Promoting Alpacas

Chuck Zimmerman

At this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo, Alpacas are popular, especially baby ones. Promoting them is the Southeastern Alpaca Association. Representing the Association here is Carrie Gamblin, Southern Hummers Alpacas, pictured with her husband Jay. Carrie says the organization is the “hub” for all the member farms. Each farm gets a web page that’s part of the organizational website. They also …

Ag Groups, Audio, Sunbelt Ag Expo

The KIOTI MECHRON

Chuck Zimmerman

KIOTI has just introduced a new utility vehicle – The MECHRON. Sounds kind of like a character in Transformers. But a couple of different versions were on display at Sunbelt Ag Expo. Now just about everyone has a utility vehicle in their product lineup. I spoke to Ron Parrish in the KIOTI exhibit about their new offering. This Ultimate Transport …

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Sunbelt Ag Expo

Wild Georgia Shrimp

Chuck Zimmerman

You don’t normally think of shrimp and agriculture at the same time. However, here at Sunbelt Ag Expo the Georgia Shrimp Association would like to educate you and feed you at the same time. John Wallace is the President and I caught him frying shrimp early on opening day of the show. He says their shrimp are from the Atlantic …

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Sunbelt Ag Expo

Overview of Sunbelt Ag Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

The 2009 Sunbelt Ag Expo is underway in Moultrie, GA. Executive Director, Chip Blalock, welcomed us media types at a breakfast and provided an overview of what to see at this year’s event. He’s on the left in the photo talking with ag media. Of course I’ve got a photo album started which you can find here: Sunbelt Ag Expo …

Audio, Sunbelt Ag Expo, Video

Syngenta Seeds Developing Water Optimized Hybrids

Cindy Zimmerman

Coming soon to a field near you from Syngenta Seeds – corn with water optimization traits. Syngenta is going beyond drought-resistant corn to introduce water optimization traits, which will reduce the amount of moisture needed to optimize yield and minimize yield loss in drought conditions, as well as reduce water use in average years. Business Lead Corn Product Manager Wayne …

Audio, Corn, Seed, Syngenta

Larry Quinn Retired

Chuck Zimmerman

Ever since Cindy and I have been in agricultural communications we’ve known and enjoyed working with Larry Quinn, USDA Office of Communications. Well, Larry just retired and while I was in Las Vegas attending BlogWorld and New Media Expo, Cindy got to talk to Larry. Larry says that when he first arrived at USDA he started working on a manual …

Audio, USDA, ZimmCast

Social Media Cuts Out The Middle Man

Chuck Zimmerman

This year’s BlogWorld and New Media Expo was one of the largest gatherings of people involved in new media ever. The founder of the event is Rick Calvert. He says feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. The last number I heard yesterday was 2,200 participants but that may have ended higher. That says a lot in a troubled economy …

Audio

Blogosphere Is Very Healthy

Chuck Zimmerman

Day two of the BlogWorld and New Media Expo is underway. We’re listing to Richard Jalichandra, Technorati, give a preview of this year’s State of the Blogosphere. It will be published next week. They surveyed bloggers this past year and he’s showing us some selected statistics. He started out by saying that the blogosphere is very healthy and contrary to …

Audio

Talking NAFB With Bill O’Neill

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has seen some significant changes in the last 4 years and the staff leader has been Bill O’Neill. Bill is stepping down at the end of this year to pursue some personal interests and I spoke with him about his decision and his years working with the organization. He says he’s going to move …

Audio, Media, NAFB, ZimmCast