Give a Tweet About Twitter

Chuck Zimmerman

TwitterI thought I had written about Twitter before but I am seriously behind in making sure you know about what I can only describe as a sort of micro-blogging application. I’ve had a Twitter account for almost exactly a year now but just started using it. At first I just didn’t see the point but that’s changed . You’re going to see an application of it in the new AgWired which should be showing up any day.

You can read a little bit about Twitter in an article on Fox Business.com.

Is Twitter the next big thing or a twempest in a tweepot? Twitter is a free “micro-blogging” service that allows users to send updates, or “tweets” — messages of up to 140 characters that answer the question “what are you doing now?” The updates are kept on the user’s profile page and distributed to friends via text messages, instant messaging, RSS feeds, and other applications.

I see applications for this that probably aren’t exactly what Twitter co-founder Evan Williams had in mind. So you might just see me tweeting during some meetings coming up for example. You’ll be able to follow me on Twitter here on AgWired shortly but you can also subscribe to my Twitter feed using this RSS Feed. Take a look at it and see what you think. When I say micro-blogging I mean it. I can just post here but for a quick 140 character max message that can include a hyperlink I can update even more easily and quickly from my Blackberry, computer and Google Talk IM application. You can IM me on GTalk at chuckz33. My Twitter name is czimmerman.

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Celebrating Ag Day in Pennsylvania

Chuck Zimmerman

PA Sec of Ag Dennis WolffHere’s how the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Wolff, will be celebrating National Ag Day.

Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff will join Lancaster County agricultural leaders at 10:30 a.m. on March 20 to recognize National Agriculture Day during an event at Graywood Farms in Peach Bottom, Lancaster County.

If you’re interested in going you can find the farm here.

If the Pennsylvania Dept. of Ag can let us know how they’re celebrating Ag Day then you can too!

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The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience

Chuck Zimmerman

2008 CMA Music FestivalHey country music fans. I’m already looking forward to this year’s CMA Music Festival, better known as Fan Fair. With New Holland’s support I’ll be there once again.

I just submitted my media credentials request since CMA was already wondering if I’d be there again. I think I was probably the first blogger to get credentialed by them. That’s been common with most of the places I get credentialed. They also like the fact that I’m reaching a new audience for them too.

I guess I’m also looking forward to some hot humid weather that requires a nice cool Frogg Togg around your neck. I’m ready for a change of seasons.

New Holland

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • This time next year, Bayer CropScience plans to introduce corn growers to a new, proprietary safener and two new corn preemergence weed-control products: Balance® FLEXX and Corvus™ herbicides. The new corn herbicides account for two of at least six new product innovations the company expects to bring to market for corn growers in the next three years.
  • Missouri’s elected officials are making a historic push to significantly increase the amount of biodiesel sold at fueling stations across Missouri. The Missouri Senate passed SB 759, the statewide biodiesel standard, on Monday, March 10. The bill would require all diesel fuel sold in Missouri to be blended with at least 5 percent biodiesel (B5) by June 1, 2010.
  • John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) has announced the technology solutions it will use to meet the stringent Interim Tier 4/Stage III B mobile off-highway emissions regulations for engines 130 kW (174 hp) and above. To achieve compliance with these emissions regulations, John Deere will start with its proven Tier 3 PowerTech™ Plus engine platform, add a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)/diesel particulate filter (DPF) unit for reducing particulates, and increase the percentage of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for NOx control.
Zimfo Bytes

Novus International Makes News

Chuck Zimmerman

Novus In The NewsNovus International is making news again. To start with they’ve got a new Executive Director – Dr. Scott Fleetwood. Then they’ve also just announced a new website. You’ll be hearing a lot more from Novus this summer as they sponsor AgWired coverage of World Pork Expo!

Novus International, Inc., a leader in animal health and nutrition, is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Scott C. Fleetwood as Executive Director, Markets and Products. Fleetwood will have overall responsibility for the marketing of the swine, poultry, ruminant, industrial and feed quality business units of Novus.

Fleetwood joins Novus from EMD Crop BioScience where he served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. At EMD, Fleetwood was responsible for sales, marketing, accounting, regulatory, customer service and production activities associated with inoculants for North America. He led the development of strategic alliances, negotiating agreements and trade-channel relationships.

“Scott brings an extensive background to Novus in agriculture related marketing and the bioscience behind our industry. He is a welcome addition to our team,” stated Giovanni Gasperoni, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales. Read More

Agribusiness

Great American BBQ Tour

Chuck Zimmerman

The Great American Barbeque TourIt’s getting to that time of year when we can grill outside comfortably and I can’t wait. The Kansas City Barbeque Society is using springtime to kick off their Great American BBQ Tour and Ernie and Linda Poland will be the tour team. Now there’s a sweet (and smoky) gig!

KCBS announced today that Ernie and Linda Poland, proud KCBS members and active volunteers for the society, have been selected as the demonstration team for The Great American BBQ Tour. The tour, which kicks off March 28 at the Pork ‘n Brew BBQ Cookoff in Rio Rancho, NM, will feature demonstrations of bbq tips and techniques for backyard bbq’ers, as well as introduce KCBS’s national partners and conduct live interviews of KCBS teams at events across the country.

