Lyons-Blythe was nominated by her children (Meghan, Allie, Trenton, Tyler and Eric), and also by her aunt, Mary Ferguson, who she describes as “more of a friend than an aunt.” Both nominations summarized in 300 words what makes Lyons-Blythe so special to her family, farm, community and the agricultural industry.

Debbie and her family run Blythe Angus, near White City where her husband Duane’s family homesteaded in 1890. They raise 250 registered Angus cows and sell registered bulls, along with a commercial heifer development program. They also have a diversified cropping operation, including hay, for the cowherd. Although all five of her children help on the ranch, it is Debbie who provides the daily labor. Duane works in town and she said she is “blessed” to have a husband supportive of her passion for ranching. A graduate of Kansas State University, Debbie serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Livestock Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is an active member of the American Angus Association. She authors an online blog, “Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch,” with which she strives to give consumers a glimpse of life on a family farm.

The other four regional winners were Danni Beer, Keldron, S.D., Sherri Lynn Kannmacher, Martinsville, Ill., Sarah Peterson, Niles, Mich., and Delores “Dee Dee” Clements Darden, Smithfield, Va.

Here are the results, 50% said Recently (I do frequently). Wow. Keep it up. But 22% said Never (Waste of time) and just over 9%/each said, Recently (I rarely do); Long time ago; Never (I will now though).

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Who should be responsible for child nutrition?” This question was inspired by last night’s FoodChat Twitter conversation. I appreciate the school lunch program and what USDA thinks it is accomplishing by creating rules but somehow it doesn’t sit right with me. There would be no need for this if parents would take some personal responsibility for themselves and their children. More and more government control of our lives just won’t work in the long run. At least that’s my opinion. What’s yours?

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

With the Market Strategies app, producers will receive in-depth information on 15 different commodities, including corn, dairy, soybeans, wheat and even inputs like fuel, feed corn and soybean meal. The app also offers customizable features to create a market advisory plan that meets the unique crop and input needs of each producer, giving them clear marketing and purchasing recommendations to maximize profitability.

The first spot called “Island” is full of sizzle and beauty shot that brings our hero – beef – to life. The intended message – that Lean Beef has the power to elevate the everyday – comes through in a clear and engaging way.

The second spot called “Invitation” features a new child star who convincingly and earnestly conveys the message about beef. The spot’s message – that Lean Beef has the power to bring people together – is a feel-good message that will surely resonate well with consumers.

The new commercials can be seen on ABC.com throughout the top 10 ABC Network programs that score high against adults age 25 to 54. Programming will include shows such as: The Bachelorette, Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, Happy Ending, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Once Upon a Time, Private Practice, Revenge and Suburgatory. The two spots will also be shown via a two-month long sponsorship of the ‘Moments’ sections of Modern Family and The Bachelorette, a popular feature on ABC.com.

To watch the celebration live, please visit www.usda.gov/live. For more information on the 150th anniversary celebration, please visit www.usda.gov/usda150. Additional information on USDA’s work to strengthen the American economy can be found at www.usda.gov/results.

Please thank Mary for her service at NCBA and join me in congratulating her as she begins an exciting new career. Her last day at NCBA will be May 25.

So, if you think you can fill Mary’s shoes at NCBA here’s where you can get more information.

Anderson-Wise was formerly director of program services for Dairy Council of CA, managing its school programs. She has been with the organization 15 years. She replaces Peggy Biltz, who is retiring after spending 27 years with Dairy Council of CA, 22 as chief executive officer.

The organization reaches millions of children each year with a professional staff of 50 through its nutrition education programs in schools, collaboration with health professionals and through digital communications. Some 90 percent of California schools use Dairy Council of CA nutrition education programs.

Anderson-Wise steps into the chief executive officer position July 16.

My husband is all about blood lines and being able to trace back her lineage, so we need a father with papers. That means poor momma is going to have another baby (hopefully) next year. I know she’s designed to do that, but we got a girl the first time out of the gate and who’s to say the next five won’t be boys? (We’d hoped for a female because they’re a bit more docile than boys. You know, those boys are trouble-makers!)

I will leave it up to my husband to separate momma and filly when it’s weaning time. A clean break – that’s best, right? But since I work from home, I’m the one who will get to listen to momma’s neighs, wondering where her baby is.

Such is life on the farm. Another baby will come along and I’ll gush over how cute it is, take pictures, write a little something and life will go on.

Until we walk again …

Additional findings of the Media Usage Update Survey study as well as raw survey data and available cross-tabulated findings, including geography and age-specific results, are available by contacting becki@nafb.com or at (816) 431-4032. The data is projectable to each state and by county within a state.

Visitation will take place on Monday, May 14, from 6-8 pm at the Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court, Little Rock, AR 72205. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 15 at 4:00 pm at Faith Spring Church, 501 South Bowman, Little Rock.

