Unconfusing the Confused Consumer

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael UetzRecent information shows that the meat industry in this country has a lot of work to do with the American consumer. At the recent 2013 Annual Meat Conference in Nashville Michael Uetz with Midan Marketing, spoke during one of the sessions titled, “Demystifying the Meat Case for Today’s Confused Consumer.”

“We were shocked when we went in and talked with consumers one-on-one about what some of the challenges were. Bottom line: they were thoroughly confused with our product,” Michael said. He added that the consumers didn’t know the names, and the nomenclatures the meat industry has used for years was confusing to them. They just weren’t cutting it when it came to doing a good job communicating with their customer base. But he thinks they are now on the road to doing better.

“This new platform we have developed based on our research is one of getting rid of this confusion by tightening up our names, getting rid of industry jargon, coming up with something more memorable, and giving them more information on how to prepare and use.”

Michael credited the Pork and Beef Checkoffs for helping fund this research. He said they’ll still have to work through some of the regulatory agencies, such as USDA, to implement these changes, but he thinks it will help. “We hope it makes a big difference.”

Listen to my interview with Michael here: Interview with Michael Uetz

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Elanco, Food, Meat

King Richard Talks Smithfield at Meat Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Richard PettyOne of the greatest race car drivers of all time, “King” Richard Petty was at the 2013 Annual Meat Conference in Nashville, talking up one of the sponsors of his NASCAR team, Smithfield Foods.

“This is first time I’ve ever been to a show like this, but it looks pretty interesting,” he said during an interview, jokingly adding that he carries around a little sign that says: Will work for food … and “that’s what we’re doing here.”

Richard was set up in the Smithfield exhibit at the Product Tasting Reception, and he agreed that it’s great to be involved with a major supplier of meat and protein in this country, Smithfield.

“Everybody’s got to eat, and everybody’s got to have protein, so hope they get it from Smithfield.”

Listen to my interview with Richard here: Interview with Richard Petty

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Meat

New Holland Commodity Classic Boomer Winners

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland Commodity Classic Boomer WinnersThe New Holland drawing drew a typically large crowd to their exhibit during this afternoon’s Commodity Classic trade show. Growers who completed the demographic information on their registration form were automatically entered to win a New Holland Boomer 20 Compact Tractor.

AgriTalks’s host Mike Adams announced the drawing again and the winners are Melvin & Patricia Cripe of Michigan. Actually Melvin’s name was drawn and it was the first one! You’ll hear how excited they are about being drawn in my interview with them.

Listen to my interview with Larry and Patricia Cripe here: New Holland Boomer Winners

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, New Holland, Tractor

BASF Awards 10 Scholarships at Classic

Jamie Johansen

BASF, in partnership with American Soybean Association (ASA), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the National Wheat Foundation (NWF) presented scholarships to 10 students during the 2013 Commodity Classic in Kissimmee, Fl.

classic13-scholars“BASF is committed to the future of agriculture and our students play a huge role in sustaining the livelihood of the industry,” said Paul Rea, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection, BASF. “These students are passionate about agriculture, and we look forward to watching them grow into the leaders and advocates of our business.”

Mason Kiehl of Meadville, Missouri was chosen as the 2013-2014 ASA SOY scholarship recipient receiving $5,000. He is a senior at Meadville High School and will pursue a degree in agricultural systems management at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

You can find Cindy’s interview with Mason and Steve Wellman, Chairman of ASA here: Interview with Mason & Steve

This year, the NCGA scholarship was renamed the William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program, in memory of Ohio corn grower and NCGA colleague Bill Berg, a long-time member of the NCGA Grower Services Action Team and supporter of the scholarship program who passed away unexpectedly last year. The NCGA awarded scholarships of $1,000 each to the following students:

  • Emily Brundick of Argyle, Missouri
  • Kyle Parmley of Perry, Oklahoma
  • Nicholas Peterson of Clearlake, Minnesota
  • Sterling Schnepf of Granville, Iowa
  • Brent Sexton of Rockwell City, Iowa

Cindy interviewed the recipients and Les Imboden, Ohio Corn Growers Treasurer: Interview with NCGA Recipients

BASF and the NWF established a new scholarship fund this year to honor longtime wheat industry friend and BASF employee Jerry Minore by supporting students pursuing careers in agriculture. The four students who received these scholarships this year are:

  • John Rosman of Creston, Washington
  • Morgan Perez of Lind, Washington
  • Joshua C. Duling of Mupin, Oregon
  • Garrett Reiss of El Dorado, Kansas

You can find my interview with recipients and Dusty Tallman, VP of American Wheat Foundation here: Interview with NWF Recipients
BASF at 2013 Commodity Classic Photos
2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, Farming, Soybean, Wheat

Commodity Classic Trade Show Open

Chuck Zimmerman

Commodity Classic Trade Show Ribbon CuttingIt’s official. The Commodity Classic trade show is now open. The ribbon has been cut.

