Truffle Media Networks's blog

DDGs Raise Potential For Necrotic Enteritis?

Truffle Media Networks — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:43:08 +0000

Dr. Ken Macklin, Auburn University, provides an overview of his International Poultry Scientific Forum on the effect of DDGs on necrotic enteritis. Dr. Macklin seems to believe there is a relationship between the two.

Learn How Social Media Is Being Used by HSUS

Truffle Media Networks — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:45:22 +0000

This presentation by Carie Lewis, Director of Emerging Media, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), offers a great view in to how HSUS is strategic in its use of social media. While you may or may not like the HSUS, they do have a plan and know where they need to go. Everyone in agriculture needs to leverage this HSUS information to help advocate (aka agvocate) their agriculture, farm, and ranch story.

Click arrow below to play.

Taking Online Dairy Advocacy to the Next Level

Truffle Media Networks — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:25:08 +0000

How can you utilize social media in agriculture? What steps should you take when general media portrays farming operations in a negative light? This webinar offers some guidance, tools, and resources to help. Webinar from Dairy Management Inc. and myDairyToolkit.com, December 14, 2011.

For full screen, click on player below. Click to share video with others.

Truffle Media's 3 Words for 2012

Truffle Media Networks — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:36:31 +0000

I was recently reminded of Chris Brogan's "My 3 Words for 2011" (plus 2010, 2009, and 2008) and thought how I would apply this to Truffle Media Networks.

One of the recommended approaches is to

"think long and hard about what these words will mean for you, how you can sum up an entire PERSPECTIVE into these words, and how you can use them as guideposts for your actions in the coming year."

So in this spirit I take a jab at creating the three words and share the deeper why.

Delegate. Great companies can't do it all. There are some tasks that just are not a good fit for a company to take on. Yet they have to have the task completed. They find someone to take on the work and get it done. Delegate, outsource, assign, whatever the word, they found the balance of getting tasks done.

Delegate. My grandmother was a great delegator. She was able to accomplish many great things in her community because she was able to discover the talents of her friends, family, colleagues, and associates, and, when the time came, make the ask. Part of delegation is learning to let go of the task and accept the outcome of the completed task. My grandmother was good at that. Yes, she had a set of standards. But she incorporated those standards into her talent identification process.

Delegate. Truffle Media Networks is a small organization with lots of ideas. We have to prune the ideas to a manageable level but still there are tasks we just don't have the internal resources to do. Historically we have killed ideas because we didn't have the people power. But that also meant we killed off possible products, maybe for the wrong reason. We need to look at what we truly want to do and figure out how to get it done. Delegate.

Deliver. That is what you expect from your local pizza place. If they don't deliver you stop ordering from them.

Deliver. You expect delivery from your home town newspaper. However, delivery gets a bit more complicated with a newspaper. The first part of deliver is "Did the paper get delivered this morning?", an easy thing to confirm. But newspapers must also deliver on the stories, and this gets very subjective in the news media business. Is the paper delivering on my expectations as a news channel for me? Is the newspaper delivering in its mission to be the neighborhood information and editorial source?

Deliver. The Truffle Media Networks team has been in the digital agriculture media world since late 2004. The aim originally was to leverage these things called iPods to bring relevant ag information and updates to top tier agri-producers, with the tag line "Podcasting With A Purpose". In late 2009 we changed the tag line to "Ag Media You Can Use" because we believed ag information for information's sake was not helpful, but ag media that you could actually use was definitely needed. However, in 2011 we don't believe we have really lived up to that tag line. So we either de(live)er on that or move on. Deliver.

Visible. I see my US mail delivery people certainly weekly. I know when they (there are two, sharing the route) will arrive. I know what to expect and they know who I am. They are visible.

Visible. I don't see my congressperson very much. I sometime forget who it is, except when they want to get (re)elected. Even then they are not visible in my part of the world. They are selectively visible whenever they want something.

Visible. Truffle Media Networks is visible in a variety of ways but are we visible and remembered? We attend ag focused events. We share an email update with our audience in a regular basis. We participate in ag related social media communities. But are we selectively visible, only showing up when we want something? We believe to be truly helpful we need to be visible when we don't need something. We need to be visible to help agri-professionals do their job better. Visible.

Delegate, Deliver, Visible. These are the three words Truffle Media Networks will use as guideposts for 2012. What are your three words?

Happy New Year,
John Blue

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:07:38 +0000

Audio via PoultryCast

Dennis Treacy shares what sustainability means to Smithfield.

There are five pillars Smithfield looks at when talking about sustainability: Protecting the environment, animal care, food safety, how we treat our employees, and the communities in which we operate.

Smithfield actively works to help consumers understand their company and improve the relationship. Yes, Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the world. Smithfield works to communicate with the outside world about what they do as a large company, sharing the Smithfield story.

