AgWired » Publication

JAFSCD Magazine Now Available

Chuck — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:00:25 +0000

There’s a new publication you might be interested in knowing about. It’s the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) and it’s now online.

The first issue of this international, peer-reviewed journal of applied research and policy analysis is currently open and available free to the public at www.AgDevJournal.com. This allows you to check out the first issue before subscribing. (See the subscription chart below.) JAFSCD is for agencies, organizations, and academics interested in expanding local and regional food systems.

“Growing New Farmers” Is First Special Topic
This inaugural issue is on the timely topic of “Growing New Farmers,” with five articles focusing on the opportunities and challenges of assisting the next generation of farmers.

Additional articles address a wide range of food systems and community development topics:
A study of the experience of 19 adult volunteers on a one-month 100 mile diet
How to apply activity system mapping to a farmers’ market to see how it might improve strategic planning
Legal experts identify the dormant Commerce Clause doctrine as a potential legal barrier to local food purchasing — and a work-around for it
Columns and book reviews round out this first issue.

The second issue on the topic of URBAN AGRICULTURE is COMING SOON!

Ag Media Convergence

Chuck — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:35:28 +0000

Media convergence is defined as: “phenomenon involving the interlocking of computing and information technology companies, telecommunications networks, and content providers from the publishing worlds of newspapers, magazines, music, radio, television, films, and entertainment software. Media convergence brings together the “three Cs”—computing, communications, and content.” Source: Encyclopedia Britannica

We’re really seeing this in agricultural communications today. New media is not just happening somewhere else. Take the brand new Angus Report, produced by the American Angus Association. Here’s a cattle breed association with a publication that’s now producing a very nicely done television “broadcast.” Are they an ag group? Are they public relations people? Are they ag editors? Are they farm broadcasters? Hmm. Which ag communications association should they belong to? AAEA, LPC, NAMA, ARC or NAFB? All of the above? That does start to get expensive. Just planing seeds folks. Takes time for them to grow. Gotta water and fertilize the field every now and then.

The American Angus Association® has debuted its first-ever online news program, offering busy Angus cattlemen and women the opportunity to catch up on important industry issues while learning more about management tools and value-added marketing opportunities.

“We understand how busy producers are these days,” says Eric Grant, Association director of public relations. “This program encapsulates the week’s top stories into as short a time frame as possible — squeezing the information ranchers need into the little time they have available.”

The weekly web-based news program will cover a variety of topics in a traditional television news format and complements additional resources available at www.angus.org.

Top Producer Top 25

Chuck — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:29:24 +0000

Top Producer magazine has published it’s annual Top 25 list of people, issues and trends. “A Top Producer Staff Report…It’s difficult to predict who or what will shake out as agriculture’s biggest influences and influencers in the coming years, but we identify some that will surely have an impact on your business.” Yours truly is mentioned in the item titled, “Internet pundits and critics.” Here’s an excerpt:

“The conversation is taking place already, and agriculture needs to join it,” says Zimmerman, who runs several Web sites for a variety of clients, including his own AgWired. “There is no question public opinion about agriculture is swayed by people who are not directly involved in the industry. And it’s not just bloggers, either. I think you’re seeing a lot of reporting from more of the traditional media today that is opinionated reporting. I think that’s being driven by how blogging has changed the industry.”

Basically this is about people in agriculture getting involved in the online conversation that’s going to take place with our without us. This goes for companies and member organizations. You have no control over the message anymore. However, you can make sure that your side is told!

WATT Virtual Animal Health Forum

Chuck — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:49:36 +0000

Here’s a sign of the viability of online communications in agriculture. I think we’re going to see more of this at time goes on and travel budgets get tighter.

WATT, a global custom marketing solutions company, announces the launch of the agribusiness industry’s first-ever virtual tradeshow: WATT Online Animal Nutrition & Health Forum, to be held on 29 April, 2009 from 08.00 hrs. – 17.00 hrs. CST. The educational event offers live presentations and Q&A sessions, on-demand content, virtual sponsor booths and networking events – all the components of a live tradeshow, and more – in a format that is held 100% on the Internet.

