We Understand Precision

Melissa Sandfort

Insights WeeklyAt Ag Leader Technology, there’s a philosophy that there is a direct correlation between precision agriculture and precision manufacturing. The key ideas behind precision agriculture are optimizing inputs and maximizing yields, accurate control of planting, application and harvest operations and then collecting and analyzing data to manage processes to drive improvements.

Stop for a moment and think about manufacturing precision ag equipment. Don’t the same ideas hold true for both? Ag Leader believes that on the manufacturing side, it’s all about optimizing inputs and maximizing yields, accurate control of processes to reduce variability and ensure high quality, and collecting and analyzing data to drive improvements whether that be quality, cost or productivity improvements.

Tim Gaul, Ag Leader quality and continuous improvement manager, says, “Some of our improvements are ‘break-through’ improvements and others we improve on every day. But as we monitor each cell in terms of quality, on a weekly basis we analyze the reasons for defects, attack the issue, dig into the root cause, investigate the problem, and come up with corrective measures.”

Listen to Gaul explain

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Gaul says, “To get the most out of every acre, out of every input, you have to be precise in what you’re doing and look at every single opportunity to eliminate waste and create value.” That’s why Ag Leader employs LEAN manufacturing, meaning as a company, they understand the process first and then design manufacturing workstations and layout to best fit that process. Ag Leader products aren’t made in big batches – they focus on making high quality, once piece at a time.

So what does that mean to you, the Ag Leader customer?

Listen to Gaul explain

Gaul says everyone at Ag Leader understands that they’re a part of feeding the world, and the way they do that is by participating in their processes of precision manufacturing. At Ag Leader, they understand precision.

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

Enriching People’s Lives With Animal Source Foods

Jamie Johansen

13-cms-16-editedAfter a fantastic four course dinner of stuffed chicken, attendees of the 2013 Chicken Media Summit were honored to hear a keynote address about the importance of animal sourced foods.

The National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association brought in Bill Weldon, Vice President of Global Outreach & Development and Western Europe Commercial Business for Elanco Animal Health and Susan Finn, President and CEO of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition. Together they shared how animal source foods are the key to enriching people’s lives and feeding the world for the next 50 years.

The three key elements of this new research focuses on broadening the understanding, empowering collaboration and advancing innovation. Statistics show that by 2050 we are expected to have about 9 billion mouths to feed. That means 70% more food will be needed and 70% of this will need to come from efficiency-improving technology.

“Food security has far-reaching ramifications for health productivity and quality of life at the individual, community and global levels. Historically, as societies emerge from poverty, they begin to consume animal source foods. Meat, milk and eggs provide a nutrient-rich diet, which is critical for brain and muscle development, and disease prevention, along with weight management. All of these combine to improve health and productivity, ultimately enriching people’s lives.”

Listen to my interview will Bill here: Bill Weldon

Check out photos from the event here: 2013 Chicken Media Summit Photo Album

Audio, Chicken Media Summit, Poultry

NAMA Agribusiness and Marketer Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

Thad Simons NAMA AwardDuring our general sessions today at the 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference we got to publicly honor our agribusinees and marketer award winners. First up was Thad Simons, President/CEO, Novus International. Thad is the NAMA 2013 Agribusiness Leader of the Year. This award is NAMA’s highest honor. The award honors outstanding leaders like Thad in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness related areas who exemplify excellence in agribusiness by their significant contributions to the industry.

Listen to comments Thad made this morning here: Thad Simons Remarks

Steve Vandeberg NAMA AwardIn our next general session we honored Steve Vandeberg, director, endectocide marketing, Merial Limited. Steve is the 2013 NAMA Marketer of the Year.

Steve’s work in parasiticides pioneered a golden era for the cattle industry. He developed the launch campaign for IVOMEC® (ivermectin)– the iconic industry brand; thus creating the cattle endectocide category and one of the first 100 million dollar dose form cattle products in the United States. Steve has worked to maintain the IVOMEC Brand sales and margin in the face of branded competition and one of the most aggressive generic onslaughts seen in the industry. Steve continues to play key roles in groundbreaking work that grows awareness and sales – leading key product introduction efforts and authoring training materials.

Listen to comments Steve made this morning here: Steve Vandeberg Remarks

2013 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, NAMA, Novus International

ZimmComm Agri-Blogging Internship Application

Talia Goes

zimmcomZimmComm New Media is now taking applications for students in the agricultural communications field to attend and learn how to “agri-blog” some of the most important industry events held every year.

The opportunities will include all-expense paid trips to one or more industry events where students will assist in the compiling of photos, audio and video and posting of activities on pertinent websites. Interns will learn and develop the use of tools, techniques and technology to gather and distribute information through various social media channels. Per-diem and college credits may also be available.

