Nitamin Distributed by Wilbur-Ellis

Chuck Zimmerman

NitaminSpecialty ag markets need a special distributor for their specialty fertilizers.

Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc. today announced a long-term agreement with Wilbur-Ellis Company to expand the availability of Nitamin liquid fertilizers. As part of the agreement, Wilbur-Ellis will have the exclusive right to distribute Nitamin fertilizers to the specialty agriculture and commodity crop markets that Wilbur-Ellis currently serves in the United States.

“Georgia-Pacific is pleased to enter into this relationship with Wilbur-Ellis. Their extensive crop production expertise and excellent reputation as a leading distributor in key ag markets makes them a natural fit to distribute our innovative Nitamin Steady-Delivery fertilizers,” said Rick Urschel, president of Georgia-Pacific’s chemical division. “This business collaboration highlights a goal that both Wilbur-Ellis and Georgia-Pacific share – to provide efficient crop fertilization solutions and value to growers who are looking to maximize their return on crop input expenses.” Read More

Agribusiness

Three Managers For Three-Sixty

Chuck Zimmerman

Food 360Vance’s Food360 division has some new managers. They are Gary English, Eileen (Shay) Weishaar and Cheri Knoy. All of them will work in the Produce Group which publishes The Packer, Produce Merchandising, The Grower, and Citrus & Vegetable as well as web sites and other electronic products covering production through retailing of fruits and vegetables.

“Gary, Eileen and Cheri are three experienced industry veterans who are extremely deserving of these promotions,” Alford says. “We decided to move from a single sales manager to three in order to better support and mentor our sales staff and to improve service to our customers.”

Gary English will carry the title of “Sales Manager, Eastern Region” for the Produce Group. Eileen Weishaar will be “Sales Manager, Western Region” for The Packer, Produce Merchandising and other associated publications and electronic properties. Eileen will continue to be based in Lenexa, Kansas. Most people in the industry know her as Eileen Shay, but that changed with her recent marriage. Cheri Knoy, who has been with Vance Publishing for nine of her 15 years in the industry, will be “National Sales Manager” for The Grower and Citrus & Vegetable magazines.

Publication

Internet Explorer 7 Official

Chuck Zimmerman

Internet Explorer 7Since Microsoft officially announced Internet Explorer 7 this week I decided to make the switch. It only takes a few minutes and I’ve got it running on my 2 main computers now. So far I’m happy with it.

Besides the tabbed browsing feature I’ve liked about Firefox it’s also got a built in web feed reader that works like a charm. Basically, if you are on a web page that has an RSS feed, IE7 has a little icon in the top tool bar that you click on. It will display the feed and you just click “subscribe” and it’s added to your favorites where you can easily view the feeds anytime. The software keeps your feeds up to date for you.

So get IE7 and use it to add AgWired to your feeds if you haven’t already done so!

Internet

Who’s Yer HAT Daddy?

Chuck Zimmerman

Hoosier Ag TodayA couple years ago the idea of farm podcasting was just not “mainstream.” Now what’s happening? There’s a growing number of farm podcasters. Say it can’t be so Chuck. Sorry. It’s so.

Hoosier Ag Today, a radio program service Indiana’s agricultural industry, has announced the development of a multi-media web site, . The site focuses on serving the informational needs of Hoosier farm families and rural residents with a unique blend of text, audio, and graphics. A daily podcast that can be downloaded directly or by subscription through a podcast download program like iTunes is also offered.

“Farmers are using the internet in a variety of new and different ways,” said Gary Truitt, President of Hoosier Ag Today. “We have incorporated a variety of approaches into the site to take advantage of current and future trends.”

The daily podcast combines several of HAT’s radio programs into one informative and entertaining podcast. “The number of farmers and agri-business professionals that are using podcasts is relatively small, but the percentage is growing every year,” said Truitt. The podcst allows HAT listeners to hear the programs on their schedule. The site also contains audio files of all Hoosier Ag Today programs that can be listened to while on-line.

Hoosier Ag Today was launched in September of 2006 and is currently broadcast by 21 radio stations across Indiana

Media, Podcasts

New Media Articles

Chuck Zimmerman

I get asked for information about blogging, podcasting and how to use RSS all the time. So when I got asked to write a column about new media for a local business publication I thought it would be a good idea since I could start putting things down in writing.

I think the first few articles have come out very well and have created a page here with links to them in case you might want to learn a little more about blogging, podcasting and RSS.

