MachineFinder Blog

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere Machine FinderWhat’s new in used farm equipment can be found on the redesigned John Deere MachineFinder. They’ve also announced a blog to go along with it. Interesting . . .

John Deere announces that it has completely overhauled and redesigned its MachineFinder™ website (www.MachineFinder.com) from the ground up to make it easier for used equipment customers to more quickly find the equipment they’re looking for and to improve the user experience.

The revamped MachineFinder used equipment website features an enhanced search and browsing system, built-in shipping integration, and the ability to save searches. The changes to the website makes it easier than ever for customers to find and review pre-owned agricultural, construction, forestry, commercial, and residential equipment from the company’s network of authorized dealers.

“MachineFinder not only provides improved user interfaces, but new functionality that will better assist customers in acquiring used equipment from John Deere dealers,” says Michael Gause, division manager of John Deere Remarketing Services. “Our project team’s goal was to design MachineFinder so that our customers could conduct business with John Deere dealers as easily as possible.” Read More

Agribusiness, Equipment, John Deere

Farm Podcaster Temptations

Chuck Zimmerman

Hey farm podcasters. Have you been wanting a new digital audio recorder? Marantz is offering some temptations. First of all there’s a rebate program for the very popular PMD620 (Cindy and I each have one). If you purchase it between now and March 31st you get a $100 rebate. That’s a deal. I recommend purchasing from BSW.

Then to tempt you further there’s the new PMD661:

Introducing your new product on YouTube. What a concept.

Equipment, Video

My Twitter Life

Chuck Zimmerman

TwitterA new milestone in my Twitter life is just about to be reached. I have 199 followers on Twitter. Who will be #200?

Will it be you?

If you’re tweeting let me know what you think about it. Do you like it? Is it useful (personally, professionally)?

Post Update: Follower 200 is Livable Future, the blog of The Center for a Livable Future at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Uncategorized

USDA Closes Broadband Loan Agreement

Chuck Zimmerman

USDALet’s hope we see continued commitment to rural development in the new administration in Washington, DC. The outgoing one has sure done a lot in this area, especially to develop broadband which is providing new opportunities in our rural and farm communities.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that Open Range Communications has finalized a $267 million loan agreement with USDA Rural Development to provide broadband service to 518 rural communities in 17 states.

“The completed agreement brings millions of rural Americans closer to having access to broadband and other cutting-edge communications technologies,” Schafer said. “This kind of high-speed internet connectivity will lead to increased investment and business opportunities in rural communities.”

The loan closing executes an agreement USDA Rural Development announced on March 25, 2008, when it approved a $267 million loan to Open Range. In addition to the USDA Rural Development loan, Open Range has secured $100 million in financing from One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Internet, USDA

Political Policy Dynamics Changing

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom EricksonThe topic of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club lunch was “Policy Outlook for Agriculture as the Political Dynamics Begin to Change.” I think the political dynamics have already changed don’t you?

Giving us his take on this was Thomas J. Erickson, Vice President, Government Affairs, Bunge North America. He says that since the incoming administration seems to have a lot of public support it will be interesting to see how elected leaders and others interact with it. So developing relationships will be a big part of the initial activity we’ll see. He’s also looking to the upcoming USDA Planting Intentions Report to provide an important signal about American agriculture that will be looked at very closely in Washington.

I wonder when our first interaction with the new administration will be. I sent an email to the transition team last week suggesting that they convert the presidential limo to run on ethanol but haven’t heard anything back on that yet.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: slac-erickson.mp3

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Policy

Plant Management Network Teaches You How To Use It

Chuck Zimmerman

Plant Management NetworkHere’s a good example of the use of a webinar by the Plant Management Network. It looks like it was put together with Articulate.

