Meat Industry News for April 18, 2007

PRESS RELEASE: RULES AND REGS
Dakota Beef CEO Scott Lively Invited to Testify Before House Subcommittee Congress Seeking Input on Growing Organic Industry
WASHINGTON, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dakota Beef 100% Organic, the nation's leading certified organic beef company, announces its CEO, Scott Lively, has been invited to provide testimony before the House Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture on Wednesday, April 18.

The Subcommittee will hear testimony from organic industry leaders, producers and processors in what's likely to be the first of several hearings as they prepare the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill. Mr. Lively, a leading expert in the organic beef industry, has been invited before the Subcommittee specifically to discuss the economic development impacts of organic production and processing in the U.S.

While the organic industry has historically enjoyed the ongoing support of Congress, this marks the first time the House Subcommittee has sought testimony from such a wide spectrum of organic industry leaders. "As the organic industry experiences continued growth and our products are accessible to an increasing number of consumers, the continued support of Congress is crucial in ensuring consistent growth and organic standards adherence," said Mr. Lively. "Consumer confidence in certified organic products is a direct result of organic product integrity which, in turn, is dependent upon National Organic Program oversight and enforcement," he added.

The organic industry as a whole has enjoyed strong growth over the last ten years and is projected to grow for the entire five-year life of the next Farm Bill. The testimony of Mr. Lively and other leading organic industry experts is expected to help shape future funding and oversight.

Dakota Beef LLC is the leading certified organic beef company in the country, operating its own certified organic, USDA inspected processing plant in Howard, South Dakota. The company only sells certified organic beef products and its cattle are never administered antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones. All of its cattle are born and raised on certified organic pasture in the Midwest. Its animals are always treated humanely both to reduce stress, and to help their natural immune systems operate at their fullest potential. Dakota Beef feeds its cattle on a proprietary mix of certified organic grains to promote high levels of marbling and ensure consistently flavorful and tender beef.

CONTACT: Scott Chavkin of Dakota Beef 100% Organic, +1-303-667-3486, schavkin@dakotaorganic.com
Web site: http://www.dakotabeefcompany.com/
Editor’s Note: “Organic” is the new buzzword and a market segment that’s growing geometrically, albeit from a very small base. Those that were first in are fighting to keep the concept “pure,” meaning out of the hands of the big boys in the meat packing business.

CROP REPORT
U.S. Supreme Court declines to review seed case from Mississippi
The Sun Herald/The Associated Press
JACKSON, Miss. --The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear from a north Mississippi company that was sued by Monsanto Co. for saving seeds from one harvest and planting them the following season.

A federal appeals court in Washington in August 2006 ruled that Mitchell Scruggs, Eddie Scruggs, Scruggs Farm Supply Inc., Scruggs Farm Joint Venture, HES Farms Inc., MES Farms Inc. and MHS Farms Inc. violated Monsanto's licensing requirements and its patent for use of the company's seeds. The Scruggses operate in Lee County.
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EDITOR’S Note: The Scruggs family operated under the mistaken belief that just because they bought the seed corn, they actually owned it. You don’t buy from Monsanto, you just rent for a while.

PRESS RELEASE: THE BOARD ROOM
Wendy’s International, Inc. Names Jay Fitzsimmons as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
New Wendy’s CFO Was Formerly a Senior Executive at Wal-Mart
April 17, 2007
DUBLIN , Ohio-- (BUSINESS WIRE)--Wendy’s International, Inc. (NYSE:WEN) today announced it has named Jay Fitzsimmons as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Fitzsimmons comes to Wendy’s after serving for more than 12 years as senior vice president and treasurer at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., where he had responsibility for treasury, planning, financial analysis, investor relations, financial operations and corporate mergers and acquisitions. Wal-Mart grew revenues from $64 billion to more than $350 billion during his tenure at the company.

Prior to his arrival at Wal-Mart, Fitzsimmons worked as a sell-side analyst covering the restaurant and hospitality industry. He has also served as a senior officer and chief financial officer of several publicly and privately held restaurant companies, including S&A Restaurants, National Pizza Company (the largest Pizza Hut franchisee), Sea Galley Stores and Flakey Jake’s.
At Wendy’s, Fitzsimmons will oversee the functions of Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, Tax, Treasury and Information Technology, and will serve as a member of the strategic planning committee. He will report to Chief Executive Officer and President Kerrii Anderson.

