The 2012 NAMA Boot Camp just got underway in Kansas City, Mo. Those just entering the working world, as well as veterans have come together to learn more about the agri-marketing industry. I had the opportunity to chat with Erin Nash with Woodruff Sweitzer and the events chair person, about what attendees can look forward to in the coming days. …
Poll Reveals a Close Presidential Race
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Which team for President would be best for agriculture?” Our poll results: Forty-two percent said Romney/Ryan; thirty-five percent said Obama/Biden and twenty-three percent said neither, we need a better choice. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Beyond commodity prices, what will this year’s drought have a greater impact on?” From …
Zimfo Bytes
The Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour provides accurate late-season information about likely corn and soybean yields during the upcoming harvest season at the state and regional level. The Meat Industry Hall of Fame is delighted to announce Dr. Temple Grandin will deliver the keynote presentation at the Annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner. Rhea + Kaiser has recently promoted four current …
Poultry Groups Pleased RFS Waiver Process to Start
Add Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to those calling on the EPA to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). In a letter to the EPA (available from the National Chicken Council website), Deal joins Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe and North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue asking for the waiver because of the impact the drought is having on corn. The EPA has …
AG CONNECT Previews Lineup at Ag Media Summit
It might be a few months off, but it’s certainly not too early to think about the coming AG CONNECT Expo, January 29-31, 2013 in Kansas City, MO. At the recent Ag Media Summit, I caught up with AG CONNECT show manager Sara Mooney, who says the show will include several co-located meetings and a chance to meet the Masters …
Monsanto Announces New Leadership
Monsanto Company recently announced Brett Begemann as their President and Chief Commercial Officer. He will lead the oversight and operational execution of the company’s near-term expansion and growth in key international markets. Hugh Grant will continue to serve as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, where he maintains ongoing responsibility for leading the company’s long-term corporate strategy. “Brett has served …
Come for Beach, Stay for Info at BIVI Swine Seminar
Lots of good information and a chance for plenty of questions at the recent 12th annual Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar held in North Carolina. I talked with Mike Neil with Murphy Brown in Virginia. While he (kiddingly) said he comes for the beach, it’s really the amount of information valuable to his company that brings him there. “It …
Wine Making in Sweden
Wine making in Sweden? You betcha. During the 2012 IFAJ Congress some of us toured Blaxsta Vineyard. We also sampled a merlot while we were there. The grapes for this particular wine came from Canadian vineyards of French stock. Blaxsta Vineyard is located near Stockholm and is about as far north as you can grow grapes to make some good …
It’s Agvocacy Time
It’s just about time for the 2012 AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Training Conference. Things will kick off tomorrow with a board meeting of the AgChat Foundation followed by an Agtastic Tweet-Up which the attendees of the NAMA Boot Camp are invited to. Then the program kicks off in high gear on Thursday morning. Jamie Johansen and I will be on …
Organic Pig Farming
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. A group of agricultural journalists from many countries playing with some organic pigs. This is on the Asbergby Farm during the 2012 IFAJ Congress. We met Olle and Catharina Linder who are organic farmers raising pigs and cattle. You can see how they keep their pigs in the video. What do you think of …