Corn Crib Baseball Makes Frontier League Commish Happy

Chuck Zimmerman

Bill LeeThe Commissioner of the Frontier League, Independent Professional Baseball, is Bill Lee. Here’s Bill making some opening remarks prior to the first home game of the Normal CornBelters in the Corn Crib. I spoke to him about this new franchise and what he thinks about the support of Illinois Corn Growers.

Bill says it’s a wonderful thing because it’s a “field of dreams.” He hopes the CornBelters are very successful. You can listen to my interview with Jim below.

I thought I’d also include a new video about the opening home game in the Corn Crib that was produced by the Illinois Corn Growers summer interns. I think they did a great job. How about you?

Post Update: Here’s another video with a look at the pitching skills of Illinois corn farmer Jim Rapp on opening day of the Corn Crib:

Normal CornBelters Corn Crib Opener Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Uncategorized, Video

Dupont Acquires Seed Companies

Melissa Sandfort

DuPont has entered into agreements to acquire AgVenture, Kentland, Ind.; Hoegemeyer Hybrids, Hooper, Neb., and NuTech Seed, Ames, Iowa; as part of its Pioneer Hi-Bred business’ PROaccess strategy. Closings are scheduled to occur in the latter part of 2010. Terms were not disclosed.

The innovation breadth and depth of Pioneer research and development will strengthen the already robust businesses and customer relationships of AgVenture, Hoegemeyer Hybrids and NuTech Seed. The companies have exciting growth opportunities reachable by expanding product choices for growers in geographies where they operate.

The PROaccess strategy continues to be part of the ongoing commitment to expand the availability of Pioneer’s unique, elite seed genetics using Pioneer-owned brands distributed through alternative routes to market. Ultimately, this will result in growers having more choices for high-performing products to increase their yields and income.

The three seed companies will continue to sell products under the Pioneer-owned trademarks following closing:
– AgVenture – VPMaxx® brand corn hybrids and soybean varieties.
– Hoegemeyer Hybrids – HPT® brand corn hybrids and soybean varieties.
– NuTech Seed – G2® brand corn hybrids and soybean varieties.

Pioneer

Firms Form Strategic Alliance

Melissa Sandfort

Broadhead + Co and Drake & Company jointly announced the formation of a “strategic alliance,” effective July 1, between the two firms to expand available services and expertise to their respective association clientele, and to be best positioned for new association business opportunities.

One of the benefits of the strategic alliance will be the sharing of personnel resources, particularly those of industry communications veteran Hugh Whaley, Broadhead + Co’s current director of Industry & Association Relations.

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Hoard’s Dairyman has unveiled a new Web site as a complement to its print publication and as a service to readers across the country and globe. The launch coincides with the magazine’s 125th anniversary and celebratory issue.
  • Gowan Company, LLC is pleased to announce the formation of Gowan USA, LLC (GUSA), a wholly-owned subsidiary, with its sole focus on the US Agriculture and Turf & Ornamental Crop Protection Product Business.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation and Pioneer Hi-Bred have joined together to provide funding for an NAFB News Service internship. Seanica Reineke of Edgerton, Mo., returns for her second summer to work with the NAFB News Service.
  • Iowa State University’s Research and Demonstration Farms field days which begin June 16, will include the 75th anniversary celebration at the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NAMA Boot Camp Sponsorships Available

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NAMA Boot Camp 2010 has been set for August 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City. This might be a good opportunity to promote your company.

    If you think so and would like more information about sponsoring a session or event, please fill out the sponsorship confirmation form at www.nama.org/programs/bootcamp-spo.htm or contact Jenny Pickett at 913-491-6500 or via e-mail at jennyp@nama.org.

    NAMA

    Thad Simons Receives Ernst & Young Award

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Congratulations to Thad Simons, Novus International, and super AgWired sponsor.

    Novus International, Inc., a global leader in animal health and nutrition, announced today that Thad Simons, President and CEO, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Bioscience Award in the Central Midwest region. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Mr. Simons was selected by an independent panel of judges and the award was presented at a gala event at the Overland Park Sheraton on June 2, 2010.

    See a full list of winners here.

    Novus International

    Gator Utility Vehicles Make Monotony Eat Dust

    Chuck Zimmerman

    John Deere is changing the game when it comes to utility vehicles. I will be able to tell you all about it next week when I get to ride and drive some of the new ones at a John Deere east coast event.

