If you don’t know our new National Agri-Marketing Association President then give this week’s program a listen. I visited with Beth Burgy, Broadhead, who took over the helm at NAMA during the Trends in Agriculture conference.
Beth says the big project for NAMA is going to be implementing the new strategic plan. That plan includes three strategy areas that are: Increase our strategic partnerships on both the local and national level; Communicate with members and partners more effectively and Grow NAMA membership in non-traditional segments. Beth says NAMA is a growing organization and in great condition.
Well, John Deere has finished the sculpture for Project “Can Do.” This farm scene with an S-Series combine harvesting a field of corn needed approximately 323,000 cans of food to complete. The finalized sculpture was revealed at an event today at the John Deere Pavilion.
I spoke with Katie Dierker, Division Marketing Manager for the S-Series combines. Katie says the right model S-Series combine can harvest enough wheat in a day to make 1 million loaves of bread or when it comes to corn, it can go through the equivalent of 30 football field in an hour or 350 acres per day. That sounds like big productivity!
Thinking back on some of the national news events that I remember growing up, I pause to ask myself if they were as memorable as asking someone in their early 60s when and where they were when President Kennedy was shot. Some were. Take for example when the Challenger went up in flames, or Desert Storm, or more recently the tsunami in Japan; and of course 9-11 and our first (half) black president.
Those are events that occurred nationally and/or internationally that will be engrained in my memory for decades (maybe years as my memory isn’t that great). But on a local level, I wonder if the “Great Nebraska flood of 2011” will be one of those events.
I posted back in May when the flood waters first started to rise. Back then, we had no idea what kind of impact that would have on farmers in the affected areas. However, Nebraska Farm Bureau just commissioned a study that shows, “The spring flooding along the Missouri River cost Nebraska nearly $189 million in lost agricultural crop sales and related economic activity. $105.8 million of the total is lost crop sales experienced by farmers; the remainder is the economic activity indirectly lost in these areas that did not occur because of the crop losses, such as processing, marketing and distribution or the purchases of agricultural equipment that won’t occur.”
Highway 136 running east into Rockport finally opened after more than six months of being underwater, but the damage is still very evident. Ponds have sprung up in fields, crevices more than 8-feet deep line the highways and pivot irrigation is still stuck in the mud. This photo shows a home just set back from the highway. Notice the muddy water line just below the window sill and the new front yard featuring mud, silt and debris.
I was happy that my quickest route to Kansas City had reopened but my heart went out to the farmers who were affected by this event.
The Alltech Ag Network is “the future of agriculture.” That’s according to Allie Hembree, pictured with Billy Frey during Trade Talk at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention.
Allie says the Network is a place where events can be live streamed and archived, using the services of iHigh. A recent example is the FFA Convention. You can find all the sessions in the archives. She says that they can help any company or organization set up there own page to do this for their events.
During the National Agri-Marketing Association’s Trends in Agriculture Conference we had a session that focused on “Trends In Energy/Alternative Fuels” which featured Nathan Schock, POET & Matt Roberts, PhD. Pictured is Matt who is an Associate Professor of Ag Economics at Ohio State University.
Matt does a lot of work in biofuels. One of his take aways from the session is that even though we’re going to see a lot of ethanol policy changes in the market soon with the end of the VEETC/Tariff, “There’s not going to actually be that large of an impact right now when that goes away.” He says long term there may be some impact. The RFS is a different animal though. He believes it needs to be re-opened on the cellulosic side but seems to be working on the corn ethanol side. Changes, however, could have a real impact on the corn side.
He says that when you look at the big picture of ethanol and the biofuels industry there aren’t simple answers. He encourages the industry to take a step back and “think about the fundamental reasons that are out there and what’s driving it and start with the questions.” He says everyone seems to start with an answer looking for a problem to solve with it instead of asking a question first and then seeking the answer to that question.
John Deere’s Project “Can Do” is making progress. There are photos of the food can combine on the project Facebook page. You can watch a live feed of the display build here.
One of the project creators is Richard Williamson. Richard is a Creative Director for the company. He’s currently working as Art Director/Project Manager for John Deere’s Harvesting and Seeding product lines. I spoke with him about the project. He says the “art” work will be revealed to the public tomorrow, November 17 and it will remain on display in the John Deere Pavilion until December 17. At that point it will be dismantled and the cans of food donated.
I’m not sure if you’d rather see one of the deer we harvested or not. This is my deer hunting team as things started to wind down on the 2011 hunt yesterday. We had a great time and reduced the over population of deer in Missouri I can tell you. Fresh venison on the grill is a good thing!
So, I’m back at ZimmComm World Headquarters getting back into civilization and agriblogging mode. The woods are a wonderful and peaceful place to get away from it all. However, I’ve got numerous interviews to share with you from the NAMA Trends in Agriculture Conference as well as the NAFB Convention.
So there will be quite a bit of activity on AgWired prior to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
It looks like there are a lot of Ron Paul supporters out there. In our latest ZimmPoll we asked the question, “Which Republican candidate for President is best for ag?” The big leader was Ron Paul at 41% followed by Newt Gingrich, 16%; Herman Cain, 13%; Rick Perry, 8%; Rick Perry, 8%; Mitt Romney, 7%; Jon Huntsman, 6%; Michele Bachmann, 5%; Gary Johnson, 3% and Rick Santorum, 2%. Does this surprise you?
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Will higher cost (13%) of Thanksgiving dinner affect your meal?” The increased cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal comes from an announcement by the American Farm Bureau Federation last week.
AFBF’s 26th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.20, a $5.73 price increase from last year’s average of $43.47.
CLAAS of America Inc., has achieved a world record harvest – 24,832 bushels of wheat in an 8-hour time frame.
Farm Journal Media announces a new database service: Reverse Email Append. This service matches on records where there is an email address, or incomplete or nonexistent contact and USPS address information, let alone demographic or behavioral data on the producer.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is investing in approximately 70 U.S. agricultural organizations to help expand commercial export markets for their goods.
The congress will bring together key figures from industry, government and NGO’s to discuss the way forward for an industry with a central role to play in a number of global challenges – the economy, energy, climate change and hunger. “The focus on agriculture and food production is unprecedented,” said 2011 Congress Chairman, Jim Bolger. “Prices are rising, shortages are feared and the hungry are not getting any less hungry. And concurrently, the responsibilities placed on agriculture are increasing – as a source of energy, industrial raw materials and pharmaceuticals while all the while using less water and reducing its environmental impact.”
Among the agricultural company representatives who will be taking part in the Congress are Novus International president and CEO Thad Simons and Dr. Jürgen Oldeweme, Senior Vice President of BASF Agricultural Products Division in Germany. Other big company names with representatives on the program include Bayer Crop Science, Novozymes, Syngenta, and Monsanto.
Our friends with BASF Crop Protection were very busy at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk last week and rightly so, since they had plenty of new information to share with farmers.
Pictured here, left to right, are Sandi Wilson, Dr. Dan Westberg and Pat Morrow – about half the team from BASF at NAFB. This was Pat’s sixth year at NAFB and she loves it more every time she attends. “I just really love the farm broadcasters, it’s a hug fest for me,” Pat says. That’s one reason why they are so pleased to be able to be major sponsors at the convention by supporting the broadcast center and providing internet access for broadcasters.
The other reason is purely professional. Farm broadcasters are a great way for BASF to get information about new products and offerings out to growers. I talked with Dr. Dan the Man about two new herbicides for 2012 to help growers manage resistant weeds such as glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth and waterhemp – Zidua® and OpTill® PRO. “Zidua herbicide is a brand new active ingredient currently waiting EPA registration,” Dan said. “It is a unique chemistry that has very broad spectrum control of grasses and small seeded broadleaf weeds.” Dan says Zidua will provide the longest lasting residual control for Palmer amaranth and waterhemp in the market. Hence the name – Zidua, as in residual.
OpTill Pro herbicide was specifically developed for soybean growers to control a broad spectrum of grass and broadleaf weeds, including waterhemp. “We’ve taken our OpTill herbicide, powered by Kixor, and we’ve added Outlook® to it,” said Dan. “This makes OpTill Pro a premium residual option that provides burndown and residual control to help soybean growers start off clean and stay clean throughout the season.”
This is the 19th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues impacting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives. This year, students will focus on three questions: What benefits do co-ops provide their member-owners? How do co-ops improve the quality of life in their communities? How do co-ops contribute to economic growth throughout the world?