“Jay’s experience in a senior leadership position with the largest retailer in the world, as well as his restaurant industry background, make him uniquely suited for Wendy’s CFO role,” Anderson said.

“We are excited about the experienced leadership and expertise that Jay will provide. We look forward to him joining our team.”

Fitzsimmons holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He is on several boards, including the Advisory Board at The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, as well as the Business Consortium Fund (BCF), a nonprofit organization that provides funding to minority and women-owned businesses. BCF is an affiliate of the National Minority Diversity Council.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Not sure if getting your finance guy from Wal-Mart is a good idea if you’re in the food business? Like Willie Sutton the bank robber said when asked why he robbed banks, 'because that's where the money is'. Let’s just make sure Jay can count in units of less than a billion.

PRESS RELEASE: MARKETING REPORT
Good Times Launches “All Natural Beef” Ad Campaign
April 17, 2007
GOLDEN, Colo.-- (BUSINESS WIRE)--Good Times Restaurants, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTIM) is returning to television this spring with a campaign that touts the chain's exclusive use of all-natural beef throughout their system of restaurants. “Good Times introduced all-natural Coleman beef in 2003 and believe ourselves to be the first and largest fast food hamburger chain in the country to serve beef that is raised on an all-natural protocol and contains no antibiotics, growth hormones or steroids,” states Boyd Hoback, Good Times President & CEO.

The decision to exclusively use all-natural beef has become a primary and meaningful point of difference for the brand with consumers, according to Hoback. “It was time,” he says, “to use the power of television to really put that stake in the ground.”

The campaign was created by Morey Evans Advertising, the long-standing agency-of-record for Good Times. It features the Good Times spokesperson and brand icon: The Good Times Director of Global Expansion.

“The television spot we created is simple, bold and direct, yet still within the brand personality for which Good Times is so well recognized,” says Morey Evans Creative Director Tom Evans.

“It humorously points out, via an All-Natural Beef Detector machine, that the quality safeguards at Good Times are strict and uncompromising when it comes to their all-natural beef.”

“It’s not a commercial the big burger chains could do or, frankly, would do,” Evans explains, which he says is part of the unique appeal of a brand like Good Times and the unconventional way in which it markets to its customers.

The campaign was launched on March 14 and will be featured on both network and cable television stations in the Denver-Front Range market.

Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard has 52 restaurants, mostly in Colorado , serving high-quality, 100% all-natural Coleman beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, and fresh frozen custard.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Good Times is riding an all natural band wagon that started rolling years ago under the direction of Mel Coleman. It’s gaining serious momentum.

PRESS RELEASE: AGRICULTURE
Integrated Management Information (IMI Global) Launches AgNetwork.com, a Comprehensive New Information Service for the Worldwide Ag Industry
CASTLE ROCK, Colo., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Integrated Management Information, Inc. (IMI Global) (BULLETIN BOARD: INMG) , a leading provider of verification and Internet solutions for the agricultural/livestock industry, today announced the launch of AgNetwork.com, a comprehensive new source of news and information for the international agricultural community. The launch was accompanied by AgNetwork's first email newsletter, a periodic feature available to visitors to the site.

"Business dynamics within agriculture are increasingly multifaceted, global and interactive," said Dr. Nevil Speer, Professor, Western Kentucky University. "Within that environment decision making needs to be quick and accurate -- it requires access to the most up-to-date developments. Agnetwork facilitates the need for a one-stop, comprehensive and customizable outlet providing stakeholders with a continual stream of news and information."

The AgNetwork Web site is based on IMI Global's successful CattleNetwork.com model, which has grown steadily and rapidly into one of the nation's leading sources of news and information on the cattle industry. In 2006, CattleNetwork had 1.2 million unique visitors, up 108% over 2005, and reported strong growth in other traffic categories as well as advertisers and revenue.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Hey, I’ve got an idea! Let’s recognize the ag business for what it truly is: the world’s largest business.

