There are two big issues for corn growers this year in Washington, DC, climate change and higher blends for ethanol. I spoke with two representatives of the National Corn Growers Association at NAFB’s Washington Watch Issues Forum about them. Unlike the weather, not only is everybody talking about climate change, but they are trying to do something about it – …
Twitter Farming
During the last couple weeks I’ve seen more growth in agricultural interests using Twitter than ever. I’m talking companies, agencies, farmers, ag media. This is a great sign. One of my favorite posts on Twitter yesterday started out, “Tweeting from tractor . . . ” Yes folks, your customers and members are there. Are you? If not, why not? I’d …
Zimfo Bytes
Marrone Organic Innovations, Inc., has revised its name to Marrone Bio Innvations, Inc., in a move to more accurately represent the company’s leadership in the discovery and development of effective and environmentally responsible pesticide active ingredients from novel biological sources. Neogen Corporation has acquired International Diagnostic Systems Corp. A part of IDS’s operations will be relocated to and integrated with …
What’s Up In Washington
Hello and welcome to another ZimmCast. This week I’m going to feature a couple of the interviews I did at last week’s NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum. Up first after opening comments is Mark Maslyn, Executive Director, Public Policy, American Farm Bureau Federation. He’s seen here getting all fired up in an interview with Tricia Braid Terry, RFD Radio. That’s …
Community Chatter on SDSU’s Chicoine-Monsanto Deal
Monsanto Company announced a few weeks ago the appointment of David L. Chicoine, Ph.D., to the company’s Board of Directors. Dr. Chicoine is currently president of South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, South Dakota. Dr. Chicoine is also a nationally recognized economist, specializing in public finance, taxation and rural economies. Prior to joining SDSU in 2007, Dr. Chicoine held …
Search engine optimization and YOU
Can SEO’s and Journalists Really Be Friends? This was the question asked by Rachelle Money at CyberJournalist.net. Because journalists often shy away from “stuffing” key words into their articles to gain online traffic, Money explains the art of using SEO’s and how journalists can use them to improve their writing. The SEO mantra: ‘content is king’ is one shared by …
Trucking The Agricultural Highway
Let’s practice a little safe trucking out there guys. Okay? The American Trucking Associations’ Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) recently released the Manager’s Guide to Safe Trucking During Agricultural Planting and Harvest Season. Available free for download at AFTC’s webpage, this guide provides educational resources for truck drivers and their managers in the agricultural industry, encouraging active strategies to …
United Soybean Board Supporting Animal Agriculture
Rick Stearn is chairman of the production committee for the United Soybean Board. He was attending the NAFB Washington Watch Issues Forum. The United Soybean Board was a major sponsor and had people on hand like Rick to address issues like animal agriculture and the impact of animal rights groups. The reason for this Rick says is because domestic animal …
Help Peanut Producers and Stamp Out Hunger
You can help stamp out hunger while helping America’s peanut producers. The Georgia Peanut Commission urges consumers to support the peanut industry by donating jars of peanut butter for the U.S. Postal Service Stamp out Hunger day on Saturday, May 9. This event is the nation’s largest annual single-day food drive. On Saturday, letter carriers in more than 10,000 communities …
Monsanto Planting Updates
Monsanto keeps moving forward into the online conversation with regular Planting Updates. Do you think these are that much different than the news you get from the “regular media.” Tyne Morgan is the Monsanto “reporter” out in the field. In this episode you not only get a planting update you also hear what farmers think the general public thinks of …