To contribute, please make checks payable to:
Stewart Doan’s Children’s College Fund
c/o Peoples Bank
20409 Arch Street
Little Rock, AR 72206

According to Sara Wyant, president of Agri-Pulse, where Stewart had been senior editor, they do not have all the details, “but we know that he had not been feeling well and saw his doctor Wednesday to undergo tests related to having shortness of breath and related health concerns. He fainted at his home yesterday morning and was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he later died.”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised Stewart in a statement to Agri-Talk this morning. “Stewart was a voice that people depended on and that people listened to,” said Vilsack. “And he used his voice to advocate on behalf of America’s farmers, ranchers and producers.” Listen to Visack’s comments here:
Secretary Vilsack on Stewart Doan

The most common word being used to describe Stewart is “professional.” He was a first-class reporter, the master of the :45 news story with :10 sound bites. I loved that. He was kind, down-to-earth, passionate about agriculture, and a good friend to all. We were at several events together just this year and he was always working very hard and always in a good mood. I remember being very impressed with his presentation on the presidential candidates at the Farm Bureau annual meeting where he played sound bites from them addressing various issues. It was probably the best presentation incorporating audio that I have ever seen.

Besides being a colleague and friend to so many of us, he was also a dedicated husband and father. I snapped this photo of Stewart with his wife Leslie, their two daughters Lauren and Sarah and a couple of their friends at Sara and Al’s house a couple of years back.

Stewart was only 52 years old and for more than 30 years of his life, this Kentucky native covered agricultural news for a variety of media, beginning with radio. He was president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in 1998, and was named 2006 Farm Broadcaster of the Year. But, most of all, he was a great guy and we will miss him. Rest in peace.

As a play on our everyday profession as Farmers we have created “Just Farmers…”. Just Farmers is not specifically about the agricultural meaning of farmer and really is a more broad look at how through the use of different social channels conversations are being grown into crops of relationshipsand the harvest are the communities brought together in the end. More simply Just Farmers… includes those people interested in farming communities of engaged committed individual people by engaging in conversations.

Just Farmers is a project of:

Jeff Fowle
Mike Haley
Ray Prock, Jr.

American Farriers Journal has also posted a certificate for National Farriers Week that horse owners can download and personalize for their farriers. It can be downloaded at http://www.americanfarriers.com/file_open.php?id=173.

Here’s a photo I took of Stewart (center) talking with Sen. Pat Roberts and Sara Wyant during their reception the night before National Ag Day Activities in Washington, DC. So it’s a shock to learn of his abrupt passing just earlier today. I can already see on Facebook a significant amount of emotion being expressed in sorrow for the loss of a great person and professional. Stewart, we pray for you and for your family.

Here’s the message sent out by the NAFB office just now.

Dear NAFB members,

Details of Stewart’s passing are unclear at this time, but we will provide more information and details about services as soon as they become available.

Here are the cooperatives that hit the charts in the top 5:
CHS Inc., Saint Paul, Minn.
Land O’Lakes Inc., Saint Paul, Minn.
Dairy Farmers of America, Kansas City, Mo.
GROWMARK Inc., Bloomington, Ill.
Ag Processing Inc., Omaha, Neb.

Leading the revenue increase from 2009 to 2010 were dairy cooperatives, which saw 2010 revenue climb more than 14.5 percent from the previous year, to $29.5 billion. Dairy cooperatives accounted for more than half of the revenue increase recorded by the top 100 ag co-ops in 2010.

Click here for the complete listing or read more in the USDA Rural Cooperatives magazine.

So every evening, you can see me dragging three hoses through the yard to various items to give them a drink. But my persistence has paid off and in less than a week, everything I planted in my garden is growing.

My cucumbers came up gang-busters as have my sugar snap peas…and last night we just installed the chicken wire and electric fence stakes to hold up the climbing tendrils. Come the end of July, my family will be tired of mixed greens lettuce and spinach (things I can’t freeze), but I’m hoping that the carrots and cucumbers come up at the same time to complement our “greenery”.

And so far so good on having no weeds in the new raised beds. The dirt is fresh and untouched which should make for a bountiful harvest – and black kitty continues to keep the rabbits away (he just caught another one last week!) – so bring on summer! Oh – and a little rain would be nice, please.

Until we walk again …

Susan Arterburn joins Fastline with eight years’ experience in advertising and marketing, most recently as Account Supervisor at Finelight Marketing Agency in Louisville, Ky. Before that, Susan was an Account Executive at BOHAN Advertising in Nashville, Tenn. Her marketing career began with a BA in Advertising from Western Kentucky University.

