Precision Spraying Assists Conservation

Chuck Zimmerman

The Conservation in Action Tour provided some really good opportunities to learn about a part of the country I don’t normally get to see while hearing about some issues that are important to all farmers and that includes new regulatory efforts for watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay. I’ll be continuing my coverage of the tour today and over the weekend so travel along with me.

The second farm we visited was Renwood Farms in Charles City County, VA. Our host was David Hula. The farm actually covers 5,000 acres in four counties and has earned multiple National Corn Yield Contest awards. David gave our tour group an overview of how they utilize bmp’s to mitigate environmental impact while increasing yields. In this video clip you’ll hear him talk about spraying using precision equipment.

Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
possible by and the

Ag Groups, Conservation, CTIC, Environment, Farming, Precision Agriculture, Video

Penton Ag Group Announces Newly Designed Websites

Chuck Zimmerman

It looks like agricultural publishing groups are all coming out with new website designs. The Penton Agricultural Group has just announced that they’ll be unveiling new websites for their Farm Press properties on September 1 and for Corn and Soybean Digest and Farm Industry News on September 15.

For months, our editors and Web developers have been laying the groundwork for a new content management system that will make those Web sites more graphically interesting and easier to use when they launch on September 1. They will be followed by other Penton Ag Group Web sites, including cornandsoybeandigest.com and farmindustrynews.com on September 15.

The sites are being built with a new open source content management platform that will enable editors to provide more relevant content that is easier to navigate. Features also include a more robust search function, based on a new keyword search list; related material that is instantly available; and a new and improved media player.

“We have made an extensive investment in our digital infrastructure to improve the user and marketer experience in all our digital properties. In the next few weeks, you will see a completely new look and format that’s better organized and more intuitive to our readers,” says Greg Frey, vice president of the Agricultural Group at Penton Media Inc.

Media

We Farm For iPad

Chuck Zimmerman

With all the success of Farmville on Facebook I was wondering when we’d see a game app. One that just caught my eye is We Farm which has versions for the iPhone and iPad. I’ve just downloaded it but haven’t tried it yet. If you do please feel free to let me know what you think.

Welcome to We Farm, the online social farm game designed specifically for the iPad!

BUILD YOUR BARNYARD

Moo? Quack? Oink? You choose! Raise farm animals, keep them happy and compete for a Blue Ribbon at the county fair.

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

Turn your farm into the perfect homestead for you and your animals:

– Dairy Barns and Animal Coops
– Horseshoe Pits and Outhouses
– Trees, Flowers, and Ponds
– Tractors and Grain Silos
– Beehives and Tree Houses

Choose from over a hundred buildings, items, and decorations to make your farm as unique as your Grandma’s apple pie!

You can grow crops also grow crops and play with friends. Follow ’em on Twitter. And don’t forget to get the AgWired App which you can use on your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Apps, Farming

AG CONNECT Connects at AMS

Cindy Zimmerman

The youngest agricultural education and trade show is growing up and will be bigger and better in 2011.

agconnect at amsAG CONNECT Expo representatives Rich Jefferson, with show organizers the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and show director Sara Mooney were connecting with agricultural journalists recently at the Ag Media Summit to tell them what will be new and different about the second expo coming up January 8-10, 2011 in Atlanta.

For one, Sara says the show will be co-located with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting. “They’re going to have a special Farm Bureau pavilion on the show floor and the Farm Bureau annual meeting attendees are welcome to come and visit the AG CONNECT exhibits,” she said. There will also be lots of new educational and innovation sessions at the expo as well as forums such as the Corn College for the South. She adds that as of the end of June, they already had 25 percent more exhibitors than the first show, held in Orlando in January.

AG CONNECT is an international event that is coordinated with partners AgriTechnica, the big European farm show that is held every other year.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Sara from AMS here: Sara Mooney Interview

Ag Media Summit, Audio

Advertising Options On Agriculture.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Curt BladesFormer intern does good. That’s how I describe Curt Blades. Yes, Curt was an intern for me once upon a time. He was also my guide for my day at Successful Farming headquarters and this behind the scenes look at the new Agriculture.com. We toured the building so I could see the studios and the prop shops for the various publications and programs produced here by Meredith Corporation.

To wrap up my web remote from Agriculture.com Curt and I talked about what the newly designed website means to advertisers. All of us in the media know how important they are to our success and Successful Farming has some very interesting opportunities for advertisers now and in the future. Curt says they’ve not only included more traditional advertising options like leader boards but also some creative ideas that don’t make an advertiser rely on click through’s only. There are new units available so the messages can stand alone. Additionally, advertisers have an opportunity to own a section. There are also opportunities for sponsored news. Listen to my interview with Curt to hear how your company can take advantage of the new Agriculture.com. Curt Blades Interview

Agriculture.com Public Launch Photo Album

Advertising, Audio, Media

A More Mobile Agriculture.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Justin DaveyThe newest member to the Agriculture.com team is Justin Davey. Justin is a multimedia producer and focused on the new mobile version of the website.

Jason says that in addition to current markets, weather, and news, the new mobile site will include some new features like:

* Ag Poll: Join in polls that will give you a snapshot of what’s happening with other farmers today.
* Photo Sharing: Share your photos from the field and help show the world what’s happening out on the land.
* Ag Reminder: Receive timely reminders of topics that will help you manage your farm business on a daily basis.

Justin Davey Interview

Agriculture.com Public Launch Photo Album

Audio, Media

Market Man On Agriculture.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike McGinnisWhen it comes to markets Mike McGinnis is in a unique position, literally. He’s the only farm magazine/website reporter with a desk on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. This allows him to provide up to the minute information from traders and a video wrapup of the markets a couple of times each week on the new Agriculture.com. You’ll find him on the website where he’s known as Marketeye. Mike McGinnis Interview

Agriculture.com Public Launch Photo Album

Audio, Media

Multimedia Master For Agriculture.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Jason MeekerWhen it comes to multimedia content on the new Agriculture.com you will find lots of it. Talk about media convergence! Successful Farming magazine not only has an online home but in the latest issue of the printed publication you’ll find video content! Yes, it’s true and I got away without taking a photo of it to share. I’m pretty sure I can get one though. Okay, let’s get back to the website. Jason Meeker is the manager of multimedia content. He says they’re now able to feature video on all of the various sections and pages. In fact, visitors will be able to add their own videos very soon. Right now they can upload their own photos and share them.

Jason says the new Agriculture.com is all about sharing content within and without of the community. He says they’re continuing to produce regular feature content like Machinery Pete. I had to look in envy at Jason’s Mac Pro which he uses to edit a lot of their video content. Jason’s also very involved in the Successful Farming Machinery Show on RFD-TV. Jason Meeker Interview

Agriculture.com Public Launch Photo Album

Audio, Media

The Agriculture.com Community

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff CaldwellContinuing my behind the scenes look at the new Agriculture.com let’s meet Jeff Caldwell, Jeff helps manage the “community” that makes up the online home of Successful Farming magazine. One of the interesting things he’s found about the members of the community are how they get involved. As you might imagine if you think about it as a group of people sharing common interests and ideas, some are very active and some aren’t. According to Jeff the very active members make up about one percent of the total with almost twenty percent willing to do posts and comments. That leaves almost eighty percent who “lurk” which means they’re reading, watching and listening. I think this is very common to most online communities and why I don’t recommend measuring success of your online efforts just on how many people may comment on a blog for example. Unless you realize that the percentage of people doing so is very small.

Within the new Agriculture.com there continues to be a number of topical forums like the award winning Farmers for the Future targeted to young farmers. Jeff is the “hall monitor” for these forums which is very important. Successful Farming doesn’t just set up a forum for discussion and then walk away. Jeff monitors the conversation, contributes and even encourages participants.

Another way Jeff utilizes the information posted by community participants is for his own editorial purposes. By seeing what they are talking about he learns what’s important to them and that is a big help in determining the type of editorial content he should be focusing on with his own writing. All in all, I think you’ll find that Jeff and his team are very in tune with their audience by being part of the online family. Jeff Caldwell Interview

Agriculture.com Public Launch Photo Album

Audio, Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Nutrients for Life Foundation and GATX Corporation unveiled a specially-designed railcar July 25 during a reception held in conjunction with the Southwestern Fertilizer Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The railcar, emblazoned with the Nutrients for Life logo, will travel across the country delivering potash and creating awareness about the Foundation and fertilizer.
  • Mahindra USA continues its commitment to provide hard-working, high value tractors in the United States with the launch of 13 new models for the 2011 season.
  • Wheat growers and state wheat organization representatives should register now to attend the 2010 Fall Wheat Conference, scheduled for Oct. 22 to 25 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
  • The Pfizer Animal Health business is pioneering the way animal health companies use social media. Stay connected to Pfizer on Facebook, or follow your species of choice on Twitter. Pork, Dairy or Beef.
    Zimfo Bytes