Promoting Ethanol At The MO State Fair

Chuck Zimmerman

CornTalk PodcastFirst it was hot and dry and now it’s cool and wet. That’s the way it goes at the Missouri State Fair. In the Missouri Corn Growers Association CornTalk program this week, summer intern Rachel Nivens talks about what the organization is doing, including promoting ethanol and displaying their flex fuel Chevrolet Tahoe. They plan to present Missouri Senator Jim Talent with an appreciation award on Thursday as well.

Ag Groups, Corn, Podcasts

Producer Panel At NAMA Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Boot CampIn just a few minutes I’m going to be on a conference call with the panelists for Wednesday evening’s NAMA Boot Camp producer panel. They’ll give attendees an opportunity to “Hear first hand how to effectively communicate with the end user.” Featured guests will include lifestyle and large operators.

NAMA

The Art of Dairy On The ZimmCast

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 29 - Tom McKittrickHow much do you know about the World Dairy Expo? Now you can learn more by listening to this week’s ZimmCast. I interviewed World Dairy Expo, general manager, Tom McKittrick in his office recently. Tom describes the history, mission, purpose, theme and structure of the Expo. Many of you probably already know this but we’re also operating a weblog called “World Dairy Diary” in cooperation with World Dairy Expo. Look for more on the Expo in coming months. AgWired will be there blogging the show!

Audio, Farm Shows, Podcasts, World Dairy Expo, ZimmCast

Hot Topics Served Up By Valent

Chuck Zimmerman

ValentValent was serving up “Hot Topics” at the recent Ag Media Summit. Like many exhibitors they weren’t there to make a major announcement but to build relationships with agricultural editors. Now I like hot sauce so they got my attention with the materials in their booth. For example, we received a CD that was labelled like a bottle of Tabasco sauce that contained recent news releases and personnell bios. I wish it had included images (logos, etc.) and some audio. Additionally they had questions and answers on little cards attached by a piece of ribbon to tiny bottles of Tabasco sauce.

Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness

Almost 1.1 million U S Farms Have Internet Access

Chuck Zimmerman

National Agricultural Statistics ServiceIt’s really official that 51 percent of U S farms have internet access now! That’s up 3 percent from 2003. The percentage of increase is smaller than in past surveys showing some levelling off in farms obtaining internet access. This makes some sense when you consider that the average age of a farmer continues to move upward. I can’t see the number declining though and at 51 percent that means that almost 1.1 million farms are online! That’s a significant number.

Audio, USDA

BASF Enforcing Clearfield Agreements

Chuck Zimmerman

Clearfield Production SystemWhat do you do when you expect some negative customer feedback? Send out a news release explaining your actions! That’s what BASF did to explain their pursuit of farmers using saved seed from their Clearfield agreements. In this case with a group of Arkansas rice growers. Although I only have the facts stated in the release I think most people would agree that if you enter into an agreement you ought to abide by it. At least that’s what I was always taught.

Agribusiness