RULES AND REGS
House Ag Subcommittee Reviews Economic Impact of Organic Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, held a hearing to review the economic impacts of organic production, processing, and marketing of organic agricultural products.

Organic food is currently a $14 billion industry, accounting for about 2 percent of total retail food sales in the United States. That number is projected to grow to as much as $23.8 billion and 3.5 percent of the U.S. food market by 2010.

To meet USDA standards, organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products must come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic crops must be produced without using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation.

"This is a historic hearing," said Subcommittee Chairman Cardoza. "Today marks the first hearing ever in the House Committee on Agriculture dedicated to a substantial discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing organic agriculture. It was clear from the testimony that, while organic agriculture is certainly flourishing, we must ensure a steadfast commitment to the integrity of the program. I look forward to working with the organic community as we continue our work on the upcoming Farm Bill."

"The National Organic Program has proven to be a successful voluntary marketing program. Through standards that all producers and processors follow and a certification and enforcement process, consumers know that when they purchase products with the USDA organic seal, they are purchasing food that has been grown or raised in a certain manner," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Randy Neugebauer.

Witness testimony is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website in 4-6 weeks.
Witness List
Ms. Caren Wilcox, Executive Director, Organic Trade Association, Greenfield, Massachusetts
Mr. Robert B. Marqusee, Director, Department of Rural Economic Development, Woodbury County, Sioux City, Iowa
Ms. Bea James, Category Leadership Program Manager, National Cooperative Grocers Association, St. Paul Minnesota
Mr. Mark Lipson, Policy Program Director, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Santa Cruz, California
Mr. Manuel Vieriera, A.V. Thomas Produce, Livingston, CaliforniaMs. Mary-Howell R. Martens, Lakeview Organic Grains, Penn Yan, New York
Mr. Scott Lively, President and CEO, Dakota Beef, LLC, Howard, South Dakota
Mr. Robert Pike, Vice President/General Manager, Braswell Foods/Glenwood Foods, Nashville, North Carolina
Ms. Sandra Marquardt, President, On the Mark Public Relations, Silver Spring, Maryland, on behalf of Ms. La Rhea Pepper, Chief Executive Officer, Organic Essentials, Inc., O'Donnell, Texas
Mr. Lynn Clarkson, President, Clarkson Grain Company, Inc., Cerro Gordo, Illinois
Mr. Rich Ghilarducci, President and CEO, Humboldt Creamery, Fortuna, California
Ms. Nicole Bernard-Dawes, President and COO, Late July Snacks, Hyannis, Massachusetts
EDITOR’S NOTE: A line is being drawn in the sand and it’s following the Washington beltway. Keep the feds out of it and this business will prosper.

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Weighs In On U.S.-S. Korea Beef Debate
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea leaned on local officials to fully reopen Seoul's beef market to U.S. beef imports, reiterating that U.S. Congress won't otherwise OK the bilateral trade agreement recently reached by both countries.

"We firmly believe that if the Korean beef market is not fully reopened by July, the FTA will not be submitted to the Congress, AMCHAM Chairman William Oberlin said in meeting with Korea's pro-government Uri party, as reported by Yonhap News.

The parties met as part of Uri's assessment of the FTA, which is expected to be submitted to Korea's National Assembly in September after being signed by the presidents of both countries.
Oberlin reminded Korea officials that Congress members have major concerns, noting that, "Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has condemned the failure of the U.S. trade negotiators to lift Korea's unscientific ban on U.S. beef before concluding the FTA negotiations."
AMCHAM said it is sending delegates to Washington next for annual meetings with key Congress members. Their mission is to encourage support for the FTA.

Source: Tom Johnston, Meatingplace.com

EDITORS’ NOTE: Can we cut through the crap here and call it like it is? It’s protectionism, politics at its most basic. Open the doors and let the (bone) chips fall where they may.

THE BOARD ROOM
Tyson Foods Promotes McNair
Arkansas Business
By Mike Capshaw
4/18/2007
Scott McNair was named group vice president of consumer products for Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale on Tuesday.

McNair will oversee marketing and sales for all divisions within Tyson's consumer products business, including deli, processed meats, wholesale clubs and retail.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Tyson figured out a long time ago that it's the marketing, stupid. And they keep growing by getting better at it every year.