True Blue Tractor Luxury

Jamie Johansen

new-holland-ag-13-103-editedThe two tractors highlighted during New Holland Agriculture’s First in the Field Media Event included the T5 and T6 series tractors. The new T5 has redefined utility tractor standards for mixed farmers with diversified livestock and crop operations. And the T6 has been further enriched by the addition of Auto Command.

T5 Series:
– 3.4L F5D Tier 4A emission complaint engines that utilize a Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation system & a Diesel Particulate Filter.
– Heavy-duty components that enable long hours of working on the farm.
– A broad loader offering further enhanced versatility.
– VisionView cab provides ultimate comfort and visibility.
– Ergonomic CommandArc console provides the operator with perfect placement of controls.

T6 Series:
– Auto Command transmission for enhanced efficiency.
– Multi-award-winning Side Winder II armrest.
– Upgraded Horizon Cab for outstanding all-day comfort.
– Powerful hydraulics boasting 33 gal. per min. of flow capacity.
– Blue Power edition for a touch of farming luxury.
– ECOBlue SCR technology which will reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%.

Mike Sevick, Marketing Specialist in Dairy & Livestock Brand Marketing, specifically works with T4, T5, T5 Electro Command, T6, T6 Auto Command and TS6 series tractors. While explaining all the new features of these tractors, Mike was excited to share the dealers enthusiasm while they got behind the wheel of these blue beauties. He even stated that many are looking for them to replace the T6020 and T6030 tractors.

Listen to my interview with Mike from here: Interview with Mike Sevick

View photos from the event here: 2013 New Holland Ag Media Event Photo Album

Audio, Beef, Dairy, Forage, Hay, New Holland

AMS Student Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

ams13-lpc-studentsAll of the students attending Ag Media Summit are outstanding, but several of them received special recognition at the awards luncheon on Monday.

The Livestock Publications Council recognized four students as Forest Bassford award finalists, with Ann Kopecky on the left representing sponsor Alltech. Next to Ann from the left are finalists Kari Weis (University of Missouri), Reba Underwood (West Texas A&M), Claire Carlson and Logan Britton (both from Kansas State). The winner of the award honoring the founder of LPC was Kari.

ams13-aaea-awardsKari was also one of four students who received scholarships from AAEA. Next to Kari here are Ellen Reeder (University of Illinois) and Courtney Leeper, also from MU. Next to Courtney is JoAnn Alumbaugh, Pork Network and AAEA committee chair, who made the presentations. Not pictured is Maggie Jo Pruitt, University of Arkansas, who is completing a summer internship abroad.

I talked to Kari about her experience at Ag Media Summit, which she says is like “one big family.”

Listen to my interview with Kari here: Interview with student award winner Kari Weis
2013 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

ACN, Ag Media Summit, Alltech, Audio, LPC, Media

The International Side of AMS

Cindy Zimmerman

ams13-marcusLess than a month from now, many of the folks in Buffalo at the Ag Media Summit will be in Argentina for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) 2013 Congress. But this week, IFAJ came to us as organization president Markus Rediger and his wife Marianne of Switzerland attended the AMS.

“I like very much to be here with my colleagues in North America,” Markus said. “Actually, I was at an AAEA meeting in 1985, way before I was at the first IFAJ Congress.” That is because Markus was at the University of Illinois at that time and was introduced to North American agricultural journalism by none other than the legendary Dr. Jim Evans. Markus and his wife were visiting friends in Illinois last week before heading to New York for the AMS.

Markus is excited about the upcoming IFAJ Congress in Argentina. “It’s the first Congress in Latin America for IFAJ,” he said. “Argentina is quite a large agricultural producer in many markets.” He adds that IFAJ currently has about 30 countries that have member guilds, including AAEA here in the United States, with more being added each year.

Listen to my interview with Markus here: Interview with Markus Rediger, IFAJ president
2013 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Ag Media Summit, Audio, IFAJ, Media

National ACT at AMS

Cindy Zimmerman

ams13-actAbout 60 students representing eight different universities across the country are attending the Ag Media Summit this week as part of the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. The officers are pictured here in Gatsby garb at the welcome party and they are Breanne Brammer, Hannah Miller, Andy Barth, Jennifer Ray, and Faith Jurek.

ams13-andyI got a chance to chat with Andy this morning about the importance of NACT being a part of AMS. “Ag Communicators of Tomorrow is a student organization at the collegiate level, preparing students for a career in ag communications and being involved in Ag Media Summit is such a wonderful experience because they get to work and interact with industry professionals,” said Andy.

The organization began actually holding its annual business meeting at AMS a few years ago, presenting awards and electing new officers, while at the same time having the opportunity to network with those in the industry.

Listen to my interview with Andy here: Interview with Andy Barth, NACT president
2013 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Ag Media Summit, Audio, Events

Center-Pivot Discbine Mower-Conditioners

Jamie Johansen

new-holland-ag-13-064-editedOne of the six checkpoints we traveled through during New Holland Agriculture’s First in the Field Media Event was on their new discbines. New Holland has taken discbines to a whole new level with even more durability and functionality with their two new center-pivot models. Discbine 313 and 316 are designed for cleaner cutting, more efficient crop flow and smoother, more effective conditioning.

  • The MowMax II cutter bar offers improved durability and the ShockPRO fail safe system.
  • The WideDry conditioning system is 22.5% wider than New Holland’s previous models.
  • These models offer simplified drivelines with single drive shaft and advanced shielding with high density, bi-fold upper shielding, reducing the weight by 75%.
  • A two-speed conditioning system is adjustable for the perfect hay quality.
  • The LeaningEdge flail conditioning allows for even faster drying.
  • Those working in energy crops like cane and corn stover might be interested in the new BioMass Kit.

new-holland-ag-13-059-editedDuring the media event I spoke with Brand Marketing Manager for Hay & Forage Crop Preparation Products, Seth Doman. Not only did he share more insight into these proven technologies, but also when farmers can find them at their local New Holland dealership.

