There are a lot of ways that bloggers receive a pitch and I agree with John Scalzi that there’s a right and a wrong way. I thought this one from Gary Claxton’s PR person was okay. It was personal, short and to the point.
He would love to speak and entertain at any of your agricultural meetings and conventions. Check out Gary’s website at www.mouthofsouthgc.com and listen to some of his humorous stories.. Gary entertains at a lot of Young Farmer and FFA conventions and banquets and many other agricultural events, such as the Corn Growers Association, the National RC&D convention, the GA Soil & Water Conservation, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, and the Florida Farm Bureau Convention. He has appeared on shows such as the Grand Ole Opry and other national shows. Gary also stars in his own television show titled “The Mouth of the South Show”. He writes a monthly humorist column for the Georgia Outdoor Magazine. Gary has been a guest on several television shows. He is also a hobby farmer. If you are interested, please write back as soon as possible. You can email him at southmouth22@aol.com or call his office at 1-888-465-0438.
You Can Make PIF Happen
At the American Agricultural Editors’ Association they say that “PIF Happens.” But it only happens with the support of many people and organizations. PIF is the AAEA Professional Improvement Fund. Here’s some did you knows about it:
Did you know that PIF in 2006 gave members and ag communicators nearly $11,000 in grants for scholarships and professional improvement? Did you know that in 2006 we announced the Andy Markwart Horizon Award and, with John Deere, will provide a $2,500 grant each year beginning in 2007 for professional improvement for one fortunate AAEA member 35 years of age and under?
Did you know that PIF created and sold photo note cards this year using photography from AAEA’s best award-winning photojournalists? Or that we’re constantly on the lookout for more opportunities to award grants to our members to enhance their professionalism in the business of ag communications?
We hope you knew all this. But if not, the PIF Board of Trustees is excited to tell you about us and announce its 2007 Campaign for Excellence fundraising plan. PIF is a 501c3 organization and you can contribute to PIF and deduct your contribution to the fullest extent of the law. And, as the end of the year approaches, what better time than during the season of giving to provide a donation to PIF.
So, if you’d like to contribute to PIF then just go to the AAEA website and click on AAEA Foundation on the left side and simply follow the prompts. It will take only minutes to complete the donation form.
Scottish Lad Does Good
The International Federation for Animal Health has a new president. He’s George Gunn. Now he’s a president and a CEO.
The IFAH Board has elected George Gunn, CEO of Novartis Animal Health, as President for a two-year term, effective as of November 2006. Mr. Gunn succeeds Pedro Lichtinger, who stepped down as President in August 2006 following his appointment as Pfizer Inc. Vice President / Area President – Europe Pharmaceutical Operations. Mr. Gunn joined Novartis in September 2003 and became Head of the Animal Health business in 2004. Mr. Gunn is a veterinarian from the Shetland Islands in Scotland with more than 20 years extensive experience in various leadership positions in both the human pharma and animal health with a proven track record of success and management capability. Prior to joining Novartis, he was responsible for the worldwide animal health business of Pharmacia.
“I thank the Board members for their trust and look forward to working together with them to strengthen the voice of the animal health industry on the global level. IFAH has increased its activities over the past years and is seen as a major player on animal health by international organisations and national governments alike. I would like to enhance this role in the years to come” declared Mr. Gunn.
Business Been Bery Bery Good To Krone
Business is good for Krone.
With a total sales of $1.1 billion (consolidated) for all sectors within Bernard Krone Holding GmbH & Co. KG, the Krone-Group recorded the most successful fiscal year (8-1-2005 through 7-31-2006) in its 100-year history. The Krone group reported further growth on an impressive scale with its agricultural machinery operation reporting a 19.5% increase in sales, the commercial trailer plant a 14.6% increase, and the agricultural trade and services company a 5% increase in net sales. Almost 60% of the total sales were generated in sales areas outside Germany.
A number of independent surveys that were conducted this year confirm the dynamic development of Krone’s agricul-tural machinery and commercial trailer operations and they reveal that both companies are among the fastest growing companies worldwide. Their outstanding growth rates are even more impressive since they were not achieved through acquisitions, but through productivity enhancing measures and expanded sales activities.
A Country Christmas Festival
This sounds like an interesting event. The Victorian Country Christmas Festival is going on right now in Puyallup, WA. Here’s some of the entertainment you’ll find there.
A Victorian Country Christmas features the best professional entertainment in the United States. There is no need to go to Branson Missouri! There are 20 stage shows daily fearing professional entertainment perfect for families. Let me briefly talk about a couple of highlights. The Silver Spurs Country Western Revue features the best singers, dancers, acrobats and comedians in a rousing revue that will have you singing, laughing and tapping your feet. Stardust Follies is back with a brand new show. This Broadway style extravaganza features professional entertainers that are all over 50 years young. Music, dance, comedy and incredible costumes make for a fantastic show.
The reason for the post however is that Michael Peterson will be performing there and you can see the New Holland logo in this image from their schedules page.
I’m sure you know that we’ve worked with Gene Hemphill and Michael on their great promotional campaign which has Michael’s comeback CD on sale at New Holland dealers. The deal also involves events like this one with Michael performing and wowing his fans. I’m not sure exactly how all the impressions and sales are adding up for New Holland on this campaign but it seems like the logo is getting a lot of publicity witt country music fans. That sure seems like an ideal target audience.
A BCS Conversation
Here’s the magnificent trio of BCS Communications. (L-R) Illinois Blasdel, Kelly Schwalbe and Leigh Ann Cleaver.
It’s the BCS Communications open house. We did a little work before the “pig out” part of the party got started.
The agency is 4 years old now according to Illinois. You can learn more about how the agency is doing in our pre-party conversation which was recorded via web cam.
I just uploaded the video to YouTube so if you don’t see it yet, give it a few minutes to finish processing.
In the meantime you can also download the video here: 
BCS Communications Conversation (9 min WMV file)
Here’s the link to the interview from the first BCS open house last year: 
First BCS Interview
Chilly Piggies at BCS
Well winter has made its way to the midwest. Here’s my windshield after a few minutes at the BCS Communications open house in Kansas City.
We’re about to “pig out” here. I’ve got a nice little video interview of Illinois, Leigh Ann and Kelly for my next post.
If you’re a chocoholic then come on out and dip in the fountain. Who cares about a little ice and snow?
Crushing Growth
The old food vs. fuel debate never ends. I am of the opinion that our farmers and agribusinesses can more than compensate for the needs of both. For example, take this announcement from ADM. They’re going to increase oilseed crushing capacity at a number of plants. I’m sure this is just one example of how we’ll continue to develop alternative fuel sources while still feeding the world.
Archer Daniels Midland Company will increase its North American oilseed crushing capacity through expansions at oilseed crushing plants in the U.S. and Canada. Five soybean crushing plants will be expanded in Quincy, Illinois; Frankfort, Indiana; Mexico, Missouri; Fremont, Nebraska and Des Moines, Iowa. Two canola crushing plants will also be expanded in Velva, North Dakota and Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada. The expansions will support ADM’s two North American biodiesel facilities in Mexico, Missouri and Velva, North Dakota. “Expanding our crush capacity will enable us to meet the increased demands for vegetable oil and oilseed proteins, driven by the world’s growing need for energy and food,” stated Scott Fredericksen, President-North American Oilseed Processing.
Bean Breeding Ground (breaking)
Monsanto is building a new soybean breeding facility in South Dakota. They broke ground just this week in fact.
The site will develop and test new soybean varieties developed by Monsanto’s breeders, as well as varieties containing traits in various stages of pre-commercial advancement in the company’s product pipeline. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in conjunction with the dedication of the adjacent corn breeding facility that opened June 30, 2006. “Farmers in the Dakotas have been leading adopters of biotech-improved soybeans,” said Mike Hawbaker, Monsanto North America soybean breeding lead. “This new facility further supports their adoption and growth in acreage during the past 
decade. Harrisburg is an ideal location, and we look forward to serving our customers with this new facility.”
The 17,500-square-foot site will have an initial permanent staff of two and a seasonal staff of up to 10 part-time employees. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds said that Monsanto’s plans in this area — coming so soon after the opening of its corn breeding facility — has positive implications for the state’s bio-tech and agricultural industries.
From left to right: Jay Van Den Top and Craig Hagen (both representing Harrisburg Industrial Park); Clint Turnbull (Monsanto); Senator John Thune; Mike Hawbaker and Brian Ternus (both of Monsanto); Jon Klemme and Jeff Eckhoff (both representing Lincoln County Economic Development Association); South Dakota Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard; Harrisburg Mayor Reed Ramsted, and Rob Everist (representing Harrisburg Industrial Park).
NAMA Presentations Available Online
If you attended the NAMA Agribusiness Forum recently, the presentations that were recorded are now available online, including presenter slides. I’d tell you how to access them for free but I think Eldon would kill me. If you did attend then contact the NAMA office to obtain your coupon code for complimentary access. It’s just another benefit of attending.
If you didn’t attend you can still access the presentations for a reasonable fee. Either way you’ll need to go to http://payment.nama.org/forumpresent.html and select the presentations you would like to access.
NAMA is also interested in your input to help shape the content for next year’s Forum. If you’d like to have a say then please fill out the Agribusiness Forum survey at your convenience at www.nama.org/forum/survey.htm.
Get these 2007 dates on your calendar: Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show, April 11-13 in Dallas and the 2007 Agribusiness Forum, November 13-14 in Kansas City.