Sponsoring Great American Wheat Harvest

Chuck Zimmerman

Barry Nelson and Conrad WeaverDuring the recent AG CONNECT Expo Conrad Weaver unveiled the new trailer for The Great American Wheat Harvest film documentary. Today we’re announcing that AgWired has come on board as a Silver Sponsor! We’ll be updating you throughout the film’s production process with interviews and more.

To hear what another sponsor has to say I talked with Barry Nelson, John Deere, Legacy Sponsor, seen here at the podium with Conrad (seated). Barry says John Deere was interested not only because custom harvesters use green equipment but because, “It really focuses on the families and the importance of agriculture and feeding the world.” He says this is not a one color project and encourages other companies, including equipment companies, to jump on board and become a sponsor. It’s a project that agriculture can be proud of in helping tell the story of where food comes from and there is a significant promotional plan for the film when completed.

You can listen to my interviews with Barry here: Interview with John Deere Legacy Sponsor

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere, Wheat

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Sequester Monster is Coming

Cindy Zimmerman

sequester-monsterThe impending deadline for “sequestration” has taken on the character of a looming cataclysmic event or awakening of a sleeping monster in a horror movie – a monster with an axe aimed at all government spending.

Sequester is scheduled to take effect on March 1 and so far Congress has made no effort to prevent the across the board spending cuts from taking place. I talked with GROWMARK government affairs director Chuck Spencer to find out more about the Sequester Monster.

Chuck explains that sequestration traces back to the Budget Control Act of 2011 requiring Congress to come to an agreement on deficit reduction by the end of 2012 – or else there would be cuts to all defense and non-defense spending. “There are exemptions within the provisions, obviously Social Security, veterans affairs, some nutrition programs,” he said. “Those cuts for sequestration can range anywhere from 10 percent in some discretionary defense programs to 7.8% for non-defense discretionary programs.”

gmk-chuck-spencerNo one really knows what the reductions would mean but Chuck says there are those who believe that with the ballooning federal deficit, drastic measures are needed. “Households when times get tough are able to cinch the belt up and make things work, why can’t government do the same?” he said.

One proposal to avoid sequestration comes from the Democrats who are suggesting taking all the needed cuts – $55 million – from defense and agriculture. The reasoning behind taking half from agriculture is ending direct payments, which is supposed to be done whenever a new farm bill is completed. Chuck says one problem is that those cuts would take effect immediately, and the current farm bill that was extended through September includes direct payments for this season. “Many farmers have incorporated their management plans for 2013, we’re coming up on spring planting season, and a change in that type of program – particularly for crops in the southern part of the country – would be very difficult to deal with,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Chuck here: Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK

Audio, Farm Policy, GROWMARK

Resistance Fighter of the Year Award Winner

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta Resistance FighterFighting weed resistance is becoming more and more important and one way Syngenta has been working on it is with their Resistance Fighter of the Year Program. Here’s one of this year’s winners, Scott Stallbaumer from Saint Marys, KS. I met him in the Syngenta exhibit at the National Farm Machinery Show. The other winner is Scott Holder from Boyle, MS.

Syngenta is once again honoring two outstanding leaders in the fight against herbicide resistance through the Resistance Fighter™ of the Year program. Over the past five months, many worthy people have been nominated as advisors committed to preventing the spread of resistant weeds. These individuals have continually supported this effort by providing growers with the information and tools they need to stay on top of all forms of herbicide resistance in their fields.

Now in its fourth year, the Resistance Fighter of the Year program recognizes those dedicated individuals who strive to protect America’s farmlands from herbicide resistance. Eligible recipients include farm managers, retailers, consultants and county extension agents who have successfully implemented resistance management programs with growers in their area.

Learn how and why Scott became a Resistance Fighter of the Year award winner in my interview with him: Interview with Scott Stallbaumer

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

FMC Marketing with Authority

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 385The Authority Minute is a video podcast series by FMC that has come about because as Paul Reghage, FMC, says, “Growers were telling us they like to hear from other growers.”

Paul Redhage FMCSo FMC developed the Authority Minute series which Paul says will be at least 18 episodes. These short interview segments include farmers, retailers, consultants and researchers including not only FMC researchers but Monsanto as well since Authority is part of the Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus Platform. To watch the Authority Minute visit the website and get registered to be eligible for one of $15,000 worth of prizes. Every time a farmer views a video it adds another entry in the drawings.

Besides the Authority Minute Paul says it’s time for round two of the Anthem Stand Up & Be Heard Singing Contest. The format is similar to last year and March 1st is when students can submit their entries on the website. Paul says the program has worked well for FMC. He says the company has a theme of Investing in Farming’s Future which includes supporting youth in agriculture.

Learn more about these FMC marketing programs in this week’s ZimmCast here: FMC Marketing with Authority

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong and Monsanto, Roundup Ready Plus, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.


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

Making Safe, Affordable, Abundant Food a Reality

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff Simmons Annual Meat ConferenceThe Annual Meat Conference is very much about education and that includes getting the big picture when it comes to the industry not only here in the United States but also around the world. We got that perspective from Jeff Simmons, President, Elanco, who spoke on “Making Safe, Affordable and Abundant Food a Global Reality.”

