Don Hutchens, Executive Director of the Nebraska Corn Board was a guest on Mid Day News Magazine and talked with Mike LePorte about the challanges that 2009 brought and the opportunities that come with a new year.  To hear the interview:  click here

Taiwanese lawmakers voted Tuesday to ban imports of some kinds of U.S. beef over concerns about BSE. Reversing an earlier deal the government had negotiated  with Washington. The legislature's move to reinstate a ban on U.S. ground beef and offal.  Greg Doud, Cheif Economist with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association was the newsmaker interview on Mid Day News Magazine on Tuesday.  You will find the full interview on the audio page on the Mid Day News Magazine blog.

The US Grains Council has a new President and CEO.  Tom Dorr, former USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development took the place of longtime leader Ken Hobbie, who retired in November.  Mr. Dorr hit the ground running and was on hand during the discussions this fall regarding the continung Doha round of trade talks.  He was a guest recently on Mid Day News Magazine.  Ken Rahejs talks with him about a number of issues listen to it by cklicking on the audio link on the Mid Day News Magazine Blog.

Mike LePorte caught up with the new President of the American Soybean Association, Rob Joslin of Ohio.  He spoke to the recent United Soybean Board meeing in St. Louis and gave an emotionally charged speech saying he would like to hit the reset button on the recent bickering between USB and ASA.  Listen to the interview on the audio page on the Mid Day News Magazine blog.

There are many factors impacting beef demand. Need for more products developed that are convenient, credible health information that views beef a nutritious product, and many other topics are discussed with Purdue University Ag Economist Dr. James Mintert and RRN's Leslie Smith. Click on the audio link on the Mid Day Newws Magazine blog to listen to the interview.