Kicking Off The John Deere Product Launch

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere ReceptionThe ag media were welcomed to Cincinnati this evening by John Deere in advance of their big product launch which will be kicked off tomorrow.

Yours truly will be on hand as we go out in the field and test drive some new green equipment. I don’t have details yet but according to Barry Nelson, public relations manager for John Deere this will be one of the biggest product launches for the company in recent history. I asked him if he was comfortable having us media types driving their equipment and he assured me that there will be certified John Deere people with us at all times.

Barry also says that besides ag media there will be some attending from Wall Street since investors have noticed how well many companies in agriculture are doing lately including John Deere. You can listen to my kick off interview with Barry here: launch-07-nelson.mp3

AgWired coverage of the John Deere product launch is sponsored by Precision Pays

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere, Tractor

Susan Milius Receive Plant Pathology Journalism Award

Chuck Zimmerman

Susan Milius Receives AwardHere’s Susan Milius, Science News, receiving an award from Doug Jardine, director of the APS Office of Public Relations and Outreach. Thanks to Amy Steigman for sending the picture.

The American Phytopathological Society (APS) named Susan Milius, Science News, the recipient of the 2007 Plant Pathology Journalism Award. The APS Plant Pathology Journalism Award, sponsored by the APS Office of Public Relations and Outreach (OPRO), recognizes outstanding achievement in increasing public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of plant pathology.

Milius was selected for her article entitled “They’re All Part Fungus” that appeared in the April 15, 2006 edition of Science News. In this article, Milius provided an insightful look into how fungi and microorganisms interact with plants and the outcomes of these interactions. “I’m quite tickled and very grateful to APS,” Milius said. “There’s fascinating material in the diseases and creatures that prey on plants and the way plants fight back,” she said.

Milius received the award during the society’s annual meeting that was held jointly with the Society of Nematologists (SON), July 28–August 1, 2007 in San Diego, Calif.

You can find out more information about the award online. They’ll be accepting nominations again in January, 2008.

Ag Groups, Publication

Wielding The Golden ZimmComm Microphone

Chuck Zimmerman

Me Interviewing Dr. Fred BelowI think this will be the last post from last week’s Syngenta Learning Centers field day. Hey, the agriblogger doesn’t always have his picture taken. Thanks to Tom Steever, Brownfield Network.

Actually I had to post a picture of the Golden ZimmComm Microphone. It’s very popular these days. In fact, Cindy has to borrow it to take to an event later this week because the client specifically requested this microphone. I can guarantee you that she’ll sound better on this mike than I do.

If you’d like the Golden ZimmComm Microphone to visit your event please let me know. BTW. I’m interviewing Dr. Fred Below in the picture.

Syngenta

Zimfo Bites

Laura McNamara

  • Exports of U.S. beef continue to increase, thanks in part to promotions funded by U.S. beef producers through the Beef Checkoff Program. These efforts are coordinated on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) and state beef councils by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For the Beef Board’s fiscal year ending Sept. 30, more than $4.8 million in national checkoff funds is budgeted for foreign marketing. “More than 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside of U.S. borders,” said CBB Chairman Ken Stielow, a producer from Russell, Kansas. “That’s why exports are key to the future of the U.S. beef industry. We need to assure that consumers around the world know about the high quality and excellent value of U.S. beef.”
  • Research conducted by the University of Illinois shows that Pioneer® brand corn hybrids with Herculex® XTRA traits were significantly better at protecting corn roots than hybrids with the YieldGard® VT Triple trait under very high rootworm pressure. In University of Illinois trials in 2006 and 2007, Pioneer hybrids with the Herculex XTRA trait showed consistent, excellent protection against corn rootworm. “Pioneer hybrids with the Herculex XTRA trait provide proven, excellent protection to corn roots. Growers can plant hybrids with the Herculex XTRA trait and feel confident that this will protect corn roots, regardless of the level of rootworm pressure,” Vice President and General Manager and President of Pioneer Dean Oestreich said. The University of Illinois results match other studies conducted this season by Pioneer Agronomy Sciences across 16 locations throughout the Corn Belt, showing Pioneer hybrids with the Herculex XTRA trait consistently provide excellent rootworm control in all pressure levels better than or equal to other in-plant corn rootworm traits.
  • Mycogen Seeds is pleased to announce details of its 2008 Financing Program, available to its customers for the 2008 growing season. In collaboration with Rabo AgriFinance, Mycogen Seeds offers simple and flexible financing options for agricultural inputs and convenient credit to finance seed purchases. Customers who take advantage of the Mycogen Seeds Financing Program can receive zero percent interest plus a 2 percent discount that will be paid directly to the grower. All orders must be placed by Nov. 15, 2007, to be eligible for this discount. “Mycogen Seeds is excited to offer the Mycogen Seeds Financing Program and additional incentives to growers who will be using our products in 2008,” says Keith Porter, Marketing Specialist for Mycogen Seeds. “Growers can purchase early with confidence as we are committed to providing total solutions that will enhance their crop’s performance and their productivity.”
Zimfo Bytes

Don Gomery Awarded The Crowing Cockerel

Chuck Zimmerman

Netherthorpe AwardThis is just too good. Don Gomery (pictured left) is an example of the wonderful kind of agricultural journalist you’ll get to know if you become involved in the activities of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. If you were a member then you’d know from the new and improved IFAJ Newsletter that he just won a very prestigious award from the Guild of Agricultural Journalists. Don is pictured receiving the award from former Guild president Tony Pexton. Don, I will lift a pint in your honor the first chance I get.

