Rhea + Kaiser Promotes Two

Chuck Zimmerman

New promotions means new Vice Presidents at Rhea + Kaiser.

Rhea + Kaiser has promoted Jeff Walter to Vice President, Group Account Director, and Kathy Sedlacek to Vice President, Director of Finance.

“Jeff and Kathy embody what makes R+K successful – smart thinking, outstanding knowledge of our clients’ businesses and an unwavering commitment to delivering great work and results,” said Diane Martin, president and CEO of Rhea + Kaiser. “We’re thrilled they accepted these new opportunities.”

Jeff joined R+K nearly 12 years ago working on the Bayer CropScience business and has led the Bayer CropScience business in its entirety since 2010 in his previous role as Group Account Director. Among other accomplishments, Jeff led teams that launched LibertyLink® soybeans and Balance® Flexx and Ignite® herbicides. Jeff has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Kathy, previously Controller, Accounting, joined R+K in 1988 and has been a member of the agency’s management team since June 2010. She will continue to manage all accounting functions and to guide R+K on the path of continued financial strength and growth. Kathy earned a B.A. in business, major accounting, from Governors State University in University Park, Ill.

Agencies

ZimmComm Seeking Freelance Multi-Media Producer

Chuck Zimmerman

We’re looking for the right person (or people) to become a ZimmComm producer. We’ve been blessed to have a number of incredibly talented folks work with us over the years and are very proud of them and their accomplishments both professionally and personally. We stay in touch with each and every one of them. Now we’re looking for some new talent.

The right person would be very self-motivated and passionate about agriculture, as well as having most or all of the following skills (listed in order of importance):

  • 1. Computer savvy – Mac or PC
  • 2. Flexible work schedule for on-site assignments
  • 3. Digital photography – composing, shooting, editing
  • 4. Audio production – conducting interviews, editing
  • 5. Short format writing skills
  • 6. Social Networking experience – Blog, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube
  • 7. Video production (web style) – shooting, editing
  • 8. WordPress experience

We would like to see examples of work that ideally will include social networking accounts.

A ZimmComm producer needs to be able to shoot photos on the go, conduct spur of the moment interviews, edit photos/audio/video quickly and upload and post to WordPress websites. This includes writing story posts to go with the posted media. The work will include periodic travel to ag related events of different kinds – probably not more than 10 days per calendar year. You will need to be equipped with notebook computer and camera to take hi-res photos. Personal digital audio/video recorder and/or iPhone a plus.

Payment will be negotiated depending on experience and ZimmComm will supply on-the-job training for the right candidate. So are you up to the challenge?

If so, please send me your interest including things like resume/work examples via email.

ZimmComm Announcement

Ag Groups Want FCC to Pull LightSquared Waiver

Cindy Zimmerman

More than a dozen agricultural organizations are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to withdraw the conditional waiver granted to LightSquared in 2011 and modify the company’s satellite license to prohibit the building of a ground-based network.

“We urge the FCC to adopt both proposals because of the overwhelming evidence that LightSquared’s proposed ground-based network would cause severe interference to virtually all uses of GPS,” the groups’ stated in a comment letter to the FCC. “High-precision GPS technology is vitally important to American agriculture, and would be gravely harmed by LightSquared’s plans.”

The letter was signed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugar Cane League, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Potato Council, National Sunflower Association, US Canola Association, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, and the USA Rice Federation.

Last month, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) determined this week that the LightSquared plan to build a nationwide 4G broadband network will indeed impact “both general/personal navigation and certified aviation GPS receivers.” As a result of that finding, the FCC was expected to revoked the conditional waiver which was granted last year.

The groups added that they remain strong supporters of expanded broadband access in rural America. “However, expanded broadband access cannot come at the expense of degraded access to high precision GPS for U.S. farmers.”

