourages producers to put a spring deworming program to the test. The IVOMEC Plus (ivermectin/clorsulon) Challenge gives producers in eight states a firsthand look at the benefits of treating cattle for parasites in the spring, including liver flukes, this spring.

Producers in Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington are eligible for the IVOMEC Plus Challenge, which gives them an opportunity to see the added benefits of treating against liver flukes early in the year.

Veterinarian Dr. James Hawkins says liver flukes have been identified by the National Beef Quality Audit as one of the top 10 issues facing the cattle industry. “Most of the time with liver flukes there’s no obvious clinical sign. The cattle do not look like they’re sick. The only thing that’s different about the herd is that their production is not as good as it could be. So, if you treat for flukes you can see increased weaning weights of the calves, you can see better body condition in the cows, you’ll see higher pregnancy rates.” (Full Release)

Steak Sundae is a Cool Surprise for Kids

Posted on April 7, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Columbia, MO (AgNewsWire) April is the “Month of the Young Child” and anyone who has children knows how difficult it can be to get them to eat nutritious foods. To make it a little easier, the Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC) offers a fun idea for even the pickiest eaters – the Steak Sundae. According to MBIC marketing director Dawn Thurnau, the treat can be made by alternating layers of mashed potatoes and chunks of steak with warm barbeque sauce or gravy in a sundae dish.

“Then on the top you put your chunks of steak with another little dollop of mashed potatoes and then a cherry tomato on the very top with some green onions. So it looks just like a chocolate sundae, but tastes like an open-face roast beef sandwich,” said Thurnau. (Full Release)

JEFF SIMMONS NAMED RAHAL LETTERMAN TEAM ETHANOL DRIVER

Posted on April 4, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Omaha, Neb. (April 4, 2006-AgNewsWire) – Rahal Letterman Racing (RLR), one of the leading open-wheel race teams in North America, along with Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) today announced the selection of Jeff Simmons as the driver for No. 17 Team Ethanol Honda/Panoz/Firestone.

Simmons will replace the late Paul Dana who lost his life in a practice accident March 26 and EPIC Executive Director Tom Slunecka says this will carry on the mission that Paul began to demonstrate the performance of ethanol to consumers and mechanics through racing.

“By continuing our presence here at the Indy Racing League (IRL) we are communicating the value of ethanol to all drivers across the United States.” (Full Release)

Massey Ferguson® Adds to Compact Tractor Line

Posted on April 2, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

DULUTH, GA –March 30, 2006 (AgNewsWire) —Massey Ferguson has expanded its line-up of compact tractors with the new Massey Ferguson 1560, a 59.1 rated engine hp tractor with expanded work capabilities. The 1560 features a larger chassis, heavier rear end and expanded 3-point hitch capacities. “The new 1560 gives buyers increased job capabilities, with more horsepower than any other compact tractor on the market,” says Stephen Barcuch, marketing manager for Massey Ferguson compact tractors. “The 1560’s compact design makes it one of the most versatile, hard-working compact tractors available today.”
The 1560 is available in 4WD platform and 4WD factory-installed cab configurations. The 4WD platform version comes with Massey Ferguson’s 12×12 power shuttle transmission, with factory installed joystick and mid-mount couplers. Cab models come with a choice of 12×12 power shuttle transmission or Massey Ferguson’s exclusive DynaQPS™ (4 speed clutchless shift) transmission, with 12 forward and 12 reverse speeds. Both transmission options feature multi-disc wet clutch operation for longer life under heavy use conditions. Both cab options come with 2 hydraulic rear remotes, factory installed joystick and mid couplers. (Full Release)

Classic iPod Keepsake Winner Announced

Posted on March 20, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

Welcome to National Agriculture Day on AgNewsWire. Thank you farmers for providing us with the most abundant and safe food supply in the world. This is the day for the announcement of the winner of the New Holland “Down on the Farm” Classic iPod Keepsake Contest. Thanks to all the people who entered online or at the New Holland booth at Commodity Classic. The random drawing has taken place and . . .

The winner is Marcus Spotts, a corn/soybean farmer from Nora Springs, IA. Congratulations to Marcus.

I caught Marcus on his mobile phone at lunch time to give him the news. You can listen to a portion of my conversation with him here: Listen To MP3 Telling Marcus He Won (3 min MP3)

I want to thank New Holland and Michael Peterson for working with us on this project. It has been fun and we are looking forward to doing it again soon.

The Context Network Names New Partners

Posted on March 17, 2006 by Chuck Zimmerman

DES MOINES, IA – March 17, 2006 – (AgNewsWire) Four new partners have been named at The Context Network as part of an overall business expansion effort to enhance and deepen the firm’s ability to deliver strategic management solutions and business management consulting services to leading agricultural and biotechnology companies. “The addition of four new partners and their combined 95 years of experience greatly enhance The Context Network’s ability to offer deeper industry and business expertise,” said founding partner Tray Thomas. “It also allows us to work more closely with our clients to improve their performance.”

Named as new partners are Steve M. Hawkins, Blake Sieker, Mike J. Borel and Alex Fink.

Steve M. Hawkins will serve as a partner and managing director of the firm. Hawkins brings more than 30 years of seed and biotechnology experience to Context. He has served as president and COO of D&PL (Delta and Pine Land Company), the world’s largest private cotton seed breeding company. Hawkins has more than 30 years of senior management experience in the agricultural and biotechnology industries and most recently served as chairman and CEO of Apomyx, a biotechnology company based in Utah. (Full Release)