Steve Mercer Is DOC Of U. S. Wheat Associates

Chuck Zimmerman

I can’t seem to find a picture of Steve for some reason but I’m sure I can get one and add it later. Steve, if you’re reading this can you email me one? Thanks.

U.S. Wheat Associates is pleased to announce the appointment of two new staff members. Steve Mercer joins the organization as Director of Communications and Liz Jayankura is appointed as Trade Policy Specialist. Both start their duties early in September.

Mr. Mercer will be responsible for planning and implementing all communications supporting USW’s export market development, trade policy and producer-directed programs. With a career focused primarily on integrated marketing communications in agriculture, most recently he was U.S. public relations lead at AdFarm in Kansas City, Mo. Among other responsibilities there, Mr. Mercer managed industry relations programs in the domestic cereal grains and sugarbeet markets.

Ag Groups

Dow Picks Doug For Mycogen Seeds

Chuck Zimmerman

Doug VailDoug Vail is the new Sales & Marketing leader for Mycogen Seeds according to parent company, Dow AgroSciences.

In this position, Vail will work with the company’s marketing specialists to direct Mycogen’s national sales and marketing strategies. In addition, he’ll be charged with overseeing the company’s strategy to align with the ag chem business. “Vail has been a longtime asset to Dow AgroSciences,” says Stan Howell, Vice President, North America Regional Commercial Unit. “His experience within the company and the industry will no doubt be a major asset to the Mycogen team as well as growers and distributors working with Mycogen brand products.”

Prior to this new role, Vail was the U.S. Marketing Leader for Dow AgroSciences and, throughout his career, has held several prominent sales, finance and management roles within Dow AgroSciences.

Agribusiness

Iowa Corn Fueled IRL Race

Chuck Zimmerman

Iowa Corn Indy The Iowa Corn Growers will be the title sponsor for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 next year at the new Iowa Speedway in Newton. Iowa Corn, Iowa Speedway, and the Indy Racing League made the announcement yesterday at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

The race will be held on June 24, 2007 and will “showcase ethanol before a live national television audience.” You can count on the fact that it will be blogged “live” here on AgWired!

“This is a great opportunity to show the entire U.S. that ethanol is a winner,” said Kyle Phillips, ICPB chair-elect and a corn grower from Knoxville. “With all the Indy Racing League cars running on 100% ethanol in 2007, it’s an ideal fit.”

Ag Groups, Ethanol

Continental Nightmare

Chuck Zimmerman

Holding Pattern In OsloYou probably don’t want/need to hear about travel challenges, especially if you travel a lot but this is unusual in my experience. After getting to Oslo airport at about 9am for my 11:30am flight I got out to the gate in a reasonable time. We boarded around noon, already delayed. Right after the door shut and we were ready to take off, the pilot said the the technicians had detected a “rotation in the left engine” and we’d all have to get off. I kind of thought that those engines were supposed to rotate. This picture shows what a lot of today has been like so far.

So we’re now scheduled for a midnight departure since they refuse to cancel it and I’m on a 6:40am flight out of Newark to St. Louis tomorrow morning (we get in at 3am to Newark). We’ll see if this happens.

There’s a lot more to this story as the gate Nazi’s and other assorted cast of misfits all worked hard on creating the opposite of a good public image for their company today. I wrote it all out but lost the post when I went to publish it and the expensive wireless access here died for a minute. So, see you back in the states tomorrow (maybe).

Uncategorized

Passing The Banner To Japan

Chuck Zimmerman

Passing The BannerI know it’s sad to say goodbye but the last thing you do at a closing banquet is pass the banner. Here the banner is being passed from the Norwegian organizing committee to the leaders of the Japanese committee.

Next year we’re going to “Explore the Land of Mizuho.” There is a website set up for the IFAJ Congress 2007 already. Visit it to learn IFAJ 2007what this slogan means. You can see the schedule too.

Don’t forget to keep your eye on the website for this year’s Congress as it continues to be updated.

So long from Norway. It’s time to pack up and head out in just a few hours. It’s been another great experience, making new friends in agricultural communications from around the world and renewing one made last year. I hope to see them all in Japan.

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2006 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ

50 Years and 5 Whiskies

Chuck Zimmerman

Past Presidents of IFAJYou have got to like an organization that has custom labelled bottles of a blend of 5 fine scotch whiskies made to give to and honor their past presidents.

This is the 50 year anniversary of the IFAJ and the 5 whiskies in the blend each represent a decade of the organization’s existence.

Pictured with the past presidents is current president David Markey in case you’re counting.

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2006 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ

All The Way From The USA

Chuck Zimmerman

AmericansThis is a fine looking group from the United States. We waited until the last possible moment to get this picture taken.

The closing banquet was closing around us by the time we got around to it.

Most of us pictured are on the committee working on IFAJ Congress 2009. I’ll have a lot more on that in coming years!

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2006 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ

Some of the Canadians Attending IFAJ

Chuck Zimmerman

CanadiansI don’t have any of their names, but Owen Roberts, if you know feel free to post a comment and identify these Canadians attending the IFAJ Congress.

I had to post this because I’ll be in Ontario next month conducting an agriblogging and farm podcasting workshop at the University of Guelph. The two on the left are students there.

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2006 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ

Green Tractors At This Dairy Farm

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere In NorwayI thought this would make Barry Nelson happy at John Deere.

The Norwegian dairy farmer I interviewed today made a point of making sure I knew he exclusively uses John Deere tractors. He seemed pretty proud of that.

Hey Barry, I think Ole Skallerud is making a pitch for at least a new John Deere cap or something!

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2006 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

Agribusiness, Equipment, IFAJ, Tractor