Farm Bill - Ag Data Hackathon To Support Debates

Truffle Media Networks — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:03:52 +0000

via Food + Tech Connect Blog

Using software and people to highlight issues is not new. But using it in agriculture is picking up steam. Food+Tech Connect and Gojee brought together journalists, tech designers, food/ag policy experts, and data gurus to explore the 2012 US Farm Bill. The goal was to highlight issues and extract data to support conversations and debate.

Emily Zweber will become the AgChat Foundation's first executive director

Truffle Media Networks — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:33:49 +0000

via AgChat.org

Emily Zweber (@ezweber ) will become the AgChat Foundation's first executive director. The nonprofit AgChat Foundation (ACF) educates and equips farmers with the skills needed to effectively tell their story on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, YouTube, LinkedIn and other social media services.

Zweber, an organic dairy farmer from Elko, Minn., will focus on furthering ACF's mission of connecting farmers to diverse audiences via social media platforms. She also will provide day-to-day management oversight and fundraising support.

"Emily uses social media every day on the family farming operation, so she’s a great choice for this position," says Darin Grimm (@kansfarmer), ACF president. "What began as an all-volunteer outcropping of an agricultural social media movement is growing into a professionally managed organization. Having Emily on board is a real boost."

Grimm added that ACF's highly-successful summer thought-leadership and social media training conference is slated to provide more content than ever in its third year, and that additional training programs are planned.

Emily received her bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics and international studies from South Dakota State University and is a University of Minnesota Center for the Study of Policy and Governance Humphrey Policy Fellow. Previously, she has served as the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation’s executive director and the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation’s special programs coordinator. Emily and her husband, Tim (@ zweberfarms) , co-own and operate Zweber Farms with Tim’s parents.

Legos Help Learn About Farming

Truffle Media Networks — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:58:46 +0000

via ThisWeekInAg

Warren Seely shares how and why he builds working model tractors with Legos. The why is very insightful: a working Lego model tractor will not hurt you when explaining how a tractor works. Warren also uses the Lego models to explain mint and potato harvesting.

2012 Pork Events Coming Up Soon!

Truffle Media Networks — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:02:18 +0000

Coming up in January are two main pork industry events.

The Minnesota Pork Congress is January 18-19 in Minneapolis, MN. Of note: The pre-congress ventilation seminar on January 17, the keynote January 18 featuring Haydn Shaw on Leading Across Generations, and the Pork Congress trade show January 18 and 19.

The 2012 Iowa Pork Congress, January 25-26, in Des Moines, Iowa offers insight and observations on the swine production, economics, and legislative activities. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the presentation experts and discover more on the trade show floor.

What Is Judicious Use of Antibiotics?

Truffle Media Networks — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:42:53 +0000

Video via SwineCast.com

Dr. William Flynn, Food and Drug Administration, from the 2011 Antibiotic Use In Food Animals conference, October 26-27, 2011, Chicago, IL, USA. Dr. Fylnn covers some of the many issues surrounding the use of antimicrobial drugs in food animals, from a regulatory point of view.

Can Farmland Prices Go Much Higher?

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:27:21 +0000

Audio via PoultryCast

Terry Feldheim of the Farm Credit Service of America highlights the support underpinning land prices at these levels.

What is sustainable ag lending? That really comes down to a concept what is sustainable at given prices. We look at farmers and ranchers, asking if they can cash flow $4.50 corn? If he can cash flow that, he has a much higher probably of sustaining the volatility that comes at us.

The operations that will get loans must have strong working capital positions and actions in play to reduce any debts as quickly as possible.

It's the Economy, Silly!

Truffle Media Networks — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:16:16 +0000

Audio via DairyCast.com

Bob Young, American Farm Bureau's chief economist, is seeing food costs going up through their consumer surveys.

Our surveys' would suggest those food prices are up, and up significantly.

However, there are enough of uncertainties in the market places that suggest that food prices will only be a factor but not the driver.

Other activity in agriculture suggests that the sector as a whole is doing well. There still are issues with corn and bean prices remaining high, with impacts to cattle prices. But over all 2012 looks pretty good.

There Is Hope In Animal Feed Prices and Availability!

Truffle Media Networks — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:15:24 +0000

Audio link via SwineCast.com

Speaking at the recent Kansas State Swine Day, Analyst Joe Kerns with the International Agribusiness Group had some soothing words for producers dealing with volatile feed costs.

When you take a look at the economics right now, the USDA has the US plugged in for 5 billion bushels in order to go to ethanol for the calendar year 2012. With or without the subsidy, there is still enough motivation, enough profit within the ethanol industry that I don't see any way we are going to let our foot off the gas. Every ethanol plant is running full tilt.

How Will Farms Be Impacted By US EPA Rule?

