Miller Coliseum Remote Studio

Chuck Zimmerman

Drive Green Field StudioThe professional agriblogger has to be able to work in any environment. This was my Murfreesboro studio setup at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum for today’s John Deere Drive Green event. It’s a very nice facility too.

I’m set up on the upper level about 40 feet from the top of the bleachers. A very nice facility representative got me a table and a chair and set me up next to power outlets. The best news is open wireless internet access.

So, although the show is over for the day, my Mac is keeping me company while I get some photos uploaded along with some posting. I’ll be back out on location again tomorrow morning before returning to ZimmComm World Headquarters.

John Deere

Cattle Rancher Utilizes Power of Newsletters

Amanda Nolz

mama-cowI recently signed up for a newsletter hosted by Pharo Cattle Company (PCC). With tens of thousands of readers, I figured I could learn something from Kit Pharo and his crew that puts together this newsletter and marketing tool for his cattle operation.

These PCC updates arrive in my inbox and include: a welcome letter, quotes, guest editorial pieces, reader letters, PCC speaking engagement dates and more. I’m amazed at the content of these newsletters, and I’m impressed about the marketing approach this cattle operation is taking. It seems to be an effective way to reach livestock enthusiasts, potential cattle buyers and those interested in agriculture.

Today, I wanted to ask everybody what they think about newsletters? Is this a good tool to reach an audience that might not otherwise come to your site on a normal basis? What separates a good newsletter from a flop?

Uncategorized

Amy Cowan Promoted At American Hereford Association

Chuck Zimmerman

Amy and AngieGuess which one is Amy Cowen? I caught these two in the media room at the Cattle Industry Convention. Hint: I got the release from Angie Denton.

Well, let’s say congratulations to Amy since she’s now the new Director of Youth Activities and Foundation for the American Hereford Association.

Cowan has served the Association in various capacities since she graduated college in 1998. Most recently she worked as the marketing and national shows coordinator, where she worked closely with Chris Stephens, former youth activities director.

AHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines says, “I can’t tell you how excited I am that Amy accepted the job. I don’t think we’ll skip a beat with the growth and excitement in our Hereford youth program.”

As director of youth activities, Cowan will oversee the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA), which is one of the largest youth organizations in the country with more than 2,000 members, and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA). HYFA is a not-for-profit organization, which financially supports youth education, scholarship and research.

Ag Groups

Pfizer Animal Health Partners With Michigan State

Chuck Zimmerman

Evan Slack interviews Dr. Dale GrotelueschenAt the Cattle Industry Convention I attended a Pfizer Animal Health breakfast and interviewed Dr. Dale Grotelueschen. In the picture he’s getting the same treatment from Evan Slack.

Dr. Grotelueschen was there to talk about a partnership between Pfizer and Michigan State University to eradicate BVD (that’s bovine viral diarrhea in case you don’t know). Basically, they’re starting with a regional area which is the upper peninsula in Michigan. It provides a relatively easy area to control for the project. This is a pretty significant disease which costs the cattle industry millions of dollars every year. Hopefully, if the project is successful it can be replicated in other areas.

You can listen to my interview with Dr. Grotelueschen here: cic-09-pfizer.mp3

Animal Health, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The nomination forms for the 2009 Grower Achievement Award program are open online. All grower operations throughout the U.S. are eligible to enter or nominate. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2009.
  • Final preparations are underway towards the opening of the three programs to be held at the Galillee College study centre, Israel between March 19 and April 6, 2009: Water and Crop Production Management; Agribusiness and Export Marketing Management; and The Role of Agro technology in Poverty Alleviation and Food Security. Apply to one of the programs here.
  • Don Guy has joined United Phosphorus, Inc. as the Director of Marketing and Field Development.
  • The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors unanimously elected wheat grower Randy Suess of Colfax, WA, Secretary-Treasurer at the USW Winter Board Meeting in Washington, D.C. Click here for all other board appointments.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Communicating Renewables on YouTube

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Communicating Renewables SummitWe told you in last week’s ZimmCast about the Communicating Renewables Summit coming up in Minneapolis this April. This conference is designed specifically for the challenging task of getting the positive message about renewable energy out to consumers, stakeholders, policy leaders and the media.

    Conference organizer Joanna Schroeder with 4RCommunications has just released a new promotional video about the summit – now live on YouTube for your viewing pleasure!

    Energy, Media, Public Relations, Video

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • The members of Cooperatives Working Together voted to fund the self-help program for two full years, from Jan. 2009 through Dec. 2010, to help bring the dairy supply into balance with shrinking demand.
    • The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) released the ISAAA annual report “Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops 2008.”
    • U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) invites anyone who is part of the U.S. wheat industry to submit photographs for possible use in its 2010 calendar. The winning photographers will receive $100 each from USW. This year, USW is looking for non-commercial photographs that illustrate the theme “The Wheat You Want from Producers You Can Depend On.” Entries must be submitted to USW by Aug. 1, 2009.
    • Schillinger Seed has named Tony Nikkel as Operations Manager for the company. In his new role, Nikkel will be responsible for directing the production, manufacturing and logistic activities for Schillinger Seed including eMerge Genetics.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Biofuels Blogging Before Classic

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2009 National Ethanol ConferenceI know a lot of you are looking ahead to Commodity Classic but Cindy and I have a whole lot of event coverage happening before next Wednesday in Grapevine.

    To start with, I’m heading on over to Murfreesboro, TN today to get ready for the next Drive Green Utility Tractor Show event at the Miller Coliseum. That’s going to take place tomorrow.

    Then Cindy and I head to San Antonio this weekend for the 2009 National Ethanol Conference. We’re going to be biofuels blogging for the Renewable Fuels Association on a variety of web locations, including here on AgWired. We’ll also be live blogging for RFA on their conference blog. We’ll be taking advantage of some our new tools at the event so keep us in mind if you’re interested to see how the ZimmComm team handles an event online. We’re also going to be working with our good friend, Joanna Schroeder, Communicating Renewables, who will be assisting our coverage on our Domestic Fuel site at both the NEC and Commodity Classic.

    Ethanol, Events

    Another Farm Podcaster Tool

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Marantz PMD661Okay farm podcasters. There is yet a new tool over which you can drool. I have always been a Marantz fan and this one looks to be a great offering. I know I pointed it out before but now you can find it for sale at BSW right now.

    The Marantz PMD661 is a versatile, professional handheld PCM/MP3 recorder based on the popular PMD660, offering a streamlined form factor, a superior feature set, and the use of SD flash media. Major new design innovations include a smaller footprint and an improved top facia layout with fewer buttons as well as more highly developed use of multi-functional operation. The PMD661’s compact size, combined with the improved control layout, ensures comprehensive single-handed operation.

    No, Cindy, I’m not ordering one (not that I’m tempted or anything). BTW, BSW also has the Tascam DR07 on sale too.

    Equipment, Podcasts