The WATT Online Animal Nutrition & Health Forum will be available through our virtual event partner, InExpo. During the virtual event, attendees can:

Attend the live, feature presentation; Antibiotics in Animal Feeds: World Perspectives moderated by Dr. Peter Ferket with Lis Alban, DVM, Dr. Hector Cervantes and Dr. Spangler Klopp.
Listen to live and prerecorded presentations and participate in live Q&A with session presenters.
Explore sponsor booths and chat, e-mail and exchange Vcards (virtual business cards) with solutions providers.
Connect with peers from around the world through blogs, e-mails, Vcards and networking opportunities at the “virtual networking lounge.”
Download educational content such as product PDF’s, videos, pre-recorded webinars and white papers in their “virtual briefcase.”
Have a chance to win prizes just for attending the Forum.

Best of all, the Forum is FREE to attend and no travel is required!

Farm Progress Re-Designs Websites

Chuck — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:06:03 +0000

Farm Progress has re-designed their websites. They’re calling it a new “internet portal.”

Farm Progress has redesigned its state and regional magazines’ Web sites to provide readers with a more feature-packed and flexible Internet portal. The introduction is more than a redesign and its functionality is not found elsewhere in agricultural media Web sites. The sites have a totally different look, feel and experience.

The internet portal thing makes me have to make a comment. Does that term still make sense in today’s new media world? I think it suggests an all-inclusive environment where the visitor never leaves because the site contains all they need. After a quick look, it does indeed contain a lot of information but . . . I think today’s web savvy farmers and ranchers surf all over the place and go to places that are their favorites for various kinds of information. Let’s take weather for example. How about Weather.com or AccuWeather.com? How about sports (ESPN, Sports Illustrated)? How about market prices (CME Group, MGEX)? What do you think about the portal concept?

The Progressive Farmer in January

Chuck — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:02:11 +0000

You can now get more of The Progressive Farmer. The publication, owned by DTN, will start a January issue in 2009.

“An added publication date allows The Progressive Farmer to improve its overall coverage of the commercial farm market by bringing more value to our readers as well as offering advertisers the opportunity to increase their reach with our 100 percent circulation coverage in corn, soybeans, and livestock,” says Publisher Adrian Blake. “January is a critical time period for farmers who are preparing for the upcoming planting season, so we anticipate that our highly relevant editorial coverage will be extremely useful.”

The increased publishing frequency along with a tight editorial focus centered around “Your Farm, Your Land, Your Life” is expected to enhance the magazine’s stellar readership score of 90+ minutes per issue which positively impacts advertising effectiveness, Blake adds. The advertising close date for the new January issue is Nov. 19, 2008.

Farm Journal Acquires Implement & Tractor

Chuck — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:30:59 +0000

Farm Journal Media has acquired Implement & Tractor magazine.

First published in 1885, Implement & Tractor is a bimonthly publication providing news and insights for dealers, distributors, OEMs, engineers and the associations who make up the $40+ billion dealer and wholesaler equipment industry. Implement & Tractor also publishes the annual Ag Equipment Buyer’s Desk Reference, which provides the most comprehensive index of companies, organizations and associations involved in the agricultural equipment industry.

In announcing the acquisition, Steve Custer, Executive Vice President of Farm Journal Media, said the acquisition strategically positions the company to serve the entire equipment channel – from manufacturer to farmer. “This is an important step to help us more completely link buyers and sellers in the farm equipment market, and is the first of several announcements we’ll make in the equipment sector yet this year,” he said.

In the past year, Farm Journal Media began building the most comprehensive database of U.S. farm equipment dealers. This definitive database will be used to significantly expand and update Implement & Tractor’s 5,000 circulation to nearly 10,000 dealer owners and store managers, with the majority of names containing email addresses and the vast majority qualified within the past 12 months.

Charlene Finck, Vice President and Editorial Director of Farm Journal Media, said, “Equipment has always been an editorial cornerstone for us. Implement & Tractor expands our journalistic service beyond farmers to the whole machinery chain, which is experiencing incredible change.”

Farm Country Political Feelings From The Progressive Farmer

Chuck — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:28:52 +0000

We’re not very focused on politics here but sometimes an interesting story comes along like this one. The Progressive Farmer has just conducted a Zogby International poll of rural American households (2,963 adults) to find out about the political leanings of farm country. The results are featured in the August issue of the magazine.

Commissioned by The Progressive Farmer, the poll of nearly 3,000 rural adults measures preferences for the fall elections as well as reaction to hot-button issues in farm country such as skyrocketing crop input costs, the assault on landowner rights and ethanol.

