2013 Raven Innovation Summit

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Jamie

This week Raven Industries will be holding their 2013 Raven Innovation Summit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss industry trends and to learn from Raven dealers and partners from across the globe. Raven Industries is eager to share how they are continuing to evolve and change along with the entire agriculture industry. This summit they will take the opportunity to showcase these changes.

I am excited to have the chance to attend their event this year, representing the ZimmComm team. Later this week you will be able to find interviews with Raven leadership, summit attendees, as well as producers and links to photos here and at PrecisionPays.

Raven Industries have gone mobile this year with an event app and texting servies. Text “RIS13″ to 57682 for general questions and download Guidebook from the Apple App Store or the Android Marketplace.

Canadian Farm Writers Federation Plan Conference

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Jamie

Canadian Farm Writers Federation (CFWF) is currently in the planning stages for a conference for members this fall. The event will be held October 3-6, 2013 at the world-famous Harrison Hot Springs Resort.

The Fraser Valley is one of the most densely cultivated areas in Canada. This compact region boasts the highest blueberry production in North America, Canada’s largest dairy farm, and a poultry sector leads the country in both population density and adoption of biosecurity. The Circle Farm Tours also make this area a leader in direct farm marketing and agri-tourism.

The bus tours will feature agriculture in and around Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Agassiz, as well as the first ever CFWF Cycle Farm Tour of farms, processors and research facilities in the Agassiz-Harrison area. Attendees can arrive early for the Thursday pre-tours: ‘Up the Creek’, a boat tour up the Fraser River, or ‘Round the Mountain’, a bus tour to the ranchlands of the Nicola Valley.

More details will be coming soon. Watch the CFWF Facebook Page for breaking news. Registration opens May 15, 2013 and if you have any questions, contact Tamara Leigh, tamara@shinybird.ca, 778-232-4036 or checkout their website.

Pinot, Pigs & Poets Chef Competition

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Talia

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is excited about expanding their continued sponsorship of this year’s Pinot, Pigs & Poets event at Happy Hollow Club on June 6, 2013 at 6 p.m. The philanthropic event will feature premium Pinot Noir wines, cutting-edge pork dishes and entertainment provided by slam poets from the Nebraska Writers Collective.

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association has been a sponsor of Pinot, Pigs & Poets since the event’s inception in 2010. In 2013, they are enhancing their sponsorship by involving the Taste of Elegance competition. The top chef will win a trip to the 2014 Pork Summit at the Greystone Campus of the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California.

All proceeds from Pinot, Pigs & Poets support the Completely KIDS organization and their weekend and after-school food programs for Omaha children in need at local schools and shelters. Completely KIDS serves over 2,000 children in its after-school programs and provides over 30,000 meals a year. Last year Pinot, Pigs & Poets raised over $140,000 for these programs.

AgNewsWire – Ag Media’s Online Ag News Service

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Melissa

ZimmComm New Media, LLC has expanded its AgNewsWire.com website to serve as a new agricultural media content service for reporters, companies, organizations and individuals seeking high quality photos and audio from industry events and concerning current issues.

“We generate so much content on our agricultural and renewable energy websites that we decided to create one place for all of it to make it easier for people in the industry to locate and utilize,” said ZimmComm New Media president Chuck Zimmerman. “Last year we covered nearly 70 different industry events, posted more than 1200 audio files and placed nearly 20,000 high resolution photos in Flickr albums. All of that content is available for anyone to download and use free of charge.”

AgNewsWire.com will now have links to all the audio, photos and video that ZimmComm compiles at events, for podcasts, news conferences and more. In addition, AgNewsWire will also continue to be an agricultural news release distribution service as it has been since it was introduced in 2006.

Continue reading →

Registration Open for AgGateway Meeting

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Talia

Registration is now open for AgGateway’s 2013 Mid-Year Meeting, to be held June 17-20 at the John Deere Financial Facility in Johnston, Iowa. At the meeting, AgGateway councils, committees and working groups will move forward on valuable efforts to promote, enable and expand eBusiness in agriculture. These efforts are helping companies to implement supply chain efficiencies in such sectors as precision agriculture, seed, grain, feed, crop nutrition and crop protection, as well as for ag retail companies.

