AASHTO Starts Transportation Vision

Chuck Zimmerman

Transportation VisionDo you remember the trip I took across the United States last year with AASHTO to commemorate the Interstate Highway System’s 50 year anniversary? I do. It’s hard to forget a 2 week convoy where I got to meet and get to know some great people. AASHTO has just announced a new website called Transportation Vision.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) today launched a web site to chronicle and facilitate the establishment of a new multi-decade vision for U.S. transportation. AASHTO, which represents the state departments of transportation nationwide, is planning a conference May 21-23 in which an estimated 150 people from public and private-sector groups will lay a conceptual framework for that transportation vision.

The new website can be accessed at http://www.transportationvision.org. It contains links to research, a set of recent reports created by AASHTO, conference information, and links to associated groups.

Uncategorized

New Japan Director for U. S. Wheat Associates

Chuck Zimmerman

Mr. Wataru Mr. Wataru “Charlie” Utsunomiya will be the new Japan country director for U. S. Wheat Associates beginning June 1. I am so glad we can call him Charlie.

Mr. Utsunomiya started his career as a grain trader with Japan’s Marubeni Corporation and has held various management positions with the company for 30 years. Mr. Utsunomiya is currently chairman of Columbia Grain, Portland, Ore. He also served as president and CEO of Rice Milling Company, a Marubeni subsidiary, general manager of Marubeni’s oilseeds, fats and oil department and assistant general manager of its foodstuffs division among other positions. He has commodity export experience in the Asian, South American, African and the Middle Eastern markets and has served four assignments in the United States over 13 years.

Every year, with one recent exception, Japan imports more wheat from the U.S. than any other country.

Ag Groups, International

Live Earth Concert

Chuck Zimmerman

Live EarthI really don’t think you need to have a “crisis” or even a cause as an excuse to hold a bunch of concerts do you? I just noticed an announcement about Live Earth. It’s supposed to be 7 concerts on one day on 7 continents. I’m betting there will even be some good music in all this.

I don’t know about you but this whole man-made global climate thing seems almost like a religion to the people who have either bought into it or are just using it as their latest platform to gain attention. Take Mr. Gore for example.

“We hope the energy created by Live Earth will jump start a massive public education effort,” Live Earth Co-Chair Vice President Al Gore said. “Live Earth will help us reach a tipping point that’s needed to move corporations and governments to take decisive action to solve the climate crisis.”

For people like him we’ll never do enough I guess. These crisis promoters don’t even want to acknowledge all the great work that’s being done, especially in the biofuels or bioproducts business for example. Good news doesn’t get you noticed in today’s out of control media.

I do like his use of the very popular “tipping point” term though. Nice, Al. Now how about getting back to reality and help out the people and companies that are actually doing the work you want to cry about.

Environment

Is It The iCorn

Chuck Zimmerman

iCorn Phone?I’m not sure they would call it the iCorn. But a phone that’s made from corn is cool. Actually this story on Mobiledia says that NEC has developed a plastic made from corn that will be used in phones and computers.

NEC Corporation has developed a corn-based bioplastic that conducts heat faster than stainless steel, and it aims to mass-produce the material starting in April 2008 for use in mobile phones and other portable devices, the company said today.

NEC also said the material could help make laptops and mobile phones thinner and lighter by eliminating the need for heat-releasing sheets or fans.

Corn

McCormick Gets Rodney Miller

Chuck Zimmerman

Rodney MillerIt looks like McCormick is going to increase their marketing efforts, especially in the area of compact tractors with this announcement.

McCormick International USA, a division of ARGO Tractors and part of ARGO S.p.A., based in Italy, announces the appointment of Rodney Miller as vice president of sales and marketing for new products and communication effective June 1, 2007.

Miller brings extensive experience in the agriculture equipment sector. Most recently, he served as Montana Tractors CEO, where he helped launch the company in 2004. He guided the fledgling compact and utility tractor company to sales of more than $70 million and established a dealer network of 300-plus independent dealers throughout the United States and Canada.

Miller’s initial responsibility will be to focus on all aspects of new product sales and marketing for both the McCormick and Landini tractor brands in the United States.

Agribusiness, Tractor

Hondo Group Formed

Chuck Zimmerman

The Hondo GroupI’ve been meaning to alert you to The Hondo Group if you’re not already aware. I saw Lynn Balinas, President, at the NAMA convention. Later in the day I got a nice cigar that was wrapped with a code to text to them. Once you did, they texted back directions to their website to enter a contest to win a pair of Twisted X Boots. I have been so busy I didn’t get entered in time. I’m not sure who won but if I find out I’ll post it here (or they can leave it in comments).

If you’re wondering what a Hondo is, it’s “the eye at the end of a rope through which the opposite end passes to close the loop.” It’s also the title of one of my favorite Louis L’Amour western novels. John Wayne starred in the movie version too.

It’s also an integrated marketing and communications agency located in Ft. Worth, TX.

Agencies

Indy Racing, Monsanto and EPIC

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-117 - Promoting Ethanol With IndyI’m fresh off another on-location adventure with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. This season I’ll be covering about 6 IRL races. The next one is the big one in Indianapolis. This past week it was in Kansas City and so the ZimmCast this week features some interviews from that event.

Tom Slunecka and Robert WhiteWe had a lot of fun there. We in this case being Tom Slunecka, EPIC Executive Director (left) and Robert White, EPIC Director of Operations. They actually got to have the “Indy Experience” and ride as passengers in an Indy car that cranked it up for a few laps. Me, I got to take pictures and shoot video of it. But that’s not who I interviewed.

In this week’s program I have interviews with Indy Racing League Public Relations Director, Amy Konrath who talks about what the relationship with ethanol has meant to the League. Then I spoke to Monsanto’s Biofuels Lead, Troy Hobbs, who explains why Monsanto is a member of EPIC and what the company is doing to support agriculture and ethanol production.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 117 (15 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast117-4-30-07.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, Ethanol, ZimmCast

Country Living Association Strikes Gold

Chuck Zimmerman

Country Living AssociationThe Country Living Association has a new sponsor and has started a one minute radio show which they’re trying to syndicate nationally. You can read the radio show script on their website but you can’t listen to it. Seems like it might have made a good podcast, especially considering the target audience.

Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, a leader in animal nutrition products and the largest feed manufacturer in the United States, joins Fastline Publications as a gold-level sponsor of the Country Living Association.

In addition to announcing a new sponsor, Country Living Association’s “Country Living Minute,” began in early April. The program is a one-minute, daily radio feature which provides information on topics of importance to people who live the country life.

Topics for daily features range widely, from taking care of animals on the farm and when to call a vet to purchasing equipment and hiring contract labor. The radio program and subject matter continue to expand and questions or comments are welcomed. It’s anticipated that “Country Living Minute” will be airing on 100-plus radio stations by July 1 with a reach of 2 million people.

Uncategorized

New Michael Peterson Website

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael Peterson WebsiteMichael Peterson has a new website. His agency called today and asked if I would do a post about it and I said, “Sure.” I like Mike.

As I’m sure you must know by now, Michael has been involved with a CD promotion for over a year now. So that’s why when you visit his site you’ll see a little blue tractor pulling text across the top of some of the pages. Nice.

I’ve had the privilege to work with Michael on a number of occasions that include New Holland-sponsored coverage on AgWired. We’ll be doing it again here soon at the CMA Music Fest. That’s going to be fun. I’ve already got my hotel and credentials lined up for that one.

New Holland

IFAJ Trailer on YouTube

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJYou know I’m a big fan of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) so when I saw a link to an “IFAJ Trailer” I had to YouTube it for you.

Cindy and I just made our reservations for the IFAJ Congress this fall in Japan. The early registration deadline is today. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, eh? One of my event coverage sponsors again this year is Pioneer Hi-Bred. I’m still looking for one or two more sponsors so if you’re interested please let me know.

IFAJ, International, Video