Listen to my interview with Seth from here: Interview with Seth Doman

View photos from the event here: 2013 New Holland Ag Media Event Photo Album

Audio, Beef, Dairy, Hay, New Holland

Why Farm Broadcasters Should Attend AMS

Cindy Zimmerman

ams13-mediaEvery time I attend the Ag Media Summit I am disappointed that there are few, if any, farm broadcasters here. It’s really sad because this is such a great event and there is so much to offer for broadcasters in this day and age.

Here’s just a few reasons why farm broadcasters should be a part of AMS, either by NAFB becoming part of the meeting as an organization, or by individuals joining AAEA.

1. Professional Improvement – with most farm broadcasters now carrying cameras, shooting video and writing for online content, this is a terrific opportunity to learn more about how to do all of that. Numerous writing and photography sessions at AMS provide an education that you just can’t get without going back to school.

2. New Venues – AMS changes location every year and offers pre-conference farm tours to visit new areas of the country like farm broadcasters used to be able to do with the regional and summer meetings back in the day. This year in Buffalo, they toured a dairy farm, apple orchard and winery.

3. Networking – Besides our friends in the “print media” world, most of our company, organization and agency clients are at this event as well.

4. Student connection – Student members of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) meet at AMS each year, which provides a great opportunity to connect with future industry professionals.

5. International opportunities – Being a part of AAEA also allows broadcasters to be part of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) and the opportunity to attend the organization’s annual summit. This year we are going to Argentina. It’s a global community in so many ways and this is such a great way to make contacts with our peers in other countries.

Bottom line is farm broadcasters are ag media and should be part of the Ag Media Summit.

2013 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

ACN, Ag Media Summit, Media, NAFB

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Ed Rhodes will serve as the NFI Crab Council’s Executive Director.
  • Dawson Tire & Wheel, North America’s leading supplier of tires, wheels and assemblies to the agricultural marketplace, has announced the establishment of a sales and distribution center at 5360 West 84th Street in Indianapolis, IN.
  • The Biotechnology Industry Organization announced the launch of BIO Jobs, an online resource for biotechnology employment opportunities.
  • POET Founder and Executive Chairman, Jeff Broin, was honored by Top Producer Magazine readers as the top brave thinker in agriculture over the last 30 years.
Zimfo Bytes

Farm Bureau Buys Farm Shows/Publications

Chuck Zimmerman

American Farm Bureau FederationI don’t know about you but this caught me by surprise. What do you think about what Farm Bureau’s big announcement today?

The American Farm Bureau Federation announced today the acquisition of Cygnus Business Media’s agricultural events and publications. The purchase includes five IDEAg branded farm shows – Minnesota Farmfest, Dakotafest, Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, Northern Illinois Farm Show and the IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference. The business also publishes Feed & Grain Magazine and Case IH’s Farm Forum magazine.

IdeAg“This acquisition is the union of very strong brands that are deeply-rooted in agriculture,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “By joining the Farm Bureau family, these publications and events create additional opportunities for us to serve farmers, ranchers and the stakeholders looking to connect with them.”

The events and publications will operate as part of IDEAg Group, LLC, which is wholly owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation. All of the current managers and staff of the events and publications agreed to continue in their positions.

AFBF, Ag Groups, Media

Ag Media Summit is Wet and Wild

Cindy Zimmerman

ams13-fallsA trip to Niagara Falls and a Roaring 20s welcome party kicked off the 15th annual Ag Media Summit on Sunday.

Lots of us got a chance to see one of the wonders of the world up close and personal on the Maid of the Mist boat tour that lets you “Explore the Roar” of the falls. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time!

ams13-danceThe Famous Welcome Party featured a “Great Gatsby” theme and the flappers were out in force. You must check out the photo album to see all the great costumes. Some of these folks were meant to be in that era!

I think we should have an online vote for best costumes of the night – check out the album and comment here to let us know who you think rocked the Gatsby look best.

Today we get down to work with professional improvement seminars, so I have to run. Thanks again to FMC for letting us bring AMS to you.

2013 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Ag Media Summit

Winging It at Ag Media Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

ams-1The 15th annual Ag Media Summit is breaking records in Buffalo, according to steering committee chairman Greg Horstmeier with DTN/The Progressive Farmer.

“We’ve broken records on attendance this year, we’ve broken or met some records on the InfoExpo for number of exhibitors that we have, we’ve broken records on sponsorships,” said Greg. “So it’s a big sign that the Ag Media Summit continues to be a very successful event.”

ams13-gregBuffalo, New York is a unique venue for the event and a place that many of us never get to visit in our agricultural travels. “We’ve not been this far north or east since the summit was created,” Greg said. “I think members like to get around a little bit.” Many of the attendees participated in the agricultural tour on Saturday that included a dairy farm, apple orchard and winery. Sunday included an outing to Niagara Falls, which was very cool!

The summit is a joint meeting of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA), the Livestock Publications Council (LPC) and the American Business Media Agri-Council (ABM) and it is also a meeting for members of the Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, which Greg says is a great opportunity for both the professionals and the students. “It’s fantastic for us (the professionals) because we get a chance to see the new crop of journalists,” Greg said. “It’s impressive the class of students that come to this event.”

Listen to my interview with Greg here: Interview with Greg Horstmeier

Thanks to FMC Corporation for helping us bring the Ag Media Summit to you this year.

Check out the photo album already started and we’ll be adding more as they happen!

2013 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Ag Media Summit, Audio, Events