Uncategorized

Pioneer FIT® Harvest Mapping System

Chuck Zimmerman

During Commodity Classic Pioneer Hi-Bred was talking about farmers getting FIT®. At first I thought this was a new exercise program but it is actually the Pioneer FIT® Harvest Mapping System. I got the full explanation from John Chism, Pioneer Senior Marketing Manager. He says FIT stands for Field Information Tool.

As farmers look to 2012 planting John says the Pioneer FIT Studio software allows them to tie into their dedicated mapping center which provides high quality color maps on a rapid turn around basis. Here’s a description of how it works:

Move your yield monitor and GPS receiver to your tractor before planting – your Pioneer sales representative can help you with this. After planting, your local sales rep submits your GPS enabled planting data to the Pioneer Mapping Center and within a few weeks will provide you with high quality planting maps. These maps provide a visual reference of what products and traits are present and can help you apply the right herbicides and insecticides on the right acre.

In addition, you can easily identify the hybrids and varieties planted in each field and the date they were planted and at what planting rates, augmenting or replacing traditional handwritten planting notes.

Listen to my interview with John to learn more here: Interview with John Chism

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Pioneer, Precision Agriculture

I Can’t Drive 55

Melissa Sandfort

This is the speed limit for the 8-mile stretch of highway that runs in front of our house. There are very few miles of road left in Nebraska with a 55 mph speed limit and unfortunately, there’s one out front of our house. I’d hate to count how many people have been pulled over for speeding in my grandparents’ driveway, me included.

It’s just so hard to drive 55! And to top it off, the road is very hilly and even set on cruise control, as you’re coasting down the hill the car usually ends up over 60 mph. Explain that to the policeman. “I swear officer, I was just coasting.”

The federal 55 mph limit for most highways in Nebraska was repealed in 1996 but our highway didn’t make the cut.

I guess Sammy Hagar said it best.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Multiple Pathogens Multiply Costs for Pork Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

When it comes to pathogens in swine, one plus one amounts to more than just two, according to Dr. Tom Painter, Director of Veterinary Health Services for Cargill Pork.

He told other swine vets at the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar in Denver last week about a study they did on the economic costs of different combinations of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, PRRS, and swine influenza virus (SIV). “We found that when you had a combination of PRRS and Mycoplasma, PRRS and SIV, that the production costs in the form of average daily gain, culls and mortality, was a lot higher than either antigen alone,” he said.

As a result, Dr. Painter said that preventative measures such as vaccinations for those pathogens proved to be well worth the investment. “The result that you get from Mycoplasma negative pigs is excellent return,” he said. “Also, it’s clear that if you vaccinate a pig three weeks before they’re exposed to the PRRS virus, that the cost of the mortality and culls is substantially less.”

Listen to my interview with Dr. Painter here: Dr. Tom Painter with Cargill Pork

BIVI Summit at Mile High 2012 photo album

Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pork, Swine

Senate Transportation Bill Includes Ag Provisions

Cindy Zimmerman

By a vote of 74-22, the Senate has approved a highway transportation re-authorization bill that includes agricultural-related amendments passed Tuesday.

The amendments include one by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) which will exempt drivers of farm vehicles from having to acquire a commercial driver’s license, and another by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) which will waive hours of service restrictions during harvest seasons.

These were among 2012 priority issues for the National Cattlemen’s Association (NCBA). “Farmers and ranchers are not professional truck drivers and shouldn’t be treated as such,” said NCBA Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus. “Hauling livestock to market two times a year is hardly the same as hauling goods across the country on a daily basis. Subjecting family farmers and ranchers to costly and requirements is an unnecessary burden we cannot afford.”

Meanwhile, amendments to the bill related to biodiesel and advanced ethanol tax incentives failed to make it in the final bill. An amendment offered by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and another by Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) would have extended the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax incentive, which expired at the end of last year, through the end of this year. “We thank Sen. Stabenow and Sen. Roberts for including biodiesel in their amendments, and we urge Congress to break this partisan gridlock and find a way to enact policies like the biodiesel tax credit that have strong bipartisan support,” said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board.

