Hard Rock at Poultry Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

I did not expect to see Hard Rock Cafe at International Poultry Expo but they are. Apparently Hard Rock has been working with IPE to produce a commemorative pin for the show for years.

I spoke with Jennifer Waxman, Sales & Marketing Manager, about how Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta is working with the show this year. Jennifer says that besides the commemorative pin there is a co-branded t-shirt this year. A portion of the sales from these items goes to benefit Wellspring Living, a charitable organization working on behalf of abused children. If you show your IPE badge you get ten percent off your meal at the Cafe!

Listen to my interview with Jennifer here: Hard Rock at Poultry Expo

2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Audio, Food, Poultry

Revived Renewable Fuels

Chuck Zimmerman

While I’m attending IPE Week, Cindy is at today’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. Most of her coverage can be found on Domestic Fuel. Just thought I’d share this first story with you:

Today’s 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit kicked off in Des Moines on Tuesday on a very positive note, considering that 2011 was a record year in the state for both ethanol and biodiesel.

In his annual address to the summit, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw noted that the state’s 41 ethanol plants produced 3.7 billion gallons of ethanol. “If Iowa were a country, it would be the third largest ethanol producer in the world, behind only the rest of the United States and Brazil,” said Shaw.

He also noted that with the return of the biodiesel tax credit in 2011 helped most of Iowa’s biodiesel plants return to production. “Ten Iowa biodiesel plants operated during 2011 produced a record 169 million gallons,” said Shaw.

However, Shaw noted that the challenges facing biofuels are just as strong as ever. “I know it’s hard to believe, but not everyone in America enjoys the renewable fuels success story,” he said, outlining the attacks against ethanol in particular by the food and oil industries. “Today the oil industry enjoys billions of dollars in tax subsidies while the renewable fuels industry has none,” said Shaw, proceeding to name off all of the subsides unique to the oil industry.

Shaw outlined the priority issues for the renewable fuels industry in 2012 as getting the biodiesel tax credit reinstated, keeping the Renewable Fuel Standard in place, and getting E15 commercially available.

Listen to Shaw’s address to the 6th annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit here: IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw address

2012 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Photos

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol

IPE, The All-Feather Event

Chuck Zimmerman

It has been an interesting morning on the agriblogging highway. My flight to Atlanta was cancelled and I didn’t know until I got to the gate. But with a little work and a friendly ticket counter person things worked out.

So, it’s IPE Week in Atlanta and I’m here for a couple days. I’ll be working with my sponsor, Novus International, once again and finding stories and interviews where I can.

Of course there’s a photo album started: 2012 International Poultry Expo Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Ag Leader, Poultry Expo

Ah, the memories.

Melissa Sandfort

I mentioned a few posts back that in December, my dad had a farm sale. I noted the old 4020, the bigger combine, and all the semi trucks, but I failed to mention all the JUNK he dug out of who knows where. There were boxes and bins and piles on the ground, all available to the highest bidder. These are just the kind of boxes my grandpa has found collectibles in for the low price of $2.

But take a look in the background of this picture (on the right next to the shed) and you’ll notice a dust-covered 3-wheeler with a bench seat. Yes, three wheels, not four. And yes, I said bench seat. Dad welded a T-post to the back of this thing to hang pipe irrigation socks from. When it was too muddy, this came in handy to take to the fields to switch the water in the irrigation rows.

And when dad wasn’t looking, my brother and I used to hang on for dear life as we jumped terraces. And I’ll never forget the day my brother ran it into the gas tank and popped two holes in the leather seat. For once I wasn’t the one in trouble.

I never did ask dad how much this old thing brought at the sale but I’m sure it’s memory-making days are over.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Expert Opinion Via Social Media

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 336Events started taking place today for IPE Week in Atlanta and Novus International got their schedule started with a presentation titled, “Like It: Consumers want to hear your expert opinion.” The session was conducted by David Armano, Executive Vice President – Global Innovation & Integration. His focus was on “how cutting edge research influences the everyday consumer via social media.”

I spoke with David afterward. He says he talked about what’s next in regards to social media and digital and how some of the technology shifts are being dictated by our behaviors and the ways we now communicate and do business. He especially zeroed in on the changes in media and talks about a Media Cloverleaf (Mainstream, New Media, Social and Owned). He also shared some polling study information from what they call the Trust Barometer. One of the findings was that traditionally academics and technical experts have been perceived as the most trustworthy. Last year the third most trusted individual was a financial industry analyst but this year it’s someone like yours truly ie. someone like you! I think you’ll find some great information in my conversation with David.

