Pioneer Partners With NBC Learn

Chuck Zimmerman March 22, 2011

At the Commodity Classic Pioneer announced a “partnership with NBC Learn, the education arm of NBC News, to bring science to life for high school students in Iowa and Illinois. The program is focused on building students’ understanding and interest in agricultural science by providing innovative, video-based educational resources to schools at no cost.” I spoke with Todd Frazier about the program to learn more.

You can listen to my interview with Todd here: Interview with Todd Frazier
Through this partnership, Pioneer will fund subscriptions to the NBC Learn Science Collections for 40 schools in Iowa and Illinois for the 2011-2012 school year. The partnership was announced at Commodity Classic in Tampa, Fla.

Through the grant from Pioneer, NBC Learn will make available more than a thousand video clips from NBC News archives, plus current NBC News science coverage, to Iowa and Illinois teachers, students and schools to use as teaching tools.

“Meeting the challenge of doubling agricultural productivity by 2050 is dependent on the next generation of young talent with an interest and understanding of agriculture,” said Judd O’Connor, vice president – Pioneer Hi-Bred. “We are proud to support the expansion of the NBC Learn science curriculum across Iowa and Illinois to help engage young people in the opportunities available in this growing industry.”

“NBC Learn is proud to partner with Pioneer and DuPont to make compelling real-life stories of agricultural science available to students and teachers. Through this effort, NBC Learn hopes to inspire a new generation of students devoted to innovation in agriscience,” said Soraya Gage, executive producer – NBC Learn.

I joined the press conference late but you can listen in here (includes Q&A): Pioneer Press Conference

2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Pioneer

ARC Announces Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame

Chuck Zimmerman March 22, 2011

The board of directors of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) has approved creation of the first agricultural hall of fame for public relations to recognize individuals for lifetime achievement. Our friends at Agri Marketing magazine are the founding sponsor of the ARC Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame. The first awards will be presented next year to one or more deserving ag public relations professionals.

“This new hall of fame will very simply and properly recognize legends in ag public relations,” said Deron Johnson, immediate past president of the ARC board of directors and creator of the concept. “As ARC marks its 58th anniversary in 2011, it’s a perfect time to launch a formal program that honors those who have made important contributions to the execution and advancement of agricultural public relations.”

Mace Thornton, president of the board, says ARC is the right organization to found and present this award each year. “Our mission is to serve the unique needs of public relations professionals in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries,” Thornton says. “We are eager to recognize those who came before us and paved the way for what we accomplish today for the ag industry.”

During the organization’s annual meeting in Fort Myers, Fla., in February, the ARC board began considering a re-branded recognition program that would fold the current Founders Award into a revamped award to be presented annually by the national organization. Thus, the hall of fame concept was born.

“We are thrilled to be part of this new program,” said Lynn Henderson, Agri Marketing magazine publisher and founding sponsor of the ARC Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame program. “This new award is long overdue and we are excited to publicize and promote this program throughout the ag communications industry.

Thornton said a committee will be formed soon to develop criteria. This announcement is another in a series of developments over the past two years that has brought the ARC back to prominence. The ARC also recognizes creative work with the Golden ARC Award Program, also recently re-instituted by the organization.

If you’d like to serve on the committee please contact ARC President Mace Thorton or ARC Executive Director Den Gardner.

ARC

Alltech Restructures Marketing Team

Cindy Zimmerman March 22, 2011

Alltech recently announced the restructuring of its global headquarters marketing team based in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

“The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games transformed Alltech,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “We are a stronger company internally as a result of the teamwork required to make the event a success, and our increased profile in the past few years has led to innumerable opportunities. With this in mind, we must ensure that we do not continue business as usual, but we are placing the right people in the right places to move Alltech forward. Our best days are ahead of us.”

“As our industry environment and our customers’ businesses evolve, so too must the Alltech team to ensure we continuously deliver value,” said Catherine Keogh, global marketing director for Alltech. “Our core mission – the ACE Principle through which we provide natural nutritional solutions that benefit the Animal, Consumer, and Environment – remains unchanged. Today this mission is more relevant than ever.”

Keogh has returned to the company’s headquarters in Nicholasville, Ky. to revamp Alltech’s marketing strategy for North America. A resident of France and a native of Ireland, she has led the company’s global marketing strategy for nearly 20 years.

Among the changes at Alltech, our good friend Billy Frey has been named Advertising and Digital Marketing Manager. Frey, an 11-year veteran at Alltech, has assumed leadership of Alltech’s in-house media studios and will be focused on driving the company’s message through global advertising and emerging media strategies. For the past six years, Frey was the North America PR manager.

Alltech

GROWMARK Names 2011 Essay Contest Winner

Chuck Zimmerman March 22, 2011

For the eighteenth year, GROWMARK held it’s Iowa Essay Contest. The winner in 2011 is Sarah Goode of Coggon, Iowa.

The theme of this year’s contest was “The Importance of Agriculture in Everyday Life.” In her contest entry, Goode said: “At the forefront of technology and innovative comprehension, agriculture provides for our basic needs and cravings, aiding our way of life to be physically and emotionally fulfilling.”

As the contest winner, Goode will receive a $500 scholarship from GROWMARK at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference, held in Des Moines during April. The North-Linn FFA chapter will also receive a $300 award in honor of her accomplishment to help future students.

Four state runners-up will each receive a $125 scholarship. The runners-up and their FFA chapters are, in alphabetical order: Katie Johnson, Okoboji FFA, Milford, Iowa; Dustin Konrad, Des Moines FFA, Des Moines, Iowa; Samuel Reilly, Midland FFA, Oxford Junction, Iowa; and Jordan Walker, Emmetsburg FFA, Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Education, GROWMARK

iPad 2 Review

Chuck Zimmerman March 22, 2011

I got the new iPad 2 yesterday and thought I’d share my first impressions. In fact I’m typing this on the new one with the WordPress app. The first comment is that thinner and lighter are an apt description. It just feels sleeker. And the first wasn’t bad. So for portability purposes this is a plus.

With iTunes, syncing all my stuff was a breeze. I had backed up my old iPad first of course. Then just plugged the sync cable in and that was that. It just doesn’t get any easier than that. I’m typing on the built in keyboard because I forgot my wireless one. But it is not as difficult as some people have made it out to be.

I have all my same apps. The ones I use the most are Mail, Twitter, The Weather Channel, Kindle, Netflix, iPod, Newspapers, USA Today, iBreviary, Maps, Safari, Google, Friendly, Contacts and Calendar but I have a lot more including 1Password, iDisk, DocsToGo, Dropbox. Apps are where it’s at!

The new iPad is a little easier to hold while sitting because it is lighter and I have to comment on the new smart cover. I’ve got a white iPad with the blue leather smart cover. This cover is cool! It attaches with magnets and knows where to fit them. It only covers the screen but that’s okay with me. I’m going to be putting this into a carry on bag or have it lying on a coffee table. I’m not worried about scratching the back. The cover turns it off when I close it automatically. Then the iPad turns on instantly when I open it! That doesn’t sound like much but its a nice user friendly feature. The cover is in panels that allow you to either swing it around to the back to read your book or fold into several configurations as a stand like I’m doing now to type. I recommend this cover!

Now let’s talk about some other improvements. Can you say cameras? Front and back and I’ve already used FaceTime with a friend. Works great. I haven’t used Skype on it yet but I’m sure that will work fine too. Having these cameras opens up a whole new world of opportunities!

Before I got it I was asked if it would have a USB port. It does not. But I had already gotten the camera kit which includes a USB adapter that worked fine on my original. That let’s me connect a Multi card reader for example to plug in compact flash cards.

I also bought the original adapter to let me plug this into a projector but still haven’t found this to be too useful. But then I really don’t use Keynote (PowerPoint) that much. I don’t use this to plug into a wide screen tv either. I have my Apple TV for that.

Finally, I have the wifi only version. I either use this where I have wifi or I have my iPhone 4 with a tethering account to create my own wifi. I saw no need to have an extra monthly bill! Does this replace my MacBook Pro? No way. Do I use it a lot? Yes. I have learned to love reading books and watching movies on it. It’s great for checking email, Twitter and Facebook. It’s a lot easier to pull out on the plane and use. I do wish they’d get rid of that rule to have all electronic devices turned off on takeoff and landing though!

So there you have it. It gets my highest recommendation. What did I do with my original? It has replaced Cindy’s Sony Reader. Now if Sony and Apple would just see eye to eye on their app . . .

Post Update: I added the photo after I got back from the coffee shop.

Apps, Equipment

AGROTAIN Presents University Nitrogen Efficiency Research

Cindy Zimmerman March 21, 2011

AGROTAIN continues to line up the university research on the performance of their products that control nitrogen loss.

At the Commodity Classic earlier this month, plant science professors from the University of Kentucky and the University of Delaware presented some of their findings during a press conference. They were also available to talk with growers at the AGROTAIN booth and recorded a segment of the AGROTAIN educational series on RFD-TV that aired on March 7.

Dr. Greg Schwab, University of Kentucky, has been researching the performance of inhibitors in no-till corn under high loss conditions. “AGROTAIN under those high loss conditions performs just as well as the ammonium nitrate fertilizer,” he said. “This is important because a lot of our farmers historically have used ammonium nitrate but find it harder and harder to get it and it’s much higher priced.”

Dr. Greg Binford, University of Delaware, tells farmers to make sure the products they use are supported by data. “I think there’s clear data with AGROTAIN to show that it is definitely a urease inhibitor,” he said. “DCD which is a product in SuperU and AGROTAIN Plus, there’s definite data to show that it’s a nitrification inhibitor. So both are providing the mode of action that they claim they are.”

“What we’re really talking about is loss. Anytime that you have a producer putting urea fertilizer out, it’s subject to loss – upwards of 30%,” said John Hassell, AGROTAIN International’s Manager of Research and Agronomic Development. “Today, we’re seeing urea prices around $500 a ton and if you’re losing 30% of that, you’re losing $150 right off the top. So, it’s really important that we be able to provide a technology to protect urea fertilizers and that’s what AGROTAIN does.”

AGROTAIN also recently released some new data from California and Arizona that shows the effectiveness of AGROTAIN technology in controlling nitrogen (N) loss for higher yields in almonds, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cotton, lettuce, rice, tomatoes, and wheat.

Listen to comments from Schwab, Binford and Hassel here: AGROTAIN at Commodity Classic

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Fertilizer

Lisa Adams Joins Woodruff Sweitzer

Cindy Zimmerman March 21, 2011

Woodruff Sweitzer announces the hiring of Lisa Adams to the position of Vice President, Director of Public Relations. In this role, Adams is responsible for the management, growth and development of the Woodruff Sweitzer U.S. public relations functions and team. Adams will be based in the agency’s Kansas City office.

Adams supports the organization with 20 years of experience in strategic product and portfolio campaign management, public relations and public affairs in the agribusiness and business-to-business sectors. Prior to joining Woodruff Sweitzer, Adams was Director of Public Relations for AdFarm.

“Lisa’s experience, talent and passion for results-driven public relations supports our commitment to superior client service, continued growth and our unique promise in delivering unexpected ideas,” says Terry Woodruff, President of Woodruff Sweitzer. “We are excited to bring Lisa’s marketing and corporate communications skills to the forefront of our clients’ business and brand strategy successes. Her contributions will strengthen the equity of their brands and messages through new public relations initiatives and reputation management strategies.”

Adams holds a M.B.A. from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a B.S. in Agricultural Communications from The University of Illinois. Prior to her position at AdFarm, Adams’ career has included public relations, advertising and corporate communications roles with Rumrill-Hoyt/Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA/Chiat Day, Bader Rutter & Associates and IMC Global.

Agencies

Meet our Intern

Cindy Zimmerman March 21, 2011

ZimmComm New Media is proud to announce and welcome John Brown as our intern this semester.

John brings over 5 years of marketing experience as well as a healthy knowledge of 21st Century communications strategies. He comes to us from Columbia College, where he is in his final year of pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a double major in Public Relations and Advertising.

“I am excited to work with ZimmComm New Media and learn more about social media and marketing,” said John, “Chuck and Cindy are very knowledgeable and fun to work with, I couldn’t ask for a better fit.”

John has been working with us for a couple of months now, mainly on promotional activities, including the upcoming NAMA annual meeting. That is where you will get a chance to meet him as he will be at the booth with Chuck during the last hours of the trade show.

John is our first ever real intern and we are happy to be able to work with him and show him a little bit of what we do and how we do it. John is also (coincidentally!) the boyfriend of our youngest daughter Caitlin, who is also attending Columbia College and about to finish her degree in marketing.

ZimmComm Announcement

AGRITECHNICA Will Feature Smart Farming

Cindy Zimmerman March 21, 2011

Agricultural equipment and machinery manufacturers are implementing more advanced electronics into their products these days to help farmers become ever more efficient. That’s why “Smart Farming” will have its own special segment at Agritechnica 2011, November 15-19 in Germany.

During the 2011 Commodity Classic, I had a chance to chat with our friends Malene Conlong and Annette Reichhold with DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft – German Agricultural Society) who organize the bi-annual Agritechnica. Malene says they chose “smart farming” as the special topic to highlight during Agritechnica this year. “You guys in America actually started this off with your precision farming and this is something that we’ll be exploring in depth,” she said. “By 2050 we’ve got 9 billion people on the earth and these people have to be fed somehow and I think smart farming is one of the ways that will be possible.”

Agritechnica started in 1985 and is the world’s largest agricultural machinery and equipment exhibition, with 2300 exhibitors and 355,000 visitors. They recently partnered with the AgConnect Expo here in the United States to build up a similar show on this side of the Atlantic on the off years – even though they will technically be held in the same calendar year.

Listen to or download my interview with Malene and Annette here: 2011 Agritechnica Preview

2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Equipment, Events, Farm Shows, Precision Agriculture

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