- Servigistics, the leading strategic service management solution provider, announced that AGCO Corporation, whose well-known equipment brand names include Massey Ferguson, Challenger, Valtra, and Fendt, has selected Servigistics to plan the company’s service parts globally and to optimize prices in individual markets globally. AGCO will utilize the Servigistics solution to offer dealers competitive prices, enhance customer service, and drive efficiencies across the service parts chain.
- A select group of elevators is offering growers expanded options to earn special premiums for soybeans during the 2008 season. More than 100 locations throughout the region are offering up to a 60-cent premium per bushel for low linolenic soybeans from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. Participating elevators are located in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Missouri. Additionally, contract growers are eligible to earn a 20 percent rebate on DuPont™ Asana® XL, Assure® II and Punch™ crop protection products used on their 2008 Pioneer low lin soybean contract acres.
- Accelerated Genetics awards four, $500 scholarships to high school seniors planning to major in agriculture at a short course, vocational technical college or four-year university degree program. Any high school senior who has participated in high school agricultural education, 4-H or any agricultural organization is eligible to apply. The applicant or their parents must be currently purchasing semen or products from an authorized Accelerated Genetics representative. Click here for an application form. Accelerated Genetics also offers two, $1000 scholarships to students currently enrolled in a short course, vocational technical college or a four-year university degree program. For an application form, download it from the National FFA Foundation Web site. Both applications are due postmarked by Feb. 15, 2008.
Understanding Blogs in Plain English
Although I get hired to make presentations about blogging and podcasting I sure don’t mind sharing when someone else says it better than me. Here’s a great little video that might help those half dozen or so of you out there who still don’t get the blogging thing.
Via Podcasting News
Time Online Rising Rapidly
How much time do you spend online these days? More than you did 2 years ago?
According to a chart on the Compete Blog time spent online has increased by 24.3% since October of 2006. That’s a pretty healthy jump in just two years.
Here’s what the author of that post, Jay Meattle, has to say about it:
We are spending more and more time consuming information online. Logically, since time is finite online advertising spend should follow a similar trajectory with marketers allocating their ad budgets in proportion to where people are spending their time.
Needless to say, this is a time of considerable opportunity for online media properties and online marketers!
I can’t agree more.
Changing Mobile Phone Companies
The new Marantz PMD 620 has arrived at ZimmComm courtesy of Evan Slack, Evan Slack Network. Thank you Evan for the early Christmas present. It’s going to get a work out I can tell you. Look for it connected to the golden ZimmComm microphone at a farm meeting near you.
Posting has been light the last two days because I’m trying to get caught up on some stuff. The main thing being changing all my mobile phone plans from Sprint to AT&T. You definitely don’t want to hear my horror stories but I should really be sending an invoice for about $2,500 to Sprint for just the time they’ve cost me in the last 4 weeks. It’s unbelievable. I’ve been with Sprint for about 16 years and I’ve defended them and promoted them but they lost me. I moved 6 lines away from them and I’m sure I’m going to continue to have a fight on my hands dealing with the final billing. I don’t think they’re capable of getting it right.
So now that I’m at AT&T you’re probably thinking, “Chuck must have gotten himself an iPhone.” Nope. I got a Blackberry Curve (Titanium). This is a very cool phone with what seems to be a pretty decent camera in it. I also got an Option GT Max Express card for my computer. With the new Leopard OS installed all I had to do was plug the card in and it works. No software to install. That’s why I like Mac.
With my iPod Touch and my phone I think I’m pretty well set. I like my Touch, especially since I connect to the web on wi-fi so I don’t have to have my notebook for every situation. However, I’m more comfortable typing on the Blackberry keyboard than the Touch or iPhone screen. So there you have it.
Zimfo Bites
- AgraGate Climate Credits Corp. is now accepting applications for a new, five-year carbon credits contract that includes a bonus option for a sixth year for qualified land. The 2008-2012 contract is for cropland farmed with continuous no-tillage or strip-tillage practices, or with new grass plantings since Jan. 1, 1999. The contract also has a bonus provision for operators who used the conservation tillage practices in 2007.
- Paul Hitch, cattle producer from Guymon, Okla., has resigned his position as president-elect of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) due to cancer. According to NCBA bylaws, the association’s vice president, Andy Groseta, cattle producer from Cottonwood, Ariz., automatically moves into the president-elect position. Groseta will then succeed John Queen as NCBA president after the upcoming annual meeting in Reno, Nev., Feb. 6-9, 2008.
- Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner has announced the Jan 3, 2008 retirement of USDA Chief Economist Dr. Keith Collins and the appointment of Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Joseph Glauber as Acting Chief Economist. Glauber is currently on detail to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and serving as Special Doha Agricultural Envoy. He is expected to assume the duties of Chief Economist full-time beginning in mid-December.
