Africa Rice Center Receives Communications Award

Chuck Zimmerman

The Africa Rice Center received two awards at the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Now that’s a mouthful. The conference is taking place in Montpellier, France. One of the awards was for communications, which caught my eye.

The 2009 CGIAR Outstanding Communication Award was presented to Dr Paul Van Mele, AfricaRice Program Leader on Learning and Innovation Systems, for the Rice Rural Learning Initiative based on farmer-to-farmer videos on improved rice production practices.

The videos, combined with mass media, have helped strengthen the capacities of over 600 farmer organizations across Africa, stimulated greater innovation than did conventional farmer training techniques and had tangible impact on the livelihood of rural women.

Here’s a video from the Africa Rice Center website:

International, Research

International Fertilizer Efficiency

Chuck Zimmerman

AGROTAIN EEFWe had a great mix of international attendees at the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference in Miami. I spoke with two of them after being introduced by AGROTAIN Marketing Communications Manager, Carrie Doza, pictured in the middle. To the left is Dr. Surinder K. Bansal, Potash Research Institute of India and on the right is Daniel O. Claudino dos Santos (a regular AgWired reader!) from Brazil.

Dr. Bansal says that in the last three years he’s been doing work on stabilized nitrogen fertilizers for use in corn and wheat crops. He sees real potential for EEF’s with large acre crops. In India he says nitrogen use efficiency in India is very low. That creates a lot of loss which has a negative environmental impact as well as an economic one. He’s found that they can increase yield by 8-10 percent with stabilized nitrogen fertilizers and save nitrogen at the same time. He hopes to see his work become commercially available after more trial work and government approval.

You can listen to or download (mp3) my interview with Dr. Bansal here: eef-10-bansal.mp3

Daniel works for Fertilizantes Piratini, a large fertilizer company that distributes AGROTAIN products. He says that the acceptance of EEF’s in Brazil is “amazing.” He says that sales have been skyrocketing year to year since they introduced the products in 2004. The main crops they’re seeing the adoption of these fertilizers in are corn, sugarcane and irrigated rice.

You can listen to or download (mp3) my interview with Daniel here: eef-10-santos.mp3

Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the New Ag International Conference
on Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilizers is made possible by .

Audio, Fertilizer, International

New ARC Website Live

Chuck Zimmerman

The Agricultural Relations Council’s new website is up and running so check it out. It’s a Ning site so you can create your own profile. Here’s mine.

The Agricultural Relations Council is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem-solving, idea-sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.

If you’re a regular AgWired fan then consider ARC because you definitely fit the description.

ARC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The board of governors of the United States Postal Service approved management’s request to move forward with a five-day delivery schedule, which would effectively eliminate delivery and collections on Saturdays. The next step is for the USPS to file a request for an advisory opinion with the Postal Regulatory Commission by March 30.
  • To enhance their “closest to the farmer” reputation, Ag Leader Technology, Inc., officially launched social media efforts with the inaugural post to the new blog Precision Point. Not only can Ag Leader fans interact with the company on their blog, but also on various platforms including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
  • Solae, LLC, has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2010.
  • In six months, the world’s finest equine athletes will gallop into Kentucky’s Bluegrass region for the most prestigious, global equestrian championships — the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Alltech FEI Games, will take place in Lexington, Ky., from Sept. 25- Oct. 10.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NAMA Webinar on Social Engagement

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NAMA WebinarsThe next NAMA Webinar is tomorrow. Here’s the details:

    Tuesday, March 30, 2010
    1:00 p.m. (CENTRAL TIME)

    Online Engagement

    The purpose of social media implies that individuals and organizations interact in online environments. However, many organizations use social media to broadcast their messages and have not used social media tools to listen or interact. Because there is so much “noise” online, clients or potential clients ignore organizations’ bull-horn messages.

    Anne Mims Adrian, Associate Director, Information Technology for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System & College of Agriculture, Auburn University, will discuss how to build relationships in online communities by engaging others and will compare online presence and engagement to traditional online publishing. She will also describe how expectations of online activities have changed in the last few years and will share a few suggestions of appropriate ways to interact online.

    To register for the upcoming webinar visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=19

    NAMA

    New Farm Podcasting Tool

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Here’s a new piece of gear to add to your MOJO. Roland has just introduced the new R-05.

    The compact R-05 is easy to use, affordable, and packed with big-ticket features that raise the bar in its price class. Experience crystal-clear 24/96 capture, enhanced recording and editing features, and extended battery life (over 16 hours per charge). On stage, in rehearsal, at school, on the street, in the boardroom — whenever inspiration strikes, let the R-05 capture the moment with convenience and quality.

