MFA President/CEO Bill Streeter

Chuck Zimmerman

MFA Bill StreeterDuring the MFA, Inc. annual meeting President/CEO Bill Streeter took the stage. During his remarks he reviewed the history of this 100 year old farmer cooperative, the oldest in the United States. Before we got started this morning I sat down with him to get his thoughts on this historic occasion. He’s proud of MFA members and employees and optimistic for the future.

You can listen to Bill’s Remarks here: MFA President/CEO Bill Streeter Remarks

You can listen to my interview with Bill here: Interview with MFA President/CEO Bill Streeter

MFA, Inc. 100 Yrs. Annual Mtg. Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio

Missouri Dignitaries Address MFA Annual Mtg.

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Governor Jay NixonOn today’s program at the MFA, Inc. annual meeting were Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Senator Roy Blunt. I recorded their comments to share with you.

Governor Nixon stressed the importance of exports of Missouri ag products. “”Won’t it be nice if someday you can go into a shop in Beijing, China and it says Made in Missouri?”

You can listen to Governor Nixon’s Remarks here: Missouri Governor Jay Nixon Remarks

Missouri Senator Roy BluntSenator Blunt talked about how important the continued development of renewable fuels is to rural America and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

You can listen to Senator Blunt’s Remarks here: Missouri Senator Roy Blunt Remarks

This afternoon at the conclusion of the annual meeting everyone is invited to take part in a group photo. I’ll be helping shoot that one.

MFA, Inc. 100 Yrs. Annual Mtg. Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio

Prince Agri Sponsors Dairy Nutrition Symposium

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Robert CorbettThe opening speaker at the Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop pre-conference symposium, sponsored by Prince Agri Products, was Dr. Robert Corbett, Dairy Health Consultation. His focus was on how nutritional and management practices can have a major impact on a dairy cow’s immune system during the transition period. I spoke with him after his presentation.

He says that minimizing stress in close-up and fresh cows is important in supporting their health, milk production and reproductive efficiency. He also noted that dairy cows experience a suppressed immune system at parturition, caused by the release of the stress hormone, cortisol, which makes them more susceptible to mastitis and a host of other health disorders. Elevated blood cortisol, he explained, causes white blood cells, known as neutrophils, to lose their ability to fight infections.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Corbett here: Interview with Dr. Robert Corbett

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Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Dairy, Video

Show How Much You Like Being an AAEA Member

Talia Goes

AAEAHow much do you love being an AAEA member and want the organization to grow? Enough to win $100? Shout it from your iPhone, Go Pro, Skype screen or whatever video contraption you’d like. The new I M AAEA video testimonial contest will give you the opportunity to win cash prizes!

The video contest is open to all AAEA members, and will recognize creative videos that highlight why you like being an AAEA member, what value you believe the organization brings, etc.

Winners will receive $100 Visa gift cards. Videos will be showcased on the AAEA YouTube channel and used in promotions to prospective members.

Tell your I M AAEA story in a 30 – 60 second video. Videos will be judged on creativity, relevance and message (no need to provide a high-quality film). You only have 30 to 60 seconds – have fun with this contest!

To enter, email (or DropBox) your video file to AAEA associate director Kenna Rathai. In the email/message, include your name, company, email address and phone number. The deadline for entry is Monday, Dec. 9.

ACN, Media

Miss Missouri at MFA Annual Mtg.

Chuck Zimmerman

Shelby and Don MillsWelcoming us to the start of the MFA, Inc. annual meeting is Don Mills, Chairman of the Board. He’s pictured here with Shelby Ringdahl, current Miss Missouri. Shelby will be signing the National Anthem for us.

I spoke to both of them prior to the start of today’s activities. Shelby says she’s seen a lot of local companies come and go already in her life and to be able to be on stage with MFA celebrating 100 yrs. is “wonderful.”

You can listen to my interview with Shelby here: Interview with Shelby Ringdahl

Don is a beef cattle farmer from Southwest Missouri. He’s been Chairman of the MFA board for 4 years and says he has as fun job today. On the program will be Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Senator Roy Blunt.

