Find Your Adventurous Lamb Side

jamie johansenAg Group, AgWired Animal, American Lamb Board, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Food, Lamb, Livestock, NAFB, Sheep

Last week the American Lamb Board (ALB) launched “Feed Your Adventurous Side,” a consumer campaign representing the spirit of today’s lamb industry. We met up with them during NAFB’s Trade Talk to hear the details first hand.

“This new positioning for American Lamb as the adventurous, versatile protein option talks directly to people we call “Flavor Seekers” who are bored with ordinary food options. Millennials are an important part of our audience,” says Jim Percival, ALB chairman and Ohio sheep producer. “The digital nature of ‘Feed Your Adventurous Side’ allows focused promotions within the campaign at key times and locations.”

Lamb offers a unique and adventurous flavor capturing the attention of today’s adventurous consumer. The campaign reaches out to people most likely to desire new food favorites with lamb through social media, websites and other online destinations, supported by retail, foodservice and influencer programs.

Listen to my complete interview with Jim to hear the details of their flavor research, what lamb menu items are trending and get a glimpse into their long-range plan. Interview with Jim Percival, American Lamb Board

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC

Animal Ag Bites 11/13

AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

  • Cargill and Performance Livestock Analytics, Inc. (PLA) are partnering to bring new data analytics to cattle production. PLA’s Performance Beef is now enhanced with the Cargill MAX system for beef, creating an advanced and more robust feedlot system, Performance Beef MAX. This new version is exclusive to Cargill and its customers.
  • The American Angus Association has announced the 2017-2018 board of directors and officers elected during the 134th Annual Convention of Delegates in Fort Worth, Texas. Those elected to serve the Association for a second three-year term are: Jerry Connealy, Whitman, Nebraska; David Dal Porto, Oakley, California; John Grimes, Hillsboro, Ohio; James Henderson, Memphis, Texas; and Dave Nichols, Bridgewater, Iowa.
  • Donations to the Animal Agriculture Alliance will be doubled on Giving Tuesday, November 28th, thanks to Cooper Farms and Cattle Empire. Cooper Farms has pledged to match donations to the Alliance up to $5,000. Cattle Empire will be participating in the Alliance’s Giving Tuesday campaign for the first time this year by matching donations from $5,001 to $10,000. Visit www.animalagalliance.org/donatenow to make your contribution. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the power of social media and community collaboration.
  • Belgium headquartered feed additives producer NUTRIAD hosted a customer event at the 2017
    European Aquaculture Society conference, which took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Oct. 17-20. The conference attracted over 1,600 participants and more than 40 exhibitors. NUTRIAD’S event “Functional feed additives in aquaculture: How to add more?” was well received by producers of marine fish, fish feed producers, and a large number of consultants and academic scientists that attended from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Norway and Croatia.

Larson Dairy Reacts to Latest Activist Video

AgWired Animal, Animal Activists, Audio, Wackos

One of the most well-respected dairy operations in the nation was the subject of an underground animal activist video that was released this past week.

Larson Dairy in Okeechobee, Florida is owned by Woody Larson, who bought the operation from his father Red Larson, who started in the dairy business in 1947. His son Jacob is also involved in the operation. The video released shows numerous cases of animal abuse by dairy employees over the course of three weeks. The Larsons are cooperating fully with the authorities and have already terminated employment of the employee in the video and put two others on leave while an investigation takes place.

In this interview, Gary Cooper with AgNet Media and Chuck Zimmerman, AgWired, talk with Woody and Jacob Larson about the disturbing video and the policies and training that they have put in place to avoid just such a situation. Interview with Woody & Jacob Larson

Secretary Sonny’s First Visit to NAFB

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, NAFB, usda

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made his first visit to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual convention, where he made a stop in at Trade Talk and then spent nearly an hour talking with broadcasters.

The secretary’s first topic was the launch of USDA’s new resources to support veterans who might wish to pursue opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and rural America. “We’re very serious about supporting our veterans,” said Perdue. “They bring skill sets that we think work very well in agriculture.”

Asked when he might get a full court of under secretaries approved for USDA, Perdue pointed to his dress shirt and said, “I have a Free Bill Northey tee shirt under here.”

Perdue also commented on the bigger corn crop expected, trade issues and more. Secretary Sonny Perdue at NAFB

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC

2017 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award Winner

jamie johansenAg Group, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Conservation, environment, NAFB

Sand County Foundation and Missouri Farmers Care announced the recipients of Missouri’s inaugural Leopold Conservation Award® during the 2017 National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s (NAFB) Annual Convention. The Leopold Conservation Award honors farmer, rancher and forester achievement in voluntary stewardship and management of natural resources. This marks the first year this prestigious award has been presented to a Missouri farmer or rancher.

Matt and Kate Lambert own and operate Uptown Farms along with their family in Brookfield, MO. On the family farm they grow corn, soybeans and raise cattle, sheep and kids. Conservation practices aren’t a new thing on the Northern Missouri farm. The use of cover crops dates back to the early 90’s and they continue to progressively stay-up-to-date on new and improved practices that ensure the family farm will be there for future generations.

Learn more about the Lambert’s and their family farm here: Interview with Matt & Kate Lambert, Uptown Farms

The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Missouri is made possible thanks to the generous support of Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Department of Conservation, MFA, Inc., Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program, and USDA NRCS.

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC

Alltech 37+® Test Now Identifies 5 Extra Mycotoxins

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Alltech, Cattle, Feed

The state-of-the-art Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analytical services laboratory now open at Alltech’s European Bioscience Centre in Ireland. Dr. Sanja Trajkovic pictured analyzing samples for mycotoxin contamination.

The Alltech 37+® test now identifies five extra mycotoxins that can threaten animal health and producer profitability. This brings the total for testing and analyzing samples to over 40 different mycotoxins in animal feed.

Mycotoxins threaten animal health and producer profitability, so identifying and addressing these hidden challenges is very important for farmers. Alltech is a world leader in mycotoxin management and now has the ability to test for over 40 different mycotoxins in animal feed samples. With this new analytical capability, Alltech is able to not only detect these new mycotoxins, but can also begin to understand how they can impact animal performance and health.

The Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis test is the cornerstone of the Alltech® Mycotoxin Management program, as it tests for more than 37 types of mycotoxins. When samples are submitted for testing, farmers will now see an additional five mycotoxins that have recently gained attention in scientific research for becoming important to the agriculture industry.

These additional mycotoxins and toxicity symptoms are:
– Citrinin:
Kidney damage, oxidative stress, gut health challenges, diarrhea/loose manure
– Beauvericin:
Oxidative stress, antimicrobial activity, contamination of milk/meat
– Moniliformin:
o Heart damage, immune suppression, loss of performance
– Citreoviridin:
o Vitamin B1 deficiency, immune suppression, oxidative stress, poor reproductive performance, reduced weight gain
– Cyclopiazonic acid:
o GIT damage, oxidative stress, immune suppression, loss of performance

U.S. Animal Community Comments on WHO Antibiotic Guidelines

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Antibiotics, Food, Livestock

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended the food community stop using antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy animals to help preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics that are important for human medicine.

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Acting Chief Scientist, said “The WHO guidelines are not in alignment with U.S. policy and are not supported by sound science. The recommendations erroneously conflate disease prevention with growth promotion in animals. The WHO previously requested that the standards for on-farm antibiotic use in animals be updated through a transparent, consensus, science-based process of CODEX. However, before the first meeting of the CODEX was held, the WHO released these guidelines, which according to language in the guidelines are based on ‘low-quality evidence,’ and in some cases, ‘very low-quality evidence.'” His full statement can be found here.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released this statement: “A ban on disease prevention uses of antibiotics in food-animal production being advocated by the World Health Organization would be ill-advised and wrong. Denying pigs, cows and chickens necessary antibiotics would be unethical and immoral, leading to animal suffering and possibly death, and could compromise the nation’s food system.” The complete release can be found here.

