Groskreutz Named New
President And CEO
Of Accelerated Genetics
The search is over!
The Accelerated Genetics Board of Directors has announced the selection of Joel Groskreutz, Reedsburg, as their next CEO and President. Groskreutz will assume his new role effective July 15, 2008. He will work closely with Roger Ripley, the current Accelerated Genetics President and CEO, to transition before Ripley’s retirement August 1, 2008.
Groskreutz is no stranger to Accelerated Genetics. He actually spent an early portion of his career with the company as Field Representative, District Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager and finally Domestic Marketing Specialist.
For the past 14 years, Groskreutz has been employed at Ecolab, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Groskreutz was raised on a 640-acre dairy near Wells, Minnesota where he and his family milked 115 Holsteins. He graduated from University of Minnesota-Waseca with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Animal Science. After college, Groskreutz returned to the family dairy forming a partnership with his father and brother.
Groskreutz and his wife, Brenda, have four daughters, Brooke, Ashley, Brieana, and Amber. They have lived in Reedsburg, Wisconsin for the last 19 years.
County Fairs Curtail
Energy Expenses
It's a trend we might see more of this year. County fairs changing their ways to conserve energy.
The Stoughton fair is starting a day
later than planned in part because higher fuel costs are forcing
carnivals to cut back operating hours.
Diesel fuel runs the generators that power everything from rides
to concession stands to air conditioning. The price on that fuel has jumped
nearly $2 a gallon over the last year.
Operators say at full capacity, the Stoughton Fair operates on
five generators, each of which consume 6 to 7 gallons of diesel an
hour.
North American Midway Entertainment general manager Bob Gill
says to deal with ballooning costs, the company has started opening
later and closing earlier in some cities.
Beef Wins At
The Grill
July is beef month and people are ready to celebrate!
Steak tops the list of foods that deliver the most energy according to a recent consumer survey. Grilling is a popular pastime for 79 percent of Americans and 63 percent say the food they most often cook on the grill is beef.
The consumer survey shows that consumers feel beef is the protein that delivers on the eating experience and health benefits. A substantial body of scientific evidence shows protein can help in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle and fueling physical activity – all of which play an important role in a healthful lifestyle and disease prevention.
When Americans are in the mood for a comfort food to cook on the grill, beef wins over other proteins, with steaks at the top of the list at 39 percent and hamburgers coming in second with 26 percent. The consumer survey was funded by The Beef Checkoff.
The Fourth of July is the number one grilling holiday with 63 percent of respondents saying the Fourth is their favorite holiday to cook out on the grill.
Grilling isn’t just for the guys – 83 percent of men say they grill but so do 76 percent of women.
41 percent of Americans say they grill out year round.
When cooking beef on the grill, consumers choose hamburgers (56 percent) more often than steak (42 percent).
America’s favorite hamburger is a classic – a lean beef patty on a plain white or whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and ketchup.
Many Americans also like mustard on their burgers but ketchup won the condiment battle by a small margin. Slightly less than half (49 percent) of respondents say they also like mayonnaise on their burgers.
Ribeye, T-bone and sirloin steaks were listed as favorite cuts to grill.
In Wisconsin Baseball
Make Ours A Brat
Only in Wisconsin does the brat beat the hot dog as concession king!
A new national survey shows the Milwaukee Brewers' Miller Park
is the only baseball stadium to sell more sausages than hot dogs.
Concession manager Tom Olson says he's not surprised. Four types
of sausages __ brats, Polish, Italian and chorizo __ are sold at the
park. But there's just one hot dog.
Olson says Miller Park is expected to sell 775,000 sausages this
season and only about 350,000 hot dogs.
The survey by the National Hot Dog Sausage Council says fans
give the highest ratings to the dogs at Wrigley Field and Yankee
Stadium. Miller Park ranks fifth.
Watch Hot Hay
Hay can be a hot commodity not just as far as price - but also, literally!
University Extension agents around the state are reminding anyone who's storing hay to monitor the condition of that crop long after the semi or wagon pulls away. Bill Halfman, Monroe county extension agent, says that the internal temperature can easily be 120 degrees when it's in good condition. This spring, with the wet weather challenges - that internal temperature can change quickly.
Halfman says that the chemical reaction that can take place in the chemistry of that bale involving fungus and bacteria can elevate a bale from a manageable 120 degrees to 175 degrees quickly. Halfman says at 175 degrees, owners need to be checking that hay about every 4-5 hours for changes.
Halfman says once that hay reaches an internal temperature of anything over 175 degrees, local fire officials should be notified. Hay with a temperature of 195 degrees or higher can actually spontaneously combust - causing a real risk for property damage or worse.
Halfman says its a wise practice to check hays internal temperature four to five days after initial harvest - and monitor it throughout early storage conditions.
Fifth Annual FSA
Open House Scheduled
In Wisconsin - potlucks are a tradition. Coming up July 9th - it's not really a potluck but it is about community.
Wisconsin Farm Service Agency local county offices will be hosting their fifth annual open house on Wednesday, July 9, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. While visitors are there, FSA staff will be explaining issues they're dealing with after this springs weather challenges - and discussing elections for local FSA’s County Committee Elections.
Ben Brancel, FSA’s state executive director, says that farmers and land owners that serve on county committees are actually helping other farmers by making sure FSA agricultural programs meet local needs.
The theme of this year's election is 'FSA Counts on You: Nominate and Vote.' There are 56 county offices throughout the state, and every office will be hosting an open house.
The nomination period for this year's election is from June 15 to August 1. To find out more about the election, go to http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections/
