DTN Launches DTNAg.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Data Transmission NetworkThis announcement came out earlier this week during NAMA. It looks like a very comprehensive DTN website. There’s even a section of blogs. Who would have ever thought that farmers would read blogs? It looks like DTN thinks so.

DTN, the leading provider of real-time market, news and weather information services for agriculture, today announced the launch of DTNAg.com, an interactive Web portal aimed at helping professional producers make better business decisions in today’s rapidly changing agriculture markets.

Robert Gordon Gives Away WineWith the launch of DTNAg.com, DTN expands its coverage of agriculture markets and weather and introduces in-depth coverage of farm business, production and agriculture policy issues. The portal enables producers to interact with DTN analysts, industry experts and other top producers in real time in order to gain access to the information they need to make better marketing, production and business management decisions.

“As a result of rapidly shifting markets, record price volatility, major technological advancements and changing governmental policies, information is increasingly vital to the success of professional producers,” said Robert Gordon, chief executive officer, DTN. “DTNAg.com leverages the company’s extensive proprietary content and tools in order to provide an unmatched, interactive information center and online community that meets the needs of today’s agriculture industry.”

No wonder Robert Gordon, pictured here giving away a magnum of wine during the NAMA Connection Point, was all smiles.

Internet, Media

Cheri Johnson Moves to Broadhead+Co

Chuck Zimmerman

Cyndi, Diane and CheriIt seems like I have to go places to find out who the latest hires are at Broadhead+Co. No, not all three of these people. Just Cheri Johnson on the right. She’s now an account supervisor in the Minneapolis office. Broadhead just keeps getting broader. I’m sure the official news release is forthcoming but if you’re AgWired you know these things before all the rest.

This is part of the fun of attending NAMA. You get to find out who works where because one thing is for sure, we do move around. Anybody else have any announcements you’d like me to make here on AgWired? Also pictured above are Cyndi Young, Brownfield, (left) and Diane Johnson, Livestock Publications Council, (center).

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

Agencies, NAMA

That Man’s Wearing Salmon

Chuck Zimmerman

BASF Man-salmon StatusI don’t know how many NAMA conventions I’ve attended since the early 1980’s and as several of us discussed one night this week, “we really don’t want to know.” One of the things we all agreed on was how important it is to show up and see friends and clients. Like me here with my friends (and client) Pat Morrow, BASF (left) and Dan Muys, Quarry Integrated Communications, (right).

They sponsored my Commodity Classic coverage and sent me a Status (herbicide) logo shirt afterward and suggested I wear it at NAMA. What do you do when a client asks you to do something? I like the shirt and didn’t mind the promotion at all since I did get some comments. For one thing it made my spring break tan look even darker don’t you think?

In case you’re wondering what the exact shade of color the shirt is, it’s “man salmon.” And I’m man enough to wear salmon. Thanks Pat/Dan.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

BASF, NAMA

Brownfield Party Rocks

Chuck Zimmerman

CrawfishThe Brownfield party was a “good one.” I’ve been to quite a few and this one gets good marks. I went over thinking I’d just do a walk through and head back to the hotel. That’s not what happened. It’s tough to leave a good party.

Clyde Lear and his pink-shirted crew treated us very well. We got to listen to good music with the band, Crawfish, for one thing.

We did have a little excitement too. A tv crew chased people around sometime late and the buzz said they were taping an episode for Cheaters, which sounds like a sordid and distasteful sort of reality program.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

NAMA Bombers Made It

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA BombersThe NAMA Bombers made it to the convention and posed with the autographed movie poster they donated to the ABEF Silent Auction. I know there was good bidding activity on the poster.

From what I understand they drove through some nasty weather and got in a few hours late but safe and sound. I hope they left early today since the forecast here isn’t great. I’m taking a late flight out and hoping nothing is delayed.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

Surprise Eldon Reception

Chuck Zimmerman

Eldon White ReceptionWe had a surprise reception for Eldon White last night. Kyle Bauer, KFRM, was outside the door for some reason and supposed to let Eldon in when he stopped by the president’s suite. The problem was the key he had didn’t work. So all of the sudden there was violent pounding on the door which we definitely weren’t expecting. Then in came Eldon.

We toasted him, the staff wrote a nice limerick and Eldon made a short speech. If you weren’t there you can watch it here:

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA, Video

The Armadillo Whisperer

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob BrunkerI’m really not sure if Bob Brunker, J. L. Farmakis, is praying or just what but you’re welcome to speculate in the comments. He couldn’t afford to pay me enough not to post this.

We had armadillo races in the NAMA Connection Point and Bob was a racer. He lost by the way if I remember right. The think I didn’t fully understand was the part about blowing on the armadillo’s tail. You’ll have to ask Bob about that if you really want to know.

Here’s a video clip of a different race if you want the full effect:

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA, Video

Farm Podcaster Interviews Farm Broadcaster

Chuck Zimmerman

Ned and KurtI don’t know. It just struck me as ironic when I saw this going on in our booth at the NAMA convention.

Here’s Ned Arthur, Truffle Media Networks, on the left interviewing Kurt Lancaster, Texas Farm Bureau Network.

I have no idea what they were talking about but if I had the audio I’d link to it.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

Barry Nelson Talks about NAMA Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Barry NelsonThe NAMA convention chairman is Barry Nelson, John Deere. I got to interview him during a break in the action while we were both in the Connection Point.

Here you can see him announcing drawing winners at one point last night.

Barry says that about 1,100 were here and that’s better than last year in Kansas City I think. I know trade show traffic was much better this year and I’m a happy exhibitor. Thank you to everyone who stopped by.

Barry says that he had a great team who helped him with the planning for this year’s NAMA convention. He didn’t seem to want to be “chairperson for life” though.

You can listen to my interview with Barry here:

nama-convention-07-nelson.mp3

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

Audio, NAMA

Kathi Showed us the Money

Chuck Zimmerman

Kathi With The MoneySeriously, you’ve got to like an organization that gives you cash. That’s what Kathi Conrad, NAMA staff, was doing before the first general session yesterday. It all made sense when conference chairperson, Barry Nelson, talked about positive thoughts and getting a dollar for each one and how many we’d have in our pocket at the end of the event. Actually, did I hear him say at one point, ” . . . a dollar full of pockets.”? Hmm.

Anyway, I’m at the airport waiting on a flight so I have no idea how many posts I’ll get done. Whatever doesn’t get done today will get done tomorrow now won’t it? Don’t forget that I’ve also been posting onto the NAMA Blog so you can find posts there too.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA