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Talia Goes

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  • On November 21st and 22nd, the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguazú will be the venue of the 1st Agricultural Forum of South America.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with the National Peanut Buying Points Association and peanut food manufacturers, will host the 2013 Farmer Appreciation Day at the GPC office located in Tifton, Ga., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013.
  • The U.S. Pork Center of Excellence launched the National Swine Reproduction Guide, a web-based application offering valuable information to hog producers.
  • USDA today released its final tally for agricultural exports in Fiscal Year 2013, showing a new record of $140.9 billion.
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ASFMRA Providing Continuing Education

Chuck Zimmerman

JoAnn WallOne of the first persons I met at the Agronomics Vision 2014 conference was JoAnn Wall, Central Coast AgAppraisal, Inc. JoAnn moderated a technology panel during the conference this year. We had a great conversation about the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in which she is actively involved. JoAnn is an accredited rural appraiser and says the conference provides needed continuing education opportunities for ASFMRA members.

JoAnn talked about the use of flipbooks in her business for appraisal reports during her technology session. So it seems like new technology is changing the way even farm managers, rural appraisers and consultants are doing their business. She also encourage young people to consider a career in farm management or rural appraisal. That’s a key initiative of ASFMRA right now.

You can listen to my interview with JoAnn here: Interview with JoAnn Wall

Agronomics Vision 2014 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio

BASF Gives Back to NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb13-patThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is blessed with the support of many agricultural companies and organizations and BASF is one of the best.

Our wonderful friend Pat Morrow (aka Queen of Half the Universe) took their support of the organization to another level this year by being elected to the board as an Allied Industry Council representative. “I think it’s a great opportunity to give back to broadcasters because they have been so good to BASF over the past 7 or 8 years I’ve been with the ag industry,” said Pat.

BASF has been a long time sponsor of the NAFB Broadcast Center, which is one of the most important venues for the working broadcasters to get their programs produced during the convention. “We have been doing that for long before my time and it’s a tradition that we’re proud to continue,” Pat said, who adds that it is important for them to support the farm broadcasters because they help “set the agenda and create the dialogue” not only within the industry but outside the industry as well.

We are also grateful to Pat and BASF for being one of the sponsors of our coverage here at NAFB to bring the convention to those who couldn’t be here, and for those who could to get photos and interviews they might want to share.

Listen to my interview with Pat here: Interview with Pat Morrow, BASF

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Audio, BASF, NAFB

How Do You Show Food Thanks?

Talia Goes

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”Which vehicle do you prefer for hunting?”

Our poll results:
· None – 37%
· UTV – Utility Terrain Vehicle – 26%
· Other – 21%
· ATV – All Terrain Vehicle – 16%

Although off-road vehicles have become popular on farm and ranch settings there is nothing like putting some miles on your hunting boots. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How do you show food thanks?” Do you extend your thanks to farmers or donate to the local food bank to show appreciation? Let us know.

ZimmPoll

The ZimmComm Team at NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb13-teamThe ZimmComm Team was hard at work during the 70th National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention. The all girl troop was comprised of our intern Kristyn Stidham, Jamie Johansen, me and Leah Guffey.

We adopted the method of ‘divide and conquer’ for this year’s Trade Talk and have many great post that you can look forward to checking out in the coming weeks, as well as coverage of NAFB activities and awards.

We would like to say a big thank you to BASF and FMC for sponsoring our attendance to the event and allowing us to bring you the news from the agriculture community.

A photo album is quickly growing full of images from this year’s convention. More will be added as the event continues. 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

BASF, FMC, Media, NAFB

ISOBUS Task Controller for Planters

Melissa Sandfort

Insights Weekly Ag Leader Technology, Inc., a leading manufacturer of precision farming equipment and software, continues to expand the ISOBUS capabilities of the Ag Leader® Integra and Versa™ displays with the addition of Task Controller for planters. ISOBUS provides a universal standard for communication between tractors and implements allowing for plug and play compatibility within the operation’s fleet – regardless of equipment color.

New_ISOBUS_Task_Controller_for_Planters1-280x226ISOBUS Task Controller enhances the communication capabilities between the tractor and ISOBUS-compatible planter by enabling swath control, prescription rate control and as-applied mapping. These features use a GPS signal to determine the planter’s location in the field and automatically turn the rows off when entering already applied areas and end-rows. When exiting these areas, the rows will automatically turn on, resulting in substantial cost savings on seed as well as increased yield.

“With many of our customers operating with a mixed fleet, the ISOBUS Task Controller allows them to hook multiple colors of equipment together and have full control of planting operations through the Ag Leader Integra and Versa displays,” says Brett Buehler, Product Specialist. “We are continually adding new features and compatibility to our displays to provide our customers with the tools to achieve optimal planting results,” he adds.