You can listen to my interview with Don here to learn more about MFA and how it is celebrating 100 years: Interview with Don Mills

MFA, Inc. 100 Yrs. Annual Mtg. Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Cooperatives

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Agrivida, Inc., a biotechnology company developing technologies for animal nutrition, cellulosic sugars from biomass, and regulated enzymes, announced the appointment of Dan Meagher as Chief Executive Officer.
  • Nigerian Strategic Grain Reserve and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development conducted a technical walkthrough of a pioneering electronic warehouse receipt platform deployed by Africa Exchange Holdings, which enables Nigerian farmers, cooperatives and traders to safely store their produce at accredited warehouses and access financing.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announces its newly-elected 2014 officers, as well as directors elected at its recent annual meeting to the AEM Board of Directors and AG and CE Sector Boards
  • In recognition of Bayer CropScience’s ongoing commitment to agricultural sustainability, RFD-TV will feature the company in a segment on American Farmer to run Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8:30 a.m. EST.
Zimfo Bytes

Small Numbers But Growing Market

Jamie Johansen

nafb-13-22-editedHerd numbers are down this year in the beef community, but enthusiasm is high. Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) Chairman, Weldon Wynn was on hand at this year’s Trade Talk during the NAFB Convention. There is no doubt that the checkoff dollar is slim, but Weldon said they are making that dollar stretch.

Weldon went on to discuss our international market, how successful it has been and how much better it could be if we had the numbers. With the demand present, all we need to do now is grow our herds.

“Today in the foreign market with USMEF, one of our contractors, anytime we sell a calf we are getting back $234.00 in return for every head we are sending abroad. It’s really working in the foreign marketing end of it.”

The CBB has also put a lot of research into marketing to the millennial generation. And it seems social media marketing is key to educate this group of techies. They are sharing recipes online, answering questions via social media outlets and remembering the power of photo sharing.

The CBB and NCBA are also making final arrangements for this year’s Cattlemen’s Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Music City will play home to the coveted event held February 4-7, 2014. Mark your calendars and plan your vacation to Nashville where you can have your voice heard on decisions that will shape your beef community.

Listen to my complete interview with Weldon here: Interview with Weldon Wynn

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Media, NAFB, NCBA

MFA, Inc. Annual Mtg. Livestream

Chuck Zimmerman

Face of MFAI’m calling him the face of MFA. He’s the man in the cold (one of many) who directed me to my parking spot for today’s MFA, Inc. annual meeting and 100 yr. Celebration. MFA, Inc. is the oldest farmer owned cooperative in the United States. I learned that today.

MFA Annual Mtg.I’m going to try to livestream today’s program which starts at about 10am central. Hopefully the internet will cooperate. It’s kind of a spur of the moment thing but why not. I’ve already got several interviews to share with you as soon as I can. MFA expects up to 2,000 people here today at the Missouri State Fairgrounds. It’s going to be a party! With a little business thrown in….

Post Update: Thanks to all of you who tuned in for today’s livestream. Wish we could do more of them!

You can find my photos from today’s event here: MFA, Inc. 100 Yrs. Annual Mtg. Photo Album

Agribusiness

Raven’s Commitment to Innovative Tech

Jamie Johansen

nafb-13-24-editedRaven Industries is always working on something. During the recent NAFB Convention’s Trade Talk, I met up with Raven’s Marketing and Business Development Manager, Ryan Molitor. He expressed Raven’s desire to continue to add new technologies to the precision marketplace as well as improve on their existing products.

“One of the things we really invest a lot in is training our dealers on not just supporting and servicing our equipment but helping them better educate growers on the benefits of precision ag technology. It’s pretty diverse from a technology standpoint. There is a lot of different technology out there. Growers and producers have a lot of diverse needs also. It is important to talk to them and understand their individual operations and where the technology can fit for them.”

Raven introduced many different technologies earlier this year. Ryan said the feedback they have received from their beta testers has been great. In my interview he discusses their direct injection technology, data management for ag retailers and producers and their multiple hybrid planter control. Their newest precision equipment to hit the marketplace is their yield monitoring system and Ryan shares what growers have said about it’s acute accuracy.

Listen to my complete interview with Ryan here: Interview with Ryan Molitor

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Media, NAFB, Precision Agriculture, Technology

State Ag Directors Visit NAFB 2013

Leah Guffey

_DSC2671 copyFive State Ag Directors took part in a panel discussion with farm broadcasters Friday in Kansas City at the 70th Annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention. California Secretary Karen Ross, Kansas Secretary Dale Rodman, Louisiana Commissioner Michael Strain, Nebraska Director Greg Ibach and North Dakota Commissioner Doug Goehring spent about an hour and a half discussing the differing issues that each of their states are facing and how they are working to combat individual challenges. In addition to what challenges they face together and how they are teaming up to solve them.

Host of AgriTalk, Mike Adams, moderated the discussion. Listen to or download all the comments of these state directors here: State Ag Directors Panel Discussion

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Audio, Media, NAFB