The ZimmComm Ag Events Calendar

Cindy Zimmerman

zimmcomm calendarOne day I was thinking to myself, “I wish there was a calendar that had all the ag events for the year on it.” I had never seen such a thing, so I decided to make one.

This was not an easy task. It took me about a month to get it the way I wanted it, including photos from events throughout this past year and getting as many dates for the major ag events included. Not sure how it would actually look in person, we ordered a limited quantity to give as Christmas gifts to some of our clients.

We think they actually came out pretty sweet and now we are wondering if there is any interest among AgWired readers to get their very own copy.

You can order your calendar here: Order 2012 ZimmComm Ag Events Calendar.

The cost is $20 each plus $2 shipping/handling.

ZimmComm Announcement

PRRS Surveillance

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Jim Branstad, Keota Veterinary Clinic, spoke about PRRS Surveillance in area regional control projects during the Boehringer Ingelheim PRRS Seminar. He should know all about pig surveillance since as he says, “I spend about 90 percent of my time with pigs.”

The message he had included the need to talk individually with producers in the project area. That one on one approach works well since he’s only had one producer who didn’t want to cooperate in the program. So besides having full participation if possible he says the next crucial thing is testing and this is a challenge. He says they’re doing surveillance testing but not as often as “we need to, to know everything.” He also spoke about there being too much pig movement within the area project he’s been involved with. He believes this is causing a lot of the problems they’ve been having.

You can listen to my interview with Jim here: Dr. Jim Branstad Interview

2011 Boehringer Ingelheim PRRS ARC&E Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Sled Driver Inspires Ag Aviators

Cindy Zimmerman

ZimmCast 329Last week I attended the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) convention in Las Vegas. It was the third time we have had the opportunity to find out more about these “unsung heroes of agriculture,” thanks to our friends with BASF.

naaaAmong the many ways BASF supports NAAA is by sponsoring the convention kick off breakfast, which always features a speaker with an aviation theme. This year, that speaker was Brian Shul, pilot and author of the coffee table book Sled Driver – Flying the World’s Fastest Jet, which is a compilation of the best photos that he took over many years flying the SR-71 Blackbird. It would make a great Christmas gift for anyone on your list who appreciates military aircraft and/or breathtaking photography! You can order yours at SledDriver.com.

I interviewed Brian at the NAAA about the plane, the book, how he got such great shots, and his continuing love of photography – listen to that conversation in this week’s ZimmCast: Pilot and Author Brian Shul

See more photos from the NAAA convention here – 2011 NAAA Convention Photo Album

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.

AgWired coverage of the 2011 NAAA Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, BASF, NAAA, Photography, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The U.S. Potato Board Nutrition Campaign Signature Regulations are official and ready for the industry’s use.
  • A new case study released by BiOWiSH Technologies finds BiOWiSH Manure & Odor Treatment quickly and significantly reduces ammonia levels in poultry bedding.
  • Learfield Communications, Inc. announced the closing of a strategic investment by Shamrock Capital Growth Fund III, a key component in the company’s growth plans.
  • NutWare has been nominated for Best Product of the Year by the World Ag Expo.
    Zimfo Bytes

    The Magic of BASF

    Cindy Zimmerman

    naaaThere was magic in the air at the BASF booth during the National Agricultural Aviation Association NAAA convention and trade show this past week in Las Vegas.

    Those of you who visited with BASF at the 2011 Commodity Classic may have gotten a chance to see corporate magician Jon Petz perform there. BASF liked him so much that they brought him to NAAA to entertain the aerial applicator folks. Jon, pictured here in the middle with some of the BASF crew, is a fun and really interesting guy. Not only is his magic amazing, it’s equally impressive how he works in the BASF message at the same time. Entertaining and educating!

    Watch him in action below:

    2011 NAAA Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 NAAA Convention is sponsored by BASF.
    BASF, NAAA, Video

    Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists Commemorates 50 Years

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists has just released a 50th Anniversary document (pdf) that includes historical information and photos. Here are a couple of samples:

    In 1961 we had a visit from John Hayhurst, President of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, London. He was editor of a weekly called The Smallholder. He was exploring Ireland’s potential for membership. He was met by Henry Kennedy, director of IAOS (now ICOS) and General John Costello, chief executive of the Irish Sugar Company.

    New scope had arisen with the imminent launch of RTE television and the growing significance of public relations for the larger agricultural bodies like the Department of Agriculture, the Irish Sugar Company and the newly formed Bord Bainne.

    and

    The Guild’s Journalism awards honour professionals who have achieved excellence in journalism and communications. The awards were initiated in 1976 in honour of the late Vincent Colgan, public relations manager with Bord Bainne (now the Irish Dairy Board).