The most telling result of the survey, conducted in late may of 2008, is that 17 percent of respondents say they are switching parties from the one they voted for in 2004. This coupled with the fact that republicans are narrowly the party of choice for U.S. house and Senate races with 47 percent for republicans compared to 40 percent for Democratic candidates shows that rural america is shaping up to be a battleground for votes this fall, says The Progressive Farmer Editor Jack Odle.

“Rural america is definitely in play this year and not in any one party’s pocket—votes, particularly in congressional races, are up for grabs,” emphasizes Odle.

When asked about presidential preference, pollsters find Sen. John mcCain garners 50 percent compared to Sen. Barack Obama at 34 percent, with 11 percent of respondents saying they will not vote for either candidate.

There’s also a mirror survey online where you can compare results with the poll results.

Vance Buys CattleNetwork.com and CattleStore.com

Chuck — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:47:20 +0000

Some web publications have been bought by Vance Publishing.

Vance Publishing Corporation has acquired two Internet-based businesses that market to and serve the farm and ranch communities, CattleNetwork.com and CattleStore.com. Both were purchased from Integrated Management Information, Inc., of Colorado.

“This is another significant acquisition for Vance Publishing,” reported company Chairman William C. Vance. “It reinforces our position as the premier business-to-business multi-media communications resource in the markets we serve. We will continue to pursue acquisition opportunities that will increase services to our customers and strengthen our existing product lines.”

This is Vance’s first solely digital acquisition; other recent purchases have included a mix of print, e-media, and events. The two new sites will become part of Vance’s growing Food360 group, which includes Drovers, Dairy Herd Management, Bovine Veterinarian and Pork print publications, web sites, e-newsletters, and the Doane forecasting and analysis product line marketed to the agricultural community, along with a host of other magazines, digital products and events.

Chip Flory Wins Farm Journal Wilmer Award

Chuck — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:48:28 +0000

Farm Journal has more than 40 agricultural journalists? Wow. Congratulations to Chip on his award.

For the first time in his life, Chip Flory was speechless. Winning the annual Wilmer Award caught the Pro Farmer Newsletter Editor and Publisher by surprise. “Chip is never at a loss for words, but the announcement caught him off guard,” said Andy Weber, Farm Journal Media CEO. “It is always powerful to be honored by peers for making a difference in farmers’ lives.“

The prestigious annual award honors a Farm Journal Media editorial team member who carries on the spirit and staunch service journalism principles of Farm Journal founder Wilmer Atkinson. The award, started by Earl Ainsworth in 1992, is coveted recognition among the editorial staff.

The Wilmer winner was named during the recent Farm Journal Media Editorial Summit when more than 40 Farm Journal Media agricultural journalists converged at Twin Lakes Lodge in Missouri. The annual meeting is used to map out the multi-media editorial strategies for covering the key issues in agriculture.

Pictured here with Wilmer Award winner Chip Flory, in center, are previous winners who attended the Farm Journal Media Editorial Summit are Pam Henderson Smith, Charlene Finck, Jim Dickrell, Jeanne Bernick, Ken Ferrie and Darrell Smith

Pioneer Promoting Podcasting

Chuck — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:51:27 +0000

Willie Vogt, ZimmComm NAMA iPod touch winner and Farm Futures Editorial Director, has a guest column that just showed up on the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. It’s all about farm podcasting with a title of “Tap Into Information On-Demand, Time to put that computer to work and pull in the information you need automatically.

You’re busy, yet you’re finding that the longer you farm the more information you need, and not always at the times it’s provided. Radio is a great tool when you’re in the tractor, the computer is great when you’re in the office. What if you could put both tools to work and get more information even easier?

That’s the value of a podcast. These controlled broadcasts of information allow you to subscribe to an information resource and listen when you want to – either on your computer or using an mp3 player in your tractor or pickup.

I know there are some of you reading this and saying “why hassle with it?” The answer is that there is a growing body of information from key information providers in agriculture offering news, in-depth information and more that you can listen to using this technology. So I’ll try to break it down so it’s easier to understand and you can then try it out.

He then proceeds to do just that in a way that shows that Willie gets it and he’s helping farmers get it. I find it interesting that more people with publication backgrounds like Willie are promoting podcasts than I see with farm broadcasting backgrounds. Add to that the fact that this is being promoted by Pioneer. But then, they’re not called Pioneer for nothing.

