ACE Is The Place For Excellent Ag Communications

Chuck Zimmerman

ACE is the place if you’re involved in agricultural communications at a land grant university. I am now at the Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Life and Human Sciences Annual Meeting. Now that is a mouthful.

The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) is an international association of communicators, educators and information technologists. It offers professional development and networking for individuals who extend knowledge about agriculture, natural resources and life and human sciences.

I got here just in time for the welcoming reception. Speaking to the group is meeting committee member Terry Meisenbach, eXtension. So I got him to sit down for a few minutes to tell me more about this organization.

Terry says the program here has 5 keynote speakers who will speak at different times during the program as well as many breakout sessions of which I’m doing one on social media. You can find the program here (pdf). The organization does ongoing professional improvement programs including virtual workshops using Adobe Connect. He says the membership has been holding steady in the last couple years primarily due to budget challenges at many universities. We also talk about eXtension too.

You can listen to my interview with Terry here.

ACE

Very Social Media And Cooperative Communicators

Chuck Zimmerman

We had a lively discussion on social media today at the Cooperative Communications Association 2010 Institute. Thank you to one of the participants for snapping a photo and to CCA for inviting me to present.

One of the points I brought up was that in my opinion blogs are more relevant today than ever. In fact, I view them as the hub of the social media wheel or perhaps the workhorse of social media. Let’s face it. Blog is a dumb and boring word but it is a powerful tool. You can sure communicate more on a blog post than you can on a tweet. My blog posts “feed” out to all my other social media mechanisms in some way or another. This allows my visitors, subscribers, followers, fans, friends and contacts to get my information whenever and wherever they want. I’ve learned that different people have different social media preferences and I try to satisfy them all.

So, there you have it. One little tidbit from today’s session. Let me know if you’ve got questions or would like a presentation of your own.

Uncategorized

WATT Online Feed Forum is Just Around the Corner

Joanna Schroeder

Looking for a way to learn strategies to improve your feed quality? Then look no further than your computer. On June 24, 2010, WATT is offering a free “WATT Online Feed Forum.” This virtual forum offers researchers, producers and executives an opportunity to learn about the latest research and products that will not only improve your feed quality but also improve your bottom line. The forum will cast a wide net with the audience but offer a narrow focus with the presentations.

I caught up with Jeff Miller, the Director of Strategy of Sales and Marketing in the Novus International booth during World Pork Expo to learn more about this virtual feed forum. Novus is a supporter of this event. He explained, “This is synonymous with a live trade show but its on the internet. So we’re putting five presentations on in which an audience of knowledge seekers from over 100 countries from around the world have signed up to attend these presentations and they also have the ability to mingle with their colleagues from all over the world. And of course they have the opportunity to go to sponsor booths that are also in the virtual event.”

The presentation topics include:

Although the presentations are pre-recorded, event day participants will have the opportunity to join a live Q&A session with the speakers. However, if you can’t make the live event, the feed forum will be archived for three months.

Miller said that while they appreciate being at live events, his company strongly feels that there is a global audience of people who are looking for knowledge and education in any channel available. “This virtual trades show platform is another channel for professionals to get quality information about agribusiness,” concluded Miller.

Listen below to my full interview with Jeff. You can register for the free feed forum and see the archive of the Watt Poultry Nutrition & Health Forum, at www.wattevents.com.

You can check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.

AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Agribusiness, Audio, Feed, Novus International, Research, World Pork Expo

AG CONNECT Expo 2011 Set For Georgia

Melissa Sandfort

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and AG CONNECT Expo 2011 announced they are teaming up in 2011 with the co-location of the 2011 AFBF Annual Meeting and AG CONNECT Expo 2011, both to be held in early January 2011 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.

AFBF’s 2011 Annual Meeting will be Jan. 9-12, while the AG CONNECT Expo runs Jan. 8-10, with “Preview Day” on Jan. 7 by special admission.