The Senate bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Biodiesel, Biofuels, Farming, NCBA

Midwest 2011 Farm Mom of the Year

Chuck Zimmerman

During the Commodity Classic I met April Hemmes, 2011 Midwest Region winner of the Monsanto Farm Mom of the Year contest. Thanks to Janice Person for taking the photo.

April is the farmer in the family. Her husband works at a job in town. She was nominated by her daughter. Here’s an excerpt of the essay she wrote for the nomination:

Hi, I’m Ruth. I’m 16, and I would like to nominate my mom, April Hemmes, for Farm Mom of the Year. My mom IS the farmer in our family. My dad works in town, and mom operates our family’s century farm, totaling 1000 acres, and has a 30-head cow/calf herd. She makes all the decisions from planting to harvest, bulls to banking.

. . . She also found time to raise funds for my junior prom and took me on a Caribbean cruise! She always tells me “Do what you love doing – happiness and success will follow.” I know this is true because my mom is the most enjoyable and funniest person know.

April is very passionate about farming and is a great advocate for farming. She tells the full story of her nomination in my interview with her: Interview with April Hemmes

The 2012 Farm Mom of the Year Contest is now underway.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Farming

BASF Personality Profile – Neil Bentley

Cindy Zimmerman

We’re starting a new series here on AgWired to tell you more about the people behind the products at BASF Crop Protection. Our first BASF Personality Profile features Neil Bentley, Director of Marketing for BASF’s U.S. crop business.

Neil started his career in retail agriculture in northwest Illinois and became a sales rep for BASF and American Cyanamid (dating yourself there, Neil!). After spending several years with the BASF marketing team at headquarters in North Carolina, in 2008 Neil took an assignment as a global marketing manager for BASF in Germany. “I had the chance as a global marketing manager to see a lot of agriculture around the world,” said Neil. “It was interesting to see the diversity of agriculture, the practices, and how we can help farmers get the most from every acre.”

Neil and his family enjoyed their time in Germany, but he’s happy to be back in the United States now and working with the growers here to help them improve their efficiency and productivity. “We really want to make sure that we continue to work with farmers, to help bring the solutions that we can create in a way that’s very meaningful to them,” he said.

One way they are doing that is offering incentives to help growers manage risk. “We call it our Advantage Suite of offers,” Neil said. “What it really starts with is making the right selections of the right products to maximize the yield on the acre.” Once the grower makes the decision to use BASF products for yield advantage, Neil says they offer other advantages. “We have offers such as Finance Advantage, which is a way growers can purchase our products and have zero interest financing until December,” he said. “We have a very innovative tool called Investment Advantage, in which if a grower purchases our high yield packages, BASF is willing to participate in the risk of the market.”

Investment Advantage has a March 15 deadline, but there is still time to participate in BASF’s other offers. Information on all BASF Grower Advantage offers is available at growersadvantage.basf.us.

Learn more about Neil and his dedication to helping farmers get the most from every acre in this interview: BASF Director of Marketing Neil Bentley

Audio, BASF

Both RFS and Farm Bill Important to Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard more important to agriculture than the farm bill?” The statement was made during a recent meeting I attended that the Renewable Fuel Standard was more important to agriculture than the Farm Bill. In a show of how important it is 38% each of respondents said Yes and Both are important. Only 24% said No. What do you think? Many people seem to think the RFS only benefits corn/soybean growers but they don’t take into account that all farmers receive benefit from lower fuel costs just like the general public.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is “Organic” food healthier than “Conventional” food?” During last night’s AgChat this topic received a fair amount of discussion. Even though there is a USDA Certified Organic program it appears that the term is not widely understood. I haven’t seen any evidence that the public in general really cares that much either and I’m sure that most would not want to pay more for food that has to conform to the certified standards. What do you think? Take our poll and/or comment. Thanks.

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

ZimmPoll