New Farm Podcaster Tool

Chuck Zimmerman

Hey farm podcasters. Here’s a new tool I just noticed that looks pretty cool. Of course if you’re recording and making your own music this tool will serve you too. It’s the MICRO BR® BR-80: Digital Recorder made by Roland and looks like it’s going for about $299.

Small enough to fit in your pocket, the BOSS MICRO BR BR-80 is the ultimate new portable recording and jam-along tool for guitarists and other musicians. It’s equipped with three modes to create, record, and perform your music: an eight-track MTR (Multi-Track Recorder) mode; an eBand mode for onstage backing tracks and phrase training; and a Live Rec mode for instantly capturing high-quality stereo recordings. You can even combine the three modes seamlessly. Record your phrase ideas using Live Rec mode, for example, and then import the recordings into MTR mode to use as foundations for song production. Once you’ve added tracks, import your finished songs into eBand mode for backing-track accompaniment at the gig. The MICRO BR BR-80 is truly a must-have for all musicians!

Three modes: MTR (multi-track recorder), eBand, and Live Rec
Records directly to SD/SDHC memory card (up to 32 GB)
High-quality stereo condenser microphone built in for instant audio capture
64 V-Tracks and eight simultaneous playback tracks
eBand function for phrase training and play-along tracks
Huge library of built-in backing and rhythm patterns
World-class COSM® amps and effects onboard
Use as a USB audio interface with built-in effects
SONAR X1 LE software included

Find full specs here.

Equipment, Podcasts

Ag Media Summit Concludes

Chuck Zimmerman

The 2011 Ag Media Summit is concluding with a breakfast session. We’re sharing sixty good ideas in sixty minutes and there are some really good ones. Heck, they’re all good.

I’ve got lots more stories to post, including interviews. However, I’ll be traveling today and spending some time with family. So keep your eye on AgWired to see more of what happened in New Orleans. My photos are fully updated. I hope you enjoy them.

2011 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by BASF and AgHaven
Ag Media Summit

Worried That Government Regulations Will Hurt Business

Chuck Zimmerman

Not surprisingly you’re worried about government regulations. We asked the question, “Are you worried about how government regulations will hurt your business?” 76% say yes and 24% no. This is a big part of the rhetoric in Washington, DC right now, along with the debt ceiling and budget. All I can say is, “Get off my back Mr. Government Man!”

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Do you own an iPad or other type of tablet?” Apps continue to be created to perform helpful agricultural functions. So let us know if you’ve made the investment. Thanks.

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Certified Angus Beef ® brand sold 70 million pounds in June, the highest volume month in the company’s 33-year history, 4.3% above the previous June and some 10 million pounds better than June 2009.
  • The 2011 Citrus Expo seminar program will feature firsthand presentations from citrus growers who have successfully implemented emerging ideas in their operations.
  • DuPont announced that it has acquired Innovalight, Inc., a company specializing in advanced silicon inks and process technologies that increase the efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells.
  • You can learn first-hand from the industry’s finest farm equipment professionals through Farm Equipment’s newest video series.
    Zimfo Bytes

    AAEA Presents Lifetime Achievement Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The American Agricultural Editors Association presented two Lifetime Achievement Awards during the Ag Media Summit awards banquet.

    Receiving one of the awards from the AAEA was John Harvey (pictured on right).

    These awards are just some of the many awards that are presented during the Ag Media Summit. I will try to find an electronic copy of them and provide a link as soon as I can.

    Fred Myers received one of the awards too (pictured on right). Earlier in the day he received recognition during the luncheon for fifty years of service to AAEA.

    I visited with Fred before the awards banquet about his service award. He says he doesn’t know where the 50 years have gone. He’s always considered AAEA “his organization.” He also received a nice letter from our Secretary of Agriculture. Fred also has a book that he’s written. If you’d like to know more about it or order one just send him an email.

    You can listen to my conversation with Fred here: Fred Myers Interview

    2011 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by BASF and AgHaven
    ACN, Ag Media Summit, Audio

    AgHaven Continues To Develop

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Do you have your AgHaven account created yet? If not, what are you waiting for? AgHaven is still seeking feedback as it works to improve and finalize different elements of this new agricultural “community.”

    AgHaven is a sponsor of my coverage of this year’s Ag Media Summit and they were giving a lot of tours to journalists here during InfoExpo. I spoke with Srik Soogoor, President, and asked him how AgHaven is developing. He says things are “going great.” Traffic is growing and feedback has been helpful. Based on that feedback they’ve made a number of improvements and more are planned. One of the things they’re working on is – mobile. They’ve got six apps in development for example!

