Field Day Headliner

Cindy Zimmerman

Kip Culler’s Record Breaking Field Day photo album

Gary FellowsOne of the main secrets to Kip Cullers’ record breaking yields is BASF Headline fungicide and it was definitely one of the stars of the show this week at Kip’s Record Breaking Field Day in Southwest Missouri.

I spoke with Dr. Gary Fellows, Technical Service Manager for BASF, who says that Headline just fits with Kip’s goals for plant health and high yields. He was pleased that the field day that allowed growers from all over the United States and Canada to see what can be done on a real working farm and how that can be applied to their own operations.

Listen to my interview with Gary here: basf-kip-fellows.mp3

AmberHeadline has been such a great success story for BASF and growers of a huge variety of crops, not just corn and soybeans. I also talked with Technical Marketing Manager Amber Shirley who was on hand at the field day to discuss some of the many other crops the Headline has registration for, including sunflowers, potatoes, peanuts and cotton – as well as new registrations for oilseeds such as canola and planned registration for sorghum and alfalfa. Is there any crop Headline can’t help?

Listen to my interview with Amber here: basf-kip-amber.mp3

Audio, BASF, Farming

Dow AgroSciences to Acquire Dairyland Seed

Cindy Zimmerman

Dow AgroSciencesDow AgroSciences announced today it is acquiring Dairyland Seed Company and affiliate Bio-Plant Research.

Dairyland SeedAccording to a company release, the addition of Dairyland Seed will build upon Dow AgroSciences’ current seeds business and will expand its broad range of product offerings.

The agreement includes all crop genetics, brands, plant breeding programs in hybrid corn, soybeans and alfalfa as well as Dairyland’s research, processing and production locations. Dow AgroSciences will continue to independently market Dairyland Seeds under the Dairyland brand. Dairyland Seed will continue to be headquartered in West Bend, Wis.

Agribusiness, Seed

August ZimmNews

Chuck Zimmerman

August ZimmNewsThe latest edition of ZimmNews has now been pumped out into the world wide web.

In case you didn’t get it or just want to look at it online then you can find it here: August ZimmNews

Some highlights include:

I hope you enjoy it and thank you for reading.

ZimmNews

Fred Myers is For Ag Journalists

Chuck Zimmerman

Fred MyersIf you’re an AAEA member you probably know Fred Myers. If you’re not, then you can get to know him online via his new website, For Ag Journalists.

This website is the latest of many contributions I have made to agricultural journalism, much of it through the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA). Take a few minutes every month to look at what I have prepared. I hope you will enjoy the reading as much as I enjoy the writing.

But this isn’t only about me. It’s about all of us and about our profession and our lives. So I encourage you to share with me your thoughts, comments and any news you believe others should know. I will then post them. You can either be identified with them or contribute in anonymity. I will honor your choice.

ACN, Education, Internet

Farm Broadcast Fashion

Cindy Zimmerman

Janet AdkinsonJanet Adkinson of KMZU radio in Carrollton, Missouri models the latest haute couture accessory accent for the trendy farm broadcaster.

Note that the style is both fashionable and functional, not to mention adaptable for both male and female farm broadcasters. I expect to see this accessory trend showing up all over the farm broadcast world. Janet is a trend setter!

Janet was attending the Kip Cullers Record Breaking Field Day this week in southwest Missouri.

Kip Culler’s Record Breaking Field Day photo album

BASF, Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Dairy enthusiasts will now have easier access to the most up-to-date industry information with the Center for Dairy Excellence’s newly improved Web site. Producers, industry representatives, policy leaders, educators, consumers and the media will find the resources they need to help understand and make better decisions about Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. Other components of the new site are still being developed and will be rolled out during the next 12 months. To stay informed of new features and resources, subscribe to the center’s bi-weekly newsletter here, or e-mail info@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
  • Penton Media’s Farm Industry News was named as the winner of five regional awards at the American Society of Business Publication Editors’ regional awards banquet held in Chicago. The magazine received four editorial and one design award at the ceremony. Farm Industry News also won silver at the national awards.
  • The California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA) is pleased to announce the hire of Jeff Smutny as the new vice president of marketing. Smutny will join the CTFA team on Aug. 19, and will lead the marketing team in the strategic development and execution of marketing programs designed to expand the opportunities for our growers´ success.
  • Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announced the appointment of Tim Niedecken as TSCRA’s executive director of association services. Niedecken comes to TSCRA from serving most recently as marketing manager for Micro Beef Technologies.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Complete List of AAEA Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AAEAI’ve received several releases from companies that won AAEA Awards but there’s just too many to post easily. That’s why I was happy to receive a complete list yesterday.

    So if you’re wondering about all the awards presented at the Ag Media Summit for AAEA, you can see them for yourself: AAEA Awards (pdf).

    ACN

    Out Flying In His Field

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Corn SunriseIt was a beautiful day in central Iowa yesterday when I attended the Monsanto Technology Showcase. There are 13 tour stops this summer. I hope they all have weather like we had yesterday. Cool, with light cloud cover.

    The field day events are intended to help farmers “experience the future” and learn about Monsanto’s advanced technology and research.

    I’ll be posting a number of interviews here after I find some time to get some editing done today. It was a long drive up and back yesterday.

    Yellow Crop DusterMost of the interviews I did were out in the field and this crop duster came over top of us every time I got the golden ZimmComm microphone out.

    I took a lot of pictures though, including a whole series of this guy flying over top of me. You can find them in the Monsanto Technology Showcase photo album.

    Agribusiness

    New Numbers From John Deere

    Chuck Zimmerman

    New John Deere Numbering SystemThere’s lots of news out today from John Deere (5 news releases). The first one is interesting since it’s such a visual thing.

    What’s in a name? Quite a bit actually – especially when it comes to tractors. John Deere announces it’s currently transitioning to a new name and number system for its full line of tractors with the introduction of the new 5D, 5E, 5M, and 6D Series Tractors.

    “The updated name and numbering system is unique to John Deere and allows for a more consistent approach to naming our equipment around the world,” says Steve Robisky, John Deere marketing administration manager. “This new system allows customers to more quickly and easily identify the engine horsepower of a tractor, its capability, and its size by looking at the hood decal,” Robisky adds.

    Other news includes:

    Agribusiness, John Deere, Tractor

    California Strawberries in China

    Chuck Zimmerman

    California strawberries heading to ChinaThanks to Liza Teixeira, California Strawberry Commission, I just found out that Olympic athletes and visitors will enjoy some juicy red goodness in China.

    In a historic step for the California strawberry industry, America’s favorite fruit will arrive on Chinese soil for the first time in history today (Aug. 5). After receiving approval from Chinese authorities, the California strawberry industry has been readying for the first shipment.

    The strawberries were specially harvested on Saturday in preparation for their arrival in China today. This initial test shipment will be inspected by the China General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to ensure the fruit meets China’s food safety and quality standards.

    California Strawberry Commission President, Mark Murai said, “After initial review and quality checks in Beijing, California strawberries will continue to enter the country and will be available throughout the entire Olympic Games.”

    The fruit will be prepared by the official caterers who will incorporate this favorite fruit into their menus and served at the Beijing Olympic Village eateries, the U.S.A. House and the U.S. High Performance Center.

    California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “I commend China for providing the world’s greatest athletes with healthy diet options and I look forward to a continued dialogue on gaining permanent market access for California grown strawberries. As Governor of this great state, I am committed to promoting and will continue to campaign for our world-renowned products and services.”

    Ag Groups, Food, International