Fastline’s AgRacer Off to the Races

Chuck Zimmerman

Fastline Publications unveiled AgRacer at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. This game app is available for the iPhone/touch/iPad and Android devices.

AgRacer takes the fun of racing and introduces farm equipment and lets you compete for prizes every month. Choose from 7 vehicles to race and earn points by winning and driving the biggest vehicles that help generate the most points to climb the leader board.

Racers can use 3 different camera angles to race and after you win check out your position on the leader board. Watch your score move up and down as you compete with family and friends locally and all over the world. The top racers will have a chance to win prizes valued over $1000 monthly. Tim Hess Fastline’s President states “AgRacer was developed to help expose more people to our great agricultural market and allow people of all ages have fun with farm equipment in a whole new way.”

I interviewed Tim Hess this morning. He says Fastline has been working on the game for almost a year as a way to expand their brand into a younger market. It allows the player to have a fun experience while also having a chance to win some prizes. The game is here live on the iPad in the Fastline booth. There are also some sponsorship opportunities available in the game. After talking with Tim, I had to add mobile games as a choice in our current ZimmPoll on the next “big thing” in ag communications and social media.

Listen to my interview with Tim to learn more about AgRacer: Interview with Tim Hess

AgRacer can be download in the Itunes Store and the Android Market for $.99. Upgrades and updates are planned to further expand the game after the initial launch. Join the Pit crew and stay up to date on new releases at agracer.com. AgRacer… The race is on.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
Audio, National Farm Machinery Show

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Outlook

Chuck Zimmerman

The 2012 National Farm Machinery Show is off to a fast start this year. I spoke with Corinne Fetter, Director of Expositions, to get a preview of this year’s show. Corinne is pictured being interviewed on AgriTalk this morning.

Corinne says they had a waiting list for the 47th annual show with some companies still trying to get in as of yesterday! This show is the biggest one held in the facility and brings in over $21.5 million to the local community. She says many people make the show part of their vacation. They can get some “work” out of the way during the day and relax and enjoy the tractor pull in the evening.

Interview with Corinne Fetter

We’re collecting photos from this year’s show here: 2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
Audio, National Farm Machinery Show

Prospects Looking Good for Higher Farm Equipment Sales

Chuck Zimmerman

Just in time for the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show, our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you think farm equipment sales will do this year compared to last?” Things are looking bright for exhibitors here since 48% said Higher. However, 34% said Lower and 18% said Same. I think that’s a positive outlook. What do you think?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What’s the next “big” thing in ag comm/social media?” I posed this question last week and got quite a few responses. Here’s your chance to weigh in on the subject. If you have a different choice please feel free to leave a comment.

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Leica Geosystems has entered into a software license agreement with Deere & Company to provide guidance software for a range of new AutoTrac Ready tractor models directly via the ISOBUS.
  • AgGateway will facilitate a new project called Crop Protection Canada Connectivity to electronically link crop protection product manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
  • U.S. Wheat Associates recently celebrated 50 years of partnership with Filipino flour millers, bakers and noodle manufacturers at a reception and dinner in Manila, Philippines.
  • About 20,000 visitors are expected to attend Wisconsin Public Service’s Farm Show to learn the latest in farming technologies and equipment, see the latest advanced machinery and learn more about the wide range of agricultural services that are available.
Zimfo Bytes

World Ag Expo Kicks Off

Chuck Zimmerman

I wonder how many people are spending a romantic St. Valentine’s Day out at World Ag Expo. I was not there but got a photo courtesy of one of the live web cams. This is a show I’ve always wanted to attend but it just never seems to work out for one reason or another.

The 45th annual World Ag Expo kicked off today with ceremonial speeches, a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” and the traditional cannon blast.

The gates opened and the crowds began arriving at the largest annual farm equipment show in the world. Attendees are expected from across the nation and from 70 nations to see the latest in agricultural products, services and technology over three days.

World Ag Expo continues Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Opening ceremonies included a wide variety of dignitaries ranging from Miss Tulare County to the governor of a region in Nigeria. Patty Colson, chairman of the 2012 World Ag Expo, recognized the volunteers and past chairmen, and the exhibitors, noting that the event could not happen without them.

Tulare mayor Wayne Ross quipped that “if you can’t find what you’re looking for here, it probably doesn’t exist.”

