Propanecast Podcast

Chuck Zimmerman

PropanecastSpeaking of podcasting. I was actually just speaking of podcasting. Let’s look at (and listen) to the Propanecast by the Propane Education and Research Council. Use this link to subscribe if you’re so inclined. It looks like they’re doing both video and audio versions.

This is being done for Propane Days, which start on May 1. If you’re impatient you can listen to one episode here.

Our PropaneCasts feature real-world success stories about how propane helped survivors of Katrina and continues to aid with reconstruction efforts. You’ll learn how propane is the right energy in emergency situations, what strides are being made in propane technology and how energy issues affect the propane industry.

What a great idea. The PERC is now their own medium. No gatekeeper between them and the viewer/listener.

Audio, Podcasts

Farmer iPod Use Growing

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB Directory 2006According to the latest NAFB eChats they’ve got a new qualitative farmer media use study out that says farmer use of iPods and other digital audio devices has grown to about 5 percent! Actually it doesn’t give an exact number, just says less than 5 percent but I’m sure there’s a plus/minus error factor to consider too. This seems like pretty fast growth to me when you consider that they didn’t even exist just a couple years ago. I guess it’s kind of like radio back when it got started. How many farmer had one in the first 2 years? Was it 5 percent?

This is great to get a benchmark we can use in coming years on farmer use of internet delivered, time-shifted audio and video content. The rapidly increasing availability of broadband and mobile technology will continue to drive this medium shift. This week I’ve discussed this topic with several industry communications professionals. We all concluded that it’s worth investing in this new distribution technology because we believe it will continue to grow. I like this analogy that Cindy brought up. Look at all the investment in ethanol production and distribution when only 5 percent of the cars on the road today can run on E85.

I’m assuming NAFB’ers are seeing the value in this new form of audio and video distribution since they gave an iPod and Bose docking station away at the recent NAMA convention. BTW, the winner was Kate Nelson with Charleston/Orwig. The NAFB study also shows continued strong use of the broadcast medium by farmers.

If you want to learn more about this whole podcasting thing I recommend Spinfluencer. This link is to a post the author, Eric Schwartzman, just wrote on his talk at ad:tech San Francisco Conference on this subject. Here’s a couple of nuggets I like:

Now, for the first time, practical, easy-to-use technologies, applications and services make it possible for anyone to leverage the power of the audio and video without a broadcast network infrastructure, and without buying a single minute of satellite time. With the introduction of audio and video podcasting, the distribution of electronic media becomes a cost-effective and efficient channel for individuals and organizations to engage and communicate with qualified audiences.

NAFB also has its new directory (pictured) available. Listen here to hear the latest NAFB President’s Report.

NAFB, Podcasts

Play Pioneer Games

Chuck Zimmerman

Max The ProtectorYou have to have a Pioneer Growing Point login to have access but there’s some new video games in town. The first one is “Max The Protector.”

Sure, you’ve planted in all kinds of conditions, but have you planted on your desktop before? Use your mouse to plant in a variety of conditions, trying to avoid items like fencerows, trees and wet spots in the field. You must also navigate around pests like Soybean Cyst Nematode and Phytophthora Root Rot to score high yields. Help is available if you pick up bonus items from your Pioneer Sales rep and you will find a new level of protection by picking up Pioneer® Brand M-series soybeans.

Herculex I The DefenderThen there’s “Herculex I The Defender.”

Herculex I the Defender requires you to shoot wave after wave of destructive larvae. Shoot at the larvae to kill them – and stay behind the Herculex shield to protect you and your crops!

I like it when the bugs get splattered but I think my field was under serious attack and I will have to practice to get better.

Agribusiness

Cowboy Day In July

Chuck Zimmerman

Cowboy DayI did not know there was a National Day of the American Cowboy until I got an email from Ron Goldy. Actually Ron was letting me know that I could participate in the Cowboy.com (what a great domain name) pay per click program. You can find lots of stuff there.

We’re about to start accepting advertising here on AgWired but I’m not too interested in pay per click. We have an awesome audience here at AgWired and advertising rates are now available if you want them.

Uncategorized

Mentoring Tomorrow’s Communicators Today

Chuck Zimmerman

American Agricultural Editors AssociationIn case you AAEA members didn’t know it there’s now a student mentoring program underway. It’s really easy to get involved and share your talents with some of our communicators of tomorrow.

If you’re an AAEA member or student member of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow then you’re eligible. Sign up is easy. You can find the forms here.

I just sent mine in. I’m hoping to be matched up with a student who has an urge to blog!

AAEA

Max Out Your Cattle Operation

Chuck Zimmerman

Cattlemax SoftwareWho says cowboys don’t use computers? Of course they do and this software from Cattlesoft, Inc. is one of the programs that will help them manage their herds. It’s now out in the 2006 edition.

CattleMax is flexible so that ranches with ten head and those into the thousands will find CattleMax beneficial in their record-keeping needs. With customers in 49 U.S. states and 25 countries, CattleMax is THE leading cattle management software!

Agribusiness

R&K In Top 100 Again

Chuck Zimmerman

Rhea & KaiserSteve Rhea says they’re headed in the right direction. They being Rhea & Kaiser Marketing and Communications. This year Adweek ranked them number 83 in the top 100 agencies.

This marks another milestone for the agency, which broke into the prestigious Adweek list last year at No. 96. The annual Adweek Top 100 includes advertising agencies based in North America and is based on billings and revenue growth. In 2005, Rhea & Kaiser’s revenue grew 13.8 percent, with billings totaling $124 million. Rhea & Kaiser is not a newcomer to Adweek’s ratings. The agency has ranked in The Top 50 Midwestern Agencies list for the past three years.

Agencies

Nominate Your Favorite Red Meat Exec

Chuck Zimmerman

Knowlton AwardWho’s your favorite red meat industry executive? You might want to nominate him/her for the 8th annual Richard L. Knowlton Innovation Award. This award is given by Meatingplace and honors executives of the red meat industry who demonstrate exceptional business leadership, product or process innovation and overall exemplary corporate citizenship.

The award honors the legacy of the former Hormel Foods chairman, whose vision led Hormel into the then-emerging category of value-added foods to satisfy changing consumer needs. Knowlton changed Hormel’s corporate structure, reorganized its marketing and business functions, incorporated new technologies into production and launched the company on a program of product diversification. Eligible nominees include processors in upper management positions who have been affiliated with their company for a minimum of two years. The nomination process is open to anyone in or affiliated with the U.S. red meat processing industry.

The deadline for nominations is June 13, 2006. You can find out more about the award and how to nominates someone here.

BTW. I really like Meatingplace’s tagline, “In Print, Online.”

Food, Internet, Public Relations

Bader Rutter Rings The Bell

Chuck Zimmerman

Bader RutterBader Rutter cleaned up on some regional Business Marketing Association’s Bell Awards at the presentation in Milwaukee. Not all of them are for ag accounts.

Among the seven awards, Bader Rutter received two Bell Awards, the highest honor in a category, and garnered five Awards of Excellence in a variety of disciplines. The agency received Bell Awards in the Direct Mail Campaign/Flat division for its Dow AgroSciences LLC southern crop postcard series and in the Public Relations Campaign division for its Jefferson Wells “Increase Awareness and Familiarity” campaign.

Agencies