Listen in on my conversation with David in this week’s program: Expert Opinion Via Social Media

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, 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 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International
Agencies, Audio, Poultry Expo, Social Networking, ZimmCast

2012 IPE Week Underway

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s 2012 International Poultry Expo time. I’ll be on location at this all-feather event by tomorrow afternoon thanks to our sponsor, Novus International.

This show is big so there are a lot of resources for you like the Product Locator and Show Planner. Go to the show website for more.

Here are some statistics from last year’s show:

The 63rd annual International Poultry Expo featuring its fifth year with the International Feed Expo produced very impressive attendance numbers.

Attendance totaled 20,742 for the 2011 show up from 18,896 in 2010. International attendees numbered 4371, an increase of 505 over 2010 with Latin America constituting the largest segment at 43% of non-US attendees.

States with the greatest representation in 2011
Georgia 4291
North Carolina 893
Illinois 876
Arkansas 760
Alabama 713

Countries with the greatest representation in 2011
Canada 767
Mexico 516
Brazil 276
Colombia 256
Venezuela 207
China 203

Coverage of the 2012 International Poultry Expo is sponsored by Novus International

Poultry Expo

PlacerGROWN Food & Farm Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

I Love Farmers They Feed My Soul guru, J. Scott Vernon, will be highlighting the PlacerGROWN Food & Farm Conference. It’s not your run of the mill, boring ag conference.

This is not just another conference packed with unexciting lectures on agriculture regulations, how to get better crops or best vaccine practices for livestock – far from it! We have assembled a dynamic and highly energetic group of speakers from around the state of California on the subject of sustainable agriculture, social media, educating the next generation of farmers and how to integrate technology into 2012 planning.

Whether currently farming, want to start, or want to learn about healthy, locally grown food, this year’s conference has been planned just for you! We want you to be a part of this conference, come meet the speakers, local farmers and local small businesses; make new friends, and experience how exciting supporting local agriculture can really be to our communities.

Farm Shows

Rural TV Launching In February

Chuck Zimmerman

I don’t have too much information on this yet. But according to a note from USDA Rural TV is a new channel that will be launching in February.

Here’s the note I got:

RURAL AMERICA NOW HAS ITS OWN TV CHANNEL – Starting February 1st Rural TV makes its worldwide debut. The program will be “Rural America’s window on Washington,” said DC Bureau Chief Patrick B. Haggerty (RURAL-TV – Nashville, Tennessee http://ruraltv.tv/). Haggerty a native Chicagoan is excited for the upcoming launch and “reporting on the stories that the networks wouldn’t cover in a 100 years.” He will host a daily primetime 30-minute agricultural news program. If his schedule permits, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be Haggerty’s first guest

The Rural TV website indicates the channel offers a wide-range of programming for agribusiness professionals, farmers, equestrian enthusiasts and those with a passion for the rural lifestyle – including quilting, cooking and crafts. RURAL TV is available for distribution on satellite, cable, and IPTV platforms worldwide. RURAL TV is owned and operated by Rural Media Group, Inc. which operates RFD-TV.

Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Hamlet Protein is holding a grand opening ceremony for its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Findlay, Ohio, on Jan. 27.
  • On Jan. 20, 2012, DEKALB officially started its 100th anniversary celebration and invites farmers and dealers to join in the festivities all year long.
  • Valent BioSciences Corporation received a building permit on January 3 for a $146 million manufacturing facility that will bring more than 500 workers and 89 permanent jobs to the Osage, Ill. area.
  • Penton Media recently announced that Jon Greener has joined the Midwest crops group as an Advertising Sales representative.
Zimfo Bytes

New Holland Jay Leno Boomer Tractor Sells For $535,000

Chuck Zimmerman

Tonight on Speed Channel, Jay Leno and his former New Holland Boomer Tractor took a last ride at the Barret-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. The tractor has been working in his garage for years and became known as Lil Tug since it was used to pull his vehicles around among other chores.

He drove the tractor onto the auction stage before getting behind the microphone.

On hand representing New Holland was Executive Vice President, Abe Hughes. In an effort to get the bidding up Abe added a brand new New Holland Rustler to the winner of Lil Tug.

All the proceeds from the auction of the tractor are going to support the Fisher House Foundation which helps military families. Jay really helped work on the crowd and as you’ll hear from the audio clip, he did a great job. BTW. The tractor was just recently signed by President George W. Bush who is a big supporter of the Fisher House.

So, Lil Tug finally sold for $535,000! Awesome price and all for a good cause. You can hear a portion of the sale here: Auctioning Jay Leno's Lil Tug

This sale kind of brings closure to a long standing New Holland project I had the opportunity to be involved in at the start when I met Jay in his garage back in 2007.

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland