Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The R-CALF USA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the group’s 10th annual convention and trade show will take place Jan. 23-24, 2009, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Rapid City, S.D.
  • Individuals interested in precision agriculture should mark their calendars for the next edition of the popular Information Agriculture Conference, set for July 14-16, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Ill.
  • Case Construction Equipment announced that it has launched an extensive redesign of its Web site to accommodate the needs of its global audience. Featuring a dramatic new look, robust content and an intuitive site structure, the optimized site provides streamlined navigation and useful resources for visitors to the site.
  • Agricultural customers of United Phosphorus, Inc., will continue to benefit from the expertise of John Oppelt as he moves to the position of business development manager with sister company, Advanta U.S.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Woods Wanderings

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Tree DownIt seems like the end of the year holidays are the only time I get to wander back through the woods behind ZimmComm World Headquarters.

    We’ve got a lot of cedars and last winter’s ice storm wasn’t very kind to them. I went on a photo shoot this afternoon to see what condition they were in. This one looks like it was just pushed over and seemed to be saying, “Help me, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” I hope none of you have to say that Wednesday night!

    Over the next couple days we may do a little looking back at 2008 from an AgWired perspective.

    Uncategorized

    Talking Gadgets on RFD Today

    Chuck Zimmerman

    RFD Radio NetworkThis morning I was a guest on RFD Today, hosted by my good friend, Tricia Braid Terry. We talked about electronic gadgets (GPS, Mobile Phone, iPhone apps, etc.).

    With her permission I’ve got a link to our segment of the show here in case you’d like to listen: rfd-12-26-08-gadgets.mp3

    GPS units are cool and I got my first one for Christmas, a Garmin Nuvi. I did use my Blackberry GPS Service but found out that you have to have a phone signal for it to work. These more traditional units don’t have that limitation though. They’re very handy gadgets for anyone. The prices are right too. So even if you didn’t get one for Christmas you might want to shop online now.

    Audio, Media

    Happy Holidays

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Happy Holidays From AgroPressThe Happy Holiday-ness continues here on AgWired. And why not? There’s 12 days of Christmas to start with right? And most of you are on holiday for another week or so.

    So here’s one from Goran Djakovic, Serbia, AGROPRESS. He’s currently VP of IFAJ and wishes us, Mir Boziji, Hriston se rodi? Wishing you all peace for the Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!

    Media

    Internet Continues To Grow As News Source

    Chuck Zimmerman

    You’ve probably seen this already but just in case you haven’t it’s worth knowing and noting. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press:

    The internet, which emerged this year as a leading source for campaign news, has now surpassed all other media except television as a main source for national and international news.

    Currently, 40% say they get most of their news about national and international issues from the internet, up from just 24% in September 2007. For the first time in a Pew survey, more people say they rely mostly on the internet for news than cite newspapers (35%). Television continues to be cited most frequently as a main source for national and international news, at 70%.

    For young people, however, the internet now rivals television as a main source of national and international news. Nearly six-in-ten Americans younger than 30 (59%) say they get most of their national and international news online; an identical percentage cites television.

    I realize you’re going to say, “But Chuck, that has nothing to do with “farm” news.” Au contraire. It has everything to do with farm news in my opinion. It says to me that if you want your news and information to reach your members and customers, then you need to be online in a search engine friendly environment. Unfortunately most websites are still built on old technology. Then you’ve got the corporate control factor that puts up barriers to freely and easily getting that information. This isn’t to say that traditional farm information channels don’t reach farmers but that there is a growing alternative where there is a huge amount of diversity and where farmers increasingly will go for the information they want and need.

    I think this offers opportunities, not problems. Maybe a good new year resolution would be to have your company experiment with new media options!

    Media

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • More than 450 employees at Bayer CropScience raised 3,561 lbs. of food during the company’s annual East Wing versus West Wing (of the building) Food Drive competition. Bayer CropScience will again make a $50,000 donation which allows the Food Bank to purchase the food, as well as the backpacks, and administer the program at 19 sites in five counties, which serves approximately 655 children.
    • National Institute for Animal Agriculture has announced its 2009 annual meeting, “The Changing Face of Animal Agriculture” to be held March 31-April 1 at the Galt House Hotel & Suites, Louisville, Ky.
    • U.S. Grains Council’s 2008 annual report is now available on the Council’s Web site under the “About the Council” tab.
    • The Canola Council’s Canola Colleges will be held as follows: Feb. 26: Nisku, AB; March 3: Warman, SK and March 5: Brandon, MB. Main themes this year will be “Stand Establishment” and “Fertility Management”.
    • Walz Tetrick Advertising has enhanced its Media Services group with the addition of media buyer/planner Kristi Creason.
      Zimfo Bytes

      December ZimmNews

      Chuck Zimmerman

      December ZimmNewsThe latest edition of ZimmNews has been delivered to in-boxes everywhere. A lot of you are already on holiday I can tell judging by the “out of office” replies!

      In case you didn’t get it or just want to look at it online then you can find it here: December ZimmNews

      Some highlights include:

      I hope you enjoy it and thank you for reading.

      ZimmNews

      Zimfo Bytes

      Melissa Sandfort

        Zimfo Bytes

      • Trimble announced it has acquired the FastMap and GeoSite software assets from KOREC (www.korecgroup.com). The acquisition will allow Trimble to expand its Mapping and Geographic Information System solutions to provide optimized software and professional services in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
      • Results from replicated strip trials harvested by Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network growers show that fall-applied anhydrous ammonia might benefit from proper use of a nitrification inhibitor such as N-Serve.
      • Arkion Life Sciences has received US EPA approval to market Avipel Corn Seed Treatment in Minnesota for the 2009 planting season. The Section 18 application filed by the State of Minnesota is effective Dec. 5, 2008 through July 30, 2009.
      • Casey Daniel has joined United Phosphorus, Inc., as ag account manager responsible for representing UPI’s broad portfolio of post-patent crop protection products, working with distribution chain customers in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.
        Zimfo Bytes

        A New Face at AgWired

        Amanda Nolz

        img_81941Thanks for the introduction, Chuck! I’m glad to be a part of AgWired, and I look forward to bringing a unique perspective to new media uses as a cattle rancher, college student and agricultural journalist.

        Young people are always the go-to generation when it comes to utilizing technology to its fullest potential, and I’m excited to share with you some of my experiences with social networks and how they can benefit agriculture professionals.

        Of course, Facebook is an important social network that has quickly grown into a tool for business marketing, important causes and social gatherings. One of my favorite organizations, Faces of Ag uses Facebook to reach people and encourage them to connect with the urban consumer. Through a Facebook “group,” Faces of Ag provides hints for making connections and telling the food production story.

        Cow LightsHowever, with the holiday season in full swing, utilizing Facebook and other online media outlets is probably the last thing from your mind. Now is the time to reflect on those that are closest to our hearts—our friends and families. Make family time a priority this season. It is truly the season to refresh our minds and renew our spirits for a great 2009 in agriculture. I look forward to joining you in the New Year to provide you with tips and ideas for utilizing the latest tools to launch your goals in agriculture! I found this picture of a rancher that decorates his dairy cow every year for the holidays. Merry Christmas from my heart to yours!

        Media