There is no registration fee for the Mid-Year Meeting, which makes it a great opportunity for those who have been curious about eBusiness and the organization to see AgGateway in action, and to join in networking events and educational sessions.

AgGateway has seen significant growth due to the success of member collaborations on eConnectivity projects. Membership has grown from 141 to 170 member companies in the past year alone.

Husker Food Connection Connects Urban and Rural

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Melissa

The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN) collaborated with agriculture-related student organizations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to host the second annual, Husker Food Connection.

Husker Food Connection helps urban students better understand where their food comes from. The theme of the Husker Food Connection was, “Know what we grow: Discovering Nebraska Agriculture.”

Listen to Lukas Fricke, UNL freshman and animal science major, as he explains how he addresses consumer concerns about modern pork production.
Listen to Fricke explain

Participants learned about where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in Nebraska while engaging in several activities. Students received a free lunch featuring beef, pork and turkey sandwiches along with ice cream — all products raised and made in Nebraska. During the event, approximately 2,000 lunches were served. The first 1,000 students to attend the event also received free t-shirts. Numerous students were eager to take a closer look at the piglets, chicks and Holstein calf. For many of them, this was their first experience with livestock.

Listen here to Bob Meduna, Southeast Extension Education, about helping students understand how what cattle eat impacts the final beef product.
Listen to Meduna explain

Willow Holoubek, A-FAN Organizational Director, said she is impressed with the eagerness of students to help their peers understand how their food is grown. “Having conversations about food production and making this connection is vitally important for the future. A-FAN applauds the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) students for their hard work in their efforts to connect farm to fork.”

Commodity Classic Launches App

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Jamie

The 18th Annual Commodity Classic has launched their first-ever mobile app for this year’s event in Kissimmee, Fl. The app will allow attendees to access information, receive messages and engage in social media from their smart phones and tablets. You can even make your own schedules, take notes, lookup session and event times and navigate with maps.

Visit www.commondityclassic.com/app to download it now or check out the App Store on your mobile device and search Commodity Classic. I just did and can’t wait to attend my first ever Commodity Classic. And the best part about it is it’s free!

In less than two weeks, soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum growers will be traveling to the far Southeast from across the county to take in the sights of Kissimmee, Fl. Producers will be educated about important agricultural issues, enlightened by new product rollouts and entertained by all the events coordinators have planned.

“The innovation you’ll witness and information you’ll gather at Commodity Classic will absolutely change the way you farm,” said Commodity Classic co-Chair Bob Worth. “Agriculture faces new challenges every year, and Commodity Classic’s educational sessions and opportunities to speak with other growers and industry leaders will arm attendees with the tools they need to overcome these challenges and increase the profitability of their farming operation.”

The 2013 Commodity Classic takes place February 28-March 2 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center and the Orlando World Center Marriott in Kissimmee, Fla., and is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.

Some Sweet Science Behind Maple Weekend

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Jamie

Some recent research has uncovered some significant health benefits to maple syrup. So when attend this year’s Maple Weekend in New York, held March 16-17 and March 23-24, remember there is a little more to it then it’s simple sweet taste.

University of Rhode Island researcher Navindra Seeram has found 20 compounds in maple syrup that play an important role in our health.

“I continue to say that nature is the best chemist, and that maple syrup is becoming a champion food when it comes to the number and variety of beneficial compounds found in it,” Seeram said. “It’s important to note that in our laboratory research we found that several of these compounds possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to fight cancer, diabetes and bacterial illnesses.”

Did you know a quarter of a cup of maple syrup has more calcium than the same amount of milk or that there is more potassium in maple syrup than a banana?

More than 100 maple syrup producers across New York State open their sugarhouses to the public and share their secrets. Maple Weekend is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day where visitors can learn about tree tapping, boiling and even do some taste testing. Oh, by the way, admission is free.

A list of sugarhouses and maps can be found online at www.mapleweekend.com. Production techniques from vary from producer to producer. See state-of-the-art maple tapping one day and then traditional tapping the next.

CCA Institute Seeking Sponsors

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Jamie

Mark your calendars for the Cooperative Communicators Association Institute being held in the Country Music Capitol of the World June 1-5. Nashville, TN. is bound to bring attendees to a ‘foot stomping’ good time this summer.