The co-location will provide Farm Bureau members attending the 2011 AFBF Annual Meeting with the added value of convenient access to the AG CONNECT Expo show floor on January 8-10. The 5,000-plus attendees expected at the AFBF Annual Meeting will have the opportunity to participate in an event that offers the best in technological advances and showcases innovative agricultural equipment, inputs, components and services. This unique opportunity for Farm Bureau members – a one-time exception in AG CONNECT’s standard registration – became a reality after AG CONNECT Expo organizers approached AFBF about teaming up in Atlanta, according to AFBF President Bob Stallman.

Uncategorized

Conservation Ag Tour To Visit Virginia

Melissa Sandfort

The Conservation Technology Information Center’s Conservation In Action Tour, slated for Aug. 2-3, 2010, will visit innovative farm operations in east central Virginia. Presenters will initiate discussions about agriculture’s role in addressing Chesapeake Bay water quality concerns and will demonstrate equipment, tools and technologies that help farmers use nutrients efficiently. (*photo credit: Charles Carter)

During this event, participating farmers, policy makers, agricultural advisors, conservation professionals, private industry and others will visit farms and farmers in the Williamsburg area. Tour stops will feature successful, profitable farming operations built with conservation in mind. Presenters will discuss the appropriate role, system and support for Bay Region ecosystem services provided by agriculture – through government programs and new market-based approaches. Participants will learn more about the actions producers take to protect soil and water quality, plus possible generation and sale of these services, often measured with carbon or water quality “credits.”

The registration price covers transportation, meals and refreshments, and a social event on Aug. 2, the evening before the Tour. CTIC members pay $75.00 and non-members pay $100.00. Agricultural producers and members of the media pay $25.00.

Tour sponsors, including Syngenta, John Deere, Mosaic, Agrotain, Case IH, Monsanto and Agri Drain, recognize the need to conserve natural resources while feeding the world and making a living from the land.

Click here to register, or call CTIC at (765)-494-9555. For more information, please contact Karen Scanlon, executive director, CTIC, at 765-494-9555 or scanlon@ctic.org.

Conservation

John Deere Gator XUV In Action

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere Gator XUVYou can’t get enough Gator. Most of you know that I graduated from the University of Florida, so a utility vehicle called a Gator has always held a soft spot in my heart.

Last week’s unveiling of the new line of John Deere Gator XUV’s included getting out in the wild and riding them. I’ve got two video clips to share. The first one is an interview with John Deere’s Mark Clodfelter while we had the vehicles sitting still for photos. He talks about all the features and options and focus on safety.

So now that you’ve heard about all the products and features while the Gator was sitting still how about seeing what it’s like out on the trail? I’ve got to say that holding a camera steady while interviewing John Deere’s Kevin Lundt was not easy, especially in bright sunshine. Conditions were perfect for a trail ride though.

John Deere, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces new members of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee for its 2010-2012 term.
  • Today, the American Agri-Women will be hosting its 17th annual symposium in Washington, D.C., over “Agriculture Under Siege: How to Be a Force for Truth.”
  • FreshCowInnovationCenter.com is a new hub for everything fresh cows developed by Cattlenetwork and Dairy Herd Management magazine in conjunction with Pfizer Animal Health.
  • Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) announces the new ApHC International Appaloosa Directory. For more information call (208) 882-5578 ext 235 or email marketing@appaloosa.com.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Novus Introduces Sow Program at World Pork Expo

    Cindy Zimmerman

    New from Novus International at the World Pork Expo this year was the Equalizing Sow Performance program designed to optimize herd production.

    2010 world pork expoI talked with Randy Anderson (left), who is the National Pork Business Sales Manager for Novus, about the sow program, which he says is basically a combination of their MINTREX® and ZORIEN® products. “We’re feeding the sows through gestation and lactation to help optimize performance,” Randy said. “We’re improving the feet and legs, the joint health of the animal, helping them to walk better, last longer in the herd – so basically we’re improving the longevity of the sow. And in doing that, we’re also getting a reproductive benefit of increasing the live born of the sow.”