    Listen to my conversation with Srik here: Srik Soogoor Interview

    2011 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by BASF and AgHaven
    Ag Media Summit, Audio

    Not Your Typical Tractor Show

    Joanna Schroeder

    Looking for a tractor show that is a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll? Than look no further than the upcoming 2011 Cambridge Tractor Show and Ag Day that will be held on Saturday, August 6 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm in Cambridge, Illinois. There are not only lots of tractors “through the ages” to enjoy, but also a multitude of shows including a pedal tractor show, semi-tractor show, farm truck show, hit and miss motor show, and lawn and garden tractor show.

    Still not enough variety for you? Then check out the featured tractor this year, which is a Farmall tractor sporting a Maytag motor that was chosen by Mayor Jim Crouch. It’s a 1952 Farmall Super M White Demonstrator tractor owned and restored by Dave and Angie Charlet of Cambridge.

    Other tractors of note that will be on display include the “Pink and Red” 1948 M Marmall tractor specially painted to bring awareness to heart disease and breast cancer. This tractor is also owned by the Charlet’s and was restored by Chad Hutchingon, also of Cambridge, in memory of his mother Sylvia Hutchinson who died of heart disease.

    While we have to leave some of the fun as a surprise for attendees, we will tell you that a fun new activity this year is an “pedal” tractor pull. There will also be fun ag-related games for kids of all ages 1 -100+. For more information contact Karen Hutchinson at 309-937-5859.

    Events, Tractor

    Koch Agronomic Services to Acquire AGROTAIN International

    Cindy Zimmerman

    agrotain at AMS 11AGROTAIN International had some big news to talk about today at the Ag Media Summit Info Expo – the company has signed an agreement to sell its assets to Koch Agronomic Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Koch Fertilizer, LLC.

    AGROTAIN VP of Global Marketing Jeff Whetstine, pictured here with Dr. Harold Reetz of Reetz Agronomics, gave Chuck the lowdown in an interview this morning. “It means that we’re going to continue the growth that we’ve experienced in the past,” Jeff said. “AGROTAIN has experienced a phenomenal level of acceptance in the last few years due to its benefits to farmers which is increased nitrogen efficiency.” In fact, Jeff says they actually sold out of product this season.

    “Koch is basic in producing nitrogen and AGROTAIN is basic in protecting nitrogen from loss and so the combination of our two companies will offer new opportunities for our customers and for our growers,” Jeff said.

    Find out more in Chuck’s interview with Jeff here: Jeff Whetstine Interview

    2011 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by BASF and AgHaven
    Ag Media Summit, Audio

    Ag Media Summit, Xbox 360 and BASF

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Ag Media Summit, Xbox 360 and BASF adds up to something fun for one lucky ag journalist attending this year’s event. BASF, our conference coverage sponsor, has a drawing in their InfoExpo booth. While you’re there you can also take their Innovation Quotient quiz to find out if you’re Techie, Wired or Traditional. If you’re Techie you get a button that says “Fear No Gadget.” I’m wearing one!

    This is the BASF team in the picture, (l-r) Dr. Dan Westberg, Nick Fassler, Pat Morrow and Dr. Scott Walker. You’ll be hearing from Dan, Nick and Scott later as we talk about what’s new with BASF. Right now you can hear from Pat talk about the activities planned for the ag media here.

    Listen to my conversation with Pat here: Pat Morrow Interview

    2011 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by BASF and AgHaven
    Ag Media Summit, Audio, BASF

    Retail and Acquisitions Put the GROW in GROWMARK

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Retail businesses and acquisitions really put the “Grow” in the GROWMARK system.

    growmark shelly kruseShelly Kruse is GROWMARK vice president of retail and acquisitions and I spoke with her earlier this year about her job.

    “I work a lot with our retail divisions, which are member cooperatives that have actually merged into GROWMARK,” Shelly said. Three of those retail divisions are located in Iowa, one in Illinois, two in Wisconsin and one in Ontario, Canada.

    The acquisitions part of her job really keeps Shelly busy. “Some of the most recent ones have been very focused on agronomy, adding fertilizer storage,” she said, adding around 250,000 tons of storage for fertilizers with the purchase of several CF terminals. Other acquisitions have been in the areas of seed and energy.

    Shelly has been with the GROWMARK system for 28 years and she has seen lots of changes in that time. Listen to my interview with Shelly here: Shelly Kruse Interview

    Audio, GROWMARK