South region CCA’s are working hard to find Institute sponsors to create an event full of learning, laughing and leadership.

Parton us for askin’…

We need your help to make the
2013 CCA Institute in Nashville a success!

Whether you are BIG AND RICH or just have a little extra in the PAYCHECK, we need CASH to make the event a huge success. So check your budgets and see what you are WAYLON to send our way. We know you are JONESing to help make our Annual Institue an award winning event.

Like WILLIE said:
If you got the money, honey
We’ve got The Time
We’ll plan you a Institue
And you’re gonna have a time
Bring along your laptop and IPAD
Leave my worries behind
If you got the money, honey
We’ve got the time

Well maybe that’s paraphased just a little!

Be SWIFT about it and contact Laura Thornton at 334-237-0117 (laura.thornton@peariver.com) or Chellie Phillips at 334-796-3258 (chelliep@southaec.com) to get your sponsorship lined up.

Opening Session Remarks From NCBA President

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Jamie

NCBA President J.D. Alexander took the stage last night during the opening session of the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and used the Beach Boys concert as an excuse to pull out the floral print.

This Nebraskan cattlemen has traveled across the country in the past year and shared how honored he is to have the opportunity to represent cattlemen and women throughout the United States at the national level.

He also shared with me in an interview how important this organization is to the beef industry and what attendees can look forward to throughout this year’s event.

Stay connected to this year’s Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show on Facebook and follow the happenings on Twitter using the hashtags #CIC13 & #NCBA13.

Check out my complete interview with J.D.: Interview with JD Alexander - NCBA President

Check out J.D.’s opening remarks: Opening Session Remarks By J.D. Alexander

You can find photos from the event here:Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

More Power to You at Iowa Power Show

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Cindy

With more than a century of history, the Iowa Power Farming Show has become the third largest farm show in the United States, according to show director Tom Junge.

“We have over 300,000 square foot of exhibit space and about 750 exhibitors,” Junge said. “One thing we take pride in is we have all ag displays. We have three different floors of big equipment and three floors more of smaller equipment.”

Last year the show attracted some 22,000 farmers from Iowa and several other surrounding states and Junge says it takes quite a bit of snow to keep them away. “Over half our attendance now is coming from at least two hours out,” he said.

Junge says Ag Leader Technology is a major sponsor of the show. “We wanted to work with a company that is progressive and precision is very crucial to farming,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Tom here: Interview with Tom Junge

2013 Iowa Power Farming Show Photo Album

See more coverage of the Iowa Power Farming Show on PrecisionPays.com.

The Global Perspective at Novus

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Jamie

The trade show is currently in full swing at the International Production & Processing Expo here in Atlanta.

Right as you walk in you can’t help but notice Novus International. I stopped by and had the opportunity to talk with Jim Gerardot, Executive Director of Global Marketing, about how they bring local solutions into their global marketplace.

“It’s a great point especially in the nutritional business. Local solutions are just critical. Local ingredients that are going into the feed, the way the animal is raised in India vs. the U.S., is really a local approach that you have to use when managing customer needs. And we try and do that by actually taking those learnings and aggregating them globally so we can really take the products forward in other markets by learning from those local activities. We try to identify the things a global producer may have in common so we can leverage that in our research into new products.”

Jim also shared how Novus has utilized their 3 Pillars of Solutions, Service and Sustainability into their global presence. They recently launched regional specific products to meet global market needs like SPORULIN in North America and AVIMATRIX in Europe.

Check out my complete interview with Jim here: Interview with Jim Gerardot

International Production & Processing Expo Photo Album

Novus Luncheon Addresses Consumer Trends at IPPE

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Jamie

The International Poultry, Feed & Meat Expo’s have joined forces this year to bring you the International Production & Processing Expo.

The trade show doesn’t open until tomorrow, but for poultry scientists from around the world, events like the Novus Luncheon brought a new-found insight into the changing world of the food industry.

As attendees enjoyed lunch, Andy Vance, Staff Editor for Feedstuffs, was introduced with the statistic that 1 out of 5 consumers call knowing where their food comes from equals a status symbol. Andy continued to discuss how we impact consumer trends.

