Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Farm Journal Media announces a new database comprising 32,122 U.S. agricultural retail locations, plus a new link between producers and their primary ag chem Dealer.
  • Massey Ferguson and Rural King will begin offering a select line of Massey Ferguson sub-compact, compact and light utility tractors through Rural King stores.
  • The 2011 Ag Machinery Conference has moved to Waterloo, Iowa. The annual three-day agriculture engineering and education conference will be held May 2, 3 and 4 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in downtown Waterloo.
  • April is National Soyfoods Month, which makes it the ideal time for exploring the flavor, texture, healthy profile, versatility and convenience of soyfoods.
    Zimfo Bytes

    2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photos

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Let the NAMA games begin. Actually they have starting with today’s ABEF Golf Tournament. It was a beautiful day for it.

    Registration has been busy, especially with all the student competitors arriving for their afternoon competition orientation. As you might expect, there are photos online and Cindy and I will be adding to them throughout the next several days: 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
    NAMA

    NAMA App Arrives in Time for Conference

    Cindy Zimmerman

    This app just in … the NAMA App!

    The National Agri-Marketing Association is thrilled to announce its all-new app, just in time for the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference. The app is available for iPhone, iPod, iPad or Android smartphone and Blackberry is coming soon.

    Download from iTunes here.

    Download from the Android Market here.

    2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
    NAMA, Technology

    Get More From Burndown as Planting Begins

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Planting season has officially started with the first USDA crop progress report of the year released this week. Three percent of the nation’s corn crop planted – the same as both last year and the five year average. Cotton is running on schedule with seven percent planted and sorghum is 20 percent.

    As the planters start moving through the fields, Precision Laboratories is reminding growers to get the most out of their fields by getting the most out of their weed control by following two simple steps:

    1. Reduce costly tank-mix incompatibility issues by following the proper mixing sequence

    Tank mix compatibility issues can cost you time and money – lost spraying time from plugged sprayer nozzles, lost product and the risk of cross contamination problems later. Precision Laboratories recently released a simple and unique way to identify the correct mixing sequence for your crop protection products. The new Mix Tank app for iPhone and iPod touch, is the first of its kind, helping you determine the accurate mixing sequence for pesticides, adjuvants and foliar nutrition products. With over 700 crop protection products from over 15 manufacturers, the new Mix Tank app can process any combination of products and determine the correct solution. Download the Mix Tank app at http://bit.ly/MixTank. And if you don’t have an iPhone, you can enter to win a free iPod Touch loaded with the app and other tank mixing resources. To register for the Precision Laboratories/ZimmComm iPod Touch giveaway, click here.Read More

    Farming, Precision Agriculture, USDA

    World Agriculture Investment Conference Asia Linking Investors

    Chuck Zimmerman

    It’s time to consider a trip to Singapore for the World Agriculture Investment Conference Asia if you’re interested in agricultural investments.

    Leading investors and fund managers from across SE Asia and Australia are coming to Singapore in June to discuss the investment opportunities and risks in agricultural markets. With the latest market insight on offer and 11 institutional investors already on board, anticipation is high.

    On June 29-30, this unique forum will bring together institutional and private investors with top Ag fund managers, to debate strategies for participating in agriculture and surrounding investments.

    Among timely discussions including, private equity investment in the full agriculture supply chain and the challenges and benefits of investing internationally, time has been set aside specifically for one-on-one networking for contacts and details to be shared and business to be done.

    Confirmed participants already include: Emergent Asset Management, Macquarie, Duxton Asset Management, InvestAg Savills and many more. Read More

    International

    Hated Sheep Project Coming To Agri-Marketing Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    There is a reason why Sullivan Higdon & Sink hate sheep.

    We, at SHS, hate sheep because they remind us of marketing that follows instead of leads, communication that blends in and old thinking that’s best put out to pasture. Don’t follow the flock. Choose to hate sheep, too. Choose to make your brand stand out.

    So they’re bringing back the Hated Sheep Project to this week’s Agri-Marketing Conference.

    The rules are simple and if you keep playing throughout the conference, you could be a big winner. But to share the love, you have to bring on the hate. It’s easy to get started – here’s how:

    Check out the Hated Sheep Project located between the hotel and exhibit hall for the current challenge.
    Tweet your response to @hatedsheep with the #11AMC hashtag.
    Every tweet helps unlock “unsheeplike” surprises for everyone.
    Be back at the specified time to get your share of the love.
    For those with a competitive streak, keep playing to gain access to a secret VIP event for exclusive hobnobbing and impressive elbow rubbing.*

    “Last year, our Sheep-A-Nator display was so well received by NAMA conference attendees, we felt compelled to raise the bar this year,” said John January, Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director for SHS. “Using our own brand as a test subject, we came up with an attention-grabbing game that combines digital elements with dynamic real-world experiences. In the coming months, marketers will hear more and more about game dynamics and how they will be integrated with social media to engage and influence behavior. The Hated Sheep Project will provide attendees with a glimpse of what is to come in the industry.”

