Big Sign Big Equipment at Case IH

Chuck Zimmerman

Case IH Plant SignI’m not sure I’ve ever seen a news release about a new sign but Case IH sent one out. This is one big looking monster of a sign. I guess the size of your sign is an indication of the size of your equipment?

The Case IH Benson manufacturing facility is sporting a big, bright new sign these days — 33 feet tall by 20 feet wide. Nearly twice as tall as the former sign, “It truly is impressive,” says Plant Manager Kim Heiden.

“It predominantly features the Case IH logo, which symbolizes the company’s renewed focus on our customers and the brands that serve them,” Heiden adds. “In fact, the bold red ‘Driver I’ in the logo represents our one-on-one working relationships with customers. It’s also a tip of the hat to our International Harvester roots.”

Heiden says the first shift starts at 6 a.m., “So most of our workforce comes in before the sun comes up. The sign literally lights up the night for us.”

Agribusiness, Tractor

FAO State of Food and Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

FAO State of Food and Agriculture ReportThe FAO has released it’s annual State of Food and Agriculture report. This year they’re advocating payments to farmers.

The State of Food and Agriculture 2007 explores the potential for agriculture to provide enhanced levels of environmental services alongside the production of food and fibre. The report concludes that demand for environmental services from agriculture – including climate change mitigation, improved watershed management and biodiversity preservation – will increase in the future, but better incentives to farmers are needed if agriculture is to meet this demand. As one among several other possible policy tools, payments to farmers for environmental services hold promise as a flexible approach to enhancing farmer incentives to sustain and improve the ecosystems on which we all depend. Nevertheless, challenges must be overcome if the potential of this approach is to be realized, especially in developing countries. Policy efforts at international and national levels are necessary to establish the basis for such payments. The design of cost-effective programmes requires careful analysis of the specific biophysical and socio-economic contexts and consideration of the poverty impacts programmes may have. By clarifying the challenges that need to be addressed in implementing such an approach, this report is intended to contribute to the realization of its potential.

Uncategorized

New Media Training at NAFB

Chuck Zimmerman

New Media TrainingCindy took a picture of my NAFB new media training session before leaving on Friday. Here’s session sponsor Jerry Harrington, Pioneer Hi-Bred, speaking along with Andy Vance, Buckeye Ag Network/ABN, session moderator.

I think the session went very well and I got a lot of positive feedback. Maybe we can do it again next year and change the focus to reflect changes in the new media world. I’m sure we’ll see many by then.

I’ve also added Cindy’s convention photos to the online album so take a look and see if you can find a picture you might like.

NAFB Convention Photo Album

NAFB

Zimfo Bites

Melissa Sandfort

  • The National Pork Board has given its approval to a $51 million budget and operating plan for 2008 that addresses five critical issues facing the U.S. pork industry. The board approved the 2008 budget and plan at its meeting in Des Moines Nov. 13-14. The budget now goes to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for final approval. The five critical issues are: The competitive advantage for U.S. pork; the safeguard and expansion of international markets; domestic pork expenditures; the trust and image of the U.S. pork industry; the development of human capital.
  • DuPont and Evogene Ltd. announced a research collaboration to improve drought stress tolerance primarily in corn and soybeans. Under the agreement, DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred has exclusive rights to several genes discovered by Evogene for improving these traits. The candidate genes were discovered by Evogene’s most advanced in-silico gene discovery technology called the “ATHLETE.” Pioneer will evaluate the licensed genes in its elite corn and soybean germplasm to measure the benefit in its commercial products.
  • Spectrum is offering NEW plastic horseshoes at no additional cost until the end of the year. Spectrum Technologies, Inc. manufactures and supplies affordable field measurement technologies that help growers make better decisions on crop inputs. To receive a free catalog complete with hundreds of climate, soil, and plant health monitoring devices, call (800) 248-8873 or visit the Web site.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Final Farewell to Mr. Potato Head at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

    Laura McNamara

    Healthy Mr. Potato Head The famed mascot of the U.S. Potato Board will make one last appearance at the 2007 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The board says it plans to retire the balloon after this year’s parade. So, you might want to make a special effort to catch the annual parade and get a final glimpse at the cheerfully oversized, classic ag icon.

    The U.S. Potato Board doesn’t want consumers to leave potatoes out of their Thanksgiving feasts. One of this year’s balloon handlers and an eager spokesman for potatoes, Amy Morrison, says Americans consume more than 300 million pounds of potatoes each Thanksgiving. She adds that one potato contains more vitamin C and more potassium than a banana. The potato is packed with nutrients, but it’s not packed with calories. One potato contains about 100 calories.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, Food

    Get Real With Christmas Tree Videos

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The National Christmas Tree Association has launched a new contest for the 2007 holiday season inviting YouTube users to “Get Real This Christmas.”

    I’m really glad they made a YouTube video to explain the contest!

    To participate in the contest, YouTube users can create a unique video (three minutes or less) showing or explaining why a Real Tree is the best choice this holiday season. All videos must be posted to the NCTA YouTube group page, www.youtube.com/group/getreal, by Dec. 15, 2007. Videos will be evaluated by a panel of judges and the top three will be selected on the basis of creativity, accuracy, persuasiveness and popularity.

    The grand prize winner will be awarded $500; the second-place winner will receive $250; and the third-place entry will receive $100.

    NCTA sponsors the contest as part of a broader campaign to make sure that Christmas traditions and values remain strong. The multi-year campaign’s goal is to reach Americans with the underlying message, “Nothing Says Christmas More Than a Real Tree.”

    Ag Groups, Video

    Thanksgiving Meal Costs Higher

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AFBF Graphic of Thanksgiving Dinner CostsThis came out last week during the NAFB convention but I just couldn’t get to it until now. It has taken a day or two to get unpacked from a couple weeks on the road. I’ve already got part of our Turkey Day meal purchased but I’m not finished yet. This chart is from the release sent out by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

    Menu items for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings will cost more this year, but remain affordable, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

    According to AFBF’s 22nd annual informal survey of the prices of basic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table, the average cost of this year’s dinner for 10 is $42.26, a $4.16 price increase from last year’s average of $38.10.

    “Americans are blessed to have an abundant variety of home-grown food that is produced with pride by our hardworking farmers and ranchers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “During the holiday season, especially as we celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family, it’s appropriate to reflect on and give thanks for this bounty.”

    The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.

    Ag Groups, Food

    Honoring Pam Fretwell

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Applauding Pam FretwellPam Fretwell is now the past President of the NAFB. We just completed an emotional banquet to honor Pam’s year and do a little roasting too. Ask her about her parent’s garage that had a little problem with fire when she was very young for example.

    Attending the banquet were members of Pam’s family including her parents and friends and colleagues from work. As you’ve heard in my interview with Pam earlier this week, she’s very dedicated to her family and is looking to spending more time with them now.

    Well, the gavel has been turned over to new NAFB President Randy Koenen. You can pronounce that however you want by the way. He doesn’t seem to mind. I think the proper way is “Conan” as in barbarian.

    I want to thank NAFB for bringing me in to cover their convention on AgWired and have to say that I’ve really enjoyed doing so with so many of my long time friends. Today’s session on new media was fun for me and I hope that it was helpful to those who attended.

    Please feel free to visit the photo album. I’m adding more tonight and will get Cindy’s when I get home and upload them later this weekend.

    NAFB Convention Photo Album

    NAFB

    NAFB Horizon and Farm Broadcaster of the Year Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Janelle Brose, Mike HergertAt today’s NAFB luncheon tenure awards were presented and two very prized awards were given.

    Receiving the NAFB Horizon Award is Janelle Brose, Michigan Farm Radio Network (left).

    The recipient of the NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year award was presented to Mike Hergert, Red River Farm Network (center).

    They’re pictured with NAFB President Pam Fretwell.

    NAFB Convention Photo Album

    NAFB

    The Paul McKellips Story

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Paul McKellipsAt our NAFB lunch today we heard the Paul McKellips story.

    Paul you may remember was sending back the good news from Iraq. His story is fascinating and I thought I’d share it with you.

    You can listen to Paul here: nafb-07-mckellips.mp3

    You can also download the mp3 file here: Listen to MP3 File Paul McKellips Stories (15 Min MP3)

    This post is a demonstration of blogging during my professional improvement session on the final day of the convention.

    NAFB Convention Photo Album

    Audio, NAFB