Unconfusing the Confused Consumer

Chuck Zimmerman

Recent information shows that the meat industry in this country has a lot of work to do with the American consumer. At the recent 2013 Annual Meat Conference in Nashville Michael Uetz with Midan Marketing, spoke during one of the sessions titled, “Demystifying the Meat Case for Today’s Confused Consumer.” “We were shocked when we went in and talked with …

Ag Groups, Audio, Elanco, Food, Meat

King Richard Talks Smithfield at Meat Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the greatest race car drivers of all time, “King” Richard Petty was at the 2013 Annual Meat Conference in Nashville, talking up one of the sponsors of his NASCAR team, Smithfield Foods. “This is first time I’ve ever been to a show like this, but it looks pretty interesting,” he said during an interview, jokingly adding that he …

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Meat

New Holland Commodity Classic Boomer Winners

Chuck Zimmerman

The New Holland drawing drew a typically large crowd to their exhibit during this afternoon’s Commodity Classic trade show. Growers who completed the demographic information on their registration form were automatically entered to win a New Holland Boomer 20 Compact Tractor. AgriTalks’s host Mike Adams announced the drawing again and the winners are Melvin & Patricia Cripe of Michigan. Actually …

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, New Holland, Tractor

Commodity Classic Trade Show Open

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s official. The Commodity Classic trade show is now open. The ribbon has been cut. There are over 1,000 exhibitors this year for the show. Wish we could stop and visit with all of them. We can’t but we’ll be sharing interviews with as many as we have time to. 2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, Commodity Classic

Commodity Classic Breaking Records

Chuck Zimmerman

The numbers are suggesting that this year’s Commodity Classic will be another record buster. I visited with Patrick Delaney, Communications Director, American Soybean Association, in the media room to get an early look at how things are shaping up for this year’s combined annual meetings of the ASA, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum …

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic

Welcome to 2013 Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

Welcome to the 2013 Commodity Classic. The ZimmComm Team is here. Actually, Cindy is off on an adventure with our sponsor, BASF, while I got things started here in the Commodity Classic Media Room. Jamie Johansen will be joining us late this evening. So expect lots of stories from the trade show, the general sessions, participating organizations, press conferences. We’ll …

Ag Groups, Commodity Classic

Bayer CropScience Announces Balance GT Soybeans

Chuck Zimmerman

We recently knew it as FG72 Soybeans. Now it is Balance GT Soybeans! Bayer CropScience and MS Technologies announced the new soybean performance system during the annual Ag Issues Forum here in Kissimmee. To learn more about it I got perspectives and information from both sides by visiting with Lauren August, MS Technologies Brand Manager, and Eric Peters, Soybean Herbicide …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Seed, Soybean

Bayer Ag Issues Forum Sustainability Discussion

Chuck Zimmerman

Sustainability. What does it mean to you? There is no real good definition. I like what Frank Sesno, moderator for the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum (pictured on left), said during his introduction of a session on day one, “I think if I had my druthers I’d ban it altogether because it’s such a catch all.” That it is! The …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Sustainability

8th Annual Bayer Ag Issues Forum

Chuck Zimmerman

After surviving an evening of entertainment with Jerrod Niemann (photos in album) the agricultural journalists gathered here in Kissimmee for the 8th annual Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum are up and at ’em for round two. I spoke with Beth Roden, Bayer CropScience Director of Communications, to find out about the history of the event and how it is going. …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

Taking a Look Back at Agriculture From the Future

Chuck Zimmerman

Let’s pretend we’re in the future as in 2025 or 2050 and take a look back at agricultural production. Let’s do it with Rich Kottmeyer, Senior Executive and Global Agriculture & Food Production Leader, Accenture. That’s what we watched Rich do on stage during the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum and that’s what I asked him to do when we …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Technology