Ready to Rock at NAMA

Chuck Zimmerman

HawkThis little guy showed up outside my office window a few minutes ago. He held still just long enough for me to get one shot of him before he took off with a big screech.

I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of you at the NAMA Convention next week. Cindy, Laura and I are getting ready for a very busy week. I’ll get in on Tuesday and be there for the duration. Look for some exciting announcements from ZimmComm in your inbox next week.

Almost immediately after NAMA I’ll be off to the 24th Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium in Lexington, KY. That will be a new media event coverage extravaganza as we unveil an Alltech Symposium Blog among other things.

NAMA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) recently elected 16 companies to membership in the international trade group, which provides business-development resources for companies which manufacture and market agriculture and construction-related equipment, products and services.
  • Helping equipment marketers most effectively reach buyers of the future is the goal of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) 2008 marketing seminar. The event will be held May 18-20, 2008 at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon. Complete seminar information and registration details are posted online in the “education” section of the AEM Web site.
  • Tip of the week: A pedicure is key to good health – with your horses. Trimming and shoeing your horses’ hooves on a regular basis will ward off diseases like thrush and founder. A vet should also examine your animals, including their feet, once a year.
  • The American Agri-Women (AAW) met with Provider Pals founder Bruce Vincent, and made plans to work with him to help promote the Provider Pals’ Web site for children, a game called Provider World. This site provides children a safe environment in which to explore farming and other natural resource-based occupations, through exciting games and activities.
Zimfo Bytes

Writing and Podcasting in Iowa

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-166 - Writing and PodcastingThis week I attended a portion of the AAEA/LPC Regional Design & Writing Workshop in Johnston, IA. Some of you are probably thinking, “Why didn’t he stay since he so obviously needs help?” Yeah, but I had other places to be too.

So in this week’s program you’ll hear from LPC Executive Director Diane Johnson who talks about the workshop and the fun and games we did last night. The Workshop was held at Pioneer Hi-Bred’s Carver Center and I also spoke with Jerry Harrington about how he got involved in providing us with the auditorium where the Workshop was held. You can see pictures in the Workshop photo album.

Linda FunkAfter I left the Workshop I visited the Iowa Soybean Association office to conduct some precision ag interviews for Precision Pays. While I was there I got to meet Linda Funk, Executive Director of The Soyfoods Council. We talked about the Soyfoods Podcast project we’ve been working an and you can learn more about why they decided to use podcasting in the program.

This week’s program ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network. It’s called “Writings on a Page” by Jonathon Dewveall. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 166 (16 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast166-4-10-08.mp3

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

ACN, Audio, LPC, Podcasts, Soybean, ZimmNews

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Iowa men and women with a commitment to the future of Iowa agriculture and an interest in developing their leadership potential are invited to apply for Class IV of the Iowa Leadership Enhancement And Development (I-LEAD) class, sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB). I-LEAD application forms and details are available by calling Iowa Corn at 515-225-9242 or on the Iowa Corn Web site, (click on “For Farmers” and “Grower Education”). The deadline for applications is July 15.
  • CHS Inc. has acquired Legacy Foods LLC, Hutchinson, Kan. CHS will operate the business as part of its oilseed processing group, managed by Dennis Wendland, senior vice president of oilseed processing. The company employs approximately 80 people, all of whom will become CHS employees.
  • Diamond V® recently announced the addition of Ray Jordan to the sales team as Regional Sales Manager. In his new position Jordan will be responsible for working with Diamond V customers located in the southeastern United States. Jordan joins Diamond V after serving three years as president of Ag Solutions.
Zimfo Bytes

Learning How To Design and Write

Chuck Zimmerman

AAEA/LPC Regional Writing WorkshopThe AAEA/LPC Regional Design & Writing Workshop is about to kick off here at the Pioneer Carver Building in Johnston, IA. This is a beautiful facility and we appreciate Pioneer providing us with this location.

I think there are about 80 people participating which is a great turnout. I’ve got a couple interviews and more pictures that I’ll post later. I’m not actually staying for the workshop though. I’ve got some interviews scheduled over at Iowa Soybean Association and then I’ll be heading back to ZimmComm World Headquarters in Holts Summit, MO.

Today’s program includes topics like, “Shifting Demographics of Agriculture” and “What You Should Be Doing in Photography, Writing and Design.” It’s a good one and I wish I could stay for it.

ACN, LPC

AAEA/LPC Reception

Chuck Zimmerman

AAEA/LPC Regional Writing WorkshopWe certainly had some fun tonight at the AAEA/LPC Regional Writing Workshop Reception. Diane “Vanna” Johnson had volunteers help her run a very good Jeopardy game.

