David Schmidt, Country Life in BC, was this year’s recipient of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented to David for his outstanding commitment to the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation and to the agricultural communications or media industries. Presenting the award to David is Tamara Leigh. David made a point of saying that he doesn’t …
New Holland BigBaler at @WDExpo
The New Holland Agriculture BigBaler 340 Plus was on the lot at the 2016 World Dairy Expo for dairy farmers to see how the new model builds on the brand’s leadership in the large square baler market. Seth Doman, Hay & Forage Marketing Segment Leader for New Holland North America, said their customers are lining up to see this machine …
I AM @USFRA – Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare
Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, who farms with her husband in west central Illinois, just joined the board of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) about a year ago to represent the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and she has already learned a great deal. “I still feel a little bit like a newbie,” Roberta says. “It’s very interesting to learn what USFRA …
#Dairy Checkoff Seminar at @WDExpo
A series of educational seminars are offered to participants each year at World Dairy Expo, and one of the first seminars offered this year dove into the success seen by many recent investments made using dairy checkoff dollars. The seminar, hosted by Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc, looked at the different ways that effective advertising and marketing of …
RealAg Radio Debuting on SiriusXM Rural Radio Ch. 147
Rural Radio Channel 147 on SiriusXM will launch a new radio series called “RealAg Radio.” This new program is produced by RealAgriculture.com and hosted by my friend Shaun Haney and Kelvin Heppner. The series debuts as Canada’s only daily, one hour ag show, broadcast across the country featuring the latest headlines from around the world of Canadian agriculture with discussions …
The Dairy Legacy Behind Miss Madison
We have already introduced you to Miss Madison, a gift from World Dairy Expo (WDE) to the Alliant Energy Center in celebration of the event’s 50th Anniversary. Now let’s dive deeper into how she represents the past 50 year legacy of the global dairy community and the people behind it. The 6,900-pound cow, carved from Dakota Mahogany stone, was commissioned …
Role of Freelancers at #CFWF16
In today’s media there is a great opportunity for freelancers. The Canadian Farm Writers Federation invited a panel to discuss this topic. On the panel were Leeann Minogue, Editor, Grainews (pictured); Allison Finnamore, FCC Express & FCC Agribusiness, Agri-Food Weekly and Tamara Leigh, Principal at Shiny Bird Communications. I visited with Leann after the session and asked her for some …
Welcome to #CFWF16 – Saskatchewan Surprise
We’re getting a Saskatchewan Surprise in Saskatoon for the 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation annual meeting. Our reception and dinner were held in the Western Development Museum. The opening reception featured welcoming comments from the Honorable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture, Province of Saskatchewan. Stewart says, “Agriculture in Saskatchewan is part of our identity here. To some we’re known for …
The Cuban Gold Rush
Few Americans can say they have stepped foot on Cuban soil. Even fewer can say they had the opportunity as a journalist and yet even fewer as an agricultural journalist. Luckily, I am one of those who can answer yes to all of the above. Thanks to the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) and Alltech, I recently traveled to Cuba …
Get Consumer Marketing Inspiration for Ag Marketing Success
One of the breakout sessions during the NAMA Fall Conference was a presentation by Stacie Marshall, Bayer CropScience. The session title was “Working Together to Help Growers: What Agriculture Can Learn From Consumer Marketing.” Stacie started out by dispelling some myths about farmers that she has heard, even from people involved in agricultural marketing. For example, some people still believe …