The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Iowa FFA members is February 15. The postmarked entry deadline for Illinois and Wisconsin FFA members is March 15. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com.
Rhea + Kaiser has AMPed up its account services department.
The renaming of the Rhea + Kaiser Account Management and Planning—or AMP—department, formerly known as Account Services, reflects the team’s role as comprehensive account leaders who provide smart, strategic counsel and cultivate big ideas.
“Our work has always been much more than servicing day-to-day account details,” said Cheryl Muzinic, director of the Account Management and Planning department at Rhea + Kaiser. “We needed a contemporary department name to communicate the full scope of our capabilities and responsibilities both to clients and internal teams.”
The 12-member AMP team unveiled its new name during an agency-wide celebration late last week, and AMP leadership is informing clients this week. The announcement follows a thorough review process that included determining the new department moniker, contemporizing individual titles, and updating the department’s mission, philosophy and vision statements.
“Our clients should expect the same outstanding brand planning and account management they’ve become accustomed to with R+K,” said Diane Martin, president and CEO of Rhea + Kaiser. “The new name AMP simply underscores our ongoing commitment to lead and advocate for creative solutions that drive business results and build meaningful partnerships with our clients.”
The R+K AMP team includes Kimberly Bergmooser, Kim Berns, Laura Boynton, Jodi Carreon, Paul Durham, Julie Dykstra, Jim Haist, Neil Johnson, Sarah Lenkaitis, Cheryl Muzinic, Jeff Walter and Claudia Zellmann.
The family of Lindsay Hill were honored Friday night as the NAFB president who died in a car accident halfway into her term this year was inducted into the Hall of Fame during what would have been her outgoing president’s banquet.
Lindsay’s father and mother – Lowell and Donna – her brother Lance and his wife Nikki were there to see her honored by her peers in a night of “laughter through our tears.” A number of NAFB past presidents paid tribute to Lindsay, and new president Tom Steever wrote a poem that reflected Lindsay’s words to live by on her Facebook page. Here’s some of his tribute.
On the phone she said to me,
I’ll explain this if I can,
I place my trust in God, you see,
and I know He has a plan.
I’ll tell you; those who never lose
are those who place no bets.
But life, my friend, is much too short
to wake up with regrets.
For those who love, and treat you right,
love them as you live.
That’s not the case with everyone,
so for those who don’t, forgive.
Ecclesiastes tells us that for each there is a season.
You must believe that everything happens for a reason.
Some things, she said, may change your life
and if it does, just let it.
For those resistant to life’s change,
I’d say they just don’t get it.
You may not know life’s gem until the day that you unearth it.
Easy? No. But please hear this; I promise you, it’s worth it.
I’ll view this so much differently while emotions now unravel;
My weight made light by angels’ wings as I accept this gavel.
We’ll overcome this sadness that’s defied imagination;
Let Lindsay’s memory instead be our source of inspiration.
So as we leave this banquet, let us not be blue,
Because Lindsay, this toast is given especially for you.
Our son is hooked on microwave popcorn. Or any kind of popcorn for that matter since we have an air popper, too. He knows when it’s movie night, it’s popcorn night. A 1:45 ‘bout in the microwave and he’s happy as can be.
This is a photo of an old-time popcorn popper. They used to put the kernels in with a little oil and pop it on a wood-fired kitchen stove. As you can see, this popper didn’t hold as much as a bag of popcorn does now-a-days, and it probably took longer than 1:45. If you really wanted popcorn, you had to work for it.
Being from Nebraska, I have to give a “shout out” because Nebraska can hang its hat on knowing that the state ranks first in acres of popcorn planted and total popcorn production with Indiana as a close second (which is a little-known agricultural fact about Nebraska).
I feel better knowing that by eating popcorn, I’m supporting Nebraska producers who grow it. Thank you!
According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ monthly “Flash Report,” the sales of all tractors in the U.S. for October 2011 were up 7.5% compared to the same month last year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation believes that Russia’s successful accession into the World Trade Organization will lead to increased trade between our two nations.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement after USDA released its final tally for agricultural exports in fiscal year 2011: “Thanks to the productivity of America’s farmers, ranchers and producers, the American brand of agriculture is surging in popularity worldwide. Farm exports in fiscal year 2011 reached a record high of $137.4 billion-exceeding past highs by $22.5 billion-and supported 1.15 million jobs here at home.
