Most Important Word in Social Media: Why

John Davis

nama13-steve“Everyone” has a Facebook page (or Twitter account or LinkedIn page, etc.), but is it the right social media decision? That’s the question Steve Hershberger, principal and co-founder of the social media company ComBlu, posed during one of the breakout sessions at the 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference recently in Kansas City.

“One of my favorite tools in my toolbox is the word ‘Why?'” Steve told Cindy during an interview at the meeting. “When people say, ‘We have to be on Facebook,’ my question is, ‘Why?’ ‘Well, because all of our competitors are on Facebook.’ ‘Well, why do you have to?” What you have to get them to is a defendable decision that they can back up using empirical data,” such as measurement of their customer sets and what Facebook delivers. And he adds that the right social media strategy will vary from company to company. “Never let the tactics drive the outcome.”

Steve’s company, ComBlu, has been around since 2003 and views the business as less about social and more about an enterprise, leaving behind what he calls “empty calorie” marketing. He said that after asking “Why?” companies need to consider social media as a tactic and look at how to create an overall social strategy over longer periods of time. He added that for those just starting in the social media and strategy realm, they need to eliminate fear and doubts by focusing on just a few things.

“When you’re focused on doing too many things, you move into the analysis-paralysis phase, because you don’t necessarily know what you’re doing. If you hone it down to just a few key items that you’re focused on, you tend to do them better.”

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Steve here: Interview with Steve Hershberger of ComBlu

2013 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Audio, Media, NAMA, Social Media

More R&D from BASF Acquiring Becker Underwood

John Davis

becker-seeversThe recent acquisition of Becker Underwood by BASF is more than just putting the two companies together. It means more research and development as each is able to look at the other’s advancements and see how they might be able to combine products for maximum efficiency

“Both companies are bringing together a lot of existing technology that we’re starting to examine to see if we can find some synergies with what we already have,” explained Kurt Seevers, field development leader for seed enhancements and biologicals, during the recent tour of the plant facility in St.Joseph, Mo. He added that going forward, they’ll also look at combining new material they are each developing.

Kurt said they might work on 750 treatments in a year, and of course, not all of them make it to market. But he said since they’ve done a lot of their prep work in the labs, more often than not, a treatment will go forward once it has hit the field testing.

He said they have some real challenges, including improving on already hot products, such as VAULT HP. “It does give us a challenge in research so we have the opportunity to take materials we’re looking at and put them in products that look really good already and see if we can make improvements that way. That’s typically how we take that next step.”

Kurt concluded that they are working on agriculture’s overall goal of feeding a growing world in a sustainable, ecologically respectful way.

Hear more of Cindy’s interview with Kurt here: Kurt Seevers, Becker Underwood field development lead

Becker Underwood media tour photo album

Agribusiness, Audio, BASF, Research

Zimfo Bytes

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    Zimfo Bytes

  • Valley Irrigation, the leader in precision irrigation, announces the addition of Matt Ondrejko as Vice President, Global Marketing.
  • Brighton has added new in-house recording and production studios for audio, video and sound services; increased its workforce by more than 40 percent over the past 12 months; and relocated to a new headquarters to accommodate its growth.
  • broadhead announced the hire of Megan Herberg as an assistant account executive for the Boerhinger Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. account.
  • Archer Daniels Midland Company announced that it has signed a takeover bid implementation deed with GrainCorp Limited and begun due diligence on GrainCorp.
Zimfo Bytes

NCBA Awards State Partners

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) awarded three state cattlemen’s associations for their outstanding recruitment efforts during the Spring Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., last week. In all, 14 states met the criteria to qualify for the award drawing for the choice of one-year lease for either a New Holland BR7090 round baler or a New Holland T6 175 tractor.

towbalerNCBA recognizes the importance of a strong partnership with its state affiliate organizations and in an effort to recognize the efforts of state partners has joined forces with New Holland Ag to reward recruiters for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the national organization. Vice President of New Holland North America Abe Hughes emphasized the importance of working together on behalf of the beef industry and the company’s commitment to helping strengthen all of agriculture.nh

The 14 state affiliates which reached NCBA’s recruitment goals and qualified for the drawing for a one-year lease for a New Holland tractor or baler were: Arizona Cattle Feeders, Arkansas Cattlemen’s, California Cattlemen’s, Colorado Livestock, Hawaii Cattlemen’s, Kansas Livestock, Nebraska Cattlemen, North Carolina Cattlemen, Ohio Cattlemen’s, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s, Texas Cattle Feeders, Utah Cattlemen’s, Washington Cattle Feeders and Wisconsin Cattlemen’s.

Agribusiness, NCBA, New Holland

2013 Conservation In Action Tour Registration Open

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CticFull_with_transparent_bkgndRegistration has opened for the Conservation Technology Information Center’s 2013 Conservation In Action Tour, which will explore innovative conservation practices in and around the Indian Creek watershed in Livingston County, Ill., on July 9 and 10. Celebrating the theme of Community 4 Conservation, this year’s tour will bring together agriculture leaders from all over the country – including farmers, crop advisors, regulators and lawmakers – to learn and share conservation practices.

On the Tour, participants will meet farmers building productive operations while protecting water quality. They will visit with civic and business leaders from the town of Fairbury, Ill., who have been deeply involved in the Indian Creek Watershed Project that has made the county a national leader in conservation farming demonstrations – and a model Community 4 Conservation. They will also see proven, sustainable, profitable conservation technologies that fit local management strategies, and get a chance to network with a nationwide group of conservation leaders.

