McCormick Company Supporting CBB Producer Communicaitons

Chuck Zimmerman

Beef Checkoff and McCormickA new agency will be working in support of producer communications for the Beef Checkoff.

Cattlemen’s Beef Board agency review panel lead by Joint Producer Communications Committee Chair Richard Nielson, cow/calf operator from Ephraim, Utah, met in Denver Monday, Feb. 25, to hear presentations from the three agencies chosen as finalists to support the CBB paid producer communications paid media effort. A panel of CBB and Federation members joined with communications staff to unanimously choose McCormick Company, an Amarillo-based full-service marketing communications firm established in 1926 and the 14th oldest advertising and public relations firm in the United States. McCormick has a long-standing relationship with a number of association and commercial livestock clients and has worked with the checkoff in various roles since its beginning. In fact, McCormick designed the beef check logo in 1986.

“The panel members were impressed by McCormick’s enthusiastic presentation which also demonstrated them to be highly qualified with a deep understanding of our target audience – producers who pay the checkoff,” said Nielson. “McCormick’s problem-solving approach and creative ideas won them the contract.”

Ag Groups, Agencies, Beef

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Syngenta and DuPont announced a global agreement that will provide DuPont business, Pioneer Hi-Bred, access to Syngenta’s novel insect control corn event, MIR162. Under the royalty-bearing agreement, Syngenta will grant Pioneer a non-exclusive, global license with stacking rights to MIR162. MIR162 will protect corn above the ground by delivering high-level control of a broad spectrum of lepidopteran insects including fall army worm, corn ear worm, western bean and black cut worm and sugar cane borer, which are key pests in the U.S., Brazil and Argentina.
  • Jed Harms, president of Kemin AgriFoods North America, announces the promotion of Fernando Valdez, Ph.D., to Director of Technical Services. Since joining Kemin in 2000, Fernando has served as the Dairy Technical Support Manager, then Product Manager for the KEMTRACE® mineral and NUTROCAL® product lines. Prior to joining Kemin, Fernando worked as Purina Mills Dairy Consultant and Dairy Team Leader for 13 years.
  • FMC Corporation announces several new appointments within its North America Agricultural Products Group (APG) division, effective immediately. Aaron Locker has been promoted from Product Manager to Director of Strategic Account Management; Daryl Wiest moves into the new position of Market Access Manager; Mark Frerichs has been promoted to North America Sales Director; Taking over for Frerichs in the Midwest region is Chip Willingham; Craig Heim has been appointed Manager of Product Development and Bobby Leifker, formerly a Retail Market Manager in California and Idaho, has been appointed Product Manager.
Zimfo Bytes

Shannon Brown is Corn Fed

Chuck Zimmerman

Shannon BrownI don’t know about you but I love being corn fed and I love Shannon Brown’s song. I got to meet her this afternoon here at the National Ethanol Conference and she and her band performed an awesome show. If you’re going to Commodity Classic you will not want to miss seeing her and the other stars who will be performing.

I asked her about the song and how it all came about and what she thinks of the ethanol business that she’s been involved in through her sponsorship by VeraSun Energy.

Shannon says the song reflects the fact that she’s a corn fed Iowa girl and the song signifies who she is and where she comes from. She says that working with VeraSun has been an eye opener and she’s fully behind the mission of the ethanol industry. She says consumers should definitely feel comfortable putting it in their car.

You can hear my interview with Shannon here: nec-08-brown.mp3

And if you’d like to hear how this song sounded on stage then you can also do so here: nec-08-corn-fed.mp3

National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol

The AgriTalk Shadow

Chuck Zimmerman

AgriTalk GuysI really hate to do this to you but they’re here. Following me around again. The AgriTalk guys.

You’ve got “speak no evil” and “see no evil” and “hear no evil.”

They’re doing programming from here at the National Ethanol Conference today and tomorrow before following me up to Nashville and the Commodity Classic.

It’s like having a triple shadow.

National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Media

Bob Dinneen Says the Ethanol Industry is Sound

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob Dinneen and Chris StandleeThe Reverend of Renewable Fuels got up and preached a powerful sermon today on the state of the ethanol industry. Bob Dinneen, President of the Renewable Fuels Association, gave his annual state of the industry speech this morning. He was also presented with a plaque in appreciation of his 20 year anniversary of leading the organization from RFA Chairman, Chris Standlee (right).

Speaking before more than 2,200 attendees at the 13th Annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Florida, he declared that the state of the U.S. ethanol industry is sound:

“With your continued commitment, I can report to you without exaggeration or hyperbole that the state of the U.S. ethanol industry is sound, that we are prepared to meet the opponents of change with facts, with a resolute spirit, and with renewed dedication to the proposition that together we can change our nation’s energy, economic and environmental destiny.”

The complete text of Dinneen’s State of the Ethanol Industry Address can be found here (pdf).

You can listen Bob’s speech here: nec-08-dinneen-speech.mp3

National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol

Off to Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

While Chuck is busy basking in the glorious Florida weather, I am preparing to head on out to the 2008 Commodity Classic in Nashville at the Opryland.

First on the agenda tomorrow afternoon is the BASF International Seed Treatment Symposium to provide us media types with all the latest info on BASF products and technology.

The Classic really gets rolling on Thursday with meetings for each of the three commodity groups – corn, soybeans and wheat – WIN sessions and the trade show grand opening.

The yet-to-be-completed Farm Bill will likely be a major topic of conversation and new agriculture secretary Ed Schafer will address the crowd on Friday during the general session.

