Start Clean Now for Spring Planting

Melissa Sandfort

Farmers are being encouraged to start clean for next year’s planting season, and now is the time to get a handle on tough weeds. Tom Rothman with Minnesota Farm Network recently spoke with Monsanto’s Ryan Rector about why weed control in the fall is important and what tools growers have to help them be proactive when it comes to weed management, including the new Roundup Ready PLUS Weed Manager PLUS App for iPhone and Android platforms.

Listen to Tom’s interview here: Tom Rothman and Ryan Rector

Weed Manager PLUS, launched at the 2012 Farm Progress Show, provides weed management recommendations by region and crop, calculates potential incentives for farmers who use endorsed residual herbicide products and delivers a tank mixing tool and measurement conversion calculator. All that, PLUS – it’s FREE! Weed Manager PLUS can be downloaded at Google Play or the Apple App Store. For more information on weed control, visit RoundupReadyPLUS.com.

Agribusiness, Audio, weed management

Paulsen Updates Digital Media Thought Paper

Chuck Zimmerman

Paulsen Marketing has updated their thought paper, “Digital Media’s Evolution and Impact on Telling Agriculture’s Story.” You’ll now find some new insights into how the digital communications age is affecting the agribusiness world.

Digital media has been a game-changer for ag communicators to deliver content to audiences. Paulsen public relations spoke with prominent ag communicators who shared insight about how digital media has transformed the way news is gathered, delivered and how agriculture’s story is told.

Their dialogue in this Thought Paper describes key trends and behind-the-scenes secrets that marketers and PR professionals can use to reach media and consumers of content with effective and interactive messages.

We’ll share inside information about the way ag journalists are using new digital tools and explore how mobile technology will influence the future of digital.

Here’s an example of some of the information you’ll find in the paper regarding the growth of mobile technology.

According to a recent survey conducted by Prosper Mobile Insights, half of smartphone and tablet users (51.1%) say they now check their email using only their mobile device. Overall, 7 in 10 smartphone or tablet users (69.3%) conduct at least one web-based activity solely with their device:
• 45.3% admit to mobile-only Internet searches.
• 42.3% connect with friends on Facebook sans stationary computers or other Internet-capable devices.
• 29.6% say they conduct all their online banking on a mobile device.

I got to chime in with some thoughts on mobile as did some other folks and you can find all of those insights in the full paper available from the Paulsen website.

Agencies, Media

How do we feed a growing world?

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ” What cooperatives play a role in your life/business?”

Our poll results: Ten percent said Electric/water/utilities; ten percent said Farm Credit/credit union; five percent said Farm supplies; twenty percent said Energy/biofuels; three percent said Farm commodity; three percent said Other; thirty-five percent said Two or more of the above; and fifteen percent said None.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is most important for feeding growing world population?” As of today, it is estimated at a little over 7 billion; by 2050 it is estimated it will be slightly over 9 billion. With a steadily increasing population, how do we feed everyone? What do you think?

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed four members and seven alternates to serve on the 12-person Hass Avocado Board.
  • MGEX announced the results of its annual Board of Directors election.
  • Members and friends of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) should register soon to join the organization’s 30th anniversary celebration on Oct. 25, 2012, in St. Louis, MO.
  • The annual Citrus Crop Forecast from USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service will be broadcast “live” on Southeast AgNet Radio Network for the 17th consecutive year at 8:29 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Corn Harvest More than Double Time Ahead

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Farmers are more than double-timing it on the corn harvest this season.

    As of this past weekend, USDA reports that 69 percent of the crop was harvested, compared to 28 average for this time of year. Several corn belt states are running way, way ahead of normal, like Minnesota and Iowa, which normally have around 11-17% of the corn harvest complete by now. This year – over three-quarters of the crop in both states is harvested!

    National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson of Floyd, Iowa says farmers are working diligently to get the crop into the U.S. corn supply.

    “While this summer’s drought certainly took its toll, corn farmers are working tirelessly to get the crop out of field and into bins. Their commitment to maximizing the crop drives them forward, often late into the night, harvesting now to make sure they provide the most abundant, highest quality corn possible,” said Johnson, who notes that the rapid harvest pace means that the October USDA reports due out Thursday will provide a much clearer picture of the size of the U.S. corn supply.

    “For months, we have asked that those interested in the corn supply practice patience and remain calm while we wait for an accurate accounting of the crop to emerge,” said Johnson. “The vast majority of media coverage has relied upon preliminary data and projections to draw conclusions which may prove premature or inaccurate.”

    The September crop production report estimated this year’s corn crop at 10.7 billion bushels, the lowest since 1995 but still the eighth-largest in history.

