Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed three new members to serve on the Mushroom Council: Pat Jurgensmeyer, Miami, Okla.; David Carroll, Reading, Pa.; and, Elizabeth O’Neil, Ontario, Canada.
  • Cargill has completed the acquisition of Provimi, a global animal nutrition company, for $2.1 billion.
  • Under an agreement, Pioneer Hi-Bred and Evogene will collaborate to develop soybean varieties displaying in-plant resistance to rust.
  • Dow AgroSciences LLC, announced that it has received the first country registration for the sulfoxaflor molecule.
    Zimfo Bytes

    New Farm Podcaster Tool

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Here’s another potential tool for the farm podcaster. They just keep coming and notice how many are geared to the iPhone? Just saying.

    TASCAM’s iM2 turns the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a high-quality stereo recorder. A pair of condenser microphones – the same high quality as TASCAM’s best-selling DR-series recorders – plugs into the dock connector of your Apple device.

    The microphones are adjustable over 180 degrees for the best sound placement. The uni-directional elements are arranged in an AB pattern for detailed stereo imaging while capturing the ambience of your room.

    The iM2 contains its own microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converter for low noise and great audio quality. Unlike mics that use the built-in iPhone preamp, the iM2 can handle up to 125dB sound levels to capture the loudest concerts and instruments without distortion.

    Looks like the item is available for pre-order only right now. I think I’ll check this one out when it becomes available.

    Equipment, Podcasts

    Summary From World Agriculture Investment Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    If you’d like to learn more about investing in agriculture and didn’t get to attend the October World Agriculture Investing Conference then check out the summary paper (pdf) just published by FC Business Intelligence.

    Extreme drought and unprecedented heat in the US farm belt, the eurozone debt crisis and political unrest throughout the Middle East – the threats to and concerns over world food supplies are everpresent. Political and natural disasters have driven agricultural commodity prices to record highs. But many experts predict longer-term rises as food production will need to increase by 70% in order to feed the world’s population of 9 billion people by 2050.

    Under the threatening cloud of global warming and changing weather patterns, among other challenges, the potential risks of agricultural endeavors have perhaps never been higher, but experts say the only thing greater than the risks are potential returns for investors. Some have gone so far as to call agriculture “the best place to make money in the coming decade.” The trick is how and where to invest to reap the reward.

    Agribusiness

    Meet New NAFB President

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 328He looks very presidential in this photo doesn’t he? He’s Tom Steever, Brownfield and the new President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Tom actually takes over officially on January 1, 2012. However, he has been serving as interim President following the tragic death of Lindsay Hill earlier this year. So that kind of makes Tom the “old” and “new” member leader of NAFB.

    This morning I sat down with Tom to have a conversation about the state of NAFB, the convention just held in Kansas City and what he sees for the future of farm broadcasting. When it comes to the membership of NAFB Tom says things are in great shape. In fact, membership is up from a low point a couple years ago. He wants to “see the NAFB continue to be and increase in value to its members. I want people to look at their membership in the NAFB as essential to what they do.” One of the ways Tom says NAFB can accomplish this is to continue to develop professional improvement opportunities in addition to promotional ones since they both will add value to the member’s company bottom line. At this year’s convention I chaired the professional improvement committee and we held five sessions on professional improvement that included smartphone technology, streaming audio/video and video production/editing.

    I also asked Tom if NAFB has considered becoming part of the Ag Media Summit since we are seeing so much convergence in all of media today. I know it has been discussed and according to Tom “We keep courting. We keep watching one another.” He says things are working well for the organizations involved both at the Ag Media Summit and for NAFB and its convention. That probably is making it difficult to decide that there should be some formal joining of forces. I like to think of NAFB joining the Ag Media Summit like when the Commodity Classic expanded with the addition of sorghum and wheat grower organizations. Maybe the time just isn’t right yet. What do you think?

    Listen to my conversation with Tom in this week’s ZimmCast and learn more about what’s going on with NAFB: Tom Steever New NAFB President

    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.

    Audio, Media, NAFB, ZimmCast

    New Farm Podcaster Tool

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Farm podcasters just got another gadget to add to their bag of tools. The freedomMIC from Scosche looks promising. It’s a wireless lav style mic which solves some issues that come with recording video of something you can’t get close to. It’s currently out of stock but hopefully that will change soon.

    freedomMIC allows you to record with flawless audio on your iPod or iPhone. A built-in clip allows you to record yourself or conduct interviews from up to 33 ft. away from your device. freedomMIC can also be used to start/stop recording directly from the mic as well as activate the shutter function of your device to take pictures from a distance.

    Improved Recording
    This high performance condenser microphone uses an omnidirectional, hypersensitive microphone with DSP noise cancellation to capture accurate sound. It gives you the freedom to record audio and video while not having to worry about losing sound quality as you get further away from your device’s built-in mic.

    Wireless Freedom
    freedomMIC connects via Bluetooth to record high quality audio from up to 33 ft. away from your device. freedomMIC attaches conveniently to clothing for completely handsfree audio recording.

    Click to Control
    freedomMIC can also be used as a wireless remote for your camera. Press the button to wirelessly start and stop recording from the microphone. The microphone can also be used as a wireless shutter release for taking still pictures from a distance.

    An integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 4 hours of run time. Use the included micro USB cable to charge freedomMIC.