You may know that we produce a podcast for Pioneer called Forage Forum.

AEM Ag Executive Newsletter

Chuck — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:20:35 +0000

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is reaching out to decision makers in the ag sector with a new newsletter.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is vitally interested in a profitable ag sector, and to show support the association has begun publishing a newsletter called Ag Executive Advisor. The newsletter focuses on the connection between ag equipment manufacturers and today’s key issues in agriculture.

You can find the inaugural issue here. (pdf)

How AgriMarketing Mobile Works

Chuck — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:48:03 +0000

AgriMarketing Magazine manages the NAMA Connection Point and also exhibits. At this year’s show I interviewed Editor, Lynn Henderson, about his new AgriMarketing Mobile with sponsor, Jeff Lapin, Farm Progress Companies.

In the interview they demonstrate how it works on Jeff’s phone.

Fastline’s 30 Year Celebration

Chuck — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:45:08 +0000

Another one of the booths I visited at the recent NAMA Convention Connection Point was Fastline. Participating in this interview are Bill Howard, Publisher, Matt Coniglio, National Accounts Manager and Joe McWilliams, VP Sales and Marketing. Learn all about the company and publication. They’re celebrating 30 years this year!

This is one in a series of interviews we conducted in partnership with AgriMarketing Magazine and exhibtors in the NAMA Connection Point.

Associated Ag Publications Does Ruralpolitan

Chuck — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:48:08 +0000

During the recent NAMA Convention I visited with Bob Van Voorhis, Associated Ag Publications. In the following interview with him we talk about who they are. They’re connected with Farm Bureau and Bob discusses why that relationship is special. Bob also talks about their coverage and audience using words like, “ruralpolitan.”

This is one in a series of interviews we conducted in partnership with AgriMarketing Magazine and exhibtors in the NAMA Connection Point.

CNBC Special with Corn & Soybean Digest Columnist

Chuck — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:12:02 +0000

While I was attending the Commodity Classic I met the crew from CNBC that’s been following Tyler Bruch who’s a farmer and columnist for Corn and Soybean Digest. I guess their production is complete and they’ve been promoting it with a series of video clips. You can find one of them here.

Corn & Soybean Digest�s Brazil columnist, Tyler Bruch, 28, will be featured in a special CNBC business news program this Sunday, May 4 at 9 p.m. central time. His company, Global Ag Investments, will be profiled. Also, Bruch will explain how he transitioned from being a young, Emmetsburg, IA, farmer to a 50,000-acre farmer in Bahia, Brazil. Click below to link to three promotional pieces about the full program. The program will also be featured, in part, on NBC�s TODAY show Monday, May 5.

A Very Successful NAMA Blog

Chuck — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:43:00 +0000

Right next to the ZimmComm New Media booth you’ll find Successful Farming. They’re not only exhibiting at the Connection Point but are the sponsor of the NAMA Blog which yours truly will be filling with interesting Conference information starting tomorrow.

So keep up with what’s happening at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show in KC, MO this week both right here and on the NAMA Blog.

There’s going to be a whole lot of blogging and tweeting going on if you know what I mean. If you don’t, then come talk to me and I’ll explain.

Thanks you SF and Jana Reiker for taking on the NAMA Blog sponsorship.

Katherine Harmon Wins SPJ Award

Chuck — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:37:23 +0000

Thanks to University of Missouri graduate and former AgWired student blogger, Margy Fischer, Farm Journal
Machinery Editor, Test Plot Assistant Director for the heads up on this. This is from the text of an email announcement from Mizzou professor Bill Allen. He also sent along the picture of Katherine.

I just wanted to let you folks know that Journalism graduate student Katherine Harmon won a major award last weekend for a story she began reporting during the 2007 Sonja Hillgren/Farm Journal Ag Journalism Field Reporting Institute.

In Ames, Iowa, on Saturday (April 5), Katie was awarded first place in the In-Depth Reporting category of the annual Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards for Region 7. (Region 7 covers Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska.)

Her story, �Murky Waters,� published Nov. 10 in the Columbia Missourian, detailed the evolving scientific understanding of Missouri River sediment and the impact that understanding is having on resource management, agriculture, public policy and people. (See http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/11/10/murky-waters/ to read the story.

Thanks to all of you for helping to make this achievement possible and for strengthening the wonderfully cross-fertilizing partnership of Ag Journalism and Journalism that Sonja represents.

