Meeting Observers

Chuck Zimmerman

Kathy & JayYou never know who you’ll run into at a meeting like this.

At one of the early meetings here I found Kathy Cornett and Jay Truitt. They were observing the situation at the NCBA Allied Industry Council & Product Council Meeting.

Ag Groups, Agencies, Beef

Beef Board Executive Committee

Chuck Zimmerman

Beef Board OfficersOne of the early meetings here at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference is the Beef Board Executive Committee.

Here’s some of the officers getting things going early. They actually meet for about a half a day before moving on to the next session.

This meeting is probably just about wrapping up as I post this but we’ve still got two more committees of the Beef Board to meet yet today.

Ag Groups, Beef

Media Handlers

Chuck Zimmerman

Media Room MonitorsThe media room is supervised by Joe Schuele and Grace Webb. Here they are hard at work making sure the agribloggers and farm podcasters and other media types are getting what they need.

Actually it’s been a quiet media day for the most part. I’m sure that will change tomorrow

Ag Groups, Beef

Beef Promotion Plans

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast75 - Cattle Industry Summer ConferenceThe ZimmCast is coming to you this week from Reno, Nevada and the Cattle Industry Summer Conference. For your listening pleasure I interviewed the Chairman of the Beef Board, Jay O’Brien. Jay is a cattle producer from Texas.

Jay O'BrienI asked Jay to explain what the Beef Board hopes to accomplish at this meeting. He says the budget is one of the main jobs they get done. Looking ahead to the new year he says that reaching young people with a message about beef is a priority since research has shown that their awareness level isn’t as high as adults.

Listen here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 75 (14 min 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.

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef

Over 2,000 Posts

Chuck Zimmerman

I just noticed that I’ve posted over 2,000 times on AgWired. It’s a milestone! That’s a lot of pictures, interviews, links, notices and other types of information on the business of agrimarketing.

The very first version of AgWired was installed in August of 2004 but I didn’t get in the blogging groove until March of 2005. I think my daily posting average works out to around 4 posts a day, 7 days a week.

Ahh, those beginning days. Not only did I wonder what I’d gotten myself into, I can’t count how many of you wondered too and often said so! Well, hopefully the picture is getting clearer.

I know I’ve said it before but I want to thank everyone who has supported me. Your encouragement and all the ways you’ve found to provide support mean more than I can say. I do promise to continue developing AgWired and the agricultural use of the new media tools. As my good friend from Colorado likes to say, “Onward and upward.”

Uncategorized

Casinos, Casinos and More Casinos

Chuck Zimmerman

Reno HiltonHere’s a lot of what you see around town here in Reno. I came in a day early for the Cattle Industry Summer Conference because of flight availability and cost. So, it’s been nice to relax a little.

I have not spent a dime on any slots or tables and really don’t have any intention to. Not my thing. It’s interesting to watch others doing it though. I was up and around early this morning and there were people all over the casino, tied to the machines with their little charge cards on lanyards. Strange if you ask me.

Uncategorized

Brew News Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

Brew BlogThe Brew Blog is where you can find out news and information about the alcohol beverage industry. I think this is a fantastic idea. Listen up agrimarketers. Take a look at what Miller is doing here. They’ve hired or contracted with a reporter who is covering their industry. I know you purists out there will be shocked. How can this have any credibility you might ask? I say, look at what’s being posted by Jim Arndorfer. He’s certainly going to be an example I’ll be using in my workshop at the Ag Media Summit!

If I was in this business the Brew Blog would be one of my news feeds that I’d be checking on a regular basis. Do I care if it’s sponsored or owned by Miller Brewing? Not if it’s good timely, topical information that I can’t get in this convenient a format.

So why not have a farm equipment news blog that’s owned by John Deere, AGCO or New Holland? How about a seed news blog owned by Pioneer or Monsanto? Let’s have an ag chem news blog owned by Syngenta or BASF. Think about it. There’s a lot of reporters out here who might be able to make the transition to the internet. I say, “might,” with good reason. Even news blogging requires a talent and dedication that not every traditional media reporter may have.

Uncategorized

Blueberry Council Alternate

Chuck Zimmerman

U. S. Highbush Blueberry CouncilOur Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner announced one importer alternate to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, for a term of office beginning immediately and ending on Dec. 31, 2006.

The newly appointed importer alternate is Keith D. Mixon from Haines City, Fla.

We used to go to blueberry u-picks in north central Florida. Mmm, mmm. Now I want some vanilla ice cream topped with a pile of blueberries.

Ag Groups, USDA