Changes Needed in Farm Bill

Chuck Zimmerman

Of course we planned our latest ZimmPoll to coincide with the first public hearings on the new farm bill. Uh. Right. But that’s how it worked out. This past week we’ve asked the question, “What is your opinion about the farm bill?” Early in the poll there was not a large gap in response but then things changed and the choice of Needs Overhaul zoomed out in front with 61% choosing it. That’s followed by 31% who said it Needs Minimal Change and then 8% with Leave as is. I guess the bottom line is that something needs to change, eh?

If you missed the first hearings by the Senate Ag Committee you can still watch them:

Food for Thought: The Role, Risks and Challenges for American Agriculture and the Next Farm Bill in Meeting the Demands of a Growing World

Opportunities for Growth: Michigan and the 2012 Farm Bill

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Have you ever used your smartphone to scan a QR code?” Well, have you?

And if you have any questions you want to suggest for future ZimmPolls please let us know.

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Syngenta announced that it has received cultivation approval for its MIR162 trait, branded Agrisure Viptera, from the Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina.
  • Farmers must decide whether to plant row crops or take the prevented planting payment from their crop insurance policy. University of Illinois agricultural economist and farm management specialist Gary Schnitkey has provided calculations to help farmers choose the option with the best net return.
  • WATT recently unveiled its new and improved corporate website.
  • Merial is pleased to announce the addition of a new web-based audiovisual training module, Mastitis Control, to www.BestInClassDairies.com. A third module, Dairy as a Profit Center, is also featured on the new enhanced site – giving dairy operations even more tools to be successful.
    Zimfo Bytes

    FarmVille Fanatics to Plant Real Crops

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The top players of the popular on-line game FarmVille will get a taste of reality as they leave the virtual farm this month to plant a real fruit orchard in the real town of Farmville, Virginia – courtesy of Edy’s Fruit Bars.


    The new orchard in Farmville, VA commemorates a branded integration between Edy’s Fruit Bars and FarmVille. From June 13 to June 19, 2011, FarmVille players across the country will plant limited edition Edy’s Fruit Bars branded crops within the FarmVille game, earning additional profitability and the opportunity to receive mastery recognition for planting, growing and selling the Fruit Bars crops.

    A handful of lucky players have been selected to plant trees in real life, as well. Sharyn Martinez is among the FarmVille enthusiasts traveling to Farmville, VA to plant a fruit orchard with Edy’s Fruit Bars. “Being from Los Angeles, I thought the only way I’d get to plant an orchard was on my beautiful virtual farm! But now, thanks to Edy’s Fruit Bars and Zynga, I am getting ready to dig in and plant fruit trees in the real town of Farmville,” says Sharyn.

    The planting in Farmville, VA is an example of Edy’s Fruit Bars ongoing commitment to revitalizing one of our most precious resources: fruit trees. In 2010, Fruit Bars introduced Communities Take Root, an annual program dedicated to planting fruit tree orchards in deserving communities nationwide. Throughout the summer, Edy’s Fruit Bars invites people across the United States to cast their vote to help twenty communities blossom, one orchard at a time.

    Brilliant! Wish I had thought of it!

    Farming, Public Relations

    AgriSafe Network Seeking Partners for Farm Safety

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Most everyone knows what a dangerous occupation farming can be, but the AgriSafe Network does something about it, and safety product companies can help.

    The AgriSafe Network is a national nonprofit organization that represents health professionals who provide agricultural occupational health and safety services to farmers and their families.

    To help out with this mission, AgriSafe has developed a social business venture based on the sale of safety products. “Without spending any additional dollars companies can assist farm families by choosing AgriSafe as the vendor for safety equipment,” said Outreach Coordinator Janie Boyer. “100% of the proceeds support AgriSafe’s non-profit work.”

    For more information on the AgriSafe Network, go to www.agrisafe.org.

    Safety

    Dealing With Disruptive Change In Dairy Industry

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Mandi McLeodDisruptive change sounds disturbing. However, perhaps it’s more of a challenge. Mandi McLeod, System Insights, Ltd., New Zealand, talked about it and its impact on the dairy industry during the Alltech International Symposium. She’s seen here being interviewed by Ireland’s RTE voice Damien O’Reilly. I spoke with Mandi after Damien to learn what is going on with dairy farming in her country and how she coaches family business strategy.