We are also looking forward to Saturday night’s entertainment at the Grand Ole Opry featuring “Corn Fed” Shannon Brown, John Conlee, Joe Diffie, Carolina Rain and The Steeldrivers.

The Commodity Classic is the combined convention and trade show of the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers. Next year it will be even bigger when the National Sorghum Producers join the show. Having these groups all meeting together is one of the best unifying moves that the agricultural industry has made in the last decade. Not only does it make it easier for the producers who may grow more than one of those commodities, but it sure makes it easier for the ag media to cover it all in one trip!

Look forward to our coverage on both AgWired and Domestic Fuel all week long. Chuck will be joining me late Wednesday evening after wrapping up at the National Ethanol Conference.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored in part by: BASF

BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, NCGA, Soybean, Wheat

Inman Joins Beefmobile

Melissa Sandfort

The Beefmobiles, vans emblazoned with visions of juicy steaks and burgers, embarked on the project’s fifth tour of the United States this January with the mission of delivering information to beef and dairy producers about how their beef checkoff dollars are being used.

Created to provide information about beef and the checkoff’s $1-per-head assessment to producers and consumers, the Beefmobile program has made almost 600 stops since its first stop in January 2004. In 2008, the three Beefmobiles and their “Wranglers” will make 200 stops to include livestock auction markets, country music festivals, and rodeos across the country. At each location, the Beefmobiles and their Wranglers provide information – and solicit input – from cattlemen about the Beef Checkoff Program.

jodi-4.jpgJodee Inman of Bloomington, Ind., joins returning Beefmobile team members Tracey Orsburn of Harrison, Neb., and Stacy Loutzenhiser of Flagler, Colo., as a new wrangler.

Inman has worked in the cattle industry as a producer and staff for several marketing establishments throughout her high school and college career, as well as an auctioneer for eight years. She served as a liaison between auctioneers and cattle buyers at Owen-Monroe Feeder Auction Association in Spencer, Ind., White River Valley Feeder Auction Association in Worthington, Ind., and for United Producers, Inc. at their Scottsburg and Vincennes, Ind., markets. Inman has a management degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.; and she is also a graduate of the Missouri Auction School in St. Joseph, Mo.

Inman said her interest in the Beefmobile project was sparked during its inaugural run in 2004.

“It’s a great opportunity as a representative from the Midwest to experience the vastness of the producers and operations throughout the country and to be able to act as a voice for them when it comes to their input, feedback and questions about the Checkoff,” Inman said. “The Checkoff is an integral part of the industry and I’m honored to be a link in the chain of communication between the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and producers.”

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Petry International and RFD-TV announced an exclusive sales representation agreement for Petry International to offer the channel’s national advertising time to entities and agencies throughout the United States. With this agreement, Petry International expands its portfolio of clients and increases its global network representation. RFD-TV, created in 2000, is aimed at those individuals who enjoy the rural way of life, a population that numbers almost 70 million.
  • EpiCor® is now available from Embria® Health Sciences – a product concept that originated from the people actually working in the plant. After several months of exploration and research, Diamond V came to the realization that employees were healthier because they came in contact with the yeast fermentation products created during Diamond V’s unique proprietary manufacturing process. With this evidence in hand, researchers carved a path to a dedicated research and development initiative for human health. Later, Embria Health Sciences was created as a separate company under the Diamond V umbrella to continue development.
  • Dow AgroSciences’ growing technology share was the focus of a recent presentation to investors made by Jerome Peribere, president and CEO of Dow AgroSciences. Peribere spoke to investors at the Goldman Sachs Agricultural Chemicals Conference in New York City. At the conference, Peribere reinforced the Dow AgroSciences’ technology-based strategy of growing its agrichemicals business while developing new biotechnology products and platforms.
Zimfo Bytes

Jack Youngblood Likes Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob Dinneen and Jack YoungbloodAfter a very foggy start the golf tournament at the National Ethanol Conference is underway. RFA President Bob Dinneen got everyone started here this morning out at ChampionsGate golf course. Bob’s pictured here on the left with NFL Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood. Just before he gave everyone the send off I spoke to him about the Conference.

Bob says that this is the biggest and best Conference ever with over 2,300 people attending. He says they’ll be talking about the challenges ahead including climate change and the food vs. fuel debate that keeps raging.

Bob says the future is bright and the industry is on solid footing.

You can listen to my interview with Bob here: nec-08-dinneen-1.mp3

Jack Youngblood played with the Rams in 5 NFC Championship games and in Super Bowl XIV. He’s a tough guy but very friendly. Today he’s out on hole number 2 helping teams out since he takes a drive and they can use his if needed.

I spoke to Jack in between groups on his hole. He says that here in Florida they’ve had their hand in the ethanol business for several years. He’s really pleased to see the enthusiasm on the part of the people involved in the industry and is looking forward to seeing what’s going on in the business here at the Conference.

Jack wants consumers to know that ethanol is a renewable resource that can take us in the direction we want to go. As he puts it, when it comes to fuel, “we want to grow our own.” He thinks it’s the most common sense approach to relieving our dependence on foreign oil that there is.

You can listen to my interview with Jack here: nec-08-youngblood-1.mp3

National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol

National Ethanol Conference Started

Chuck Zimmerman

National Ethanol ConferenceIt’s time for the National Ethanol Conference. It’s culture shock to go from a boat on the Gulf to the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes but I’m here.

Registration is underway and I’ll be posting on multiple sites over the next several days. Thanks to the Renewable Fuels Association for having me in to help them out, including posting onto their blog site.

In the meantime you can keep up with things if you’d like with my Conference Photo Album which is already started.

Ethanol