Grilling Green Grass Fed Beef

Chuck — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:25:58 +0000

After having been to South America and feasting on grass-fed beef, I say, give me some corn fed beef any day. I personally don’t care if the corn was genetically modified or not, treated with insecticides or anything else. So I’m not too sure about this green grilling book.

But, Cindy says she did a great interview with the author today and it’s really interesting. So I’m keeping an open mind. I think that growing grass fed for those who want it is fine but I don’t think it’s any healthier than the “regular” stuff.

So if you want to cook some grass-fed meat then here’s the cook book you need.

Just in time for the summer cookout season, the �green� food movement has a new cookbook/bible, The Farmer and The Grill: A Guide to Grilling, Barbecuing, and Spit-Roasting Grass-Fed Meat, and For Saving the Planet, One Bite at a Time.

The book was written by Shannon Hayes, a farmer who lives in Upstate New York, and runs a sustainable farm that raises and sells only grass-fed meats, including beef, pork, lamb and poultry.

The cookbook is broken down into six chapters, which are filled with both tasty recipes as well as important facts on the difference between factory and grass-fed meats.

Hayes points out that the average person cooking a steak is used to cranking up the gas or firing up the coals, just throwing it on the grill, and not thinking about it. Grass-fed steaks require a bit more thought and attention. Hayes recommends cooking slow, low off heat.

Play i Got It! With Farm Progress

Chuck — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:03:14 +0000

Speaking of NAMA invites. You’ll be able to play i Got It! with Farm Progress Companies.

Can you tell the NAMA Convention is getting close?

i Got It! is a “popular, fast-paced Q&A game punctuated with ag history and facts.” You need to visit them at their booth (200and 202). You have to play to win and they’re having a drawing for an ipod touch (just like us).

So you’ll have more than one chance to upgrade your iPod hardware (you do have iPod hardware don’t you?).

The game’s questions are pretty difficult like this one:

Q. Who is your favorite Farm Progress sales representative?
(A. There’s no wrong answer.)

No-Till Farmer Doing Video

Chuck — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:19:10 +0000

No-Till Farmer is now producing video. Another publication joins the multi-media producer ranks. It’s a great idea but you do have to fill out a registration form to see it. I know why that is but it does put up a barrier for farmers or anyone who wants to see the video. I’d recommend letting them be public guys. You’ll get a lot more eyeballs on the content that way. And if you’re going to be doing a lot of them then consider putting them into a podcast feed or using an online service like YouTube to host them.

The editors of No-Till Farmer announced today that they have launched their first informational video at No-tillfarmer.com. The video features a presentation from this past January’s National No-Tillage Conference with Vincennes, Ind., no-tiller Ray McCormick outlining his steps to success at no-tilling continuous corn.

“We think the information we’ll be able to provide through video will be of great interest to no-tillers,” says Darrell Bruggink, managing editor and publisher of No-Till Farmer. “Our readers like to share information and learn from each other, and this new tool will be an impactful way to do that.”

In addition to providing several more video presentations from the conference in the near future, Bruggink says editors see an opportunity to share information right out of the field, such as no-till equipment setup demonstrations or on-camera interviews with no-tillers talking about techniques they’ve used to improve their no-till management.

“This new video feature will enhance the value of our Web site to both our loyal readers and visitors seeking the latest no-till information,” says Frank Lessiter, editor of No-Till Farmer. “It’s a wonderful complement to our print publication and our annual conference.”

Leading The Charge To NAMA Convention

Chuck — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:48:40 +0000

In just a few weeks we’ll be attending the 2008 National Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show. ZimmComm will have a booth there so stop by and see us. In this week’s program you can learn all about the trade show from committee Chair, Rosemary Schimek, Corporate Marketing Manager, Farm Progress Companies.

Rosemary says that this year’s trade show is the largest in years. If your company hasn’t pulled the trigger on joining then you still can. Listen to the program to find out how. You can also hear about the activities planned for the trade show this year. It’s got a western theme so there will be cutouts you can have your photo taken with as well as some kind of calf roping thing which ought to be fun to see after a few drinks.

This week’s program ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. It’s called “Charge” by a band called Seven Thousand Miles. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 164 (20 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast164-3-25-08.mp3

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

What Are You Doing For Ag Day/Week?