Become a fan of Ag Leader on Facebook today, and get the latest precision ag videos on the YouTube channel. For more information about Ag Leader products and services, or to visit the blog site, go to www.agleader.com.

Ag Leader, Agribusiness

NAFB Reporting Award to Honor Stewart Doan

Kristyn Stidham

nafb13-rootSince the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took exception to the use of the word “Oscar” for NAFB’s annual reporting awards that had been presented since the 1970s, a new name has been bestowed for the awards that will pay tribute to one of organization’s past presidents who passed away last year.

doanDuring the NAFB Foundation luncheon, chairman Ken Root announced that the Oscar in Agriculture award will be renamed in recognition of the late, great Stewart Doan. “We are calling it The Doan, in honor of Stewart who was a reporter’s reporter,” said Ken. Stewart covered agricultural policy news for more than 30 years from Arkansas to Washington DC. He was the voice of Agri-Pulse at the time of his unexpected passing.

After putting the award on hiatus for a year, Ken says starting next year there will be three “Doans” awarded – for radio, television, and one for internet media. “We believe that it’s very important for our members to be recognized by their peers for the highest quality of journalism,” he said.

In this interview, Ken also talks about the importance of the NAFB Foundation, the new George Logan Scholarship, and the new members of the foundation board. Interview with Ken Root, NAFB Foundation

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Audio, Media, NAFB

New ASFMRA President

Chuck Zimmerman

ASFMRAThe new president of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers is Jim Rickert, AFM, ARA co-owner of Western Agricultural Services. I visited with him at the Agronomics Vision 2014 conference taking place in Reno, NV, to find out what his goals are for his year as president.

Rickert, AFM, ARA is the co-owner of Western Agricultural Services, with his wife Mary, since 1981. Their son James Rickert joined the family business in 2004. Jim is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and provides farm and ranch management services on over 50,000 acres in five counties in Northern California. Western Agricultural Services also offers appraisal and real estate brokerage services. Jim received his ARA designation in 1975 and his AFM designation in 1979.

You can listen to my interview with Jim here: Interview with Jim Rickert

You can find photos from the conference here: Agronomics Vision 2014 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio, Video

John Deere Opens MyJohnDeere Platform

Jamie Johansen

nafb13-jd-batdrofAt today’s NAFB Trade Talk, John Deere’s had a big announcement about their MyJohnDeere platform collaborating software developers and companies. Cindy spoke with Product Marketing Manager for John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group, Chris Batdorf, during the fast-paced event.

“Last summer we introduced a product called Wireless Data Transfer and that helped to do away with the USB stick and seamlessly transfer production data on and off the machine to MyJohnDeere platform. What this new announcement means is now we are working with the software companies out there. Then with their customers permission, tap in to this information and serve it up on their applications.”

Customers are able to view and manage this information from smart phones, tablets, and computers when and where they need it. Chris went on to share how this new technology will increase efficiency and make the job of the farmer easier overall.

“Their able to use applications that make sense to them, but we are doing a lot of things through the MyJohnDeere platform that customers are going to see in the coming year around showing the information actually on that platform. Making it a one-stop shop, helping them to not only see their John Deere equipment but other equipment as well.”

Earlier this year we had a preview of this announcement when Chuck attended John Deere API Integrator Conference. Here a link to that post.

For companies or developers interested in connecting their applications to MyJohnDeere platform visit Developer.deere.com. More information on MyJohnDeere, Wireless Data Transfer, and JDLink, check out MyJohnDeere.com or contact your local John Deere dealer.

Listen to Cindy’s complete interview with Chris here: Interview with Chris Batdorf

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Farming, John Deere, NAFB, Technology

Farm Credit Sponsors NAFB Social Media Corps

Kristyn Stidham

10844765406_d86e3f9495_bFarm Credit sponsored the Trade Talk Social Media Corps for the first time ever and brought them to NAFB 2013. The team is made up of seven students from colleges all over the nation who are all majoring in agriculture communications. Farm Credit’s National Communications Director Margaret Fogarty took on the task of heading up the students and teaching them the ropes.

“We had the idea that we wanted to expand and amplify the conversation from the trade talk floor through channels in the social media space,” said Fogarty. “We wanted to expand the conversation and get some interest from folks in the industry who aren’t able to be here at the event.”

Following NAFB, there may be a future for the Social Media Corps.

“We are already talking to folks about bringing the Social Media Corp to other industry events throughout 2014,” Fogarty said.

The students posted throughout trade talk on various facets of social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They posted interviews with companies they sought interest in, video clips, photos, and posts. Following trade talk students will continue with blog posts and follow up pictures from the event. They used various hashtags like #NAFB13 and #TradeTalkSocial.

Listen to my interview with Margaret here: Interview with Margaret Fogarty

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB, Social Media