Monsanto Company announced it is taking steps to ensure best management practices are implemented for fields that were planted with the company’s single-mode-of-action corn hybrids that contain western corn rootworm protection and that were affected by significant corn rootworm pressure during the 2011 season.
They are (pictured left to right): President-Elect Mark Oppold, RFD-TV; President Tom Steever, Brownfield AgNews; and vice president Janet Adkison of KMZU Radio, Carrolton, MO.
Also elected to positions on the NAFB board for 2012 were: Lisa Adams, Sage Virtual Communications, as Allied Industry Council representative; Kyle Bauer of KFRM/Kansas as Southern region VP; Chase Adams of KBHB/South Dakota as Western region VP; Brian Winnekins of COW 97 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin as Western region director; and Jason Vance of Farm Progress Companies as Southern region director. Eastern region officers remain the same – Meghan Grebner of Brownfield as VP and Gale Cunningham of WYXY-FM/Illinois as director.
Lots of photos in the Flickr album – check it out!
Put another $10,000 in the pot for the future of farm broadcasting from the annual NAFB Foundation Auction on Thursday night.
Pictured are at least part of the gang of guys who conspired to beat out the NAFB girls team for the Lake of the Ozarks weekend donated for the third year by Al Johnson and Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse. The weekend had been a two year tradition for the girls, but the boys raised the stakes this year and thus raised more money for the foundation.
The boys are smug now, but just wait – we don’t waste time being bitter, revenge is a dish best served cold.
The coveted Horizon and Farm Broadcaster of the Year awards were presented on Friday afternoon at the NAFB annual meeting in Kansas City.
The 2011 Horizon Award winner is Julie Root of RFD Radio in Illinois. Julie has been farm broadcasting for a grand total of two years and has already proven to be a great talent for the industry.
And the 2011 Farm Broadcaster of the Year is Greg Akagi – our immediate NAFB past president and 18 year farm broadcast veteran with WIBW/Kansas Ag Network.
Congratulations to both!
The photo album now has close to 600 photos in it – be sure to check it out! All photos can be easily downloaded with just a couple of clicks.
Some companies have been sponsors and Trade Talk exhibitors at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention for years – even decades! – but this year was the first for AgLeader Technology, one of the nation’s leading precision farming technology innovators.
AgLeader’s Katie Monroe (center) says they were thrilled to join the companies and organizations who support the NAFB. “It’s a great opportunity to talk about our new products and how precision farming can help growers,” Katie said, noting that one of their main topics was AgLeader’s new Versa display which includes all of the most popular year-round precision tools in one small package.
AgLeader Technology also joined with Alltech to sponsor the NAFB Foundation Auction reception on Thursday night.
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
David conducted a presentation on delivering expert opinion via social media to an audience at the start of International Poultry Expo week. He's got some great information about who consumers trust and how you can use today's consumer behavior to help communicate your message.
If you don’t know our new National Agri-Marketing Association President then give this week’s program a listen. I visited with Beth Burgy, Broadhead, who took over the helm at NAMA during the Trends in Agriculture conference.
Beth says the big project for NAMA is going to be implementing the new strategic plan. That plan includes three strategy areas that are: Increase our strategic partnerships on both the local and national level; Communicate with members and partners more effectively and Grow NAMA membership in non-traditional segments. Beth says NAMA is a growing organization and in great condition.
Many of the world’s leading agriculture companies will be gathering in Brussels soon for the 
Our friends with 
The renaming of the Rhea + Kaiser Account Management and Planning—or AMP—department, formerly known as Account Services, reflects the team’s role as comprehensive account leaders who provide smart, strategic counsel and cultivate big ideas. 
The family of 
On the phone she said to me,
Ecclesiastes tells us that for each there is a season.
The 
Put another $10,000 in the pot for the future of farm broadcasting from the annual NAFB Foundation Auction on Thursday night. 
The coveted Horizon and Farm Broadcaster of the Year awards were presented on Friday afternoon at the NAFB annual meeting in Kansas City.
Some companies have been sponsors and Trade Talk exhibitors at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention for years – even decades! – but this year was the first for 
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