    To learn more about SHS, visit our website at www.wehatesheep.com. Discover what the Hated Sheep Project is really all about at www.nama.wehatesheep.com.

    Agencies

    AdMavericks Are Socially AWear

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The AdMavericks at Lessing-Flynn have teamed up with Eight Seven Central to introduce Socially AWear, a joint venture that aims to raise money for local charities through online sale of t-shirts that feature local brands.

    Through nearly a dozen partnerships, Socially AWear looks to capitalize on support for local brands, with all proceeds being split between charitable donations and the production of additional t-shirts. A different central Iowa charity will be the recipient of the proceeds each month.

    In addition to social media promotion efforts and the website SociallyAWear.com, Eight Seven Central is offering a discount in order to drive t-shirt sales and maximize charitable donations. “We like helping people who are active in the Des Moines community,” said Zach Anderson of Eight-Seven. “Socially AWear is a great way to recognize that activity.”

    “Helping non-profits is the jam,” said Joe Winn of Lessing-Flynn. “Giving people the chance to rock a sweet tee to help non-profits is just good for everybody. We wanted to do something good for the community. This helps Des Moines brands get more exposure while raising money for Des Moines charities at the same time.”

    Current t-shirts offered include: Children’s Cancer Connection, DSM: SUSHIBOMB, Gusto Pizza, Urban 515, vineme, DesMoinesIsNotBoring.com and Lessing-Flynn’s AdMavericks.com.

    Agencies

    IFAJ 2011 Congress Deadline

    Chuck Zimmerman

    IFAJIt’s time to stop procrastinating and get your registration completed for the 2011 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Canada. The early deadline is this Friday. You’ll get a discount on the fees of course.

    I registered to arrive in time for a day at the Outdoor Farm Show and hope to be on the Lake Huron Tour. If you’ve never attended an IFAJ Congress then this is the time. You will have a chance to create lasting relationships with agricultural journalists from all over the world. It’s a two way benefit since you’ll learn from them at the same time they learn from you.

    I’m happy to report that Pioneer Hi-Bred will once again be the sponsor of AgWired coverage of this major international agricultural communicator event.

    You can find the full schedule and registration form on the 2011 Congress website.

    IFAJ

    Brownfield Ag News Introduces Healthy Living

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Guess who the sponsor of AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference will be? You are so right. How did you guess? Brownfield Ag News is sponsoring our coverage of the “main event” in agricultural marketing this week in Kansas City, MO. I’m on my way there today with Cindy arriving tomorrow.

    Here’s a little news from our sponsor.

    Brownfield Ag News introduces “Healthy Living,” a radio program that answers consumer questions about agriculture; helping to address the growing divide between consumers and those who grow their food, fiber and fuel.

    “For many years Brownfield’s product offering has included programs designed to bridge the gap between farmers and those who consume farm products,” said Brownfield Farm Director Cyndi Young. “The goal of Healthy Living is to educate, not advocate. Instead of pushing the story Agriculture wants to tell, Healthy Living is produced with consumers interests and needs in mind.”

    Healthy Living program topics range from food safety to heritage, heirloom and organic foods; from eating healthy on a budget to government food programs and obesity in America. This program also covers current legislation and issues as they affect the consumers’ choice and pocketbook.

    In addition to the Healthy Living feature program, Brownfield Ag News has added another agricultural weather program, two additional agribusiness headline news programs, and two South Dakota agribusiness news programs.

    Listen to one of the programs here: Brownfield Healthy Living

    Audio

    Seed to Succeed Grant Awarded

    Melissa Sandfort

    Harvest PR & Marketing, Inc. has once again awarded its Seed to Succeed nonprofit PR grant, valued at $20,000, to the AgChat Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering farmers and ranchers to effectively tell their story using social media.

    AgChat Foundation, which celebrated its one-year anniversary April 5, debuted the “Agvocacy 2.0 Training” in Chicago last August for a select group of 50 farmers and ranchers, and earned a coveted spot on the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas, last month.

    Currently, Harvest PR is leading a consumer-targeted media relations program spotlighting success stories of the farmers and ranchers who’ve established or enhanced their social media presence, and have successfully connected with consumers as a result of AgChat Foundation training and support. Harvest PR also recently spearheaded the nonprofit’s “Class of 2.0 Reunion,” in which Agvocacy 2.0 Training graduates reunited on Facebook and Twitter and recommitted to their social media goals.

    Harvest PR created the Seed to Succeed PR Grant in 2009 to annually support one worthy not-for-profit cause or organization that serves to better agriculture. Applications for the 2012 PR Grant, valued at $25,000, are due Monday, Oct. 31, 2011. Details at www.harvest-pr.com.

    Public Relations