Feel free to read and if you’ve got more questions or would like a personal consultation just give me a call.

Uncategorized

New MBIC Chairman

Chuck Zimmerman

Andrew McCreaAndrew McCrea is the new Chairman of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. This will be his 6th and last year on the board too. He’s a cattleman from northwest Missouri and an award winning farm broadcaster to boot.

I think the MBIC has some great new leadership.

I interviewed Andrew for an upcoming MBIC Report podcast and asked him about what he thinks the priorities are for the MBIC in the coming year. Download his answer: Listen To MP3Andrew McCrea (1 min MP3)

Or listen right now:

mbic-mccrea-soundbite.mp3
Audio, Beef

MBIC Board Is Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Beef Industry Council Board MeetingToday I’m attending the board meeting of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. We’re meeting in Kansas City. Pictured here on the left is outgoing MBIC Chairman, David Dick who’s making a point to new Executive Director, John Kleiboeker.

I’ll be taking some pictures for them and doing some interviews for their weekly podcast. John’s the subject of my ZimmCast this week in case you haven’t had a chance to listen.

I’ll have an interview with the incoming MBIC Chairman coming up in a follow up post shortly. You’ll find out who he is then.

Ag Groups, Beef

AFT’s $10,000 Steward Award

Chuck Zimmerman

American Farmland TrustI can’t imagine any farmer not wanting $10,000. Now being deserving of it, that’s another matter. All the farmers I know are good stewards of the land so maybe they should all be nominated.

Nominations are now being accepted for American Farmland Trust’s 2007 Steward of the Land Award. The $10,000 prize is presented each year to a farmer or rancher that best exemplifies American Farmland Trust’s mission of stopping the loss of productive farmland and promoting farming practices that lead to a healthy environment.

Nomination forms can be completed online, or can easily be printed out for completion by tradition methods at the same address. You may also call 202-378-1255 for an application, or with questions. Nomination materials will be accepted until 5 p.m. EST on Friday, December 1, 2006.

Ag Groups

Meet The NAMA PDA Recipients

Chuck Zimmerman

National Agri-Marketing AssociationThe National Agri-Marketing Association has named the recipients of its annual Professional Development Awards of Excellence. They will be honored at the upcoming Agribusiness Forum in Kansas City, MO.

  • Steve Engle, executive vice president, Woodruff Sweitzer, will receive the marketing communications honor. Engle has led the development of the highly successful “Ready to Rumble” launch campaign for AGCO brand tractors as well as the highly successful re-positioning of EVEREST Herbicide from Arysta LifeScience North America.
  • Barry Nelson, public relations manager, John Deere, will receive the award of excellence in public relations. Nelson is responsible for media relations, strategic integration of public relations with overall advertising/communications strategies, internal and special communications, managing the contributions/donations budget, and providing customer support with timely information about John Deere products and services.
  • Anita Vanderwert, national director of ag sales for Brownfield, will be the recipient of the award of excellence in sales. Vanderwert has been involved in ag communication and ag sales and marketing for over 15 years. Vanderwert has been the primary link to customers, and as a result, the primary driver of change and adaptation of new technology. Further, she has pushed for new offerings to serve ag customers pushing Brownfield beyond the borders of exclusively offering only radio solutions. By listening to her, as she has been listening to customers, Brownfield has improved web applications and web solutions, expanded email and daily electronic update services, created new “event marketing” opportunities in addition to blogging, podcasting, rss feeds and agricultural forums.

Congratulations!

NAMA

Why I Post Paul’s Reports

Chuck Zimmerman

Paul McKellipsYou may wonder why I post stories from Paul McKellips. He’s the guy in Iraq reporting on agriculture and most importantly in my mind, the positive things our soldiers are doing that are changing people’s lives while helping protect us. Well, Paul has volunteered for a whole year in Iraq next year so I’m looking forward to a lot more to come.

He just sent out a letter to those of us who are using his reports and I’m going to share a few excerpts with you. Here’s why he’s doing it:

I feel a personal responsibility to serve my country during a time of war. I’m keenly aware of the sacrifices made by my father and his generation in World War II. When I load up with a couple of cameras and a Marantz PMD 660, my work pales in comparison to the men and women who load up with an M-16 and a 75-pound pack. But I can do this, and I should. It’s my duty.

I’m a man of faith. I put my trust in a Heavenly Father who is just as capable of protecting me at home as He is in Baghdad. This is my calling right now, to do whatever I can with the talents that I’ve been given, to make a difference. Read More

International