Farm Journal Acquires Implement & Tractor

Chuck Zimmerman

Implement & TractorFarm 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. Read More

Media, Publication

Pioneering Rural Internet

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-182 - Pioneer and DorrI interviewed two of my favorite people at the Ag Media Summit and have saved those interviews for this week’s program. First up, you’ll find Jerry Harrington, Pioneer Hi-Bred. He talks about how he helps agricultural journalists connect with agronomists so they can get the word out and help producers, “grow more corn and soybeans.”

Then I talk with U. S. Under Secretary of Rural Development, Tom Dorr, about the latest in his world. It includes the development of a major biorefinery loan program. He says they’re working to make loans available by the end of the year. He also speaks about the re-authorization of the broadband loan program. Tom says that they’ve already loaned nearly $7 billion to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. That’s fueling a lot of competition which should just increase the pace of development.

The program this week ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. Since we’re talking about broadband you get to listen to “Outside The Internet” from Messian Dread. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 182 (16 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:Interviews with Jerry Harrington and Tom Dorr - ZimmCast 182

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

Ag Media Summit, Audio, Internet, Pioneer, USDA, ZimmCast

Successful Farming Expands

Chuck Zimmerman

Successful FarmingSuccessful Farming sure has a lot of news today. Basically, they’re expanding on their 360 Degree Media concept. It’s what the agrimarketing community wants. Their expansion includes a new Successful Farming Video Solutions® unit, a new Chicago Markets Bureau, and expanded machinery coverage. Here’s what’s new:

Increase in Multimedia Services – SF Video Solutions

John Walter is named Executive Editor for Successful Farming and Agriculture Online. In addition to managing the editorial business for these brands, he will oversee SF Video Solutions and the Successful Farming Machinery Show.

Jason Meeker has been appointed Multimedia Producer, and will manage Successful Farming Video Solutions to expand video on Agriculture Online as well as direct the Successful Farming Machinery Show . In addition, a new multimedia content producer will be hired to support the capacity of services to the video solutions unit.

Jeff Caldwell is named Multimedia Editor. Jeff will be responsible for the 3600 content delivery for the Successful Farming brand, ensuring all content reaches full multimedia potential. Jeff will continue to cover news and features for Agriculture Online and will also work with all Successful Farming content specialists to support delivery of Successful Farming content to all channels. Read More

Media

ZimmBite – NAMA Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman

I know you don’t have enough Zimm-ness in your life so how about a daily 12seconds.tv ZimmBite?


ZimmBite – NAMA Boot Camp on 12seconds.tv

I’ll be opening up NAMA Boot Camp this year with some remarks on social networking, followed by a little networking exercise. I expect we’ll all know each other very well before it’s over.

NAMA, Video

No Guy Wire Left Behind Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

NAAA 2008 ConventionA new destination on the ZimmComm agriblogging circuit this year will be the National Agricultural Aviation Association convention which will take place in Las Vegas. We’re looking forward to getting to know these brave souls.

While checking out their website I noticed their “No Guy Wire Left Behind” contest that will pay $1,000.00 to the best design for a guy wire marker. The need for this appears to be significant and makes sense since we still have so many wires above ground around our farm fields.

Solution

The NAAA Safety/Federal Aviation Regulations Committee went to work at their February 2008 meeting in Washington DC to develop a solution to this problem. The committee recommended two plans, which were then approved by the board of directors for implementation.