You can listen to or download Jeff’s full speech here: Jeff Simmons Keynote Speech

Jeff started off by telling us some personal stories about his participation in a leadership event that changed his way of looking at the issue of food and world hunger. He also shared anecdotes from travels to countries that are facing serious food shortages even as their population grows. As a result of this he concludes that the next few years in the meat industry are as much about our heart as our mind. He says, “I think it’s coming to a point in time where our voice has to be as clear as a line and convincing as we’ve ever had before.” He believes the industry has a great story to tell and “. . . we’ve had a tendency to not tell that story . . .”

There are three key things he sees that will be very important to the meat industry. These are Middle Class – fastest middle class growth in history of man . . .; Global Volatility – significant shift in demands, margins and costs . . . and Brands – increasing “brand” orientation with the global consumer.

Innovation is also vital to creating new technology that will help improve and increase food production. He noted how some countries like the UK have stifled innovation by excessive regulations and now find themselves having trouble feeding themselves. Besides innovation, Choice is also key by allowing consumers choices when it comes to food and finally, Globalization is necessary meaning that we need good trade systems to move food to where it is needed.

I sat down with Jeff after his presentation to discuss some of these ideas and more. You can listen to my interview with Jeff here: Interview with Jeff Simmons

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Elanco, Food

Meat & Greet at Annual Meat Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Annual Meat ConferenceThe tastiest part of this opening day of the 2013 Annual Meat Conference has been the Meat & Greet Welcome Reception. Thanks to Tyson and Certified Angus Beef for sponsoring this. Pictured is a New York Strip Roast being sliced up. Yes, it is excellent.

Here are some other items that you could find:

Roasted Certified Angus Beef® brand Prime strip, rib and tenderloin

Innovative Appetizers featuring Tyson products: Tyson® Fresh Chicken, Chairman’s Reserve® Pork Tenderloin, and Wright® Brand Bacon.

That was just to whet our appetite though. I’m looking forward to tomorrow afternoon’s Product Tasting Reception that will be featuring over 35 meat stations!

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Beef, Food, Meat

Success in Restaurant Business with the Neelys

Chuck Zimmerman

Gina and Pat NeelyIf you want a Recipe for Success then get Down Home with the Neelys, as in Gina and Pat. They opened up the 2013 Annual Meat Conference with a story of hard work and devotion to not only their business but their family and I wish everyone could hear it. I got a taste for you though by catching them after their presentation today.

I heard Gina say, “At the end of the day the brand must be working.” I asked her what that meant. She says “No matter what you’re representing, if you don’t believe in it, you don’t know it like you should know it, the brand is not going to work. You’ve got to sell your brand. Your brand is what keeps you relevant.”

I heard Pat say, “Nothing is more intimate than what you’re serving.” He says that there are three elements of success in the restaurant business. These include cleanliness, quality of the food and great service. “It’s so doggone important that you make sure that you’re serving the highest quality food that you possibly can each and every day and you’ve got to be consistent with it.”

At the end of their remarks the Neelys talked about the importance of our children and parental responsibility. That’s a message we need to hear a lot more about and I’m really glad they shared their thoughts on it with me.

You can listen to my interview with Pat & Gina here: Interview with Gina & Pat Neely

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Audio, Food

Meat Industry Educational & Networking Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Annual Meat Conference Co-ChairsThe 2013 Annual Meat Conference is underway in Nashville. Welcoming us and getting things started are Conference Co-Chairs, Gary Luechauer, Director of Meat/Seafood and Deli/Bakery Procurement, The Kroger Co. (left) and Matt Monkiewicz, Vice President, Marketing, Kayem Foods, Inc. I spoke with them before we got going to learn more about this event since it is my first time attending.

Gary says this is an educational conference which allows everyone from “rancher to retailer” to get an idea of what’s going on in the industry while sharing ideas. Matt says everyone will have an opportunity to sample new products during a highlight of the conference which is tomorrow’s reception.

You can listen to my interview with the conference co-chairs here: Interview with Meat Conference Co-Chairs

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Meat

Annual Meat Conference App

Chuck Zimmerman

Annual Meat Conference AppThe Annual Meat Conference is set to kick off this afternoon. Registration is taking place now and all attendees and others are encouraged to get The Annual Meat Conference App (iOS). It’s on my iPhone. You’ll find all kinds of information including conference updates and an attendees list. Get it for Android here.

The Annual Meat Conference, sponsored by the American Meat Institute Foundation and the Food Marketing Institute, will take place February 24-26 in Nashville, Tennessee, and aims to satisfy your appetite for learning and professional growth and opens the door to fresh ideas and hot concepts.

The American Meat Institute Foundation (AMIF) is a non-profit research, education and information foundation established by the American Meat Institute.

The Food Marketing Institute is the largest trade association of its kind and offers its members a diversity of services that range from helping the small independent operation remain competitive to identifying consumer attitudes toward food safety, new products and the like.

Follow the conference on Twitter with the #MeatCon hashtag.

I’m collecting conference photos here: 2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Beef, Elanco, Food, Meat, Pork, Poultry