    * High-quality stereo recording (24-bit / 96kHz) with the built-in stereo mic or external input
    * Records directly to SD card with extended battery life (over 30 hours continuous playback, over 16 hours continuous recording)
    * Strong, attractive metallic exterior
    * Onboard editing functions; built-in reverb
    * Music-practice features (change tempo without changing pitch, loop playback, etc.)
    * Auto record start, auto song split, auto level adjust
    * Pre Record function (captures 2 seconds of audio that precedes pressing REC)
    * Use as a high-quality portable audio player (plays WAV and MP3 files)
    * Windscreen and tripod mount included

    Equipment, Podcasts

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Jared Wattenbarger of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was seated as a Board Member on the United States Potato Board at the organization’s 38th Annual Meeting, March 9-12.
    • The Baghdad International Agriculture Fair is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions and leading tradeshows in Iraq. The event will showcase latest products and equipments for agriculture industry, May 4-7, 2010 at the Baghdad International Fairground.
    • Corn & Soybean Digest has launched an interactive Corn Weed Control Guide.
    • Donny DeLine, a farmer from Charleston, Mo., was named the 2010 Top Producer of the Year.
      Zimfo Bytes

      ACAJ Announces First Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting Winners

      Chuck Zimmerman

      ACAJThe Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists has announced their Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting Awards. Yours truly was happy to be one of the judges for this first ever award program. You can see the entries on their website.

      If Sarina Locke thanks her Mum when she accepts the inaugural Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting today, it will be for more than conventional reasons.

      The Canberra-based ABC journalist took out the new award with an impressive radio documentary based around a visit to West Timor where she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Dr Russ Locke.

      A veterinarian from Holbrook in southern NSW, Dr Locke worked in West Timor 15 years ago, helping village women to vaccinate their chickens as part of an AusAid project to develop veterinary services in the Eastern Islands.

      Sarina visited her at the time, and decided to return last year with financial assistance from the Crawford Fund and Australia’s Centre for International Agricultural Research, to find out whether the $40 million Australia spent on agricultural aid in Indonesia in 2009 was helping to lift farming families out of deep poverty.

      Sarina was presented with a $1000 cheque by award sponsor Rabobank at a gathering of the Farm Writers Association of NSW in Sydney. She also received a certificate as winner of the radio category in the award, which was organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ).

      Adelaide-based ABC Television journalist Kerry Staight won the television category with her piece, ‘All in the Family’, broadcast on ABC Landline on February 11, 2009.

      Ian Doyle from Doyle Media Services, also based in Adelaide, was given an encouragement award in the category for online video, for a piece broadcast via the S. Kidman and Co website.
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      International, Media

      Ag Leader Launches Precision Point

      Chuck Zimmerman

      One of the sponsors of our Precision Pays.com website is Ag Leader Technology. They have just started their own blog!

      To enhance their “closest to the farmer” reputation, Ag Leader Technology, Inc., a leader in the development of precision farming solutions, officially launched social media efforts today with the inaugural post to the new blog Precision Point. Not only can Ag Leader fans interact with the company on their blog, but also on various platforms including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

      “The reality is social media is the way people are communicating today. These platforms allow us not only to inform and educate, but to have a conversation with those interested in precision farming technology,” says Dave King, Marketing Manager. “We can connect with Ag Leader customers around the globe, but also others in the ag industry as well as those who know nothing about precision agriculture.”

      Precision Point, found at www.agleader.com/blog, will offer readers a wide variety of topics and precision ag information. The company will share insights into popular questions on getting started in precision technology, trends in the industry as well as international precision ag use.

      Ag Leader

      Representing Global Fertilizer Industry

      Chuck Zimmerman

      ZimmCast 253In this week’s program we’ll learn about the International Fertilizer Industry Association. IFA, along with New Ag International, conducted the first International Conference on Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilizers to be held in the U.S. this past week in Miami. I was there courtesy of AGROTAIN.

      The Director, Agriculture Service, for IFA is Patrick Heffer who welcomed us to the conference at the start. I’m always looking for an excuse to get back to my home state and I told him that they can hold the conference there any time.

      In my interview with Patrick we talk about IFA, the world market for EEF’s and the conference. He was very happy with the attendance.

      The International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) is a not-for-profit organization representing the global fertilizer industry. Our members serve farmers everywhere as they meet the world’s growing food, feed, fibre and bioenergy needs in a sustainable manner.

      IFA has some 525 members in about 85 countries. About half of the membership is based in developing countries. IFA member companies represent all activities related to the production, trade, transport and distribution of every type of fertilizer, their raw materials and intermediates. IFA’s membership also includes organizations involved in construction, engineering, consulting, agronomic research and training.

      Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference Photo Album

      AgWired coverage of the New Ag International Conference
      on Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilizers is made possible by .

      Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, Novus International, and Leica Geosytems for their support.

      You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast below.

      The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our a Subscribe page.

      Ag Groups, Audio, Fertilizer, International, ZimmCast