“This is a huge change in terms of the perception that consumers have about what really is their priority when they go to the grocery store. I got to credit USFRA for doing the research behind that data. And what they found back in November, was that about 21% of consumers say food knowledge is a status symbol. An even high percentage of New Yorkers, almost 50%, said that food knowledge is a status symbol. Well, what does that mean? It means that instead of a Rolex or a Lexus, if you’re a foodie, that’s sexy, for lack of a better word. Consumers want to know more about their food. We have known that for a few years in agriculture, but I think this evolution of it just being something that people are interested in or a passing fade, to actually becoming a status symbol is a bigger issue. It’s something we can’t take for granted, consumers are going to forget.”

Andy went on to share that this trend in consumers demand is something substancial and something the food industry needs to remove from the back burner. Consumers and farmers have more in common than what we all realize and we must all be honest with each other about who we are.

Check out my complete interview with Andy here: Interview with Andy Vance

International Production & Processing Expo Photo Album

Heading to the Iowa Power Farming Show

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Cindy

I am on my way to Des Moines right now, along with thousands of farmers and ranchers from around the Midwest, to see big iron and futuristic ag gadgets at the 2013 Iowa Power Farming Show.

The show, January 29-31 at the Iowa Events Center, will feature more than 750 ag-related companies from 29 states and 4 Canadian provinces. With nearly 1840 total booths, it’s the third largest indoor farm show in the country, and show organizers anticipate over 20,000 visitors will attend at least one of the three days the show runs. “Farmers throughout the Midwest have identified the Iowa Power Farming Show as the show to attend to see the newest products and innovations from the biggest names in the farm equipment and services industry,” said show Co-Director, Tom Junge.

In total, the expanse of exhibitor displays covers 7.0 acres, three buildings and six floors. Two rooms will be used to host numerous seminars each day. Farmers can attend to learn about topics like transitioning family farms, changing tax implications, outlook on commodity prices and marketing advice, utilizing precision ag to boost efficiency and production.

Thanks to our sponsor Ag Leader Technology for making it possible for us to cover the Iowa show – both on AgWired and PrecisionPays.com. You can also follow the @IowaPowerFarmShow – as well as @PrecisionPays and @AgLeaderTech – on both Facebook and Twitter.

More Power to You!

Learn, Laugh, & Lead at 2013 CCA Bootcamp

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Jamie

The Cooperative Communications Association’s 2013 Professional Development workshop will be here before you know it. Register by January 11 to attend the CCA Bootcamp held January 29th & 30th in Bloomington, IL.

Be sure to pack your tools of the trade including camera and/or video camera to fine tune skills in web design, photography, videography & social media. The world of agriculture communications is an ever changing industry. Here is what you can look forward to absorbing during the two-day bootcamp.

“Guerilla Strategies for Good Web Design”
Presented by Business Builders:

We all want our websites to look good and function well, but how do you know what “good” really is? No matter what software or platform you use to create your sites, there are some elements that all good websites have in common. This session will give you the what, why and how to get in and get out with a stellar site.

“Surveying Your Battle Map”
Presented by Jim Polus, Illinois Farm Bureau Videographer:

If a picture paints a thousand words, how much more of the story can video tell? The popularity of short videos has surged in recent years and has many applications for communicators today. Jim will talk about equipment, storyboarding, software and tips for creating amazing videos on any budget.

“Using All the Weapons in Your Arsenal”
Presented by Barb Adelman, Elan Studios Photography:

Show of hands – how many of us ever take our cameras off the “auto” setting? Today’s digital cameras at any level can take great pictures – if you just know what settings to use and when. This session will help you understand the basics of photography and how to use those “other” options on your camera to take better pictures.

“I Don’t Know But I’ve Been Told”
Presented by Tricia Braid, Illinois Corn Growers Association:

Social media is here to stay and new sites keep appearing almost daily. How do you decide which ones are right for your organization? It’s a decision that must be made with many factors in mind, including how the platform fits with your existing PR strategy and company goals and culture. Tricia will share some of her experiences with the Corn Growers and the Illinois Farm Families initiative as examples of successful social media campaigns.

Get Ready for Championship Tractor Pull

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Melissa

High-horsepower, high-volume competition returns to the 52nd Annual Western Farm Show in 2013 with one of the show’s most popular attractions – the Championship Tractor Pull.

More than 150 drivers and machines from 15 states will compete for $64,600 in prize money during the three-day pulling competition, which gets under way at 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23, at the Kemper Arena in downtown Kansas City.

Featuring past and present champions, the tractor pull is staged by the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association of Carthage, Mo., in partnership with the Western Farm Show. Each night will feature different shows with a total of 10 competing truck and tractor classes, including Light Super Stock Tractors, Super Farm Tractors, Modified Tractors, Pro Stock Trucks and Tractors, and the powerful Unlimited Super Stock Tractors.

Fans can meet many of the drivers and see their machines on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23, at Kemper Arena. Access to this display is open only to attendees of the Western Farm Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, Feb. 22-24, 2013, at the American Royal Complex a short walk from Kemper Arena. Tickets to the Western Farm Show and to the tractor pull are sold separately and can be purchased beginning in January.

Back To The Future With Dr. Lyons At Global 500

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Jamie

Global 500 has official kicked off with opening remarks by Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. He shared his thoughts on the future of farming and proudly compared farmers and ranchers to heroes.

“Don’t just think it, ink it,” advised Dr. Lyons while asking us to write down five things he wanted to get us to do. Dream. Dare. Desire. Decide Dedicate. He also shared he has never milked a cow, so maybe someone would like to volunteer to teach him.

Alltech is on the cutting edge when it comes to the future of agriculture. Dr. Lyons listed six rules for producers to keep in mind when thinking about the future of their herds.

#1. Start with your land.
#2. Learn to understand the rumen.
#3. Feed the rumen nitrogen and carbohydrates.
#4. Focus on fertility.
#5. Watch out for mycotoxins.
#6. Only feed your minerals in the Bioflex form.

Listen to Dr. Lyons complete presentation here: Dr. Pearse Lyons - GLobal 500

2012 Global 500 Photo Album

AFBF Goes to ‘Music City, USA’

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Melissa

The American Farm Bureau Federation has announced the country music artists who will be performing at its 94th Annual Meeting, Jan. 13-16 in Nashville, Tenn., also known as “Music City, USA.”

The three-part country music group Edens Edge will perform at the opening general session on Sunday Jan. 13, which begins at 9 a.m. The Arkansas trio is composed of Hannah Blaylock, Dean Berner and Cherrill Green

On Monday Jan. 14 at 8 p.m., the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture will host a Night Out at the Grand Ole Opry House for Farm Bureau members and guests, featuring award-winning singer/songwriter Phil Vassar. Vassar has co-written songs with country greats such as Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson. His first self-titled album came out in 2000 and went gold; his latest album, Noel, celebrates the holidays.

Night Out at the Grand Ole Opry House will be hosted by former Miss Mississippi and Great American Country personality, Nan Kelley. Other performers include: The Driven Bow; Line Dancers: Barry and Dari Anne Amato; The Fiddleheads; and Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman performing together. General admission tickets for this fundraiser, which is sponsored by Chevrolet, are $55 each plus tax.

ZimmComm will once again provide coverage of the event.

Case IH Announces Axial-Flow Combine

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Jamie

During the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention in Kansas City, MO. I had the opportunity to talk with Nathan Weinkauf, Combine Marketing Manager for Case IH. He was really excited to share about their new Axial-Flow Combines that will be coming out in 2013. This new option for making farming easier for producers is a redesign of the industry-leading cab. It also has a new folding auger with an industry-exclusive pivoting spout option.

“We are talking about the brand new Axial-Flow 30 Series combine that will be coming out to our dealerships next march. We have been working for the last few years with our customers developing the next evolution for our new combine cab. We know our operators spend a lot of time in these machines and we want to make sure comfort, convenience, intuitive operations and harvest control are some of the key things we put into this industry leading cab.”

This state-of-the-art cab has more fingertip controls, docking stations for laptop, iPad and iPod, as well as power outlets within arms reach. To top it all off the new Axial-Flow cab is equipped with a portable electric refrigerator. This new cab might be more comfortable than sitting in your recliner infront of the TV.

Listen to my interview with Nathan here: Nathan Weinkauf - Case IH

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album