Pictured here are the first round of contestants for the competition. It wasn’t easy and sometimes the audience didn’t have the answer.

Tom TrebekOur emcee was Tom Trebek, local celebrity. He did an awesome job of keeping the contestants honest.

We had categories that ranged from photography to the history of AAEA/LPC/ACT. I think we learned as much from watching as competing.

It was pretty dark in the room but I did capture a few minutes of video for those of you who missed tonight’s festivities.

ACN, LPC, Video

Sweetest Honey of the Hives

Laura McNamara

They’re calling it The Great American Honey Hunt. The American Honey Producers Association wants apiarists and backyard beekeepers alike to submit their best sticky sweetness to claim the ultimate honey pot.

Honey varietals are surging in popularity. Clover, alfalfa, sage, wildflower – more than 300 different types of honey – each with its own unique taste, color and fragrance – are available throughout the country. But where is the best honey in America made? California? South Dakota? Texas? Your home town? The contest is simple – send us your bees’ best. We’ll sample all of them and crown one winner in each size category.

President of the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA) Mark Brady says, “While honey remains a staple of the American diet, most grocery stores only carry blended honeys that have lost their unique character and flavor, due to blending with imported honey and, in some cases, are adulterated with artificial sweeteners.

“If people just knew about the real honey that’s being made in this country right now, even in their hometown, they’d understand all the great flavors they are missing and demand it be sold,” explains Brady.

Contest information and rules are available at www.hooplegroup.com.

Ag Groups, Farming

Ohio Equine Enthusiasts Unite

Laura McNamara

Members of the Ohio horse community are uniting in the face of economic instability. The equine industry in Ohio is forming an umbrella coalition to offer members more security.

In an attempt to overcome numerous challenges and what amounts to an economic crisis in several segments, members of this state’s horse community today announced the formation of the Ohio Equine Industry Coalition (OEIC). The organization, designed to include all breeds and disciplines, will represent an industry which accounts for an over $1.4 billion goods and services impact on Ohio.

“In today’s Ohio, more kids are growing up on concrete than on dirt and kids are more likely to learn about computer programming than animal sciences,” said acting Steering Committee Chair Dr. John Mossbarger. “The OEIC is a critical step for the horse industry to tell its story to a wide audience.”

Facing issues such as increased environmental regulations, sale prices bottoming-out, a lack of large-animal and equine veterinary practitioners and development encroaching on riding trails, it will be critical for the equine industry to present a united front.

Ag Groups, Farming, Horses

Visiting John Deere AMS For Precision Pays

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere AMS OfficesIt’s been a very interesting day on the road. I just finished up conducting some interviews at the John Deere Ag Management Solutions offices in Urbandale, IA. I’m going to be using them for a series of stories on Precision Pays.

There’s a lot going on in the precision ag world right now as pressure mounts to reduce input costs and increase productivity. Precision Pays is a project we’ve been working on with BCS Communications and John Deere to help distribute current information to help farmers improve their bottom line.

Marketing ManagerI thought I’d share the first interview in the series with Mark Theuerkauf, Marketing Manager. Mark and I talked about RTK. Our conversation helped me better understand how the tower or base station network functions to provide a growing coverage area where farmers can take advantage of the extreme accuracy that RTK offers. As Mark says, John Deere offers three levels of accuracy with RTK being at the top of the list.

You can learn more about RTK on the John Deere StellarSupport website. Mark says that there are considerations when using the network since it is contingent on line of sight with the local towers. He suggests that farmers work with their local dealer to find out how to incorporate RTK into their operation.

You can listen to my interview with Mark here: ams-office-08-theuerkauf-rtk-update.mp3

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere, Precision Agriculture

Mike Wright New Dir. Global Marketing For Diamond V

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike WrightIt sounds like Mike Wright will be doing a little bit of traveling. Diamond V announced that he’s their new Director of Global Marketing.

In his role Wright will oversee sales and marketing efforts, with special emphasis on the dairy business.

Wright joins Diamond V with 17 years of feed industry sales and marketing experience. Prior to joining Diamond V Wright served as Business Manager for ADM Alliance Nutrition, where he was responsible for new business opportunities and marketing program development for key strategic products. Previously, he worked for ADM Animal Health & Nutrition, MoorMans Incorporated, Manna Pro Corporation and Countrymark Cooperative, Inc.

Mike understands the feed business and what producers need to stay profitable,? says Jeff Cannon, Senior Vice President, Planning and Business Development. ?He brings with him a wealth of industry expertise, and we?re excited for him to join our team.?

Agribusiness