    Corn, NCGA, USDA

    National Farm-City Council Extends Award Deadline

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The National Farm-City Council has extended the deadline for nominations for the second annual Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award to October 16th. The award pays tribute to an outstanding individual within the United States who has contributed to Farm-City activities as an advocate for accurate communications between rural and urban audiences.

    The national award is in honor of Dr. Charles “Charlie” Eastin, DVM, who played a fundamental role in Farm-City activities. A board member for many years, Eastin was especially active in planning and initiating Farm-City events in the Lexington, Ken., area.

    Nominees to the Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award can be any person 25-years-old or older, who has actively supported national, state or local Farm-City initiatives. He or she can be nominated by anyone active in a Farm-City program.

    Those interested in nominating an individual should go to the National Farm-City Council website for nomination rules and the application form. The completed application should be forwarded by October 16, 2012, to the state Farm-City contact as identified on the website. If no state contact is identified, the application should be endorsed by the local Farm‐City organizers and forwarded by October 16, to the National Farm‐City Council. The National Farm‐City Council will verify the credibility of the applicant. State Farm‐City contacts should submit the application to contact@farmcity.org to the National Farm‐City Council mailing address by October 23, 2012.

    Those completing the nomination should describe how this nominee has contributed to the success of Farm-City activities and provide evidence on the impact of this individual’s actions in organizing Farm-City events. A three-member committee, including at least one member of the National Farm-City Council, will judge the applications and select the recipient.

    Ag Groups

    Romney Outlines Rural Policy Positions

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney put his focus on agriculture and rural policy on Tuesday with the release of an agricultural policy white paper and a visit to an Iowa farm.

    Romney’s “vision for a vibrant rural America” includes tax policies to support family farms, expanding agricultural trade, achieving energy independence by 2020, and creating a commonsense regulatory environment. “The regulatory burden under this administration has just gone crazy,” said Romney during his stop at the Koch family farm near Van Meter, Iowa. “I’m going to put cap on regulation and any new major regulation will have to be approved by Congress.”

    Under tax policy, the white paper says Romney will “permanently eliminate the estate tax so that families passing farms from generation to generation will not have to worry about liquidating their assets.” Romney’s trade policy includes completing the Trans-Pacific Partnership and pursuing new agreements, focusing particularly on promising markets in Latin America. His agenda for energy independence includes maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), “fulfilling the federal government’s commitment to biofuels growers and refiners and providing them the certainty they need to followthrough on their investments in promising technologies.”

    Listen to or download Romney speech in Iowa – Mitt Romney in Iowa
    Read the entire Romney Agriculture White Paper.

    Audio, politics

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, and United Egg Producers have made available a new economic impact study and four new websites that highlight the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages, and federal and state revenue in the United States.
    • The Sorghum Checkoff is now accepting applications from individuals interested in serving as an external committee member on one of the board of director’s three committees: Crop Improvement, High Value Markets and Renewables.
    • Leica Geosystems has recently appointed multiple industry experts to further strengthen the growing precision agriculture business.
    • Rabo AgriFinance is launching a new, interactive mobile application for the iPad.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Meet the New NCBA Communications Director

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) probably know Chase Adams, who has been a farm broadcaster with KBHB radio in Sturgis, South Dakota for the past eight years. But, Chase just left the Black Hills behind him and moved inside the Beltway to become the new Director of Communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), filling the cowboy boots of Mike Deering who has moved back to his home state to serve as executive director of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.

    ZimmCast 366I chatted with Chase for this edition of the ZimmCast to learn a little more about his background and his plans for the future in his new job. He’s excited about the opportunity moving forward and pleased that it means he will still be involved with NAFB. He has served as regional director for NAFB this past year and while he has to give up that position since he will no longer be a Broadcast Council member, he still intends to be just as active in the organization as an Allied Industry member.

    Listen to this week’s ZimmCast with Chase here: ZimmCast with NCBA's Chase Adams

    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.

    Audio, Beef, NAFB, NCBA, ZimmCast

    Federation Adds $6.6 Million to Checkoff Efforts

    Melissa Sandfort

    Beef producers serving state beef council boards throughout the country have chosen to supplement national and international research, education and promotion programs funded by the Beef Checkoff Program by about $6.6 million in fiscal year 2013, which began Oct. 1. The supplemental funds, invested through the Federation of State Beef Councils, are to be added to $40.3 million invested through the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) and approved by the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which met in Denver Sept. 19 – 20. The Committee’s decisions were submitted to the full CBB and the USDA for approval.

    Some of the funds from states with high cattle numbers and low populations are invested through the Federation to extend national and international Beef Checkoff Program efforts in a coordinated way. Decisions about specific programs to fund are made by individual state beef councils.

    National programs are being supplemented through the Federation by $4.9 million, while international programs are receiving $1.7 in state checkoff funds.

    Agribusiness, Beef, NCBA