I did a whole lot of PT on my recovering shoulder out in a field west of Minot, ND. It was a Bayer Showcase Plot Tour and a beautifully sunny day, with lots of wind. Glad I brought my wind screen for the Golden ZimmComm Microphone! The focus was on cereal crops as well as products for soybeans, canola and …
ZimmCast with NCGA Communications
In this week’s episode of the ZimmCast I talk with Mary Hagan, Vice President of Communications, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Although Mary didn’t imagine a career working in agricultural communications she has become a farm lover after the opportunity to work for NCGA came about. Mary’s background has suited her well to work on some of the challenges facing …
ZimmCast with ASTA Communications
A new week, a new ZimmCast episode, with Bethany Shively, Director of Communications, American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). Cindy spoke with Bethany at the recent ASTA annual meeting. First up in the discussion is the Better Seed, Better Life program, an educational communications effort. Another project they talk about is one involving the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with …
USDA Reports Record High Soybean Acreage, Corn Acres Down
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is estimating a record high 89.5 million acres of soybeans planted in the U.S. for 2017. That’s up seven percent from last year. Corn acres are looking to be down about three percent. All cotton acreage for 2017 is estimated at 12.1 million acres, 20 percent above last year, while all wheat planted …
The BEEFabulous App
Need beef recipes? The California Beef Council has you covered. Does this sound familiar? You’re in the grocery store and you see a special on Chuck Roast, but you’re not sure what to do with a Chuck Roast–Slow-cook? Braise? (What’s “braise,” anyway?) Or you need meal options that are fast, satisfying and nutritious. Or you know that if you’re tired …
AgNewsWire vs. AgWired
This post has been a while in the making. Why a while? Because ZimmComm New Media, LLC pioneered something called many names like new media, social media, social network, blogs, podcasts and we’ve been developing and changing them in many ways over the last 13+ years. I think we can now more easily define our services. Late last year for …
ZimmCast with NGFA Communications
With this week’s program I’m starting a series of podcasts with the communications directors of agricultural organizations. I thought it would be interesting and hopefully entertaining to talk with the people who are helping communicate their organization’s message to various audiences, which includes their own members. I hope they will share some of the methods they are employing to get …
The GROWMARK Endure Initiative Grows
The GROWMARK Endure sustainability initiative is enduring. For the second year GROWMARK has announced winners of the Endure 4R Advocate award. They are: Adam Dexter – West Central FS – Williamsfield, Illinois Don Jones – GROWMARK FS – New York/Pennsylvania Jay Matthews – AgVantage FS – Charles City, Iowa John Musser – Stephenson Service Company – Stockton, Illinois Nicole Weber …
Mexico’s Adoption of E10 Applauded
It looks like Mexico is jumping deeper into ethanol as a renewable fuel. The Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announced recently a change that will increase the maximum amount of ethanol that can be blended in Mexican gas supplies from 5.8 percent to 10 percent, except in the cities of Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City. The announcement modifies the Mexican …
Staying Credible in a ‘Fake News’ World
AAEA, The Ag Communicators Network, is holding a webinar right now titled, “Staying Credible in a “Fake News” World.” The webinar has a panel including veteran ag journalists Chris Clayton, DTN/Progressive Farmer, Willie Vogt, Penton Agriculture, and Betsy Freese, Meredith AgriMedia. They’ll discuss how ag journalists and communicators can advocate for trust in the media, writing for rural America, and …