    Randy says they officially launched the program at World Pork and got good feedback from producers. “The nice thing about the MINTREX® sow program is that it works for everyone, no matter how big or how small.”

    Randy Anderson interview wpx10-novus-randy.mp3

    Novus VP for the Americas Dan Meagher is the guy on the right in the picture, helping to cut up and serve the Novus roasted pig at the expo. He says producers at the show this year were more optimistic than they have been in the past couple of years. “Attitudes are much better than they were last year, still cautiously optimistic, but certainly the outlook is brighter,” Dan told me. “People are conscious of having to manage the animal numbers but what they’re looking for now is how do I put a little bit more weight on and really take advantage of the markets that are out there.”

    Dan also talked to me about Novus’ recent acquisitions of Albion and IQF-ENAMEX and how they have helped strengthen the company’s product lines and offerings for all types of livestock producers.

    Listen to or download that interview in the player below and check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
    Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

    Audio, Novus International, Swine, World Pork Expo

    Iowa Corn Indy 250 Only Race On U.S. Corn Ethanol

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AgWired fans know that I’ve had an opportunity to cover quite a bit of Indy, as in Indy Racing League. In fact, it was the move by the IRL to ethanol as a fuel in their cars that got us started covering what was happening in the renewable fuels industry. This week I get back in action at the Iowa Corn Indy 250 in Newton, IA. I’ll be on location by Thursday with pre-race activities being conducted by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.

    For a preview I spoke with Craig Floss, CEO, Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Corn Promotion Board. This week’s race is the only one of the season where the fuel is American made corn ethanol. The IRL switched to ethanol from Brazil once there was no longer a Team Ethanol car in the series. However, Iowa Corn Growers have made sure there’s still one race that uses an American product.

    Craig says the race has provided Iowa corn growers with a great platform to publish messages about ethanol, food, fuel and the livestock industry all of which are import components of their marketing efforts to make corn “disappear.” This is year four and they’ve come back for more. The name recognition has really increased during that time both in Iowa and nationally.

    You can listen to my interview with Craig here.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Events, Indy Racing

    Pork Producers, Choi: Korea Pork Trade Agreement Vital

    John Davis

    A hot topic at this year’s World Pork Expo was the pending free trade agreements that are awaiting Congressional approval. Don Butler, immediate past president of the National Pork Producers cited the agreements between the U.S. and Colombia, Panama and South Korea could make a world of difference for the pork industry in this country. In fact, Butler says the agreement with Korea, if approved, could add at least $10 a head to hog prices (compared to about a dollar or so the Colombian and Panamanian agreements would add). Download (mp3) Butler’s remarks about the agreements at World Pork expo – or listen in the player: wpx10-butlertrade.mp3

    Later, during a stop at the media room, I was able to sit down with Jong Hyun Choi, the Minister to the U.S. for Economic Affairs in the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. and get his thoughts on the pending agreement. He pointed out that the agreement were signed three years ago, but Congress has not given final approval to implement the provisions.

    “It’s just about past time for the agreement to be ratified, approved by the U.S. Congress.”

    He went on to say one of the main reasons for his visit is to promote the FTA and point out the huge benefits U.S. pork producers and South Korea could see once it is approved.

    “Once this agreement is implemented, then the more than 20 percent tariffs (currently on U.S. pork) will be eliminated for frozen pork and within 10 years for fresh and chilled products. So, that implementation could provide a very commercially meaningful leg up for U.S. pork producers.”

    Choi added that South Korea has just completed a free trade agreement with the European Union, while hog farmers in Chile have already been enjoying much lower tariffs for the past six years, increasing their market share in South Korea. That trend worries the NPPC, as Butler believes lack of ratification of the U.S.-Korea and other FTAs could end up shutting out American hog farmers from those markets in the next 10 years.

    Choi agreed that Congress needs to get moving on this issue, and pork producing groups, such as the NPPC, will need to help push that.

    You can hear more of my conversation with Minister Choi in the player below.

    Check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
    Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

    Audio, Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo