The Center of Communications

Chuck Zimmerman

FEMA ConventionOne of the first things I ran into here at the FEMA convention was the communications center. It’s a big room with lots of tables so you can meet up and have a nice chat which a bunch of folks were doing.

In it you’ll find things like this Information Center which lists companies who’s services FEMA endorses.

There’s also an interesting set of boards listing members and who is here representing the company. It even has a place for their room number if they care to share it. I don’t think I’ve seen that before.

Ag Groups, Equipment

Getting Started at FEMA

Chuck Zimmerman

FEMA ConventionWhat’s the first thing you do when you go to a convention? That’s right.

I got into Minneapolis yesterday evening. It was kind of drizzly and cool. Better than snow and ice. The weather should be nice here by this afternoon and it looks like we’re going to have a midwest warmup for a couple days.

The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association convention has been going on for several days but I couldn’t get here until today. I’ll try to have several posts for you and a couple of interviews as time allows. I’ve also got several great meetings lined up as well. It’s going to be a busy one.

Ag Groups, Equipment

Make Your Voice Heard

Chuck Zimmerman

Get Out And VoteI’m sure I don’t need to remind you to vote today but I am anyway?

Cindy and I have decided not to listen to any more of the rhetoric. We’re going to read about it in the news tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean we don’t care. We’ve done our duty and registered our vote. Now it’s up to the rest of the country to stand up and be counted.

Does your one puny little vote count? You bet it does. What do you think makes up that big number at the end of the day? So, no matter what side you’re on please get out and add your vote. As I heard someone say yesterday, we have the freedom to do this at the cost of many, many lives and they should not be forgotten. I also think our vote is a way to honor those who are still in harm’s way defending our right to do this.

Uncategorized

New USB Members

Chuck Zimmerman

United Soybean BoardThe United Soybean Board has some new appointees thanks to our Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns.

All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning December 2006. The interim appointee will serve a 1-year term.

Appointed members representing soybean producers by state are: James H. Carroll III, Arkansas; Mark L. Detweiler, Georgia; Kenneth L. Dalenberg, Illinois; Karen L. Fear, Indiana; Laura L. Foell, Iowa; Benny F. Cooper, Kentucky; Ike P. Boudreaux, Louisiana; James A. Call, Minnesota; Terry L. Ecker, Missouri; Loyd L. Pointer, Nebraska; Floyd L. Peed, North Carolina; Vanessa A. Kummer, North Dakota; Thomas F. Brown, Ohio; Michael H. Gerhart, Pennsylvania; George L. Christensen, South Dakota; and Robert B. Johnson, Virginia.

Robert N. Haselwood, Kansas, was appointed to serve the remainder of a term vacated by resignation.

Keith M. Dunn, Virginia, was appointed as an alternate member.

Ag Groups

FEMA Convention Time

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Equipment Manufacturers AssociationThe Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association convention is in full swing in Minneapolis and that’s where I’m headed.

I’ve got several interesting meetings lined up and will be part of a panel discussion tomorrow afternoon. You can find out what’s on the agenda here.

Have a great day and I’ll see you in Minneapolis.

Ag Groups

First Radio, Now Video

Chuck Zimmerman

Buckeye Ag Radio NetworkWhen is an ag radio network more than an ag radio network? When they start doing lots of video. I know you’re familiar with Andy Vance, the Buckeye Ag Radio Network new media monster.

While he was attending the FFA convention he did lots of video interviews which you can find on his website.

Hey Andy, what category do we put you in today? Farm multi-media-ist? (radio, blogging, podcasting, video)

Hopefully you heard Andy’s and my conversation on a recent ZimmCast. As he said, the agrimarketer of today will need to look at the totality of the audience we are reaching and not get all hung up on exactly which medium we’re using. It’s all about developing a community. Kind of like the AgWired community. I’m glad you’re a part of it!

Media

Say You MoKan

Chuck Zimmerman

National Agri-Marketing AssociationIf you’re planning on attending the NAMA Agribusiness Forum in Kansas City, MO next week you might want to come a little early and go to the local chapter’s meeting.

MoKan NAMA welcomes you to Kansas City. Join us for our monthly meeting before the Agribusiness Forum. The Union Station Café is connected to the hotel through the Crown Center sky link.

When: Tuesday, November 14
Where: Union Station Café, Upper tier
When: Registration 11-11:30, Buffet Lunch 11–12, Speaker 12-1

Bill Horan, a producer from Iowa and Board member for Truth about Trade and Technology, will speak to us about biotechnology, and in particular, crops engineered to produce pharmaceutical and industrial compounds. RSVP to Melanie Acklin at acklinm@osborn-barr.com by November 10th.

Cost is $15 NAMA Members and $30 non-Members. First time guests are FREE.

NAMA

Erpelding Heads USMEF

Chuck Zimmerman

Elanco Animal HealthI just learned that Dennis Erpelding, Elanco Animal Health, is the new chairman of the U. S. Meat Export Federation.

That came about at their Board of Directors Strategic Planning and Marketing Conference in Cancun, Mexico last week. Knowing Dennis he’s full steam ahead on opening up new markets and promoting red meat exports.

I think the organization is in good hands.

Erpelding took over elected leadership of USMEF from outgoing chair John Bellinger, San Antonio, Tex., of Agri-West International. “I look forward to following the pattern and passion set by John Bellinger over this past year,” Erpelding said during his inaugural address. “Our commitment will continue to be communication – internally as well as to our external audiences – as we focus on market access and development.”

USMEF also elected Dan Halstrom, of Swift & Company, Greeley, Colo., as chair-elect, Jon Caspers, Swaledale, Iowa, representing National Pork Producers Council, as vice-chair, and Jim Peterson, Buffalo, Mont., representing National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as secretary-treasurer.

Ag Groups, International

Extreme Makeover Case IH Style

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast92 - CaseIH Extreme MakeoverI’ve got a very interesting interview this week with Kyle Russell, Director, Livestock Marketing, Case IH.

Case IH participated in an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help an Iowa family (The Kibe’s) who’s home was destroyed. They donated a new Case IH JX1100U tractor with a LX252 loader to the family.

Extreme Makeover - Case IH StyleKyle talks about how they got involved with the project and what it was like to work with the ABC production crew. In the picture are Shawn Kibe on the tractor, and Kyle Russell standing with Amy Kibe.

Download this week’s program: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 92 (6 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast92-11-5-06.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.

Audio, Tractor, ZimmCast

Challenges on the Farm

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry Siemens
The challenges facing Manitoba farmers this year going into the winter are much different from the challenges they faced last year. In 2005, many farmers had empty bins from the year before, and had little or no crop, going into the second year with empty bins. One farmer told me last year, farming used to be fun, but going into the second winter with empty bins, made that a stretch. I met him hauling beans this year, and I actually detected a slight smile on his face.

While 2004 was tough, it wasn’t near as tough as 2005. For most farmers they’re playing catch up making that challenge number 1. However, playing catch up with full bins makes life a little easier. The second challenge is the restructuring by Maple Leaf Foods that has many hog producers uneasy going into the winter. While affecting hog producers primarily, it will reach back further into the pockets of grain farmers too. Combine that with ethanol and biofuel debates and the grain and hog producers will have more quandaries to face. Read More

International