In this holiday shortened week the ZimmCast will feature two interviews I conducted at the recent NAFB convention to find out what’s new in the world of agribusiness from Trimble and Pioneer Hi-Bred. I interviewed George Huber, Trimble, who talks about virtual reference stations and “the connected farm.” He says this allows you to get data to and from your …
NAFB Foundation Toy Tractors Make Great Gifts
Here is the perfect present for that tractor lover on your list – the 2009 NAFB Foundation Farmall Super M model tractor by Joe Ertl. Ertl has personally autographed each of the numbered Farmall Super M 1/16 scale toy tractors for NAFB. To make it even more special for the organization, Joe designed and mounted a replica of a tractor …
Farm Broadcaster of the Year Unemployed
Just a couple of weeks ago, former NAFB president Ken Root was grinning from ear to ear as he accepted the coveted Farm Broadcaster of the Year award from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. This week, he was unceremoniously let go by a company that has a reputation for not appreciating the work of talented and respected farm broadcasters. …
Mapping The Swine Genome
The Vice President of the National Pork Board is Gene Nemecheck. I met him at the NAFB Trade Talk session in Kansas City, MO. Gene is a veterinarian with Tyson. I asked him “What’s new with the Pork Board?” and he says that the swine genomic project just recently reached completion. He says that after years of work by a …
What’s New From CaseIH
Tom Dean is the Marketing Manager for high horsepower tractors at Case IH (seen here in his NAFB Trade Talk booth). He says those are classified as 100+ horsepower. He says what’s new is the Magnum CVT Line. CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. He says the tractors are just now shipping this month. They’re very simple to operate for …
John Deere and Chip Foose Big Buck
This is Chip Foose on a John Deere 4020 that he’s getting ready to customize. The tractor is the focal point of a new giveaway and purchase incentive program the company is offering in 2010. They’re calling it the Big Buck Sales Event. I got a preview of what it’s all about at the recent NAFB Convention from Barry Nelson, …
Farm Bureau Pleased at Delay of Climate Bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased with a decision by Senate leadership last week to delay consideration of climate change legislation until the spring of 2010. I talked with AFBF president Bob Stallman about that legislation and a number of other issues affecting agriculture during the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting. Stallman says they opposed the …
Farm Foundation Focuses on Future
Farm Foundation is a 76 year old organization for agriculture that never stops looking ahead. Last month’s Farm Foundation “30-Year Policy Conference” drew agribusiness leaders, government officials, and other interested parties. “Because 30 years from now, we’re going to be looking at over 9 billion people on the planet and with rising incomes, people begin to eat more meat and …
You’ve Got To Love Farmers
Annalisa Clarke manages I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul. In the AEM AGCONNECT Expo booth at the NAFB Trade Talk I spoke with her about the campaign. She says they’ve started a new media campaign they’ve started to promote agriculture. It’s targeted to individuals 14-24 years old who she calls “digital natives.” She says they’re allowing them to communicate …
Soybean Growers Can Ask Questions of USB Experts
This is the next installment in our series about Expert Advice from the United Soybean Board. While attending the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention I spoke with USB Treasurer Marc Curtis who farms in Mississippi. Marc serves on the USB Production Committee so he’s especially happy that the organization can offer Expert Advice to soybean growers via a regular …