Exhibitor’s Welcome

Chuck Zimmerman

Exhibitor's WelcomeI am impressed with the welcome we received here this evening at the exhibitor’s dinner. Here’s the greeting line.

I walked through this group by myself and they clapped and shook my hand and even gave me some presents. They said how glad they were that I was here.

I’ll tell you what. After spending the day on site since 6am they were a welcome sight. Especially since they had a cool tent, some cool refreshments and some mighty fine beef brisket. Thank you!

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Farm Progress Show, New Holland

New Holland Igloos

Chuck Zimmerman

Our sponsor for coverage of this year’s Farm Progress Show is New Holland and to help you understand what they’re showing farmers I’ve got an interview with Gene Hemphill.

In the interview Gene describes the new products on display for farmers and talks about the new New Holland Agriculture logo. In the past we’d be looking at very large blue and white striped tents but this year we’ve got yellow and blue “igloos” and tall columns showcasing the new logo. It’s very different.

Gene says that 20 years ago when he started sponsoring the media tent he would put out typewriters. What are they? Now we’re using wireless internet connections.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Video

Pioneer Biofuels Support

Chuck Zimmerman

Pioneer BoothI went out to my car a little while ago to sit in the air conditioning and the thermometer in it said 101 degrees. It is toasty here. In fact, my computer here in the media tent is heating up and acting up or I’d have some video posted for you already.

So, I’m packing up and heading to the exhibitor appreciation event while Laura covers the Monsanto media event. Hopefully from the comfort of my air conditioned room later this evening I’ll get some more posts up. In the meantime feel free to browse the photo album.

I wish I’d known that the Pioneer tent had air conditioning or I would have made it there earlier today and I may not have left.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Ethanol, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

New Dekalb Youth Scholarships & WingWear

Chuck Zimmerman

Monsanto Press ConferenceOn stage in the media tent here at the Farm Progress Show this morning was Monsanto. Here’s their head of U. S. operations, Jim Zimmer.

He says they’re continuing to support farm youth initiatives. Today he was here to announce 10 new Dekalb youth scholarships. 10 students will receive $2,500. He says the FFA will be involved but students don’t have to be FFA members to qualify. Dekalb also introduced Dekalb WingWear, their own line of apparel. A portion of every purchase will be donated to fund youth scholarships in ag-related degrees.

You can listen to the press conference here: fp-07-monsanto.mp3

Or you can download here: Listen To ZimmCastMonsanto Press Conference (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

Cruising in the ZimMobile

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimMobileLaura and I went out on a drive around in the ZimMobile. The breeze was so nice that I thought about just driving around for a while.

I left Laura in the John Deere tent where she’s doing some interviews while I came back here to get some posts done. It is hot in the media tent so I’m going to try to get caught up and then go find some air conditioning!

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Matt Jungmann is Farm Progress Show Manager

Chuck Zimmerman

Matt Jungmann InterviewMatt Jungmann is National Shows Manager for Farm Progress Companies. I passed him just a few minutes ago as Laura and I were doing a drive around. While I was interviewing Matt the AgriTalk Mike’s showed up (Mike Adams and Mike Perrine) so they joined in.

Matt and Mike agree that this is one of the largest opening day crowds they’ve seen in a while. It’s hot and sunny but there’s a nice breeze.

You can listen to our interview here: fp-07-jungmann.mp3

Or you can download here: Listen To ZimmCastMatt Jungmann Interview (4 min MP3)

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Audio, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Trimble-Dickey-John Hybrid Precision Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

Trimble Press ConferenceThe first press conference of the day here at the Farm Progress Show was held jointly by Trimble and Dickey-John. On the stage are Jim Stephens, Trimble Ag Media Relations, Erick Arveson, GM, Trimble Ag Division and Chris Tarpley, VP of Sales and Marketing, Dickey-John.

The companies announced that they’ve joined forces to offer precision farming solutions using their combined technology. Their “hybrid” systems will offer one stop shopping for seamless systems through both their dealer networks. You can hear more about what this means in their opening comments at the press conference.

You can listen to their comments here: fp-07-trimble.mp3

Or you can download here: Listen To ZimmCastTrimble/Dickey-John Press Conference (8 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, Precision Agriculture

Sunrise on Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Beginning of DayWe go from sunset to sunrise here at the Farm Progress Show.

The early farm broadcasters beat me here this morning. Not all of them are working here in the media tent. You’ll find them scattered all over the place.

I’m all set up and ready to bring you all the action and excitement. Right now I’m going to go get my golf cart. Back in a while.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Media Perspective of Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-134 - A Farm Progress Show Media PerspectiveIt’s almost time for the start of the 2007 Farm Progress Show. To help me kick it off and give it an independent media perspective I had a discussion with Leah Guffey, WFMB (right) and Tricia Braid Terry, RFD Radio Network (left).

Tricia, Chuck and LeahWe talked about the new paved roads, air conditioning in the bathrooms and media tent and all the new releases and media announcements that we’ve received. Food at the show came up as well.

I don’t have any music in the show for you this week but you can count on it next week.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 134 (10 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast134-8-27-07.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

Audio, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, ZimmCast

Sundown on Farm Progress

Chuck Zimmerman

End of DayThe sun is actually down at this point but that’s where it was as I was driving out of the Farm Progress Show this evening.

While I’m here Cindy will be attending the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s ID InfoExpo in Kansas City. Once again she’ll be producing their virtual press room using our AgNewsWire.AgWired.com service. That means that ag journalists will be receiving a daily email document with links to her interviews with the presenters and their presentation slides.

Cindy’s got a new Nikon since she finally wore out the one we’ve had for a couple of years and that got us started out in this new media world. I’m looking forward to seeing her photos from that event.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Ag Groups, Farm Progress Show, New Holland