Plan 1 is to sponsor a contest to design a guy wire marking device. The device must be low cost, high visibility, weather resistant and have high design appeal. The marker should be able to easily attach to the guy wire approximately 10 feet above the ground. The proposal for the winning design will be manufactured in large quantities and distributed on a local level to groups such as the 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the hopes that they will sell them for their charitable causes. These groups, after receiving an order, would sell the guy wire markers to companies who placed the order. The order would result from a letter generated from Plan 2. Read More

Ag Groups

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Eli Lilly and Company announced that Covance Inc. will buy and operate Lilly’s Greenfield Laboratories located in Greenfield, Ind. In addition, Lilly is finalizing plans to lease a new worldwide headquarters for its animal health division, Elanco, in Hancock County, Indiana. The announcement is part of a series of actions the company is taking to restructure its research and development organization in order to compete in a dramatically changing environment. To support Elanco’s business needs, the company plans to lease a new, expanded headquarters in Hancock County, Ind. The facility is scheduled to be completed in late 2009 or early 2010.
  • Monsanto Company announced that it is pursuing a divestiture of its dairy product, POSILAC bovine somatotropin, in the upcoming months. A recent study conducted by several researchers at Cornell University highlighted the role of POSILAC as an on-farm dairy tool that can effectively reduce the environmental impact of dairy operations. The Cornell study can be accessed here.
  • Mike Gustafson, Mgr/Parts Marketing Communications, John Deere ag division, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31. Gustafson has been with Deere’s ag advertising department for 25 years. Gustafson was the 2003-04 President of the National Agri-Marketing Association and is currently serving as VP of its AgriBusiness Educational Foundation. He is also an active volunteer for FFA and 4-H. His last day in the office is August 29.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Blogging Break

    Chuck Zimmerman

    FishingIt’s been really difficult to get motivated to do much today. We’re having some gorgeous weather here in Missouri, although I think corn and soybean growers would like it a little hotter.

    It was nice enough to just wander down to the pond for a little fishing from the bank. Fishing is what I was doing since I wasn’t catching.

    I’ve got one more office day before hitting the agriblogging highway again. This week you’ll find me at NAMA Boot Camp and then I’ll be off to North Carolina with Boehringer Ingelheim. Cindy will be in Omaha for the American Coalition for Ethanol convention.

    See you from there.

    Uncategorized

    Wacko Ad From HSUS

    Chuck Zimmerman

    HSUS AdI noticed a story in the latest issue Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Prime Cuts, e-newsletter about a stupid (my word) ad from the Humane Society. Yes, we know these wackos have been trying to connect animal agriculture to global warming. Of course, there is no global warming issue, especially not a man made one. You’ll notice that most environmental wackos have quit using that term and have now gone to “climate change” as their term of choice. This way it can be getting colder, warmer, dryer, wetter and it’s all bad and they’re covered.

    According to the newsletter story the HSUS is running the ad this month in national magazines targeting teen girls. If you read the copy of the ad you find out the true goal of the HSUS which is to reduce meat in our diets by using scare tactics based on complete lies. These wackos are definitely a huge enemy of anyone involved in animal agriculture. It’s one thing to have an opinion but to deliberately deceive people with lies to get their money so they can lie to more people is really tragic and sad. Unfortunately, the HSUS is using false data from the FAO, which has turned into a wacko group too. I used to think FAO actually was a credible organization, but not anymore.

    It’s too bad that so many people are willing to believe what they see and hear without even bothering to think about it and look for real science based facts. But that’s why it’s very important for any of us involved in agriculture to be involved in efforts to present the truth and reach consumers using the same tactics as these wackos.

    Advertising, Wackos

    From the Cullers Family to 2000 Growers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Cullers FamilyI have to give Michelle Cullers a lot of credit for the Kip Cullers’ Record Breaking Field Day event this week on the family farm. Her mother and sisters also helped out with the event, including making some absolutely delicious homemade ice cream for the BBQ.

    Kip is blessed with a wonderful family – including sons Noah and Naamen, who were exceptionally well behaved. I’m sure it was an effort for everyone to host this event, which lasted three days this week. I am still waiting to hear the final numbers of those who attended – but it was somewhere over 2,000 – with visitors from as far away as Canada and Brazil!

    Be sure to check out this AP story about Kip’s field day and expo. He even wowed the mainstream media!

    Kip Cullers Record Breaking Field Day photo album

    BASF, Farming