Cattlemen Getting iPods

Chuck Zimmerman

Elanco BoothHere’s the Elanco Animal Health 40 iPods in 40 hours promotion in action at the trade show in Nashville.

If you’re going to support new media efforts in your communications strategies there’s not a better giveaway is there. Elanco sponsors all the Truffe Media Networks “AnimalCasts,” which are regular bi-weekly long form commodity-specific podcasts. ZimmComm has teamed up with Truffle to help market these programs and provide custom new media solutions to agribusiness companies.

If you’re using new media in your campaigns or if you’re planning to can you let me know? I’d like to feature how companies like Elanco are using new media channels like podcasting to connect with customers or members.

Cattle Industry Conference

USDA Beef Checkoff Survey Results

Chuck Zimmerman

Donna KholpakThe USDA recently announced the results of a nationwide Beef Checkoff survey that they had done by the Gallup Organization. At the Beef Checkoff update session yesterday Gallup representative, Donna Kholpak, pictured here with Kenny Payne, USDA, gave a summary of the survey and answered questions.

I interviewed her right before the session. She said she was personally surprised with how open cattle producers were when they took the survey. She shares some of the findings with me in the interview like the the fact that 72 percent of those surveyed either strongly approve or somewhat approve of the Beef Checkoff program.

This was a survey that was required by the settlement of the lawsuit between the Livestock Marketing Association and the Beef Board. I think it’s interesting that the results of this very large sample size survey are pretty close to the results of the much smaller annual survey the Checkoff has done on its own. In fact, on some questions the USDA survey found higher producer approval!

Download and listen to Donna here: Donna Kholpak Interview (4 min. MP3 File)

Or listen here now:

cic-07-10-khlopak.mp3
Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference

Alltech Trade Show Hospitality

Chuck Zimmerman

AlltechA real highlight at the trade show here in Nashville is the Alltech booth. I know I’ve written about them before and more than once but they’ve got a good thing. It’s called Kentucky Ale.

When you’re dry and dragging this is the booth to go to.

Belly up to the bar and this young lad will pour you one of the better beers you’ll find. I’ve got quite a few more posts to do for you but I think they’re going to have to wait until later this evening or in the morning. It’s reception time and they are about to kick me out of the media room.

Cattle Industry Conference

Meet The Ambassadors

Chuck Zimmerman

Amanda RankinHave you ever had a chance to meet one of the National Beef Ambassadors? If not you can listen to an interview with one of the five students who were selected to be the current Ambassadors for the Beef Checkoff.

These students do a lot of traveling over the year going to events and talking to consumbers.

Amanda Rankin is from California and volunteered to be interviewed. She’s in the picture, second from the left.

Download and listen to Amanda here: Amanda Rankin Interview (3 min. MP3 File)

Or listen here now:

cic-07-6-ambassador.mp3
Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference

NCBA TV Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Next week NCBA will launch it’s first episode of Cattlemen to Cattlemen, a weekly tv show on RFD-TV. It’s set to air every Tuesday at 8:30pm and will be re-run a couple of other times.

The program is going to be hosted by Susie Ross and they’ve got several regional reporters. Initial underwriting is being provided by Ft. Dodge Animal Health, Purina Mills, McDonalds, Pfizer Animal Health and Bayer Animal Health.

Ag Groups, Media

On The Farm Radio

Chuck Zimmerman

WESM - On The Farm RadioMy coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention has been noticed by On The Farm Radio, Mt. Sydney, VI.

Jeff Ishee and I have traded emails since he wanted to use my interview with Beef Board chairman, Jay O’Brien. I certainly granted him permission and he says it will be in tomorrow’s show which you can find here.

Media

Opening General Session

Chuck Zimmerman

Jay O'BrienThe convention program was kicked into high gear yesterday with an end of the day joint presentation on stage of the Beef Board and NCBA.

Several presenters gave reports on the state of the industry and how the organizations are working to address various issues like trade and consumer preferences and perceptions. Beef Board Chairman Jay O’Brien was on hand to welcome everyone.

Here’ s a sound bite from Jay’s comments:

cic-07-3-obrien.mp3
Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

Cattle Convention Photo Album

Chuck Zimmerman

Throughout the Cattle Industry Convention I’ll be posting new photos to an online photo album. If you’d like to see them please feel free to check it out. New photos will be added each day.

Use the following link:

Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Cattle Industry Conference

RFD-TV Branson Theatre

Chuck Zimmerman

RFD-TVCindy brought to my attention that RFD-TV is opening up a theatre in Branson, MO. It looks like it’s supposed to be ready in March.

It’s official! Branson, Missouri will become the new home-base for RFD-TV to expand and improve its entertainment programming to better serve its fans of traditional music and family-oriented entertainment! We invite you to join us in Branson, Missouri in 2007 to experience RFD-TV The Theatre.

Media

Beef Board Chairman Interview

Chuck Zimmerman

Jay O'BrienJay O’Brien is the chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and one of his duties today was speaking at the new appointees orientation lunch.

Jay started off talking about the need to look professional and that means wearing a nice bow tie. So he showed everyone how easy it is to quickly tie your tie.

Before the lunch got started I had a chance to interview Jay. Jay talks about some of the key things that producers should know. For example, he talks about end of last year USDA producer survey and how closely the results matched the producer survey results that was conducted by the Beef Board of a smaller sample size. He also talks about the retirement of Monte Reese and the process the Board will go through to find a replacement.

Listen to my interview with Jay:

cic-07-3-obrien.mp3
Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference