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Melissa Sandfort

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    Panama Will Be In Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Estuardo BoderoOne of the global partners with Alltech in the upcoming World Equestrian Games is Nutrición Animal S. A. in Panama. I met Estuardo Bodero Ganoza, Director General of the company, during last week’s Symposium.

    Estuardo says his company is dedicated to the pet food industry, including horses. He’s been able to gather a lot of new knowledge from this year’s Symposium and likes the interaction with people from all over the world. Looking ahead to the games he says it’s the first time that Panama will participate. He says he’s just going to be able to come home from the event and say that they were able to participate finally.

    You can listen to my interview with Estuardo below.

    2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

    Alltech, Audio

    Boost Your AT&T 3G

    Chuck Zimmerman

    If you’re an iPhone lover like me then you’re probably a frustrated AT&T 3G client. Why? Their signal is often weak, especially in rural areas. I’ve been waiting for this device to become available forever it seems like but when I stopped by my local store this morning, there it was. It’s installed and activated. They sent me a text message when it was ready and sure enough I’ve got a full 3G signal all over ZimmComm World Headquarters. I’m not sure this is available everywhere yet and you have to at least have a marginal 3G signal (plus broadband internet) to make it work but it may be very helpful if you’ve been as frustrated as I’ve been. Who knew our location was in a little triangle of AT&T weakness when we moved to the carrier? We didn’t. But for a few dollars more it looks like our woes are over.

    AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business environment. It connects to AT&T’s network via your existing broadband Internet service (such as DSL or cable) and is designed to support up to four simultaneous users in a home or small business setting. With AT&T 3G MicroCell, you receive improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications like picture messaging and surfing the Web.

    Device Features:

    * Enhanced coverage indoors – supports both voice and data up to 5000 square feet
    * Available unlimited minute plans – individual or FamilyTalk plans.
    * 3G handset compatible – works with any AT&T 3G phone.
    * Supports up to four voice or data users at once.
    * Device is secure – cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
    * Seamless call hand-over – start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue without interruption, even if you leave the building.

    Equipment

    Farm Podcaster Microphone From Blue

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I’m working on a project for the 2010 National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention to bring new technology options into a session and hopefully display. The new Mikey G2 Pro iPod, iPhone Microphone from Blue looks like a good item to add. It’s supposed to be available soon.

    The all-new Mikey is the perfect tool for mobile recording. Featuring two custom-tuned Blue capsules for stereo recording, a line-input, USB pass through and a stylish updated 230-degree rotating design. Mikey’s three gain settings allow for a versatile recording experience for everything from a loud concert to a whisper. Record lectures, voice notes, live music, interviews, and more. Mikey also comes with its own carrying pouch and headphone adapter for playback and monitoring. Mikey turns your iPod or iPhone into the coolest mobile recording device around!

    * CD-quality audio recording direct to iPod and iPhone
    * No software necessary
    * Unique compact design for superior audio recording
    * 7 angle adjustments for any environment
    * 3 gain settings to capture the clearest stereo sound
    * Low price point for superior quality
    * Innovative design allows for superior audio recording
    * Perfect for lecture recording, concerts, voice memos, dictation, field recording, interviews, and travel journals

    Equipment, Podcasts

    Alltech Angus Served At Symposium

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Alltech AngusSince it’s still Beef Month I have to mention Alltech Angus once again. For one thing they did sponsor my coverage of their Symposium this week. For another they did serve Alltech Angus and it was delicious.

    Promoting Alltech Angus is Paige Ishmael, Marketing Coordinator. This is a Kentucky Proud product, meaning the cattle are born and raised in Kentucky and fed Alltech’s natural nutrition products. Alltech works with Critchfield Meats for marketing and distribution. Paige says they’ve received very positive feedback from customers including chefs and recommends you try it too.

    You can listen to my interview with Paige below.

    2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

    Alltech, Audio, Beef

    Leica Geosystems Offering Spray Season Specials

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Leica GeoSystemsThe AgGuidance folks are offering some special customized guidance + auto-section control packages for spraying season. That would be our sponsor, Leica Geosystems. Here’s a list of what they’re offering.

    Through June 30, the company is offering three packages pairing guidance and section-control products that cover a wide range of accuracy levels and price points.

    Lightbar guidance plus section control

    Those who are looking for a simple, cost-effective entry point will find a package assembled with them in mind.This entry-level package features a Leica mojoMINI display, which provides manual guidance, paired with an AS7500 auto-section controller for just $2,500.