Agribusiness, CTIC

Raising Chickens, A Family Business

Jamie Johansen

13cms-39-editedBrooks Edmundson is a row crop farmer from North Eastern North Carolina and to help supplement his family farming operation he started raising broilers for Sanderson Farms. Brooks is setting the farm up in hopes that one day his boys will come back to the family farm to raise their own families.

His farm was one stop on the tour during the Chicken Media Summit held in the New Bern, NC area. Bio security is an extremely important aspect in keeping the birds healthy and our food supply safe. Before stepping into the barns we all suited up from head to toe. Wild birds and people are the largest cause of diseases in flocks. I chatted with Brooks after we got an up close and personal view of the life of a chicken farmer and he shared some more incite into his daily responsibilities caring for the birds and how he utilizes the use of technology to meet his goal of having a consistant 6 1/2 pound bird.

“We get these birds at several hours old and they are very cute and fuzzy. We keep them for 49 days. It’s a constant process of checking on, but everything is automated. It’s a great process for us. We’ve enjoyed it.”

“The system we use is hooked to the internet. I can sit hear and observe my whole farm from either my cell phone or when I’m on my tractor or combine I have my Ipad. I know everything that’s going on at all times.”

Listen to my interview with Brooks here: Brooks Edmundson

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

Audio, Chicken Media Summit, Food, Poultry

New Sponsor for Great American Wheat Harvest

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OKWheatMikeSchulte_(2)To help support the creation and educational purposes of the Great American Wheat Harvest documentary film, independent filmmaker, Conrad Weaver of ConjoStudios, LLC announces the Oklahoma Wheat Commission board has approved and appropriated funding to become one of the film’s executive sponsors.

Weaver received the announcement while filming during a wheat field day near Sentinel and Elk City, Okla.; and with U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc., board member, Dan Misener of Misener Family Harvesters. In 2012, the Great American Wheat Harvest received a letter of support to endorse the film’s mission from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission now joins other Great American Wheat Harvest major sponsors including: John Deere, MacDon Industries, U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc., Association of Canadian Custom Harvesters, and media partner, AgWired, a silver level sponsor.

Agribusiness, Harvest, Wheat

Keeping Seed Treatments Where They Belong

John Davis

becker-haleYou’ve spent some good money to treat those seeds before you plant them in the ground. But the dust that forms when the treated seeds rub together and rub off those expensive treatments is more than a loss of protection and an irritant for workers – it’s like money blowing away in the wind. Charlie Hale, marketing strategy and support lead for Becker Underwood says that’s why having the right polymer is so important.

“You might think of the polymers as glues that glue those solids on to the seed surface, but they are also designed these days to help fill in the spaces between the particles to make the seed smoother,” cutting down on that friction that creates that dust. Charlie adds that Becker Underwood’s new Flo Rite® 1706 plantability polymer does all that and gives you more uniform plant distribution out in the field. He also points out that losing protection for that seed also means a loss in yield potential. “With
today’s prices for grain, we lose significant amounts of money, just because we haven’t kept that protection on the seed.”

Charlie says Becker Underwood has two formulations for legumes, two for corn and another one on the way for cotton. He says this is the third generation of the Flo Rite products for soybeans and corn, so his company has some experience to bring to the table. They’ve got it down to producing almost no dust, no matter how aggressively it gets rubbed.

He cautions that growers who think they can cut down on dust really aren’t gaining anything. “Yeah, [a half rate] does [cut down on dust]. But you still are losing protection.” You want to put on and keep on everything that you’ve invested. And he thinks the latest Flo Rite polymer will be near zero dust. “You get pretty close to that.”

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Charlie here: Charlie Hale, Becker Underwood marketing and support lead

Becker Underwood media tour photo album

Agribusiness, Audio, BASF, Seed

Barriers to Using Precision Ag

Melissa Sandfort

Insights WeeklyHave you seen Joe Neighbor in town at the local precision ag dealer, asking questions, smiling and nodding his head, followed by a hand-shake … then a month or so later, in the cab of his tractor multi-tasking on different screens while talking on his smart phone? Did you wonder how he knew what questions to ask regarding what was best for his operation and better yet, how he ever got started?

Well, Ag Leader Technology has been in the precision ag field for more than 20 years and would like to address a few of these common adoption hurdles.

Obstacle #1: COST
Up front, precision ag might feel like a large chunk of change. There’s the investment cost of the equipment, the time involved for you to learn how to use the equipment, and the time it will take to see your return on investment.

Time is of the essence, especially during busy planting and harvest seasons. Talk to your Ag Leader dealer today about what’s right for you. They offer the complete package of precision farming tools, allowing you to get started with technology based on your comfort level and your needs.

They also have a leasing program that might be right for you.

Read More

Ag Leader, Agribusiness

40 Under 40 Award: Nominate Today

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40under40Vance Publishing’s 40 Under 40 Awards will recognize the young leaders in our industry who will be instrumental in meeting the 2050 challenge. Vance is seeking the most innovative people in agriculture under the age of 40 – from animal and crop production, biotechnology and University researchers to food and nutrition technology, agricultural equipment, agronomy and beyond.

To be eligible for the 40 Under 40 Awards, individuals must be nominated by a colleague or fellow professional active within America’s food system. Nominees must be 40 years or younger by July 30, 2013. Deadline for nomination is July 30, 2013.

Examples of qualifying businesses:

  • Produce production or production supply, transportation (fresh cut or processing)
  • Food animal production – Farm, ranch, feedlot, dairy, pork production unit, crop farm, veterinarians, nutritionists, consultants
  • Processors – packers, meat or milk processors, retailers,fruit and vegetable processors
  • Food safety, quality and production research
  • Food (fruit and vegetable, food animal) transportation
  • Associations and non-governmental organizations
  • Academia and extension
  • Government and allied industry organizations
Agribusiness