The AgSpeakerers

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast96 - The AgSpeakersAs I promised last week I’ve got an interview with Steve Hawkins, President of AgSpeak. This new company has been formed as the “first online agricultural market research cooperative.” They plan to attract farmer members who will agree to participate in online surveys and receive a portion of the profits at the end of the year.

Steve says that having farmers fill out surveys online saves them a lot of time and makes the survey process much quicker. They’re seeking farmer members and companies that want to have market research done. The company is based in Des Moines because that’s where other partners in the business are located. They all are involved with The Context Network.

Steve also says that their system will make it very easy for companies to test media messages like advertising using audio, video and images. It sounds like a pretty comprehensive and common sense approach to the difficult task of getting qualified research on people who sometimes seem to be the most researched people in the country.

Download this week’s program: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 96 (17 min MP3)

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zimmcast96-12-4-06.mp3

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Audio, Research, ZimmCast

More Monsanto News

Chuck Zimmerman

Landec AgThere’s even more news from Monsanto this morning and Landec as well. Actually two stories in one.

Monsanto Company and Landec Corporation announced two separate agreements today, both of which are expected to broaden their reach and product offerings to U.S. farmers. The two agreements are potentially valued at more than $70 million.

In the first transaction, Monsanto’s American Seeds, Inc. (ASI) subsidiary announced that it has acquired Landec’s direct marketing and seed sales company, Fielder’s Choice Direct (FCD), based in Monticello, Ind. The sales price for FCD was $50 million in cash paid at the close on December 1, 2006 with a potential additional earn-out amount of up to $5 million based on FCD results for the twelve months ended May 31, 2007.

In the second transaction, the parties announced that they have entered into a five-year global technology license agreement for Landec’s Intellicoat(R) polymer seed coating technology. Under the five-year agreement, Monsanto will become the exclusive sales and marketing agent for Landec’s Intellicoat seed coating technology in corn, oilseeds and cotton. Monsanto also receives an option to buyout the Intellicoat seed coating technology.

Agribusiness, Seed

Podcast Audience Grows

Chuck Zimmerman

eMarketer GraphicAccording to a new report from the PEW Internet and American Life Project the number of people who have downloaded a podcast is growing. Quite quickly it seems to me. This graphic is from eMarketer.com where I saw the report first.

Some 12% of internet users say they have downloaded a podcast so they can listen to it or view it at a later time. This finding compares to the 7% of internet users who reported podcast downloading in our February-April 2006 survey.

According to their February-April survey 20% of American adults own an iPod or other MP3 player and 26% of all internet users.

The report also says that people aren’t downloading podcasts on a regular basis. I’m not sure about the significance of that. I’m a pretty prolific podcast downloader and I don’t do it regularly. I crank up iTunes whenever I think of it and let it download all the latest to my iPod. I just don’t do it on any kind of regular schedule. However, I still get all the episodes I want of the programs I subscribe to.

I just thought you might want to know.

Podcasts

Monsanto News

Chuck Zimmerman

Yieldgard Plus Stress PlotThis picture is of Monsanto Yieldgard Plus corn at a stress plot in Iowa. It helps you visualize the following from their latest release. I like it when companies include images with their releases. A little audio never hurts either!

A moisture utilization study conducted by Monsanto this season has provided a unique look at how YieldGard® Plus Corn roots are able to effectively absorb subsoil moisture under dry conditions. The study involved placement of 60 moisture probes at five different locations across the Corn Belt to compare the root performance of YieldGard Plus plants with YieldGard Corn Borer hybrids protected by soil-applied insecticides. The probes, extending five feet underground, were in place from mid-June through September, providing data every 15 minutes on relative water density at different soil depths. Based on these readings during the growing season, root depth and water absorption could be monitored.

According to Clint Pilcher, Monsanto Corn Technology Development Manager, test results demonstrated that YieldGard Plus hybrids, with in-plant rootworm control, developed longer, healthier roots than soil insecticide-protected corn, which in turn resulted in significantly better moisture uptake. The Monsanto probes were part of a “stress mitigation” study during the 2006 season, demonstrating how YieldGard Plus is able to help reduce the stress of dry weather on corn plants. Most of the moisture probes were placed in Monsanto stress mitigation plots, which were grown under 40-foot by 50-foot tents with a clear vinyl top that allowed the corn plants to receive sunlight but not rain. Under these simulated dry conditions, YieldGard Plus corn hybrids achieved a 31.2 bushel-per-acre yield advantage over soil-insecticide protected corn.
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Agribusiness

They Speak To Ag

Chuck Zimmerman

Ag SpeakHere’s an interesting concept. A company to do online market research of farmers that’s owned by farmers. I’ve got an appointment to speak with Steve Hawkins tomorrow and will bring you that interview in next week’s ZimmCast.

The first and only online market research company owned in part by farmers has been formed. AgSpeak was spearheaded by a group of ag business professionals seeking a better way to enable agricultural suppliers to get accurate information to make sound business decisions, while also fairly compensating farmers for the information they share.

“The concept of AgSpeak was driven by the need for businesses that serve the agricultural community to connect with key decision makers and for farmers, in-turn, to receive fair value for the information they share,” said Steve M. Hawkins, president of AgSpeak. AgSpeak gives farmers a voice and ownership of the information they share, Hawkins said. Read More

Agribusiness

Evan Slack is Online

Chuck Zimmerman

Evan Slack NetworkI guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Evan Slack is advertising his new website here on AgWired and just sent out an announcement about it.