    Mandi says the New Zealand dairy model is still working but needs to evolve further in light of disruptive changes in the industry. She says that their level of productivity hasn’t kept up with the price of their product which makes them vulnerable at the moment. The current pricing of dairy products is just not financially sustainable and it looks like that isn’t going to improve soon. Mandi is a family business strategist and advises dairy farmers to take a look at their business and make sure they’re using resources wisely. Sounds like common sense advice for any business. She wants people to enjoy what they are doing by finding a balance in their life and business. Having a good plan would help a family business tremendously. Perhaps you should give Mandi a call if you need help. Mandi McLeod Interview

    2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

    Alltech, Audio, Dairy, International

    Hunting The Wild Cicada

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I don’t know about where you are but the cicadas have made their presence known here in Missouri. Hunting is not the right word. I just walked out in the front yard to take a picture of this bad boy. They really just started showing up. Nothing, then boom, they’re everywhere. I’ve passed white fences and walls that are covered with them. Now I think I know what’s been eating the vine at our mailbox.

    These little “tree crickets” show up periodically. According to a map and information on Cicada Mania I think we’ve got Brood IV XIX. These are 13-year cicadas and they are loud and proud.

    How loud? Here’s a few seconds of sound I recorded just now with my iPhone from the same tree I shot the photo. You can also hear a nearby highway. Cicada Sound

    Now, that will either put you to sleep while you lie in your hammock or else it will grate on your nerves and force you to put your ear buds on and crank up your favorite Pandora station.

    Audio

    Alltech Gets New Media

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 306This week’s program features a conversation I had at last week’s Alltech International Symposium with Billy Frey, Digita Marketing Manager. Billy was on the program with a session titled, “Precision Marketing: Don’t “get what you pay for,” only pay for what you get. His session was part of a new educational track called the New Ag Network. This track was created to take a holistic approach to business and marketing. The symposium still has species targeted educational tracks. His session was part of an effort to provide attendees with tools to do better marketing of their business.

    Of course we talk about social media mechanisms since they now allow companies like Alltech to do their own branding without being completely dependent on traditional media channels. Billy says his number one message is “we have to listen to the customer.” These new tools that allow companies to engage with their customers make that easier than ever. At the same time they allow for very targeted and streamlined advertising efforts. There are ag media representatives from many countries that attend the Alltech Symposium. I asked him if he thought they are “getting it” when it comes to social media. He thinks they are or that they are at least in the process of making changes necessary to survive in the new media world. He’s proud of the ag media for embracing new media. In the photo Billy (left) is chatting with Dave Russell, Brownfield Ag News in the Symposium press room.

    Billy thinks that the new media mechanisms provide an opportunity and a challenge since the younger generations are starting out with them while the older generations are only just coming around to accepting them. He echoes a belief I’ve had since we got into new media and that is that it’s just an evolution of the best form of marketing – word of mouth.

    We also talk about the new Alltech App which currently provides unique information for pork producers and markets and weather. Basically, this means that Alltech has created their own information channel for their customers who can choose to get it and use it how and where they want.

    Learn how Alltech is using new communications elements in the company’s marketing program: Alltech and New 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.

    Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Health, Apps, Audio, ZimmCast

    Remembering Those Who Served In Our Military

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Today we honor, remember and pray for the souls of our deceased men and women who have died in service to our country. At 3pm today you may want to take a moment to say a prayer and remember these heroes. You can turn your lights on if you’re driving.

    To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

    You can find a lot more good information about the meaning of today on this website or on this one.

    Uncategorized

    The Fastest Socket Wrench

    Melissa Sandfort

    I love organization. I wonder, at times, if I have OCD about cleaning and putting everything back in its place. I have a child who is almost 3 years old and probably thinks I’m no fun when it comes to playing…but I know right where all of his toys are, and every night, the same toys go back in the same box, and get put back in the same trunk in the same place. See a pattern here? I don’t like clutter.

    I’d be that way about my husband’s toolbox too, but he’d probably throw a fit. Plus, that’s his domain.

    I just find that when I complete this organizational routine, it makes my life easier because I don’t have to search for toys, car keys, tape, socks, cell phone or tools.

    This is a 4-way speed wrench, made for two reasons. One, to clean up the toolbox clutter. (Oh, I like it already!) And two, to have four socket sizes at your fingertips to quickly and easily loosen lug nuts. This one was patented in October 1922.

    Now we have impact wrenches, but this initial design was perfect for those who wanted an uncluttered toolbox, and liked doing things fast.

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • The American Meat Science Association is excited to announce its first Developmental Web Seminar, “How to Survive an Audit – Key Ingredients for Success.” The two-hour seminar will take place June 8 at 2:00 pm CDT.
    • The National FFA Organization has selected 50 outstanding young people to participate in the 2011 New Century Farmer program.
    • Phill Barufkin has joined Bader Rutter & Associates as a senior brand strategist in the agency’s brand asset management group.
    • EVITO Fungicide from Arysta LifeScience North America received approval of a supplemental label by the EPA that allows EVITO to be applied using a low water volume of 2 gallons per acre.
      Zimfo Bytes