The Guild’s honorary general secretary, Don Gomery, was the surprised and delighted recipient of the Netherthorpe ‘Communicator of the Year’ award, presented at the Royal Show. The Netherthorpe is the Guild’s most prestigious award, as it is made on the basis of nominations to a member judged to have made a prolonged, consistent and high-quality contribution to communications within agriculture and/or horticulture and the countryside.

Despite this busy workload, Don finds time to handle the endless administration involved in keeping the Guild running, while also representing the organisation at International Federation meetings. He has been honorary general secretary for 22 years now and during that time has been involved in some way or other with just about every event the Guild has staged, including International Congresses held in Britain in 1987 and 1997, while also helping look after the Guild’s Charitable Trust as its secretary.

Here’s the best part of the story though. “All in all, a well-deserved recipient of the bronze ‘Crowing Cockerel’ trophy, which is displayed year-round in the bar of the Farmers Club in London.” I think we should have an AAEA award on permanent display in a bar somewhere too. Maybe Howl at the Moon?

IFAJ, International

Getting To Know Syngenta

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-133 - Syngenta Learning CentersIt’s going to be a green week on AgWired as I cover the John Deere product launch in Cincinnati, OH. That coverage should start on Wednesday. With some nice rain falling here in central Missouri maybe it’ll be a green week at home too since we’ve been dry.

On this week’s program you can hear Farm Industry News editor Karen McMahon talk with me about the Syngenta Learning Centers field day we attended in Iowa last week. Karen was one of several media representatives attending. The event provided a great opportunity to learn more about the company and their brands. I don’t know about you but with all the mergers and acquisitions of different brands it can be a little confusing to reporters. Think of how difficult it might be for farmers too.

The program ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network and Alex Lehrhoff. The song is “Green Roots Blues.” If you’re going to go green, do it with the blues.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 133 (10 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast133-8-20-07.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

Agribusiness, Audio, Syngenta, ZimmCast

Oscar in Agriculture Award Deadline Extended

Chuck Zimmerman

Oscar in AgricultureWhile I’m on the topic of farm broadcasting I thought some of you might be interested to know that the deadline for the New Holland Oscar in Agriculture award has been extended.

You’ve now got until September 28 to get your entries in.

The New Holland Oscar in Agriculture program recognizes and encourages excellence in broadcast reporting on a wide variety of issues. The purpose of this award is to recognize excellence in reporting skill, thoroughness and attention to audience interest. Entries should describe the approach used to develop the reporting and coverage of that issue. The nomination should also include enough examples of articles or taped programs to illustrate the scope of the work. All work submitted must have been aired on or after August 1, 2006.

You can find the entry form online here.

Entries need to be filled out and sent to:

Dr. Kristina M. Boone
301 Umberger Hall
Dept. of Communications
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-3402
Phone: 785-532-5804

NAFB

NAFB Hoping For Rural Renaissance

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB ConventionWhile you’re making your future plans don’t forget about the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. This year the theme is “A Rural Renaissance.” It looks like NAFB is placing all their future hope in the rural connection. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Recently the NAFB board approved a 5-year strategic plan that has the following “pillars.”

  • generate additional revenue, business, and employment opportunities in the agricultural and rural lifestyle broadcasting industry
  • create a member value proposition that results in member increase of 50 percent by 2012 in all member categories
  • drive the organization’s brand recognition, resulting in increased membership, revenues and member benefits
  • capitalize on professional improvement to differentiate, advance, and add value to agricultural and rural lifestyle broadcasting
  • partner and collaborate with allied industry and organizations to promote business opportunities and enhance the ability for NAFB to represent and promote the agricultural and rural lifestyle broadcasting industry

    • If you haven’t been to a NAFB convention then you might be interested to see a video from last year’s event.

    Registration is now available online.

    NAFB, Video

    Akismet Catches Comment Spam

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Akismet Spam ChartComment spam wasn’t something I knew much about until about a year ago when AgWired started to get hit hard. That’s when we made a decision to install Akismet on all our sites and all of our client’s sites as well. In fact, Akismet is a standard feature of any site we build today.

    So far Akismet on AgWired has captured almost 215,000 comment spams. That is a few to say the least. As you can see from their chart most of the comments submitted are spam. They call legitimate comments “ham.”

    As a total of all the sites Akismet is being used on they’ve captured 2,412,431,831 spam comments. In that same time frame they allowed 178,927,948 total hams. This was as of early July btw.

    Uncategorized

    Looking Forward To The NAMA Agribusiness Forum

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2007 Agribusiness ForumIt’s not too early to start looking forward to the NAMA Agribusiness Forum.

    This year the them is “Who’s Pulling Our Chain?” “The 2007 Agribusiness Forum will seek to demonstrate some of the elements that affect the way we do business. For example, things that happen on the other side of the world impact how we do business every day, including politics, economics and communications. These things pull our chain. Consumers expect a safe food supply and those expectations pull our chain, or impact the way we do business. Technology also has an impact on perceptions and opportunities for us as marketers. In addition, consumer trust, who they trust and why, right or wrong also pulls at our chain or the way we market and do business.”

    It looks like Jeff Pence has his work cut out for him. “This year’s forum will be moderated by Jeff Pence, president of Farm Journal Digital Media, which includes the company’s internet, television and newsletter businesses. In his role as forum moderator, Pence will summarize each session and help attendees relate the information to their businesses.”

    If you’re interested in becoming a Forum sponsor then fill out this online form.

    NAMA