Feel free to give him a little love and encouragement. He’s got a blog we set up for him and he’s using it as the mechanism to deliver his programs to his affiliate radio stations in 9 states.

He included a personal message too. If you’re a radio man then use audio right? Right.

Message From Evan: evan-slack-announcement.mp3

Audio, Media

Rhea & Kaiser Add Three

Chuck Zimmerman

Rhea & KaiserThere’s a new trio of public relations staff on board at Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications. The are Rhonda Brooks, Julia Goebel and Amy McEvoy.

Rhonda BrooksBrooks, who joins Rhea & Kaiser as an account supervisor, has more than 20 years of agribusiness communications experience. Prior to joining Rhea & Kaiser, Brooks was a contract freelancer working with clients, including BASF, DuPont, Pfizer Animal Health and The Iams Company. Her work has been published in Farm Industry News and Progressive Farmer magazines. Brooks holds a degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Julia GoebelGoebel joins the Bayer CropScience corn and soybean team as senior account executive. She’ll manage the development of public relations programs and oversee the development and execution of integrated communication plans. Most recently, Goebel led the Pfizer Animal Health swine team at Rhea & Kaiser. Goebel is a graduate of the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Amy McEvoyMcEvoy, a five-year veteran of Rhea & Kaiser, returns to the agency as public relations account supervisor, on the Underwriters Laboratories account. McEvoy first joined Rhea & Kaiser in 2001 working on the Bayer CropScience corn and soybean team. Prior to joining Rhea & Kaiser, she was with agencies in Kansas City, Mo. and Des Moines, Iowa. McEvoy is a graduate of Iowa State University.

“I’m confident Rhea & Kaiser’s clients will benefit from the experience and knowledge of Julia, Amy and Rhonda,” said Deron Johnson, Rhea & Kaiser’s director of public relations. “Individually and collectively, they are great additions to our public relations group.”

Agencies

You Can Make PIF Happen

Chuck Zimmerman

AAEAAt the American Agricultural Editors’ Association they say that “PIF Happens.” But it only happens with the support of many people and organizations. PIF is the AAEA Professional Improvement Fund. Here’s some did you knows about it:

Did you know that PIF in 2006 gave members and ag communicators nearly $11,000 in grants for scholarships and professional improvement? Did you know that in 2006 we announced the Andy Markwart Horizon Award and, with John Deere, will provide a $2,500 grant each year beginning in 2007 for professional improvement for one fortunate AAEA member 35 years of age and under?

Did you know that PIF created and sold photo note cards this year using photography from AAEA’s best award-winning photojournalists? Or that we’re constantly on the lookout for more opportunities to award grants to our members to enhance their professionalism in the business of ag communications?

We hope you knew all this. But if not, the PIF Board of Trustees is excited to tell you about us and announce its 2007 Campaign for Excellence fundraising plan. PIF is a 501c3 organization and you can contribute to PIF and deduct your contribution to the fullest extent of the law. And, as the end of the year approaches, what better time than during the season of giving to provide a donation to PIF.

So, if you’d like to contribute to PIF then just go to the AAEA website and click on AAEA Foundation on the left side and simply follow the prompts. It will take only minutes to complete the donation form.

ACN

Scottish Lad Does Good

Chuck Zimmerman

George GunnThe International Federation for Animal Health has a new president. He’s George Gunn. Now he’s a president and a CEO.

The IFAH Board has elected George Gunn, CEO of Novartis Animal Health, as President for a two-year term, effective as of November 2006. Mr. Gunn succeeds Pedro Lichtinger, who stepped down as President in August 2006 following his appointment as Pfizer Inc. Vice President / Area President – Europe Pharmaceutical Operations. Mr. Gunn joined Novartis in September 2003 and became Head of the Animal Health business in 2004. Mr. Gunn is a veterinarian from the Shetland Islands in Scotland with more than 20 years extensive experience in various leadership positions in both the human pharma and animal health with a proven track record of success and management capability. Prior to joining Novartis, he was responsible for the worldwide animal health business of Pharmacia.

“I thank the Board members for their trust and look forward to working together with them to strengthen the voice of the animal health industry on the global level. IFAH has increased its activities over the past years and is seen as a major player on animal health by international organisations and national governments alike. I would like to enhance this role in the years to come” declared Mr. Gunn.

Agribusiness, Animal Health

Business Been Bery Bery Good To Krone

Chuck Zimmerman

KroneBusiness is good for Krone.

With a total sales of $1.1 billion (consolidated) for all sectors within Bernard Krone Holding GmbH & Co. KG, the Krone-Group recorded the most successful fiscal year (8-1-2005 through 7-31-2006) in its 100-year history. The Krone group reported further growth on an impressive scale with its agricultural machinery operation reporting a 19.5% increase in sales, the commercial trailer plant a 14.6% increase, and the agricultural trade and services company a 5% increase in net sales. Almost 60% of the total sales were generated in sales areas outside Germany.

A number of independent surveys that were conducted this year confirm the dynamic development of Krone’s agricul-tural machinery and commercial trailer operations and they reveal that both companies are among the fastest growing companies worldwide. Their outstanding growth rates are even more impressive since they were not achieved through acquisitions, but through productivity enhancing measures and expanded sales activities.

Agribusiness, Equipment