YES! I’m interested in learning how to do some agri-blogging. Apply Below.
Read More

Agribusiness, Social Media, ZimmComm Announcement

Honoring Mick Sibbel’s Service to ABEF

Chuck Zimmerman

Mick Sibbell NAMA ABEFToday we honored Mick Sibbel for his years of service to the Agri-Business Education Foundation. Mick got ABEF started and has led the organization since 1991. On stage at the opening session of the 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference NAMA members thanked Mick.

Mick is one of the people responsible for me being in this business still today. He may not know that but Mick and a small group of folks gave this kid a lot of advice and suggestions early on that I took to heart and I appreciate him for that. This honor is well deserved and I can attest to it on a personal level. We support ABEF and have for years thanks to Mick. We will continue to do so.

Listen to comments Mick made this morning here: Mick Sibbell Remarks

2013 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Education, NAMA

Paradowski Creative Earns New Business

Talia Goes

ParadowskiParadowski Creative is the new agency of record for Monsanto’s ongoing America’s Farmers advocacy campaign. The integrated marketing communications campaign includes a variety of elements, such as national advertising, online communications, public relations and a key engagement program called “Farm Mom of the Year.”

The addition of this Monsanto advocacy campaign continues the long-standing relationship between the two groups. Paradowski has worked with Monsanto for 20-plus years on creative projects across various departments at Monsanto. Most recently, Paradowski has produced award-winning advertising for the company’s Sustainable Agriculture campaign as well as the company’s St. Louis Grown campaign.

Advertising, Agencies, Agribusiness

Connecting at Agri-Marketing Conf Trade Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Novus at NAMAThe trade show at the Agri-Marketing Conference is called the Connection Point and for good reason. It’s a very easy place to find and connect with each other and I personally think the ZimmComm booth is where you should start.

Here’s Cindy with the Novus International team during our opening Connection Point session. We’ll be seeing and hearing more from our 2013 Agribusiness Leader of the Year, Thad Simons, pictured on the right.

We’ve been chatting with agrimarketers and ag media about our AgNewsWire.AgWired.com announcement and the feedback has been tremendous. We create so much media content over the course of the year that we decided to make our news release distribution service into the ag media’s online ag news service! Read more about it here.

We’ve also received a lot of student interest in our new Student Agri-Blogging Internship program. We’re preparing a form for them to apply online and will be posting that asap.

2013 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

NAMA

2012 NAMA Best of Show Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

Best of Show Public RelationsWe had a great Best of NAMA Celebration here at the Agri-Marketing Conference. Congratulations to all the winners.

We especially want to congratulate our Best of Show winners. First up is PR Best of Show which was awarded to the Minnesota Pork Producers and Weber Shandwick for their entry “Oink Outings.” Accepting were Pam Voelkel and Emily Negrin.

Advertising Best of ShowNext up is the Advertising Best of Show awarded to Beck’s Hybrids for their in-house work on the “Suspects of Success Campaign.” Accepting was Ashley Fischer.

I believe you can a listing of all the winners in the latest AgriMarketing Magazine.

You can also find more photos that you are welcome to download and share here: 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Advertising, NAMA, Public Relations

Coalition Pleased With Immigration Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Representatives from both agricultural employers and farm labor are pleased with guest worker provisions included in the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act introduced in the Senate yesterday.

awcLeaders from the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) held a press conference yesterday to highlight the stake American agriculture has in immigration reform. Late last week, a landmark agreement on immigration reform was reached by the AWC, the United Farm Workers (UFW), and key Senators.

The bill’s provisions for agriculture include a new “blue card” program for experienced farm workers, and improvements to the current agricultural worker visa program.

Participating in the news conference were National Council of Farmer Cooperatives president Chuck Conner, National Milk Producers president Jerry Kozak, Western Growers Association president Tom Nassif, United Fresh Produce Association president Tom Stenzel, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association president Mike Stuart, U.S. Apple Association president Nancy Foster, and United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez.

Listen to or download here: AWC press conference

Ag Groups, Audio, Cooperatives, Dairy, Farming, Produce

Look closer …

Melissa Sandfort

birdI’ve seen a few of these around but you have to look closer to see what they’re really made of. My in-laws have a windmill and tractor; my grandparents have a bird. Here’s what Sam is made of (or Fred because I’m not sure he’s a toucan):

Rebar, rake, dust pan, marbles (eyes), mower sickle guard (beak) and a grease cup (top of his head)

In learning about Sam, I also learned that back in the day instead of a grease gun, they had grease cups for “hard oil” to lubricate bearings. They’d put the grease in the cup and turn the knob to push the hard grease out.

So my grandmother’s saying holds true: Don’t throw anything away. “We could live off what your generation throws away.” And if not live off of it, build really unique things from it!

Until we walk again …

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