There are over 1,000 exhibitors this year for the show. Wish we could stop and visit with all of them. We can’t but we’ll be sharing interviews with as many as we have time to.

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, Commodity Classic

Commodity Classic Breaking Records

Chuck Zimmerman

Patrick DelaneyThe numbers are suggesting that this year’s Commodity Classic will be another record buster. I visited with Patrick Delaney, Communications Director, American Soybean Association, in the media room to get an early look at how things are shaping up for this year’s combined annual meetings of the ASA, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.

Patrick says that the current registration total is 5,900 and that expectations are that it will rise above last year’s record of 6,014 by the end of the conference. There are 1,000 first timers here too which is an encouraging statistic showing the interest from farmers and others who have not attended a previous Classic. The trade show here has set a record with over 1,000 booths.

Listen to my interview with Patrick here: Interview with Patrick Delaney

Follow the activity from this year’s Commodity Classic here on AgWired and remember the Twitter hashtag is #Classic13.

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic

Science Behind BASF

Cindy Zimmerman

classic13-basf-paulFor seven years now, BASF Crop Protection has held a pre-Commodity Classic event for ag media to get a peak behind the stage of what the company brings to farmers and a growing world population. This year the event was held at Universal Studios and I would say it’s probably been the best one yet! Can’t wait to see how they top this next year!

“We really look forward to this event every year,” said BASF Vice President for Crop Protection Paul Rea, who was pleased to talk about the commitment BASF has to research and development for the future of food production.

“While public sector spending on agricultural research is flat, BASF is continuing to invest in agriculture through a variety of activities, including funding more than $2 million per day in research,” Paul said. “This symposium has become an interactive way for BASF to help educate media on advancements we are bringing to the industry. Our ongoing research in Plant Health and introduction of Advanced Weed Control are important parts of our portfolio of solutions to help growers get the most out every acre.”

Listen to my interview with Paul here: Interview with BASF's Paul Rea


BASF at 2013 Commodity Classic Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic

Case IH Talks “So God Made a Farmer” Ad at NFMS

John Davis

It’s possibly one of the best Super Bowl commercials of all time … Dodge Ram Trucks’ spot featuring the voice of Paul Harvey, reading in his characteristic way the moving poem, “So God Made a Farmer,” set to stirring images of the people who make possible our daily bread (and milk and meat and fuel). At the recent National Farm Machinery Show, Case IH’s Dan Danford explained his company’s role in their sister company’s memorable commercial.

“It’s been amazing what kind of spotlight this has put on U.S. agriculture,” Dan said, adding that in just a short time, it helped raise $1 million in donations for FFA. He considers it an absolute gift for Case IH to be part of this successful program to highlight the importance of agriculture in 2013, what the company calls The Year of the Farmer. “They included us because of our long relationship with FFA… 65 years as a supporting partner. And we are taking this torch and running with it!”

Dan said there’ll be more to come, including possibly a photo book. And Case IH wants to be a part of it all. “We are working with them to say, ‘What can we do to keep this going?’ Because the more people ask questions, the more they’re going want to know and be involved.”

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Dan here: Interview with Dan Danford

And just in case you’d like to see it one more time.

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Case IH, FFA, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS

Spending a Minute with Jake at NFMS

John Davis

nfms-13-fmc-turnerYou can learn a lot in just a short time. Our friends at FMC have launched a video series they call the Authority Minute, a chance to educate growers and retailers about the importance of having an effective weed management program. Chuck caught up with host Jake Turner at the recent National Farm Machinery Show, just one stop on the cross-country trip Jake is taking.

“The Authority Minute is a series of interviews with all kinds of folks about soybeans and weeds and their concerns with resistant weeds and weed pressure,” Jake explained, adding they talk to everyone from farmers to university researchers to chemists to wholesalers. “Everybody who can help growers get the most yield and control resistant weeds.”

So where does Jake find the best place to talk to producers? Diners!

“Growers know where the good food is, and that’s where you usually can talk to them, too.”

In addition to getting some good information, you might also win the ultimate tailgate package, including a Bose® Portable Sound System, a customized tailgate tent, a YETI® Tundra® Cooler, an XL Big Green Egg® Grill, Omaha Steaks® gift card, four tailgate chairs, a grilling tool set, tailgate table and tailgate games all valued at approximately $5,000. Plus, there’ll be a a number of first and second places prizes for a total of $15,000 in prizes. Check out news.authorityminute.com for more information.

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Jake here: Interview with Jake Turner

And if you’d like to see one of the episodes, here’s a current one for you:

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album


Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture
Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS

Planting Intentions for Corn 2013

Talia Goes

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Does warranty influence your decision to purchase new equipment?”

Our poll results: Almost all of you at eighty-seven percent said Yes, while thirteen percent said No. This poll certainly shows that warranty is a major consideration when shopping for new equipment!

chart

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What are your spring planting intentions for corn?” The severe drought of 2012 may influence farmers to try something different this planting season. Will it affect how many acres of corn you plant for the 2013 crop? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

New Holland, ZimmPoll