Novus Cheerleader

Chuck Zimmerman February 18, 2011

The Novus International Cheerleader is Executive Vice President Giovanni Gasperoni who is also in charge of marketing and sales. In the photo he’s visiting with Dick Butkus at the recent International Poultry Expo. I thought I’d save the best for last!

One of the subjects that he loves to talk about is how Novus is helping producers feed a growing and hungry world population. But he says it’s not just about quantity of food but also affordability of food. I think you’ll hear how passionate Gio is about this subject in my interview with him. He takes a very global perspective. He says they are working with producers on three key areas: education, using Novus products that allow for less overall inputs and maximizing the utilization of inputs.

You can listen to my interview with Giovanni here: Interview With Giovanni Gasperoni

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by:

Audio, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort February 18, 2011

Wyffels Hybrids recently rolled out nine new hybrid families for 2012.
James Glassford has joined AgriLabs’ executive management team as V.P. of Marketing.
Steley, the first 24/7 Online Auction website specifically for livestock, allows consumers to buy and sell cattle genetics worldwide.
Pharm Solutions Inc. announced Weed Pharm, a horticultural BIOPESTICIDE, has received EPA approval for use on organic crops for non selective control of herbaceous broadleaf weeds and weed grasses.

Zimfo Bytes

Championship Tractor Pull

Chuck Zimmerman February 17, 2011

It’s “like candy for pullers.” That’s the Championship Tractor Pull taking place after the National Farm Machinery Show closes for the day.

I had to spend a little time seeing the big indoor show and have some photos uploaded for you.

This invitation-only event stars the nation’s best drivers and their ground-pounding machines – Pro Stocks, Super Stocks, Modified, and Alcohol Tractors as well as Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel Drive Trucks. The drivers compete in four exciting evening performances and an additional pull on Saturday afternoon. Drivers are not only gearing up for the unequaled thrill of winning at this nationally recognized pull, but also for the chance to bring home a share of more than $200,000 in prize money.

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

National Farm Machinery Show, Tractor, Video

Advanced Seed Monitoring From Ag Leader Technology

Chuck Zimmerman February 17, 2011

It has been a busy day at the National Farm Machinery Show. I’ve been doing interviews all day and adding to the photo collection. So, lots of stories will be forthcoming in the next few days.

This morning I learned some of what’s new with Ag Leader Technology from Russ Morman. Russ gave me an overview of new products on display that includes their SMS Mobile Mesa Rugged Notepad hand held display, their new GPS 2500 system and advanced seed monitoring for the INTEGRA display. He says they’ve been receiving the most questions on advanced seed monitoring.

You can listen to my interview with Russ here: Russ Morman Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

Ag Leader, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Precision Agriculture

NCFC Honors GROWMARK Employees

Cindy Zimmerman February 17, 2011

Agwired congratulations go out to GROWMARK System employees who were recognized at the recent 2011 National Council of Farmer Cooperatives’ (NCFC) Information Fair, a communications contest that recognizes excellence in the publications, member relations, and marketing products of farmer cooperatives.

Earning first place honors were: Amy Bradford, corporate communications manager, and Ann Kafer, director, Corporate Communications & Marketing Services, in the Multimedia Presentation category; Dorothy Ahlenius, Corporate Communications & Marketing Services administrative coordinator, and Bradford in the Annual Meeting Promotional Materials category; and Jenny Haycraft, marketing communications manager, Karen Higgins, graphic designer, and Marty Dunton, GROWMARK FS seed business manager, in the Advertising Catalog/Product Guide category.

Second place honors were given to: Bradford in the Internal Identity/Awareness Campaign; and Haycraft, Dr. Jeff Bunting, crop protection marketing manager, and Kevin Black, insect and plant disease technical manager, in the Advertising Catalog/Product Guide category.

Third place honors were earned by: Haycraft, Bunting, and Black in the Advertising Catalog/Product Guide category.

Honorable mention went to: Haycraft, Dunton, Higgins, and Lance Ruppert, FS Seed sales and marketing manager, in the Advertising Catalog/Product Guide category; and Haycraft, Dr. Howard Brown, manager, agronomy services, and Mike Scheer, manager, agronomy marketing and communications, in the Direct Mail category.

NCFC is a national association representing America’s farmer cooperatives. There are nearly 3,000 farmer cooperatives across the U.S. whose members include a majority of our nation’s more than 2 million farmers, ranchers and growers.

GROWMARK

I’ve Given Up…

Melissa Sandfort February 17, 2011

On rolling out and cutting and frosting Christmas cookies. When I start making cookies the first of December and don’t finish until about a week before Christmas, and when my freezer is overflowing with about 30 dozen cookies, 6 different kinds, I just really don’t feel like going to all that hassle. Is that a Christmas cookie crime?

I’m a professed “love to cook and bake” kind of girl. But I think that love only goes as far as what kitchen ettiquette has imposed on me in 2011. This cookie cutter and donut cutter (L to R respectively) belonged to my grandmother’s grandmother. That would be … my great, great grandmother. I think. Either way, she was born in 1860 and married at the age of 31. I’m guessing she was using these cutters about that time; my great-grandmother and my grandmother both used them, too.

That was back when everything was homemade and homegrown. And on days when I just don’t feel like “taking care of my man” (and by that I mean the old-fashioned version of welcoming him home to a kitchen full of homemade biscuits, gravy, corn, green beans, turkey and stuffing), I have been known to open a bag of rice and make it on the stove. Yes, I said a bag of rice. The kind that’s pre-packaged and processed and only costs $1.39.

No one ever said I was Betty Crocker.

But I do own some cookie cutters of my own. Maybe someday I’ll once again decide that frosted shapely sugar cookies are worth the time. I doubt, however, they’ll get as much use as these.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

NFocus Forums for Agribusiness in August

Cindy Zimmerman February 16, 2011

Major corn and soybean producers and agribusiness suppliers will convene this August for the NFocus Forums for Agribusiness.

“We are providing the opportunity for 30 to 40 large-acreage corn and soybean producers to meet in one-on-one private sessions with key suppliers,” says Kim Nicholson, managing partner of NFocus Partners, LLC. “With the number of producers farming 5,000 acres or more of corn or soybeans having grown four-fold in just the past 5 years, the purchasing dynamics and supplier needs for this producer group has changed dramatically. What makes the NFocus Forums for Agribusiness efficient is that it brings together key decision makers from both major producers and suppliers in an organized strategic setting.”

NFocus Partners is partnering with BeckAg to pre-screen forum participants. Suppliers will have the option of 10 to 15 meetings with producers who are matched to suppliers and their products and services. “Suppliers will have agendas and pre-call planning information well in advance of the meetings to allow for customized presentations for each producer,” says Stephanie Liska, president of BeckAg.

The NFocus Forums for Agribusiness will be held August 22-25, 2011, at Legacy Lodge, located at Lake Lanier Islands, Georgia. For more information, visit www.nfocusforums.com/home.

Corn, Events, Farming, Soybean

Texas Corn Growers Stress Water Grows Jobs

Cindy Zimmerman February 16, 2011

No doubt that water use issues are among the biggest challenges facing agricultural producers nationwide, but particularly in states where water is at a premium. That’s why corn growers are getting more pro-active in states like Texas.

The Texas Corn Producers rolled out a new public information campaign just this week, with the message that water conservation goals can be achieved without severe restrictions on irrigation that would damage the economy of Texas High Plains.

“Agriculture brings billions of dollars into the economy of the Panhandle and South Plains every year and is the main driver of economic growth in the region,” said David Gibson, Executive Director of the Texas Corn Producers Board. “Through research and development of new technology, we are finding ways to grow more crops with less water. This means we can conserve water for future generations without sacrificing economic growth today.”

The campaign includes televised public service announcements, a 10 minute video and a new website, www.WaterGrowsJobs.org, with the slogan “Water grows our economy; let’s make it last.”

Watch the video here:

Corn, Video

New Holland Construction Intros New Super Boom Skid Steers

Chuck Zimmerman February 16, 2011

The New Holland Construction new Super Boom skid steer loaders drew a lot of attention at the National Farm Machinery Show today. These 200 Series machines have been years in the making. I spoke with Dave December, Marketing Manager, New Holland Construction and Jorge De Hoyos, Global Product Marketing Manager to learn all about these new products. They sell skid steer loaders throughout their dealer network that includes ag equipment dealers.

With the new 200 Series, New Holland maintains the best-in-class forward dump height and reach with the Super Boom® loader vertical lift design – and introduces breakthrough productivity improvements. The new skid steers culminate five years of customer research, design and engineering improvements.

“New Holland skid steers are built around our customers’ needs. Our engineers used input from hundreds of customers to design the new 200 Series line-up,” said Dave December, marketing manager at New Holland Construction. “The New Holland skid steer loaders have been engineered from the ground up. No matter what your line of work, agriculture, landscaping or construction, you’ll work faster, smarter and more profitably with our new skid steers.”

You can listen to my interview with David and Jorge here: Skid Steer Introduction Interview

There are a number of other photos of the new skid steers in my photo album: 2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

In our interview you can hear all about the New Holland Construction Super Boom Road Show which is an open house customer event held at New Holland dealerships across North America. The event includes a skid steer challenge featuring New Holland’s new 200 Series skid steer loaders.

The Super Boom Road Show will take place at 35 New Holland dealerships across the United States and Canada. Highlighting each event is a skid steer challenge where equipment operators compete for the best time on a special course. Prizes and cash are awarded to the top finishers. In addition, the operator who wins each local competition will be flown to Louisville, Ky., to compete in a final competition during GIE+EXPO 2011 (Oct. 27-29) to determine the North American champion. The grand prize winner will receive a new, fully-loaded New Holland 200 Series skid steer loader – valued at $35,000 – for their sponsoring company, plus $5,000 and New Holland gear for the operator.

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Video

Another Record Breaking Harvest for All

Cindy Zimmerman February 16, 2011

Farm Bureau families helped to feed even more hungry Americans in 2010.

American Farm Bureau reports that farm and ranch families of the organization raised more than $273,000 last year and donated more than 18 million pounds of food to hungry Americans as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program through Feeding America. That is the combined equivalent of more than 16 million meals!

The money raised, food donated and meal equivalents in 2010 all shattered program records. The Harvest for All Program was established in 2003.

In fact, the 18 million pounds of food donated by Farm Bureau families in 2010 was nearly three times as great as the 6.7 million pounds donated in 2008, the previous record. The $273,000 in funds donated in 2010 surpassed the 2009 level of $213,000, which was also a record. And the number of meal equivalents served at 16 million exceeded the previous high of 6.4 million, also set in 2008, by nearly 10 million meal equivalents.