    The game is changed on 6.10.2010.

    The 50-hp engine is humming. The sport-tuned suspension is itching for the challenge. The body is balanced for speed and maximum performance. Your job? Press the gas and make monotony eat dust.

    I especially like the “make monotony eat dust” part. So tune in to AgWired on June 10 and learn what I learn.

    John Deere

    Win Homegrown Fuel on the Fourth

    Cindy Zimmerman

    A photo of you with your Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) could win you up to $185 in free fuel.

    Growth EnergyGrowth Energy is encouraging Americans to celebrate Independence Day this year with homegrown “Fuel on the Fourth.”

    The ethanol organization has started a new promotion offering nearly $300 in E85 fuel to Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) owners through the “Fuel on the Fourth” contest. Through July 1, FFV owners can enter to win one of two E85 Fuel Credit Cards – equal to $185 and $85 respectively – by submitting a photo of themselves with their FFV along with a caption describing why they choose to buy E85 fuel.

    The promotion is designed to show the benefits of Flex Fuel Vehicles – which are capable of operating on any combination of conventional and renewable fuels – and recruit additional members to Growth Force, a group that believes in a cleaner, greener America through the use of biofuels.

    The contest will run between June 1st and July 1st and is open to FFV owners. Growth Energy will select a first prize winner at random on July 1st in anticipation of July 4th. A second winner will be chosen based on the creativity of the photo and caption submitted. Photos and submissions will be featured on the Growthenergy.org and Growthforce.org websites. To enter, participants must complete a form located at www.growthforce.org/fuelonthefourth.

    Ethanol

    New Zoom For Farm Podcasters

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Hey Farm Podcasters. There’s a new Zoom in your future. Samson has announced the Zoom H1 which should be available next month. I’m betting this one goes over very well. Retail price expected to be $99!

    If you’d like to learn more about gadgets and how they can be used to make you more productive on the job then consider scheduling me for a presentation. I’ll be doing just this in coming weeks for the Cooperative Communicators Association Institute, Association for Communicating Excellence Annual Mtg. and American Farm Bureau Federation Public Relations Conference. I can conduct a show and tell while providing live examples of how these gadgets can be used to enhance your communications efforts. I think I’ll call it Gadget Goodness.

    Features:

    * Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images
    * Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2
    * Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
    * Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
    * Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port
    * Built-in reference speaker
    * Includes 2GB microSD card and one AA battery
    * One AA size battery allows 10 hours operation
    * Accommodates up to 32GB microSDHC memory cards
    * Track marker function
    * Low cut filter
    * Built-in tripod mount
    * 1/8″ external mic input
    * Stereo 1/8″ line output
    * Auto record level
    * Optional accessory package (APH-1) includes windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB cable, adjustable tripod stand, padded-shell case and mic clip adapter

    Equipment, Podcasts, Technology

    Corn Crib is Illinois Field of Dreams

    Cindy Zimmerman

    corn cribIt’s definitely a field of dreams, but instead of building a ball field in a corn field, Illinois corn farmers are growing corn in a ball field.

    As part of the landscaping at the new home for the Normal CornBelters, the Corn Crib has small plots of corn planted under the scoreboard. “We wanted to show as much as we could actually what corn is,” said Illinois Corn Growers Field Services Director Jim Tarmann. “So, we’ve got six different mini-plots of field corn that are already coming up and we planted that ourselves.” Local FFA chapters are growing specialty corn, including popcorn and sweet corn, that will be worked into the as-yet-unfinished landscape in and around the ball park. Pioneer and Syngenta are also part of that project as co-sponsors of the new team and stadium.

    corn cribJim says the Illinois beef and pork producers and Prairie Farms are sponsors as well. “We’re all very excited about this new venue to talk about modern production agriculture,” he said during an interview we did in the Illinois Corn office this morning.

    Nearly 6,000 fans attended the opening home game Tuesday night against the Windy City Thunderbolts, and even though the Cornbelters lost the game 3-2, it was an exciting game in the end and everyone had a great time. Listen to or download my interview with Jim in the player below and check out the rest of the photos from the event.

    Normal CornBelters Corn Crib Opener Photo Album

    Audio, Corn, Uncategorized