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:14:28 +0000

via EPA.gov

The US EPA Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure rule was developed because of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. This new ruling applies facilities that have a total capacity to contain over 1320 gallons of oil, including gasoline, crop oil, vegetable oil, or animal fat. Fat can be an element for many feed mills, even fat in 55 gallon drums, and many farm operations can have gasoline or diesel fuel in sufficient quantity to apply. Facilities must have a plan in place to prevent the spill entering waterways. The plan does not have to be submitted to the EPA, but must be in place upon inspection.

Is There a Consumer / Producer Communications Gap?

Truffle Media Networks — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:28:49 +0000

Audio link via SwineCast

Dr. Marty Strauss understands the issues consumers have in understanding food/food information. He also understand agricultures desires to help. Dr. Strauss offered how to better bridge the producer/consumer communications gap.

Consumers to Food Animal Industry: Natural and Free Range mean what?

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:30:17 +0000

via sl.farmonline.com.au

What does "free range" or "natural" mean in animal agriculture. In Australia there is a call formally put in place definition that will help consumers understand the differences and reduce marketing confusion.

The beef industry could face a crackdown from the consumer watchdog for using the word ''natural'' to describe its products in the wake of legal action against the chicken meat industry for using the term ''free to roam''.

Companies like McDonalds look to food animal industries and trade groups to clarity their product marketing so as to avoid consumer back lash.

WTO, "Not" on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)

Truffle Media Networks — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:57:40 +0000

via Bloomberg Businessweek

The World Trade Organization has ruled that the USA Country of origin labeling (aka COOL, USDA info) is violating global trade rules and may impact global agricultural commerce.

“We remain committed to providing consumers with accurate and relevant information with respect to the origin of meat products that they buy at the retail level,” [Andrea Mead, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative] said in a statement. “In that regard we are considering all options, including appealing the panel’s decision.”

COOL is considered by the US Swine industry to be a burden because the costs to implement and use out weight the benefits. For beef, many countries avoid exporting the the USA, also because of the USA COOL regulations.

Missing in Agricultural Media?

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:04:07 +0000

via Truffle Media

Amongst agriculture communicators, many are familiar with webinars, online media consumption, and using a smart phone. However 62% feel they are beginners or have no expertise in search engine optimization (SEO). Additionally, 64% believe social media will be more important than email in the next several years, as a way to communicate with those in agriculture. This information is from a survey Truffle Media conducted in August 2011 (PDF).

What are believed to to be most valuable communications tools in the next several years: Social media and smart phones top the list.

Ag communicators level of expertise with the following (1 = No expertise, 5 = High expertise): Many people feel comfortable with Facebook and YouTube but they do not believe they have expertise in search engine optimization (SEO) or location based apps.

Antibiotics in Food Animals: Consumers, Scientists, and Farmers Continue Conversations

Truffle Media Networks — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:04:09 +0000

via thisweekinag.com

Antibiotics used while raising beef, poultry, and swine, has some scientists concerned. What should consumers know? Consumers are making their voice heard through new methods (ex, Chicago Public Schools buying antibiotic free chicken). Scientist continue to raise the alarm about the over use of antibiotics (ex, Union of Concerned Scientists petitions to FDA). And farmers and ranchers question the validity of stopping the prophylactic uses of antibiotics in food animals (ex, studies comparing US farm operations with antibiotic use with EU operations with no antibiotic use see no changes in antibiotic resistance).

Is the USDA Complex?

Truffle Media Networks — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:30:06 +0000

via USDA.gov

The USDA's 2012 budget summary offers some insight into a complex organization.

USDA’s total outlays for 2012 are estimated at $145 billion. Roughly 81 percent of outlays, about $117 billion in 2012, are associated with mandatory programs that provide services as required by law. These include the majority of the nutrition assistance programs, farm commodity programs, crop insurance, export promotion programs and a number of conservation programs. The decrease in mandatory outlays in 2012 is primarily due to crop insurance.

What Are the Top 3 Consumer Decisions in Food Purchases?

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:36:56 +0000

via FoodIntegrity.org

The Center for Food Integrity published its 2011 Consumer Trust Research (PDF link). The top three priority goals driving consumer food choices include: Safe food, affordable food for me and my family, and nutritious food. It was noted that consumers distinguish between family farmers versus commercial farmers.

There is an inverse relationship between the perception of shared values and priorities for commercial farms. Consumers fear that commercial farms will put profit ahead of principle and therefore cut corners when it comes to other priority issues. As farms continue to change in size and scale we have to overcome that bias by more effectively demonstrating our commitment to the values and priorities of consumers.

Charlie Arnot offers an introduction (audio link) to the research and its approach to organizing the data.

How Will Antibiotic-free Poultry Fare in Chicago Public Schools?