    The Journalist of the Year was selected by nomination and ballot of Guild members and was presented with the bronze bull. There was just one annual award which was presented at the Bord Bainne sponsored function for the Guild, held on the eve of the RDS Spring Show.

    IFAJ, International, Media

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • The 2012 Great Plains Growers Conference is set for Jan. 5-7 at the Fulkerson Center on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
    • Everyone is welcome to attend the International Agri-Center’s annual Brunch with Santa in Tulare on Sunday, December 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Wilbur-Ellis has developed a recruitment and leadership program called Next Generation designed to attract and train new talent for the future of agriculture.
    • Cooperative Network bestowed its Cooperative Builder Award, the organization’s highest honor, on three cooperators: Dennis Hunwardsen, Ron Tenner and Lee Uldbjerg.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Small PRRS Projects Seeing Success

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Dr. Jim Lowe is an independent veterinarian and one of the attendees at the Boehringer Ingelheim PRRS ARC&E Seminar. He’s the guy on the Mac. I asked him why he attends this seminar.

    Jim says that he spends a lot of time dealing with PRRS and this program allows him time to visit with colleagues and share information. He’s involved with several regional control projects and says this ability to share information is very valuable. He says these projects are “a tough row to hoe.” One of the things he’s been seeing is that the small well-defined projects with good producer participation are having some success. There’s that need for participation coming up again in one of my interviews. Jim says that sometimes it’s not so much a science project as much as a “persuasion” project to get producers to participate.

    You can listen to my interview with Jim here: Jim Lowe Interview

    2011 Boehringer Ingelheim PRRS ARC&E Seminar Photo Album

    Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

    BASF Updates Ag Aviators on New Labels

    Cindy Zimmerman

    naaaDuring the National Agricultural Aviation Association NAAA convention this week, Dr. Gary Fellows had the opportunity to educate aerial applicators on what’s new from BASF.

    Gary participated in a session with a few other crop protection product companies to provide an update on BASF herbicides and fungicides. First of all, Gary talked about the anticipated registration next year of Priaxor for soybeans. “It gives a brand new mix of fungicides for both controlling existing diseases and providing preventative disease control,” Gary says. “It raises the bar with what Headline is today as the standard in the soybean market, with more consistency, better yield and a higher return on investment for the grower.”

    naaaGary says a new liquid formulation of Facet® herbicide has benefits for rice producers. “We’ve been selling Facet as a dry formulation for years,” he explained. “We’re excited to sell a true liquid because of the ease of handling and we also get better grass and broadleaf activity with it.”

    In addition, Gary updated the ag aviators on two new label expansions from BASF, for Prowl® herbicide on pasture grasses and for Headline® fungicide in alfalfa.

    When I interviewed Gary, he also talked about the importance of ag aviators to agriculture and the overall goal of feeding a growing population. Listen to or download my interview with Gary from NAAA here: Dr. Gary Fellows with BASF

    2011 NAAA Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 NAAA Convention is sponsored by BASF.
    Audio, BASF, NAAA

    Wellman Elected President of American Soybean Association

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The American Soybean Association announced today that Steve Wellman from Syracuse, Nebraska, is President and Alan Kemper from Lafayette, Indiana, is confirmed as Chairman. Also elected was Danny Murphy from Canton, Mississippi, to serve as First Vice President, an office that places Murphy in line to be ASA President in 2013.

    Also elected were Randy Mann from Auburn, Kentucky, as Secretary, and Bob Henry from Robinson, Kansas, as Treasurer. Four Vice Presidents were also elected: Ray Gaesser from Corning, Iowa; Bob Worth from Lake Benton, Minnesota; Richard Wilkins from Greenwood, Delaware; and Wade Cowan from Brownfield, Texas. These soybean farmer-leaders form the nine-member ASA Executive Committee. Elections were held on Wednesday, Dec. 7, during ASA’s winter Board of Director’s meeting in Saint Louis.

    “My goals include increasing demand for soybeans and soybean products, addressing regulatory issues to keep farmers competitive globally, seeking fair farm bill provisions for growers, promoting more ag trade and continuing ASA’s leadership development programs,” Wellman said. “Global demand for soy has increased 145 percent since 1990 and it is anticipated demand will continue to increase. Policy including a sound crop insurance program complemented by a revenue program that does not distort planting decisions is needed to help ensure the U.S. soybean farmer can manage production and price risk while producing soybeans to meet the needs of our consumers domestically and internationally.”

    Ag Groups, ASA, Soybean