The Cattle Industry Summer Conference 2011 might have officially ended last Thursday afternoon, but the work for most is just ramping up. I had a chance to speak with Rod Nulik, who is the chair of the Allied Industry Council group, to discuss some of the issues they would be focused on in the coming months. Nulik explained that the …
What’s New With Becker Underwood
At the Ag Media Summit I visited with Russ Berndt, Becker Underwood. I asked him what’s new. Russ says one of the relatively new products he’d like to point to is their Vault HP product line. He says they had a phenomenal increase in sales last year. You’ll hear him explain why in our interview. He says that the ag …
Social Media at AgCareers.com Ag HR Roundtable
This edition of the ZimmCast features a couple of interviews from the AgCareers.com 2011 Ag HR Roundtable held last week in West Lafayette, Indiana where social media in the spotlight – like it is everywhere! One of the featured speakers at the event was Eve Mayer Orsburn, CEO of Social Media Delivered, one of the largest social media optimization companies …
Baby Raccoons?
What do you get when you cross a Black Kitty with a raccoon? Four odd-looking baby kittens! I doubt if Black Kitty mated with a raccoon, but her offspring sure look as though she did. These newborn kittens have gray bodies, black heads and ringed tails. They’re the oddest foursome I’ve ever seen – and faces only a mother (and …
Zimfo Bytes
The USDA announces that the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order is now effective. The USDA announced that Washington state sweet cherry growers will vote Nov. 5 through Nov. 18, 2011, on whether to continue their federal marketing order. Furniture Row Racing announced that its No. 78 Sprint Cup Chevrolet, driven by Regan Smith, will display …
Amanda Radke – Chidren’s Book Author
Former AgWired contributor and current daily blog editor for BEEF Magazine Amanda Radke is now a published author of a new book for kids. “I’m pleased to announce the release of “Levi’s Lost Calf” (ISBN 1463514425), an illustrated children’s book that offers young readers a glimpse of life on a working cattle ranch,” Amanda said in an email to friends …
John Deere Gearing Up For Major Product Launch
At the Ag Media Summit I visited with Barry Nelson, John Deere, to find out what’s new. There is definitely going to be something new from John Deere very soon he says. “On August 24th and 25th we are going to have the largest most significant product introduction in our history.” Barry says the new equipment will be unveiled at …
Parting Comments from Ag HR Roundtable
By any measure, the 9th AgCareers.com North American Ag HR Roundtable was a big success and next year will likely be even bigger and better. I talked with Emily Gray with the University of Tennessee College of Ag Sciences and Natural Resources who has attended every one of the nine roundtables. “This is a very valuable event,” she told me. …
The Importance of Soft Skills to Employers
Soft skills are as important in the job market as software is to a computer. Soft skills include areas such as communications, leadership, problem-solving, self-management and professionalism – some of which must be developed over time rather than taught in a classroom – but the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) is taking a look at how their courses …
Fishing In The Heat Wave
After taking care of business at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference a few of us had to get a little R&R. So we followed Gary Cooper, Southeast AgNet, to his place at Cedar Island at Keaton Beach. Tagging along are Mike Deering, NCBA and Evan Slack, the Evan Slack Radio Network. Today’s Evan’s birthday so make sure you wish him …