Truffle Media Networks — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:18:44 +0000

via foodsafetynews.com

Just after the 2011 Antibiotic Use In Food Animals conference held in Chicago, IL, the Chicago Public Schools began serving local chicken raised without antibiotics to students in 473 schools.

"As the third largest school district in the nation, Chicago has a big voice," said Laura Stanley, Learning Lab manager for School Food FOCUS. "It's in a position to catalyze change in the school food market nationwide."

The poultry will be raised by Miller Amish Country Poultry of Orland, Indiana, and delivery is being supported by Whole Foods Market.

ESPN2011, Not Sports but Poultry!

Truffle Media Networks — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:06:40 +0000

via WorldPoultry.net

This week wraps up the 18th European Symposium On Poultry Nutrition in Çeşme - İzmir - Turkey. The scientific symposium covers everything from animal nutrition needs to poultry immunology and regulations.

"To define practical nutritional solutions for optimal chick production, links between nutrition, reproduction, maternal nutrient transfer, and how they all change with hen age need to be better understood,", Robert Renema, Poultry Research Centre of the University of Alberta, Keynote Speaker

Information on the symposium is at ESPN2011.org, and contains details on the scientific posters sessions and the list of invited speakers.

Antibiotics, What are the Concerns?

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:11:38 +0000

via trufflemedia.com

The use of antibiotics in animal agriculture fuels discussion based on few facts and much misinformation. Dispel many of those myths as you review these presentations from the National Institute for Animal Agriculture's 2011 Antibiotic Use In Food Animals, held October 26-27, 2011, Chicago, IL, USA.

The Art Of War and Agriculture

Truffle Media Networks — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:07:43 +0000

via meatingplace.com

The Human Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Nebraska Farmers Union (NFU) announced the formation of the Nebraska Agriculture Council of the Humane Society of the United States. This arrangement is seen by some as a way to avoiding potential animal agriculture ballot initiatives by the HSUS. Others see this as a divide and conquer action by the HSUS, whose outcome will still reduce and possibly eliminate animal agriculture state by state.

Sarah Hubbart, Animal Agriculture Alliance, in an opinion blog on MeatingPlace.com, used The Art of War as a reference in writing about the HSUS/NFU arrangement.

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu advised: “…the art of using troops is this: When ten to the enemy's one, surround him; When five times his strength, attack him; If double his strength, divide him…”.

The underlying philosophy of HSUS must be used as an indicator for those in animal agriculture. Yes, the HSUS is making agreements with organizations in agriculture, aiming to appear as compromising in its position. But its actions and personal statements are what must be watched: HSUS is in a state by state legislative and social action campaign to eliminate animal agriculture completely.

What does the future of America hold?

Truffle Media Networks — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:07:57 +0000

via portfolioofideas.com

What does the future of America hold? Some good perspective from a recent video series at the Wall Street Journal titled "America: A Portfolio of Ideas" featured several different perspectives and is highly recommended. To give you a feel for what it holds we share this brief audio featuring John Naisbitt (Megatrends) and Gloria Naisbitt on the influence of culture on our trading relationship with China.

Animal Rights, Animal Welfare, and Religion?

Truffle Media Networks — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:48:35 +0000

via meatingplace.com

Sarah Hubbart, Animal Agriculture Alliance, comments on the trend of animal-focused ministries and how they might be used by organizations like the Humane Society of the United States to create animal rights as a social or religious movement.

As a pet lover, I understand the draw of these sorts of events. Animals play a very special role in our lives and we owe it to them to be good caretakers. But are there more far-reaching implications to this trend than just celebrating the special bond that many of us have with our furry friends?

Sarah suggests that "this does seem to illustrate yet another way that negative perceptions about agriculture can make their way into society."

FFA Impromptu Performances

Truffle Media Networks — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:47:38 +0000

Video via TruffleMedia.com

Madison FFA chapter members setup an impromptu performance. Mayson Briggs, Jackson Adams, Sam Adams, Jr., Sam Adams, Sr., and Matthew Ray, from the Madison FFA chapter, Madison County North Carolina - Westin Hotel lobby, National FFA Convention, Oct 20, 2011, Indianapolis, IN, USA

For full screen, click on player below. Click to share video with others.

Talent Shows In Impromptu Performance

Truffle Media Networks — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:37:34 +0000

What Farmers Need To Know About Consumers

Truffle Media Networks — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:49:57 +0000

Audio via DairyCast.com

Charlie Arnot, The Center for Food Integrity, provides an overview of the Food System Summit program October 25-26, 2011 in Chicago. Dr. Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, Market Transformations with the World Wildlife Fund, will present a keynote address during the Summit; Jim Moseley, Co-Chair, AGree Transforming Food & Ag Policy, will be the featured speaker; and Joe Quinn, Senior Director, Issue Management and Strategic Outreach for Walmart Corporate Affairs, will provide the closing keynote address.