PMN recently hosted a live webcast demonstrating its informational resources and how to use them. Specifically, it showed how agricultural practitioners may use PMN’s various tools in their daily work. The webcast was presented by Howard Brown, current chair of the International Certified Crop Adviser Board, and Phil Bogdan, PMN communications manager. While oriented to consultants, the talk provides a quick backgrounder of use to anyone interested in science-based agricultural management information. The webcast is titled An Online Resource to Support Agricultural Practitioners and has been archived for further viewing, sound required.

Ag Groups, Internet

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Pioneer Hi-Bred is releasing 96 new Pioneer brand corn products to growers across North America for the 2009 planting season. This new advancement class includes 39 new genetic platforms providing improved genetic gain across all maturities.
  • The National Biodiesel Board announced Jessica Robinson has been named Senior Communications Specialist to enhance the organization’s communications efforts in promoting the widespread benefits of biodiesel.
  • Brownfield Ag News radio network announces the addition of radio station KQMQ-AM in Independence, Iowa. This addition brings the total number of Midwestern radio stations affiliated with Brownfield Ag News and Waitt Agribusiness to 300.
  • Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc., has hired Tim Harris, AFM, as a Senior Manager, joining the company’s Lisle, Ill. office.
    Zimfo Bytes

    New Media Work Station

    Chuck Zimmerman

    New Media Work StationHere’s my work station earlier today at the DoubleTree Hotel in St. Louis. Macbook Pro, iPhone, card reader and my camera. Oh, and yes, I was using hotel lobby bandwidth.

    The tools to communicate with are certainly changing. If I didn’t want or need to take real high res photos I could just blog an event with my phone and computer. In fact, I’ve had more than one person ask me if I’m willing to try it.

    Want to sponsor my effort? You pick a meeting that I don’t already have sponsored and I’ll blog it with my iPhone and Mac only. Let me know if you’re willing to try it with me.

    Uncategorized

    What’s the Job Outlook?

    Amanda Nolz

    rikki-rikki-rooDespite icy roads and blizzard conditions, I made the haul from Brookings, S.D. to Lincoln, Neb. for a job interview. I decided that the poor economy and struggling job market was a lot scarier than a good, old South Dakota winter storm, so I made the 5 hour trip down to Neb. for the interview.

    As this is my last semester at South Dakota State University, the time is ticking to find a job and make a decision about my future. I have got to admit that I’m feeling very fortunate to have agriculture as my area of expertise because so many general journalist students are having a difficult time finding jobs in the current market. It was really sad to see some of my Dec. graduate friends still searching for jobs during winter finals week. Do you think the jobs just aren’t available right now? Will this economy ever recover?

    Anyway, the interview went well, and I’m excited for the opportunities that await me in the future. Of course, I will continue to pursue new positions as they arise as I’m constantly on the search for the perfect job for me. My question is, what is the job outlook in your area? Are young people finding jobs with ease? Are you offering jobs that you are having a hard time filling? What kind of skills are you looking for in these positions? Has the economy had an impact on the growth of your business? Inquiring minds want to know…

    Uncategorized

    Greg Guenther Receives Award From St. Louis Ag Club

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Greg Guenther Receive St. Louis Ag Club Agribusiness Leader of the Year AwardAt today’s St. Louis Agribusiness Club lunch meeting Illinois farmer Greg Guenther received the Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award. Greg is pictured with SLAC President Laurie Hiler (left) and his wife.

    I spoke to Greg afterward (on my iPhone) and he says it was a pleasant surprise. He’s says it’s nice for folks to acknowledge the time he’s put in as a volunteer leader over the years. Since Greg is also head of GLB Consulting LLC, a company that provides seminars in bioenergy investing I asked him what he thought the new year and new administration means to that industry. He believes we’re going to see a definite commitment to biofuels out of the new administration and congress. He’s concerned however about the trend toward “next generation” biofuels and what that will mean for farmers who have invested in increasing yield and production of corn to make ethanol.

    You can listen to my interview with Greg here: slag-guenther.mp3

    Ag Groups, Audio, Energy, Ethanol