CropLife America Awards

Chuck Zimmerman October 23, 2006

Thanks go to Grace Oh for this picture of Janis McFarland receiving her award at the recent CropLife America annual meeting in Orlando, FL.

CLA recognized Janis McFarland, Syngenta, with the association’s highest and longest-standing honor, the Lea Hitchner Award. As Chair of the Strategic Oversight Council (SOC), Janis is a dedicated CLA contributor and adviser. Jay Vroom, President & CEO of CLA, cited McFarland’s long time involvement with CLA. Currently McFarland heads Syngenta Regulatory Affairs for North America and Mexico.

“Janis finds time for CLA and is always willing to help when asked,” said Vroom. “She’s worked to bring forward a significant change for issue refocus and management. She’s also helped streamline our initiatives to continue to better serve our CLA members.”

There were numerous other awards presented as well.

Ag Groups

Quality Time With CAB

Chuck Zimmerman October 23, 2006

I so love to blur the lines. Here’s a story from Certified Angus Beef that’s targeted to farm broadcasters. It comes as a story that’s written in 2 versions (30 sec and 60 sec) and a soundbite. Now that’s cool and I’ve helped Steve Suther and company get started “doing it themselves.”

So here’s how I want to blur things. I’m not a broadcaster in the traditional sense but I can use this. Here’s the 30-second version:

Progress comes when feedlots and ranchers “partner up.”

Cattle producers who have sold calves at weaning as the end of their concern, may want to look at other options if calf prices trend lower in the years ahead. Retaining full or part ownership of calves on feed is a way to build understanding between sectors. It’s also a way to build better beef cowherds.

Irisk & Doll Feed Yard’s Mark Sebranek says cowherd quality goes up when producers get feedlot and carcass information back on their calves. Among his customers, the more years they feed, the better their herd becomes.
cab-soundbite-1.mp3(Listen To Mark MP3)

Sebranek manages the 32,000-head, Garden City, Kansas, feedlot and partners with scores of producers from Texas to Missouri. That helps them make genetic and management improvements so next year’s calves are better.

So what do you think? Does that work too? It’s a wonderful web we weave.

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef

Buckeye Agriblogging Farm Podcaster

Chuck Zimmerman October 23, 2006

The Buckeye Ag Radio Network (The BARN) is about to turn 1 year old so I interviewed one of the “Hired Hands,” Andy Vance to find out how it’s going. He and his wife and partner, Lindsay, have created a very nice farm media company that blends the old with the new. In other words, he’s a farm broadcaster who can still be heard on the air and online using new media tools like blogging and podcasting.

Andy has also been a guest writer on our World Dairy Diary website which has been a big help to me as we continue to develop that outlet to communicate with dairy producers. On the BARN you can find Andy’s Angle and Lindsay’s Lessons and here’s where you’ll find the BARN Podcast.

I like one of Andy’s comments about how we’ll soon think in terms of reaching a farm audience through a combined group of media (broadcast/publication/blog/podcast) rather than just one or another. I know it’s hard to grasp at first but research is beginning to show the impact some of these new media tools are having in reaching the farmer. People like Andy and Lindsay are leading the way!

Download this week’s program: ZimmCast 90 (23 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast90-10-23-06.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, Media, Podcasts, ZimmCast

New Pork Industry Handbook

Chuck Zimmerman October 22, 2006

Wondering what to get your favorite pork producer for Christmas? How about a fresh copy of the Pork Industry Handbook?

The New 2007 Pork Industry Handbook is the premier reference for modern American pork production with over 180 science-based and tested fact sheets for pork producers and related industries. Written and reviewed by hundreds of experts, its the most complete industry guide available, and its brought to you by the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence and Purdue Extension. The New 2007 Pork Industry Handbook is available in book or DVD formats. The DVD contains calculators, spreadsheets, Web links, and video clips.

Prices and Product Numbers:

Book: PIH-150 ● b&w ● Approx. 1,164 pages $90.00 + shipping
DVD: DVD-PIH-5 ● DVD ● full-color$45.00 + shipping
Package: PIH-150-A (Includes book and DVD) $115.00 + shipping

Ways to Order:

Print this order form and fax or mail it, Call 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636)

Pork, Publication

Cattlemen’s Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman October 22, 2006

There’s boot camps for everything it seems like. Even cattlemen. I’ll bet this is one boot camp where you’ll see a lot of boots.

Cattle producers should plan to attend the Cattlemen’s Boot Camp, December 18-19 in Stillwater, Okla. The American Angus Association and Angus Foundation sponsor the event, hosted by Oklahoma State University. Industry experts will focus on all segments of the industry from production to meeting consumer demands.

This is the fourth Boot Camp conducted by the Foundation and Association at various universities across the country, and allows cattle producers the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the industry and basic production skills. The Boot Camp begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 18 on campus. An intense afternoon of discussion on end-product merit and consumer needs will kick off the event, and attendees will view actual carcass differences. A bull selection case study will fill the evening, giving the attendees an opportunity to use the information they have used in a mock sale. The Boot Camp continues on Tuesday, December 19 with presentations on nutrition and reproduction and creating value in the cow herd.

Ag Groups

New Bader Rutter Writer

Chuck Zimmerman October 22, 2006

Jenny Grams sent this announcement to me recently and somehow I misplaced it. But Kmberly, you have been found.

Kimberly Schoessow has joined Bader Rutter & Associates as a writer in the agency’s Public Relations Group. A Mequon native, Schoessow recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications with an agriculture emphasis and a minor in animal science.

Prior to joining Bader Rutter, Schoessow held internships for the Wisconsin Holstein Association and Agriliance. She also served as the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs for 2006.

Agencies

AgWired Survey Results

Chuck Zimmerman October 22, 2006

I’m sure you’ve been wondering whatever happened to that survey Chuck was doing of his website, right? Well let me share some results with you. Keep in mind that this is an informal survey.

The first survey question was designed to answer a questions I’m getting asked by people who are considering an advertising schedule. It was, “Which category best describes you?”

20.9% – Advertising/Public Relations Agency
7% – Agribusiness Company Communications
7% – Commodity Group Communications
9.3% – Member Organization Communications
2.3% – Farmer
14% – Media-Broadcast
11.6% – Media-Publication
14% – Media-Online
14% – Other

In the “Other” category respondents wrote in things like: concerned citizen, lawyer/consultant, ag non-profit and biologist. Keep in mind that we had almost 12,000 unique visitors during the month this survey took place.

The next question was “Where are you located?”

4.7% – Southeast
7% – Northeast
69.8% – Midwest
7% – Southwest
7% – Northwest
4.7% – Other (Canada)

Most all respondents answered with an age range:

15% – 18 – 24
47.5% – 25 – 44
37.5% – 45 – 64

Some other items of interest include: 36% subscribe to AgWired’s news feed, 74% own an iPod or other digital media player, 26% subscribe to the ZimmCast and 14% use the listen now hyperlink, 34% have their own blog and of those who don’t 28% intend to start one in the next year.

So there you have it. I’m sure we’ll do a much more formal survey in the future but for now I think this gives us some interesting information to ponder.

Uncategorized

Hunting Camp

Chuck Zimmerman October 22, 2006

It’s getting near time for deer season here in Missouri. This is my hunting “camp.” It’s rustic.

We got some much needed rain yesterday as I spent the day getting things ready for another round of hunting next month. This picture is from a few weeks ago.

Even with the rain it was a nice peaceful day in the country and woods. That’s one of the best parts of hunting.

Between now and then things are going to be busy again. This week I’ll be speaking at a luncheon in Waterloo, IA for example. In two weeks I’ll be speaking at the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association convention in Minneapolis. There’s going to be some other stops too. You’ll be able to keep up right here as always.

Traffic on AgWired this month is already at last month’s record so it looks like I’m continuing to reach a growing number of people with the ongoing story of agricultural marketing and information. Thanks for visiting!

Uncategorized

He’s An American Hero

Chuck Zimmerman October 21, 2006

Here’s the lastest story from Paul McKellips, US Department of State, Public Affairs GO Team on assignment in Iraq. In this one he talks about investment banker Greg Amira who was an vice president for Morgan-Stanley in New York City. He was also an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. On the morning of September 11, 2001 he was working on the 73rd floor of World Trade Center Two when the first plane crashed into the number one tower.

He ran out of his building and into the lobby of the other building to help rescue the injured. While he was helping inside the burning building, his building was also hit, collapsed and he was buried in rubble. He was rescued by a fireman only to be buried a second time by the collapse of the other tower. Twice buried and twice rescued, Amira suffered disabling injuries. But that didn’t stop him: An American Hero (3 min MP3)

Or listen right now:
american-hero-1.mp3
U.S. Army Captain Greg Amira came to Iraq to make a difference. He has a passion for agriculture and democracy. Captain Amira’s job in Iraq is to build and develop micro-finance centers, agribusiness loans, and agricultural extension programs to help Iraqi farmers find economic prosperity.

Here’s the rest of the story: An American Hero Part 2 (3 min MP3)

Or listen right now:
american-hero-2.mp3

Audio, International

Honoring USDA Employees

Chuck Zimmerman October 20, 2006

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns honored USDA employees from across the nation for exemplary service and achievements during the 59th annual USDA Honor Awards Ceremony held today.

“The Honor Awards recognize truly outstanding service by USDA employees who have achieved great things through their dedication, leadership and hard work,” said Johanns. “The men and women we are honoring today deserve our gratitude and I am proud to celebrate their contributions to the Department of Agriculture.”

The Honor Awards are the most prestigious awards presented by USDA. This year there are 34 individual and group award winners. In addition, USDA is recognizing employees who participated in rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita for their many sacrifices.

You can see the program and full list of honorees here (pdf file).

USDA

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