Text The Word “corn” To 77007

Chuck Zimmerman

WyffelmaniaIf you like to go fishing then stop by the Wyffels Hybrids exhibit at the Farm Progress Show. During Wyfelmania you can fish for prizes and it is a great spot to cool off while getting an opportunity for some cool Wyffels gear.

One of the owners of Wyffels Hybrids is Bill Wyffels. He manages the company with his brother Bob and family is very important to them. Not only for Wyffels but their customers too. Bill says they’re developing their brand with some a whole new marketing campaign that’s being managed by their agency, The Hondo Group.

WyffelmaniaOne of the ways they’re trying to get the name out there is by using text messaging to mobile phones. Right now if you text the word, “corn,” to 77007 you’ll get back a text message to your phone with a link to a mobile browser friendly web page that gives you the Wyffels Hybrids vision and mission which by the way is:

Our Vision…

Is to be the leading, most respected, and most customer-focused supplier of elite corn hybrids in our chosen marketing area.

Our Mission…

Is to develop enthusiastically satisfied customers through industry-leading products and exceptional customer service.

You can find the instructions for texting Wyffels on billboards on the highways leading in and out of the Farm Progress Show. That’s an innovative marketing concept.

Learn more about Wyffels Hybrids in my interview with Bill here: fp-07-wyffel.mp3

Or you can download it here: Listen To MP3Bill Wyffels Interview (6 min MP3)

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Farm Progress Show Concert

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Progress Show ConcertFrom the looks of it the Farm Progress Show concert was a big success.

On stage were Tracy Lawrence and Tracy Byrd. I didn’t stay for the show. Too tired and I had a little ways to drive to get back “home.”

It’s been a few years since they did this at a show. Country music and agriculture always just seem to go together so I think it makes sense.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Moon Over Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Moon Over Farm Progress ShowI know this isn’t a sunrise but I just didn’t get a good shot of it this morning.

Instead you get the moon over the Farm Progress Show.

When I got to the media tent we had a Highway Patrolman stop in. He said they had over 50 heat problem call-ins yesterday. It was definitely easy to overdo it in the high heat we had out here.

Today promises to be much more mild and that should bode well for final day attendance.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Another Farm Progress Show Sunset

Chuck Zimmerman

Another Farm Progress SunsetHere’s today’s Farm Progress Show sunset for you.

This is outside my hotel in Clinton, IL.

The photo is in the photo album and looks a lot better large size.

I hope the clouds mean that some weather is moving through and tomorrow will bring cooler temperatures. I guess we’ll see.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Syngenta Maximizes

Laura McNamara

Craig Abell and Steve Pig Merging the latest in seed technology with resistance management is the key Syngenta wants to give to farmers so they can fully maximize their productivity. I grabbed Craig Abell with Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Brands NK Seeds Steve Pig to talk about how the two sects work together to give farmers the most out each bushel and acre.

Listen to Craig and Steve here: craig_steve.mp3

Or you can download here:Listen to MP3 (3:00 min mp3)

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Audio, Biotech, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Syngenta

Whack-A-Worm

Laura McNamara

Whack-A-Worm exhibit Farmers wanting to payback all those pesky little pests that challenge them in the field can at the Monsanto display. Well, sort of. Blue flashing lights and ringing buzzer sounded after each whacking spree. The game lured the largest line in the exhibit when I stopped in to check it out. Visitors could also check out a mountain display of seeds, play a Price-Is-Right style plinko game and see live benefits of RoundUp Ready.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Biotech, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Ag Secretary Visits Jay Leno’s Ecojet at New Holland Tent

Chuck Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns visits the EcojetAgriculture Secretary Mike Johanns visited around while he was here at the Farm Progress Show. One of his stops was the New Holland tent to see Jay Leno’s Ecojet, the concept car that runs on 100% biodiesel.

Pictured (l-r) are Alan Kemper, VP of the American Soybean Association, Harold Boyanovsky, CEO of CNH, Sec. Johanns and Ricky “Skip” Tyler who travels with the car. They’re looking at the jet engine that powers this muscle car.

I asked Sec. Johanns what he thinks of a company like New Holland working with an entertainer like Jay Leno to promote biodiesel.

You can listen to Secretary Johanns reply here: fp-07-johanns-quote.mp3

New Holland’s Gene Hemhill is responsible for bringing the farm equipment company together with Jay Leno and so I asked him what this means to New Holland.

You can listen to Gene’s reply here: fp-07-hemphill-quote.mp3

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Audio, Biodiesel, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

ID/INFO Expo ’07

Cindy Zimmerman

Info ExpoTraceability is the main theme at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture ID/INFO EXPO in Kansas City this year and the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the UK has made it very timely.

One of the most interesting presentations was by Ray Brown, a dairy producer from Cheshire, England. Ray spoke on the impact of FMD from a producer’s perspective and how traceability is making a difference with this year’s outbreak of FMD compared to the devastating outbreak in 2001.

I interviewed Ray after his presentation and found him very interesting and forthright – plus he’s got that great British accent. It’s long (over 11 minutes), but really fascinating, especially for those of you in the livestock industry wrestling with the idea of animal ID and premises registration. Here’s why it’s important.
niaa-07-brown-interview.mp3

My purpose here at the EXPO is to send out media alerts to farm broadcasters and publications with links to photos and interviews from presenters. Here is a link to the Day One Virtual Media Room document from ID/INFO EXPO.

And, yeah – while Chuck is sweating in the heat at Farm Progress, I have the air-conditioned hotel gig. No complaints here.

Animal Health, Audio, Livestock

Case IH, FFA Celebrate Golden 60th

Laura McNamara

FFA restored antique Farmall tractor The restored antique Farmall sits next to the Gold Signature Edition Farmall tractor at the Case IH display in Progress City, IL to commemorate the company’s 60th year as an FFA sponsor. Case IH is auctioning the Gold Edition Farmall on ebay and all proceeds will go toward charity. The auction ends at the close of this week. Senior Marketing Director John Koetz says the 18-hp, sub-compact tractor customized with distinctive red-and-gold paint is a commemorative nod to the International Harvester heritage of Case IH. He says International Harvester manufactured special “Gold Demonstrator” tractors in the late 1960s and 1970s. John says Case IH is proud of its long-standing relationship and says the youth involved in FFA represent the future of agriculture. Case IH Gold Edition FarmallThe local FFA chapter is auctioning off the restored antique Farmall as well to help raise chapter funds.

John also points out the commemorative Gold Edition Farmall is a smaller version of the limited edition Gold Signature Edition Magnum® and Steiger® tractors Case IH is selling to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Magnum tractor and 50th anniversary of Steiger.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Equipment, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Tractor

Off to the Races!

Laura McNamara

Yamaha Big or small, from Yamaha to remote control, the crowds at the 2007 Farm Progress Show are checking out the dirt tracks and the turf tracks. Consumers can climb on to various Yamaha four-wheelers and hit the small, rugged dirt track just outside of the exit to the field harvesting demonstrations to get a feel for which Yamaha model suits them best. Fast Stop wants farmers to make it their first stop. Not only does the display have RC Truck Races, but if you time it right you’ll get to listen to a live performer. When I stopped by, a singer was crooning about his human music stand. Remote Control RacesSpeaking of going for a ride, I’m planning on heading over to the Rural Life Compact Tractor Ride n’ Drive at 3 p.m. The big dogs will be out all day Thursday so farmers can get a real feel for the latest in tractor models being displayed throughout Progress City.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2007 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland

Equipment, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Tractor