“Feed Your Adventurous Side” with American Lamb

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Livestock, Meat, Sheep

The American Lamb Board (ALB) announces the launch of “Feed Your Adventurous Side,” a consumer campaign representing the spirit of today’s lamb industry.

Research conducted for the American Lamb Board shows an opportunity to position lamb as offering unique and adventurous flavor to capture consumers’ attention. The campaign reaches out to people most likely to desire new food favorites with lamb through social media, websites and other online destinations, supported by retail, foodservice and influencer programs. By capitalizing on how the target audience connects with information today through digital means, American Lamb will be in front of adventurous consumers.

“This new positioning for American Lamb as the adventurous, versatile protein option talks directly to people we call “Flavor Seekers” who are bored with ordinary food options. Millennials are an important part of our audience,” says Jim Percival, Xenia, Ohio, ALB chairman. “The digital nature of ‘Feed Your Adventurous Side’ allows focused promotions within the campaign at key times and locations.”

The consumer hub is AmericanLamb.com plus social media channels including Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram.

AmericanLamb.com plus social media channels including Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram.”>Click to read more.

Animal Ag Bites 11/6

AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

  • Alltech will offer a live webinar on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. EST with Dr. Kayla Price, Poultry Technical Manager with Alltech Canada, discussing the essentials for a premium egg and the different factors affecting egg shell quality.
  • The Hereford Research Foundation sponsored $5,000 in cash awards for 29 young people participating in the inaugural National Junior Hereford Association Fed Steer Shootout. Molly Biggs of Dixon, Ill., was named the 2017 Fed Steer Shootout Junior of the Year.
  • Lester Schafer of Buffalo Lake, Minn., and Byron Bayers of Twin Bridges, Mont., were inducted into the Hereford Hall of Fame Oct. 27 during the American Hereford Association Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo.
  • The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board honored Jerry Messer of North Dakota with the 2017 Richard E. Lyng Award for contributions and service to dairy promotion.
  • Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has acquired Cumberland Dairy, a family-owned processor of ultra-pasteurized dairy products located in Bridgeton, N.J. The acquisition aligns with DFA’s strategy to expand the cooperative’s commercial investments and ownership into extended shelf life processing.
  • The European Swine Nutrition Roundtable included 16 participants from across Europe who discussed the obstacles between today’s producer and the next level of performance and profitability. The Roundtable is a partnership between Novus International, Inc. and Newcastle University.

U.S. Dairy Producers Win Alltech & KEENAN Great Green Getaway

jamie johansenAgribusiness, AgWired Animal, Alltech, contest, Dairy, Equipment, Livestock, Nutrition

For three U.S. dairy producers, the luck of the Irish was on their side when their names were selected in a live, random draw for The Great Green Getaway sweepstakes as the 2017 World Dairy Expo wrapped up in Madison, Wisconsin.

In March 2018, Ashley Irvin, Tennessee; Hans Greisen, Wisconsin; and Mary Van Rossum, Wisconsin, will embark on a journey to the Emerald Isle for a “how it’s made” tour of the KEENAN production facility in Borris, County Carlow, Ireland, a guided VIP experience at the new Pearse Lyons Distillery, visits to a number of high-performance Irish dairy farms and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin City Centre.

“We are looking forward to hosting The Great Green Getaway sweepstakes winners in Ireland and sharing the Alltech and KEENAN Irish heritage,” said Dan Gard, sales manager for KEENAN USA. “Our customers trust our KEENAN mixers for their durability, flexibility and longevity, and these winners will get to see them in the factory as well as on-farm in Ireland.”

The sweepstakes opened June 28, 2017, during National Dairy Month, and the winners were announced on Oct. 7, 2017, at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. The contest was open to U.S. dairy farmers who have 50 cows or more and are over 18 years of age.