Chuck — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:55:02 +0000

What is your company doing to promote or celebrate National Ag Week and National Ag Day? Are you having a party? Running a special promotion? Send me your pictures, images and audio files or links to them, including video and I’ll do my best to feature it here on AgWired over the coming week or so.

Here’s something Successful Farming is doing. They’ve recorded the Ag Day PSA’s to run on Successful Farming Radio.

You can hear one of them here: ag-week-psa.mp3

Successful Farming will deliver a series of National AgDay promotional mentions on The Successful Farming Radio Magazine and also make the promos available on Podcast through iTunes and on the Successful Farming(r) Web site Agriculture Online. The SF Radio Magazine has been on the air for nine years, and provides coverage in 22 states.

Want more SF Radio? Click here to subscribe to the SF Radio podcast. Need help? Click here for our podcast FAQ section.

Catch An AgBuzz

Chuck — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:03:25 +0000

What do Bret Oelke, George Rehm, Jochum Wiersma and Mark Whitney have in common? They all blog for AgBuzz.com. It’s published by Minnesota Farm Guide in conjunction with the University of Minnesota.

The purpose of AgBuzz is to gain interaction between producers and extension service staff. The benefits of AgBuzz are to everyone, bloggers, readers, and extension services. Comments are a key element in blogs, everyone is welcome to leave their comments, in a tasteful manner.

While you’re at it you might also want to check out what Laura Roti and Cody Wright are doing with the Tri-State Neighbor South Dakota Ag Blogs.

A Binding Way to Find Ag Media

Chuck — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:12:23 +0000

There’s going to be a new publication in the ag communications world coming soon from AGRIpr. It’s going to be the FINDERBINDER Agricultural Media Directory. This morning I had a nice chat with owner Cory Cart. You can listen to our conversation and learn all about it.

Cory is a native of Binger, Okla., and is the marketing and public relations coordinator for the Stillwater Convention and Visitors Bureau and is principal of AGRI Public Relations. He says the initial response to the new directory is extremely positive, perhaps even surprisingly so. He says the directory will be useful for any level of farm or farm targeted company and is being priced to be very affordable. I think it sounds like it will be the most comprehensive directory of its kind. The target is a summer release. You’ll notice that I don’t have a web link here (yet). That’s because the website is in its final stages of development. I’ll update you when that becomes available.

Each FINDERBINDER® Agricultural Media Directory will come with six updating newsletters. Frequently provided with these newsletters are new pages for the directory. These pro vide readers with information on new media or media which have had major changes. Each year the number of changes in the me dia will make past issues obsolete.

The listings include names of editors, advertising managers, media owners, addresses and phone numbers, circulation figures and open rates for print media, public service announcement data for radio and television stations, radio and television talk show and interview format programs, and much more.

Publications, radio and television stations must direct a majority of their efforts toward an agricultural or rural audience to be included. Publications must produce two or more issues a year and newsletter format publications will not be included.

This week’s program ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. It’s called “Traveling Song” by the Ryan Meyers Band. I picked this song since I’m in the traveling mode. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 162 (34 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast162-3-10-08.mp3

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

Another Magazine Goes Mobile

Chuck — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:02:45 +0000

In another showing of how mobile information is getting you can now get your AgriMarketing Magazine daily update via mobile phone. It’s interesting to see how traditional magazine companies are finding ways to distribute their content in ways other than the printed page. AgriMarketing Magazine is also distributing each issue in online digital form.

We could really see this coming and that’s why AgWired has been available electronically since the beginning. Of course you know you can subscribe to AgWired via your mobile phone by just using our RSS feed (http://agwired.com/feed/rss2/) with Google Mobile or any other service like NewsGator Go (Which I use on my Blackberry Curve).

AgriMarketing announces its daily news service that is posted at its www.AgriMarketing.com website can now be viewed on most wireless mobile devices such as Web-enabled cell phones, Blackberries, SmartPhones, iPhones, etc. “This free service allows those who are away from their computers to stay abreast of the news as it occurs,” says AgriMarketing Publisher Lynn Henderson.

The service also includes access to a robust weather site as well as to the Farm Progress FRIDAY e-newsletter from the service’s sponsor, Farm Progress Companies, Carol Stream, IL. “Farm Progress is delighted to team with the AgriMarketing staff and bring this useful service to the ag marketing community using a popular and portable electronic delivery system,” says Rosemary Schimek, Farm Progress corporate marketing director.