Here are some major topical areas in the report:

Guilt and Confusion Around Organic Foods
Buying into “buying local”
Myths About Food Costs and the Modern Family Farmer

The tour discussed how the dairy industry impacts the veal industry, the aspects of group housing and feeding, veal nutrition, Veal Quality Assurance, Veal Issues Management, and Packer Processing, including inspection and grading. Center-of-the-Plate expert Steve Olson and Executive Chef Dave Zino conducted a 90-minute veal cutting and cooking clinic. After the lectures, attendees were sent to the “hands-on kitchen”, tied on aprons and cooked up a veal storm creating eight culinary dishes to be served for lunch.

Tours such as the one hosted by the NYBIC are a way for farmers and ag groups to showcase the transparency of the industry on a local level. It gives industry influencers (such as bloggers, media, foodservice reps, chefs and dietitians) a chance to freely ask questions and express their concerns over myths and misconceptions that are often portrayed about agriculture, which enables them to then communicate the FACTS with the consuming public.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “When was the last time you talked to a journalist about agriculture?” The question is inspired by last night’s AgChat Twitter conversation and a question that had been submitted by @BASFAgro! We’re supposed to stand up for our industry and livelihoods that are threatened by lots of misinformation that gets spread by the media. What are we doing about it? How are we speaking out? Are we willing to develop a relationship with the reporters at our local mainstream media outlets (newspaper/radio/tv/web)? More questions I know but there is a lot we can all do to help educate the ultimate consumers of the products we produce. Keep it up. It does make a difference!

Let your friends and neighbors know they can participate by sharing this link.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

GROWMARK was honored with the first CropLife America and AgGateway Information Technology Innovation Award for CropNAtion

The new design won GROWMARK first place in the Heartland region NAMA competition this year and GoFurtherWithFS.com won the Merit award in the same category. CropNAtion.com was selected by CropLife America (CLA) and AgGateway to receive the first annual CLA Information Technology Innovation Award. “It’s neat to be able bring these technologies together and then get recognition and positive feedback,” Scott said. “That’s really strong affirmation.”

CropNAtion has been a very ambitious project for GROWMARK to create a social media platform that serves as a 21st century “coffee shop” for today’s farmers. “It’s about what they want to talk about, not what someone else is putting in front of them to talk about,” he said.

Scott says they have new projects in the works, such as designing a new website platform for member cooperatives, but just staying on the cutting edge of communications technology keep them busy. “Technology and social media are moving so quickly these days that by the time you begin to evolve something there’s three other things out there,” he said. Tell us about it!

Listen to my interview with Scott here: Scott Bross Interview

“SmartTrax tracks boost the productivity and pulling efficiency of our T9 Series tractors,” Sean said at the recent New Holland media event, where journalists had a chance to test drive one of these bad boys. “Producers using this track option will increase traction and reduce soil compaction and slippage, which translates into less surface damage and a smoother ride.”

Sean says there are two types of SmartTrax modules available – High Idler and Standard. The track modules can be used on the tractor for spring planting and then installed on the combine for fall harvest. The simple installation allows you to go from wheels to tracks in less than a day – and then back again.

The first of the SmartTrax equipped tractors are starting to arrive at dealerships and Doug Roquet with SS Equipment in the Pacific Northwest says they had the first T9 SmartTrax machine available to the public and have been getting great response from farmers in the region.

“The 4-track system provides greater ground contact than tires or 2-track systems. This results in the best overall tractor balance, better traction, reduced slippage and reduced compaction,” Doug says. “In addition, the SmartTrax system from New Holland is built with advantages over other 4-track machines with thicker belts, heavier duty idler & bogey wheels with 50% thicker rubber and larger bearings, much larger drive wheels providing contact with 11 to 13 drive lugs verses 2 to 3 lugs on competitive models, and long track life for use on multiple generations of tractors.”

Take a look at some video Doug shot recently on a farm in southeast Washington.

HighQuest Partners is bringing this opportunity to life with the inaugural Women in Agribusiness Summit, to be held Sept. 16-17, 2012, in New Orleans. This event will encourage the sharing of industry ideas in a comfortable networking environment that fosters learning, growth and business development while helping to mentor the next generation of successful women in the agribusiness. In intimate town-hall style gatherings, women from all levels across the agricultural value chain will participate in dynamic dialogue, designed to advance their knowledge and professional network within the industry through positive and productive interactions.

And, join the Women in Agribusiness LinkedIn discussion group. Periodic polls will be posted to this group as input is sought in shaping the dialogue for this event!

The early registration rate ends June 29. Save an additional 5% off the current registration rate by using Promo Code: WIAEM3. Register here.

SpraySelect supports US and Metric units along with six languages – English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Russian. It is available at no cost for both Apple® and Android™ devices. To download, visit the app store and search for “TeeJet,” or go to the following links:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=teejet&c=apps
Apple: http://itunes.apple.com/app/sprayselect/id520882606?mt=8