    There is also a Scosche freedomMIC app available too.

    Apps, Podcasts

    Golden ARC Awards Entry Deadline Announced

    Chuck Zimmerman

    It’s time once again to get your entries in for the Golden ARC Awards, conducted by the Agricultural Relations Council. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

    Welcome to the 2012 Golden ARC Awards Program. Since its inception in 1990, the Golden ARC Award has come to represent the pinnacle of success in agricultural public relations. Now in its third year since re-introduction, the Golden ARC prestige will undoubtedly wow clients, employers and colleagues.

    The Golden ARC Awards Program consists of two divisions, the “Campaigns Division” and the “Tactics Division.” Within each division, individual categories exist. Check out the rest of the site for more information on how you can win in 2012.

    Keep the ARC Annual Mtg. on your calendar. It’s scheduled for March 21-23 in North Charleston, SC.

    ARC

    Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Fresh from Florida seafood keeps you at the top of your game. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services just announced that it is teaming up with the Florida Gators (my team) and the Florida State Seminoles to “harness the home team passion associated with the athletics rivalry and direct it towards supporting Florida products. The partnership leverages every game, match and competition between the two teams in 18 sports to promote Fresh From Florida.” Now that’s a major sponsorship! It all kicks off this week with the Saturday football game which is now being called the Sunshine Showdown.

    The tradition-rich Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles football game will serve as the signature event of this partnership to communicate the importance of all that’s Fresh From Florida to an audience that is uniquely Florida: Gator and Seminole Fans. This year’s matchup of the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles football teams will be titled the “Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown,” scheduled for November 26 in Gainesville. The Fresh from Florida Sunshine Showdown will highlight the importance of supporting Florida farmers and fisherman and communicate the impact of buying home grown and harvested products from Florida.

    “The Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown brings two of Florida’s great teams head to head,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “As each side cheers for their home team, we’re hopeful they’ll support Florida’s ultimate home team, Florida’s farmers and fishermen.”

    Here’s one of the tv ads for the campaign featuring Florida Coach Will Muschamp.

    Food, University, Video

    Farm Family Purchase Decision Influences

    Chuck Zimmerman

    During the NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference I visited with Sara Steever and Heather Covrig, Paulsen Marketing, about their new thought paper titled, “How Multi-Generational Farming Operations Make Major Purchase Decisions.”

    Heather says that purchasing decisions are becoming more and more important for farmers trying to meet the food needs of a growing population. So Paulsen conducted this study to find out how farmers are making those decisions. The study verifies some of the logical assumptions you might make like how important the input is from older farm family members. They conducted fourteen interviews with farm families throughout the midwest.

    Sara says one of the most fascinating thing that came out of their study is that there is a lot of brand assimilation in farm families and there are several reasons for that including, familiarity, consistency, integration and relationships. Basically, it’s influence that comes down through the generations. For agrimarketers, this offers some challenges to break through that influence. She says that decisions are being made throughout the year now without the traditional seasonality that we used to have.

    You can listen to my interview with Sara and Heather to learn more about the study here: Paulsen Thought Paper

    2011 NAMA Trends in Agriculture Photo Album

    Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
    Agencies, Audio, NAMA

    Learning About SipcamAdvan

    Chuck Zimmerman

    During the NAFB Trade Talk session I got a chance to learn more about SipcamAdvan with George Hackman, Development Manager (not pictured). This photo is of their Trade Talk booth which was busy with another interview.

    George says that SipcamAdvan is based in Durham, NC with a full lineup of traditional chemistries that includes herbicides and fungicides. He says they’re looking to move into “biorational” products. These are “living organisms that we take from one part of the soil and develop into a product that can be applied to combat a specific pest, in agriculture and turf & ornamental.” An example of a product they’re working on now is Contans, a soybean product to treat white mold. George says these products are safe for the environment and the user and require less labeling requirements.

    Listen to my interview with George here: Interview with George Hackman

    2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

    Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB

    Super Committee Heading for Super Failure?

    Cindy Zimmerman

    With a deadline looming for the so-called “super committee” to make super cuts in the federal budget, all signs are pointing to a super failure.

    ncga at nafbThe committee was charged with making cuts that ideally would mean a new Farm Bill and that was a major topic of discussion with farm group representatives at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk.

    “Passing farm bills usually takes about 15 months, and ironically, this one – if it happens – will be one of the quickest ever in history,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Garry Niemeyer of Illinois, pictured here being interviewed with first vice president Pam Johnson of Iowa. He is concerned about budget cuts hitting agriculture more than other areas. “Everybody thinks that farmers are flush with money, which makes it pretty tough,” he said.

    Listen to my interview with Garry here: NCGA president Garry Niemeyer

    afbfIf, as it appears, the super committee breaks down and comes up with nothing, American Farm Bureau Federation economist Bob Young says it’s a whole new conversation as far as a farm bill is concerned. “Then we’ll be back to standard process and a much more challenging environment to write a farm bill with this Congress,” he said, noting that the agriculture committees have proposed cuts of about $23 billion for farm and food programs, which the industry believes would be fair.

    “We want the super committee to work,” Young added. “If the United States cannot get our act together, the markets are going to be pretty exciting, which might be a polite way of putting it.”

    Listen to my interview with Bob here: Bob Young with AFBF

    2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

    Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
    AFBF, Audio, NAFB, NCGA