    Auto steer plus section control

    Growers and applicators looking for 6”-8” accuracy may choose a package with the easy-to-install and use Leica mojoGLIDE auto-steer console plus the iNEX color, touch-screen display and auto-section control for a complete auto-steer guidance system designed for spraying applications. This package is affordably priced at $9,980.

    RTK auto steer plus section control

    Now through the end of June, farmers seeking sub-inch accuracy can acquire a robust, auto-steer system complete with a color display and auto-section control for just $13,480. This specially priced package includes a Leica mojoRTK auto-steer console and base station, and an iNEX color touch-screen display with auto-section control.

    “Our customers have a wide range of requirements related to precision technology, and we’re working to provide them with solutions to fit their individual needs,” said Harlan Little, North American business manager for Leica Geosystems Ag. “Each of these packages was developed to be modular and scalable so that our customers can easily add functionality or move components into other vehicles, and all at very economical prices.”

    Equipment, Leica Geosystems, Precision Agriculture

    Growth Force is Growing

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Growth Energy’s Growth Force is growing and donating to charity.

    Growth EnergyThe ethanol organization announced today that 28 of its member plants raised $7,395 for local charities of their choice through the Growth Force Now promotion.

    The promotion was designed to increase membership of Growth Force, a group that believes in a cleaner, greener America through the use of biofuels, and donate funds to local charities and organizations. For every new Growth Force member recruited, Growth Energy committed to donating one dollar to each participant’s charity of choice. The member plants that participated in the promotion recruited 7,395 new members for Growth Force, helping to bring total Growth Force membership to 18,000 strong.

    “Our Growth Force members are made up of individuals from across the country who care that we become more energy independent, improve our national security, create jobs that can’t be outsourced, and clean the environment,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.

    Growth Force is made up of bipartisan agricultural supporters who believe in America’s homegrown energy, ethanol. Members receive electronic updates on current issues, a complimentary gift pack and “opportunities to help fellow ag supporters in the efforts to shape our future.”

    Find out more about Growth Force here.

    Ethanol

    HumaneWatch HSUS 50 Percent Pledge

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I like David Martosko’s HumaneWatch HSUS 50 percent pledge.

    Here’s the Pledge in a nutshell: As soon as Wayne Pacelle commits to doing the right thing, I’m outta here.

    You read that right. Hear me now, and believe me later, as Hans und Franz used to say. If the CEO of the Humane Society of the United States will make a commitment to start sending just 50 percent of HSUS’s income to hands-on U.S. pet shelters, HumaneWatch will disappear for good.

    We’ll pull the plug. Yank the life-line. Cease and desist. Become an ex-blog.

    That’s the challenge. That’s my pledge. And it’s non-negotiable.

    It’s sad that something like this is even an idea but what can you do when you’ve got a scam going like HSUS does? They were discussed at the Alltech Symposium this week. That’s about 1,600 people from all over the world who understand that HSUS is not what it would like its supporters to think it is.

    Just calmly, quietly, go support your local animal shelter and don’t give to these wackos. Put your money to good use for the good of animals.

    Animal Activists, Wackos

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • John Deere Harvester Works recently rolled the half millionth self-propelled combine , a 9870 model, off the assembly line at the East Moline, Ill. manufacturing facility.
    • Winfield Solutions, LLC, recently named twenty 2010 recipients for the organization’s Careers in Agriculture Scholarship program.
    • Amye Hughes, a recent Indiana University graduate, joins Farm Journal Media’s Database Strategies Division as Account Representative for Farmail.
    • Due to high demand for additional display space for equipment, World Dairy Expo has expanded its Outdoor Trade Mall for 2010 with an additional 19,000 square feet of prime booth space being added to the east side of the Exhibition Hall.
      Zimfo Bytes

      Zimfo Bytes

      Melissa Sandfort

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      • Anyone interested in hay and forage production will want to be in Strawberry Point, Iowa, June 16 and 17 for the Hay Expo.
      • Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) and the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) at Kansas State University have collaborated to produce the Animal Care Training Web site, offering training video, testing and certification in specific areas of livestock handling.
      • Myran Krueger joins Land O’Lakes business unit Winfield Solutions as Marketing Manager-West Coast.
      • The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association announced the hiring of Duane Gangwish as their new CEO.
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