To utilize the service, first accesses your device’s browser and then enter www.AgriMarketingMobile.com. To obtain additional information or Frequently Asked Questions, users can go to http://agrimarketingmobile.com/info.aspx.

Updated Breeds of Cattle Available Soon

Chuck — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:37:55 +0000

If you liked Herman Purdy’s first book then you might want to get the update which is available soon.

The highly-anticipated second edition of the classic 1987 volume by Herman R. Purdy is slated for an April, 2008, release. The completely revised, updated, and expanded text includes twelve additional breeds, bringing the grand total to forty-five with a page count of 400. The new edition is fully illustrated with over 400 color and B & W images, including reproductions of rare historic 19th century paintings depicting what the older breeds might have looked like as well as modern full-color formal portraits of a mature bull and cow of each breed to complement the thorough and engagingly written text. The book’s association authorized documentation includes the history, origin, and phenotype of each breed, as well as current statistics supplied by the top cattle breeders’ associations. The large (12” x 12”) coffee table book format offers more than easy readability. Additional information and a sample viewing can be found at www.breedsofcattle.net.

Click on more to see the forward written by John Meyer.

“This book provides an excellent historical overview of breeds of cattle raised in the United States and internationally, along with information on each association’s breed registry. The beautiful 19th Century artwork provides readers with an idea of what these animals may have looked like in the past. The excellent descriptive essays on phenotype and modern photographs provide outstanding visuals reflecting on what has changed and the changelessness.
This keepsake deserves a special place in the library of every college, university, and high school in the United States, and in the homes and offices of everyone who has ever owned purebred cattle or has an interest in them.” – John M. Meyer

ABM Agri Council Recommends Ag Media Mix

Chuck — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:17:40 +0000

I just got my latest quarterly Agri Council Intelligence Report and thought you’d be interested in a couple of things that caught my eye. Here’s one of the latest ads from the ABM Agri Council. They’re running a schedule in Agrimarketing Magazine (a member of the Council) and have plans for a new round coming soon.

In an effort to continue to keep farmers and ranchers engaged, ABM will introduce three new Agri ads in the second quarter of 2008 with a more arresting visual and revamped body copy. The new ads will feature one eye-catching, prominently-placed visual of a farmer or rancher, which were captured by Harlan Persinger, award-winning freelance Agri photographer. The ads will continue to run monthly in AgriMarketing magazine.

I’m not sure how running an ad in Agrimarketing keeps farmers and ranchers engaged but perhaps I’m missing something. I find it fascinating though how the ag media is converging today and yet we still have separate ag media organizations (NAFB, AAEA, LPC). These ads use Harris Interactive research that shows:

There is still no better way to reach farmers and ranchers than by utilizing a broad mix of Ag media, including magazines, newspapers, Web sites, trade shows, conferences, television and radio.

That’s a media mix these companies wouldn’t have mentioned in the same document several years ago! I agree with it too. Fact is that many of these companies now are involved in or have properties in all of the above.

And Harlan, it’s good to see your name in there. Keep shooting buddy.

Providing Dairy Business Seminars at World Ag Expo

Chuck — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:11:39 +0000

While I’m on the subject of World Ag Expo I’ve got another report from Bill Baker, Dairyline. He spoke with Carolina Evangelo, Western Dairy Business Magazine, about the seminars she’s worked on coordinating for dairy producers who are attending.

Carolina provides a comprehensive overview of all the awards and sessions they’ve got like one today on Milk Marketing Tools.

You can listen to Bill’s interview with Carolina here: wae-08-evangelo.mp3

Starting and Running Your Own Small Farm Business

Chuck — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:56:48 +0000

Freelance writer Sarah Aubrey has just published a new book for anyone who wants to start their own small farm business.

Good morning! Just wanted to email and let you know that my new book, Starting and Running Your Own Small Farm Business, (Storey Publishing, LLC) is now available. To order a single copy at $19.95 (plus shipping and state tax), feel free to contact me by phone or email and I can send you one. Or if you prefer, check out one of many book websites such as www.amazon.com, www.barnesnoble.com to order there. For larger quantities for organizations or groups, contact Storey Publishing’s sales team. Call or email Tina Parent at tina.parent@storey.com or call 1-800-827-7444, ext, 2175. I really appreciate everyone who has supported this endeavor and I look forward to your feedback and ideas for the next one!

Here’s where you find it on Amazon.