Ernie and Linda PolandThe Polands, who have been members since 2003, are no strangers to barbeque. In fact, they are certified judges (Ernie is a Master Judge!) and table captains who were also approved as Contest Reps after their training program in 2007. They were scheduled to work as Reps at three events this year before accepting the tour’s opportunity as KCBS ambassadors.

“We are thrilled about this opportunity to represent KCBS in a new and exciting way,” commented Ernie, who has a lot of food training and experience from his previous career as an Army Officer and more recently as the Director of Residence Halls and the associated food services at Purdue University. Linda and Ernie are both Purdue graduates. “As an ambassador for KCBS, we will take this job very seriously, and we hope to not only teach, but to learn a lot along the way from the great cooks and teams who represent our society.” Read More

Food

New Media Presentation in KC, MO

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m doing a presentation in Kansas City and during the meeting saw that my good friend Barry Nelson, John Deere, is on YouTube giving a speech in a corn field. It was done by Nathan Schock, POET. See what you think. Does Barry need some media training?

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Kruger Rewards Customer Promoter

Chuck Zimmerman

Kruger SeedsThis is a concept I like. Have a contest to reward someone who’s out there being your company evangelist. What do you think? Should we run something like this for AgWired? What would be a good prize?

Weigh wagons brimmed with harvested seed as Jerry Smith told fellow growers at the local elevator how Kruger Seeds consistently ranks at the top in unbiased state university trials. This dedication in telling others about Kruger prompted Smith to enter the Kruger Seeds Booster Club Sweepstakes. His entry was randomly selected as the grand-prize winner of $12,000 worth of Kruger seed. Smith, a 600-acre corn and soybean producer in George, Iowa, is part of the 90 percent of Kruger customers that recommend Kruger seed to fellow growers.

“We held this sweepstakes as a way to recognize and thank those customers who, by word of mouth, promote Kruger,” says Tom Lizer, general sales manager of Kruger Seeds, Inc. “Their continued support has helped Kruger grow into a leading seed company that continually provides top-notch genetics and high-yielding products to its customers.”

Boosters, or current Kruger customers, were encouraged to recruit new customers with the help of their dealers. Jerry’s newly recruited customer and his dealer were winners, too. Mark Smith, who farms 600 acres of corn and soybeans in George, Iowa, won $1,000 worth of seed for becoming a new customer.

Agribusiness, Seed

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • MarketSense Inc. has announced the hiring of Heather LaCouture as a senior research analyst. In this role she will manage both quantitative and qualitative market-research projects for clients in the veterinary- and human-healthcare industries. She will be based in Princeton, N.J.
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.,(BIVI) is requesting proposals for its annual Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD) Research Award Program. The program grants three $25,000 awards annually to the authors of the selected research proposals. Proposals must be received by July 1, 2008, to be considered. Visit the Web site for more details.
  • AgriLabs has introduced First Arrival® with Encrypt®, a feed supplement that enhances the natural immunity of calves, helping them cope with scours. Specially formulated for newborn calves, First Arrival is built around targeted egg-yolk proteins to help combat 11 scour-causing pathogens. It also features Encrypt, an innovative formulation of organic, non-charcoal carbon sources to help improve gut health.
  • Diamond V® has named Heather Steffen as a Resource Coordinator for North America. In her new position, Steffen will be responsible for supporting field staff in the implementation of the overall business plan. Diamond V has also appointed JuLee Combs as a Senior Resource Coordinator for North America. Combs will be responsible for supporting field staff in the implementation of the overall business plan.
Zimfo Bytes

Plant Pathology Journalism Award

Chuck Zimmerman

American Phytopathological SocietyJust like last year, the Plant Pathology Journalism Award excludes websites, which might exclude some quality entries. I’m not a plant pathologist so maybe there’s no one writing on the web about this subject? I guess they only consider you a journalist if you’re printed or broadcast. Applications are due by April 15 for work in 2007.

The plant pathology award, sponsored by The American Phytopathological Society (APS), recognizes outstanding achievement in increasing public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of plant pathology. Plant pathology is concerned with the improvement of plant health through the identification, prevention, and management of plant diseases. The award consists of a $1,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and travel expenses to attend the APS Annual Meeting for presentation of the award.

Eligibility is limited to science writers and journalists of information concerning the science of plant pathology or issues related to plant health appearing in mass media, including print (newspapers and periodicals only) and broadcast media readily available to the general public. Books, websites, and institutionally-sponsored publications are not eligible. Individual items and series are both eligible.

To apply, submit the following: letter explaining how the work submitted contributes to public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the science of plant pathology; a statement of when and where the work appeared, including circulation/audience estimates; and four copies, either published or taped, of the submitted work.

Submissions should be sent to: Plant Pathology Journalism Award, The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. For more information or questions, please contact Amy Steigman, +1.651.994.3802.

Media