- The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers announces Ag Pro Outlook ’08 and their 78th Annual Meeting held Feb. 17-20, 2008 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina in San Diego, Calif. Registration and fee information can be found here. Early registration deadline is Jan. 18, 2008 to take advantage of discounted fees.
Egg Cocktails
Eggs are not just for Nog for the experts at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. The organization says there are numerous options for egg-based cocktails and the “cracked creations” are perfect for the holiday season.
This holiday season and beyond, a classic cocktail renaissance is inspiring the modern bartender to revisit a long-lost ingredient: the raw egg. Universally accepted during the holidays as a component to creating fresh eggnog, the egg was once commonly used as an element in a whole category of classic cocktails such as fizzes, flips and pickups. With old standards like these making a comeback, the egg is getting a second crack.
Egg whites act as a great binding agent and create a distinct froth. The most creative bartenders are inventing new uses for the egg in drink recipes – infusing the whites with fruit syrups and floating them on top of drinks or zealously shaking them into modern day Fizzes and Sours.
The recently launched book, “Imbibe!” by David Wondrich, chronicles the life of bartending pioneer Jerry Thomas, and it includes many recipes calling for the use of raw eggs.
While the raw egg idea might make some squirm, it seems the trendsetters are on board: Those who order the Ramos Fizz at Audrey Saunders’ Pegu Club in Manhattan are immediately informed that it will take a while. Bartenders are then employed to endlessly shake the raw egg-white mixture to create the rich foam that makes this drink so unique. Julie Reiner, who is opening “The Clover Club” in Brooklyn in mid-December, has named the establishment after the classic raw egg cocktail and will be serving several variations of egg-based drinks.
Read More
Trimming the Pork
Pork belongs on pig farms or on the dinner table, but, for many taxpayers, pork doesn’t belong in politics. A new blog called The Swine Line is using your average farm animal as a star mascot for fighting “political pork.” Check out these videos from the organization that describes itself as “America’s #1 taxpayer watchdog.” Oh yea, actor Kiefer Sutherland, known around the globe as the indomitable “Jack Bauer” on Fox Television’s blockbuster series “24,” also makes an appearance.
Share Your Holiday Party Pics, Audio and Video
Since it’s holiday party time this week’s program contains the interview I did with Illinois, Leigh Ann and Kelly at BCS Communications during their annual party. If you’re having a party please send me pictures, audio or video to share with the rest of the agricultural marketing world.
BCS Communications is in its 5th year and as you’ll hear the 3 amigos say, business is good and they’re always hiring.
Because it’s holiday time the program concludes with music from the Podsafe Music Network. This week’s song is “Joy-Kinda Holiday-ish” by the Charlie Crowe. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.
You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: 
ZimmCast 146 (23 min MP3)
Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast147-11-29-07.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
Get Ready For Ag Day Now
It’s not too early to be looking ahead to spring and National Ag Day. Materials are ready for you to start planning your projects to celebrate this annual event.
What Is Ag Day?
It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless other across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.
When Is Ag Day?
Ag Day is celebrated on March 20, 2008 – the first day of spring. National Ag Day falls during National Ag Week, March 16-22, 2008.
Who Hosts Ag Day?
The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level. However, the awareness efforts in communities across America are as influential – if not more – than the broad-scale effort. Again this year, the Ag Day Planning Guide has been created to help communities and organizations more effectively host Ag Day events.
What Is Ag Day All About?
Ag Day is about recognizing – and celebrating – the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
* Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
* Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
* Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
Chris Connelly New USDA Comm Director
The USDA has a new Director of Communications and he’s Chris Connelly. Connelly replaces Terri Teuber Moore, who has been named the Deputy Director of Communications for Policy and Planning at the White House.
“Chris Connelly brings broad experience in management and public policy communications, a shared belief in the importance of transparency and a commitment to continuing this department’s reputation for responsiveness. He will be a great addition to the USDA team,” Conner said. “Chris carries on a tradition that Terri helped to build through her commitment, integrity and insight, which have been invaluable to USDA. I’m confident that she will do well in her new role at the White House.”
Connelly has served since 2001 as Chief of Staff and Communications Director for the Office of Representative Jo Ann Davis. Prior to that, he advised Members of Congress as Deputy Chief of Staff, Press Secretary and Assistant Press Secretary, as well as organizing and managing congressional staff. Connelly has served as a policy analyst and speechwriter on national issues. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Regent University.
Connelly will assume his new role at USDA on Monday, December 3, as will Corry Schiermeyer, who will serve as Deputy Director of Communications.
We welcome Chris and Corry and look forward to working with them.