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R+K names Rob Merritt VP, Director, Public Relations

Melissa Sandfort

Rhea + Kaiser has named public relations professional Rob Merritt as VP, Director, Public Relations, effective immediately. Rob will lead public relations strategic planning and project implementation for all clients; oversee public relations new business efforts; and foster and build the agency’s public relations team.

Rob brings more than 20 years of public relations and integrated marketing and communications experience to R+K, most recently serving as senior vice president/director of public relations with Cramer-Krasselt in Chicago, where he led successful PR initiatives for national brands such as Sealy, AirTran Airways, Crocs, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Heinz, Kenmore.com, Porsche, TransUnion Interactive and University of Phoenix.

Rob has extensive experience in brand planning, media relations, media training, event marketing, community relations and events, social media program implementation, external and internal corporate communications, executive media and presentation training, speech writing, national crisis communications, and Corporate Social Responsibility program development and management.

Rob earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. In addition to his career in public relations, he owns Merritt Distributors, LLC, an Illinois wine distribution business.

Agencies

47th National Farm Machinery Show and 44th Championship Tractor Pull

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time for the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. Cindy and I are headed that way today and will be tweeting with the show hashtag, #NFMS12. Here’s a little information for you.

Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012

Show Hours: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily (Eastern Standard Time)

Location: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209

Admission: NFMS admission is free; parking is $8.00
CTP ticket prices range from $35-$45

All CTP seats are reserved. Tickets are subject to availability. All prices include a facility fee.
Tickets are sold at the Freedom Hall Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Attendance: The 2011 combined National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull attendance was 302,424.

Exhibit Space: Eight interconnected exhibit halls totaling more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor exhibit space and containing more than 850 agricultural displays.

National Farm Machinery Show

Happy St. Valentine’s Day

Chuck Zimmerman

Happy St. Valentine’s Day. Yes, there is an “St.” on the front of that or at least there used to be. Bottom line is that it’s a day for romance and to say “I love you.” I’ve always been big on flowers. Just ask Cindy. This is our 36th St. Valentine’s Day! I think I should have invested in a rose farm way back then. If I only knew.

Maybe you’re already growing roses, personally or professionally, but if not I thought I’d look up a few resource sites to share:

GrowingRoses.org
All-America Rose Selections
American Rose Society

Looking for a St. Valentine’s Day recipe? Try here, here and here.

Cindy is my Valentine but I also have to say that I love agribusiness in all it’s many forms, which includes rose farmers. So thank you to all the farmers out there and everyone involved in the industry.

Farming, Food

Stick a fork in it.

Melissa Sandfort

That’s kind of how I feel about today – Valentine’s Day. Not that I don’t tell the people I love that I love them and not that I don’t believe in love, it’s just over-priced, over-hyped and over-rated if you ask me. I instructed my husband if he was thinking of getting me flowers to save his money and buy me something other than roses on a day other than Valentine’s Day. A little cynical, yes? Sorry.

Another tradition on Valentine’s Day is a big, fancy dinner which also comes with about an hour wait. My husband also knows that lack of sustenance makes me crabby – it’s an inherited trait from my father. Really, it is.

Which brings me to the point of this post. These are bone-handled forks. Isn’t it a little ironic to eat a juicy steak with a bone-handled fork made from cow horns? Maybe not ironic, but a little funny if you ask me. They truly did use every part of the animal back in the day.

These are not dishwasher safe. And Happy Valentine’s Day, even if you’re a cynic like me.

Until we walk again …

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Commodity Classic Already Shatters Attendance Records

Cindy Zimmerman

commodity classicThe 2012 Commodity Classic is still two weeks away, but the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers has already shattered attendance records.

Last year, total attendance set a record of 4,826 show participants. This year, registrations for the 17th annual event have already surpassed the 5,000 mark with two more weeks left until onsite registration opens.

commodity classic“We are thrilled that more and more growers and industry professionals recognize the value of attending Commodity Classic,” said Commodity Classic co-chair Martin Barbre. “Agriculture is both an exciting and challenging way of life. Because Commodity Classic addresses farming from a grower’s perspective, attendees find they can take information they’ve gathered from the show and put what’s practical for their operations into the field.”

More farm families, first-time attendees and agribusiness representatives will be at Commodity Classic than ever before. To celebrate the record breaking attendance, Commodity Classic’s 5,000th registrant, Kirk Zinkievich from Medina, N.Y., received a complimentary registration.

If you want to be part of the record-setting 2012 Commodity Classic March 1-3 in Nashville, visit www.commodityclassic.com.

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