AgChat Foundation Photo Contest Winner

Chuck Zimmerman

The AgChat Foundation just announced the winner of their Facebook Cover Photo Contest. Congratulations to Judi Graff for having the top pick and winning $100.00. Her photo titled “Posts Smell Tweet” earned the honor of being AgChat Foundation’s first ever cover photo! Go check it out on our Facebook page now.

Ag Groups

ARC Elects New Officers

Chuck Zimmerman

The Agricultural Relations Council held its business meeting this morning. New officers were elected that include: Mace Thornton, President, Mike Opperman, First vice President, Janice Person, Second Vice President, Rebecca Colnar, Secretary/Treasurer, Deron Johnson, Immediate Past President, Erik Ness, Director, Amy Keith McDonald, Director, Daren R. Williams, Director, Keri Geffert English, Director. Congratulations to all of them. The organization is …

ARC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

Wyffels Hybrids rolled out 27 new products, including 12 new base genetics, for 2013. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., announces the three recipients of its annual Advancement in PRRS Research Awards. Thousands of FFA members from 856 FFA chapters in 12 states have finished a huge effort to connect with local farmers, and many of those members dedicated to agricultural education …

Zimfo Bytes

Then vs. Now — Cultivation

Melissa Sandfort

I thought I’d take advantage of some of the technology sitting on my desk and change it up a little this week. I have the pleasure of listening to stories from my grandfather and thought maybe you all would like to hear them too, so I put grandpa on the spot and recorded snippits of our interview. Today we’re going …

Audio

Communicating The Illinois Farm Family Message

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the members of our first panel discussion at the 2012 Agricultural Relations Council annual meeting is Carla Mudd, Illinois Farm Bureau. She is Manager of Consumer Communication with the task of educating non-farm folks about Illinois family farmers. One of the ways she’s doing that is through Illinois Farm Families, a coalition of several Illinois farm groups. Carla …

Ag Groups, ARC, Audio

2012 ARC Annual Meeting Underway

Chuck Zimmerman

The 2012 Agricultural Relations Council is underway and it is one of the largest in many years. Welcoming us today is Mace Thornton, AFBF, who is serving as President of ARC this year. We’re inside this afternoon for presentations before going on a farm tour tomorrow that includes a visit to the Clemson Research Center. Annual Golden ARC awards are …

ARC, Media

Precision Laboratories Announces Mix Tank 2.0

Chuck Zimmerman

Today Precision Laboratories released Mix Tank 2.0, the new version of their Mix Tank App released a year ago. The new version in now available for Android in addition to the Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad). According to this morning’s announcement it should show up in both stores by later today. The company just held a webinar for media that included comments …

Agribusiness, Apps, Audio, Precision Agriculture

ARC Board Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello from the 2012 Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting. The ARC board is hard at it this morning in advance of our midday welcome and first educational session. That session will be on “Building Bridges: Farm Organizations/Consumer Outreach Panel.” I’ll be taking some photos and doing some interviews which will be posted here on AgWired so don’t despair if you …

ARC

Organic Not Healthier than Conventional Food

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is “Organic” food healthier than “Conventional” food?” The majority of respondents said No at 60 percent with only 40 percent saying Yes. Most of the people I know don’t think organic means healthier and although they like I will eat something that is certified organic we just don’t want to pay more for it. …

ZimmPoll

Rep. Sam Graves on Beltway Beef

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s latest “Beltway Beef” podcast features comments from Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO), who is also a farmer from Northwest Missouri, about a couple of important issues for agriculture – farm bill, the “death tax,” and government regulation. “It’s not really a farm bill, it’s a food policy bill,” said Rep. Graves. “It’s about the safest, most …

Audio, NCBA