Farm Progress Show Wrapup

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

It’s time for me to pack up and head on home from the Farm Progress Show. I hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage and I want to thank New Holland for their sponsorship. As always it has been a pleasure to work with Gene Hemphill, New Holland and Holly Fritz, H.B. Fritz & Associates, Inc.

Right before heading out I spoke with Farm Progress Show Manager Matt Jungmann and he gave me a wrapup on the show so far. He says that not only the attendees seem to be happy but they’re getting very happy comments from exhibitors. Matt says that on the first two days of corn harvest the corn was running at about 15-17% moisture and 175 to 180 bushels.

Listen to my interview with Matt here: fp-07-jungmann-wrap.mp3

Or you can download it here: Matt Jungmann Interview (2 min MP3)

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A Farm Progress Show “Guess Who’s Boots”

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

I almost completely forgot about this. This is an AgWired, “Guess Who’s Boots” post.

Your job is to be the first person to correctly identify who is wearing these Red Wings and post your entry as a comment to this post.

The winner will receive a pair of ZimmComm New Media retractable ear buds so we make it worth your while.

Good Luck.

Post Update: Vicki Henrickson guessed correctly that these boots belong to Susie Decker.

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Farm Progress Show Harvesting

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

It’s cool and breezy today but the sun is shining at the Farm Progress Show.

There’s a big crowd out watching the corn harvest demo as different combine brands take turns doing a row.

Laura was out there yesterday and shot a video clip of a Case IH unit.

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Tour The New Holland Exhibit

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

So you say you’ve never been to a Farm Progress Show? Hopefully the 40 something posts from here on AgWired will give you a pretty good overview of what it’s like.

Since New Holland is my sponsor I thought you might enjoy a walking tour through their exhibit. This is not meant to be a serious product demonstration so it doesn’t get into specifics but you’ll get a pretty good idea of what the show is like and their booth in particular.

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AQHA Test Rides

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

Combines, tractors and 4-wheelers aren’t the only thing you can test drive here at the Farm Progress Show.

You can also test drive a quarter horse thanks to the American Quarter Horse Association. I didn’t get to watch for long but it looked pretty sedate to me. No racing going on out here today.

Just test rides like these and horse handling demonstrations.

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The CNH Communications Strategy

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

Here’s the New Holland exhibit from a high level view early morning. It’s very different this year. No big blue and white striped tents for example. That’s part of the new New Holland branding strategy according to the head of global communications for CNH, Gualberto Rainieri. He’s one of the corporate executives here at the show that I had a chance to meet and have a discussion with.

Gualberto says that moving the Case IH and New Holland exhibits apart on the show grounds is also part of the strategy to refresh and focus the individual brands. The New Holland exhibit in particular showcases the company’s new logo scheme for agriculture.

Learn more about the CNH communications strategy in my interview with Gualberto here: fp-07-new-holland.mp3

Or you can download it here: Gualberto Rainieri Interview (6 min MP3)

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Text The Word “corn” To 77007

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

If 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.

One 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: Bill Wyffels Interview (6 min MP3)

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Farm Progress Show Concert

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

From 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.

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Moon Over Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman August 30, 2007

I 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.

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