79th FFA Convention Kicks Off

Chuck Zimmerman October 25, 2006

The 79th FFA Convention got kicked off today. I was hoping to be there but it just didn’t work out. The FFA website has a lot of content you can check out though to keep up with all the action.

With all the hoopla surrounding the start of this mega convention a little controversy did surface related to the fact that Carrie Underwood is performing tonight. She’s made it clear that she’s a vegetarian and that’s apparently created some animosity among a number of people, including Trent Loos. I had several emails today on this topic and tried to get in touch with the folks at FFA about it. I got a call back but was in a meeting so I didn’t get to talk to anyone. However, it looks like Lindsay Vance at Buckeye Ag Radio Network did.

I just didn’t get to work on it this year but maybe next year I can set up an FFA AgWired blogger to help me out so we get the on-the-scene scoop from the perspective of one of the blue coat participants.

Ag Groups

Late Day Corn Harvest

Chuck Zimmerman October 25, 2006

I did lots of miles through the corn and soybean fields today. I had meetings in Des Moines and then it was on to Cedar Falls. Along the way a little while ago as it was getting dark you could see lots of this going on.

I stopped to experiment with my camera and realized right away I forgot my tripod. Not good for low light shots. But that’s never stopped me from trying. These first two pictures are of the same combine making the same path through this field.

These are all along highway 63 north of I-80 in Iowa. It kept getting darker but that doesn’t stop these guys. I know it’s raining in a variety of places throughout the Midwest but it wasn’t here. Unfortunately it has the World Series in delay tonight.

I tried to shoot a video clip but at this point it was full dark. So here’s what you get without a tripod in the dark and ready to get to your hotel room so you can begin posting. Actually it’s a nice colorful effect that shows how bad my hand shake is.

That’s the extent of my creativity for the night.

Corn

Demo Day In Canada

Chuck Zimmerman October 24, 2006

If you’ve got some spare time Thursday you might want to check out Seed Hawk’s Demo Day. It gets started at 1:30 p.m. Seed Hawk is located two miles north of Langbank, SK (this would be in Canada) on highway nine. They also have a big announcement:

Seed Hawk Inc is pleased to announce an agreement to sell a minority share in the company to Vaderstad-Verken, an agricultural company based out of Sweden. In addition, a new manufacturing plant is being planned at the existing facility near Langbank, SK to accommodate significant growth. Read More

Agribusiness

New FFA Merchandise Center

Chuck Zimmerman October 24, 2006

FFA is big business from the looks of this announcement about their new Merchandise Center. I guess you learn something new everyday. I had no idea their merchandise business was so big.

This November, the National FFA Organization will break ground on the future home of its new 36,000-square-foot Merchandise Center. This $10 million operation includes the merchandising, licensing and customer and distribution services departments. “The reason we’re building the merchandise center is to be able to meet current customer demand and build capacity for future growth,” said Lee Anne Shiller, director of merchandise operations.

Duke Construction has been contracted to build the facility. RATIO Architects Inc., who designed the Indianapolis-based National FFA Center nine years ago, will design the $3.5 million merchandise center. The new facility will also offer tours, and to enhance member visits, the building will be specifically designed to allow tour groups to watch while plaques are being engraved. Nearly 40 existing FFA staff are expected to move into the center by June, with the capacity to house 70. The move allows for a $1.4 million expansion at the National FFA Center that will be completed prior to the 2007 National FFA Convention.

Ag Groups

Using The New Firefox

Chuck Zimmerman October 24, 2006

Our web developer man, Robert said that if I was going to write about the new Internet Explorer 7 release then I sure better write about the new Firefox 2 release.

So here it is. I’ve upgraded my Firefox browser and loaded a couple of add-on programs like this one from Performancing which lets me blog onto AgWired from the browser itself without having to go to my blog software admin panel. If this works, this will be real cool.

It’s a whole new blogging experience and one you’ll probably see me use more often.

Firefox – Rediscover the Web

Post Update: It works by golly. Besides adding in this Performancing blog editing tool I’ve also added one called Sage which discovers and allows me to subscribe to RSS feeds on any webpage and display them in a handly little sidebar. I also added one called Cooliris Previews which opens up a preview box of any web link you scroll over and send a link to it to someone very simply.

Internet

These Two Are Brave Enough

Chuck Zimmerman October 23, 2006

Hey Ken. I meant to post this sooner but better late than never right? Welcome to two brave newcomers to The Meyocks Group. Pictured here is Jennifer Pickart.

Pickart, an account executive, brings nearly six years of advertising experience, all with Ivie & Associates in that agency’s Davenport, Iowa; Flower Mound, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona, operations. She worked as a database marketing coordinator, client services coordinator and print buyer before her most recent assignment as on-site senior client services coordinator at PetSmart headquarters in Phoenix. Pickart earned a B.A. degree in journalism and communications studies at the University of Iowa before beginning her career.

Next up is Maribeth Weir.

Weir joins The Meyocks Group as executive assistant. The West Des Moines native earned a B.A. degree in secondary English education at the University of Northern Iowa. She taught English for one year in the Lynnville-Sully school system before entering the private sector and working in a variety of sales and service management positions.

Just in case you don’t know, the company’s website is: www.areyoubrave.com.

Agencies

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

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