Brew News Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

Brew BlogThe Brew Blog is where you can find out news and information about the alcohol beverage industry. I think this is a fantastic idea. Listen up agrimarketers. Take a look at what Miller is doing here. They’ve hired or contracted with a reporter who is covering their industry. I know you purists out there will be shocked. How can this have any credibility you might ask? I say, look at what’s being posted by Jim Arndorfer. He’s certainly going to be an example I’ll be using in my workshop at the Ag Media Summit!

If I was in this business the Brew Blog would be one of my news feeds that I’d be checking on a regular basis. Do I care if it’s sponsored or owned by Miller Brewing? Not if it’s good timely, topical information that I can’t get in this convenient a format.

So why not have a farm equipment news blog that’s owned by John Deere, AGCO or New Holland? How about a seed news blog owned by Pioneer or Monsanto? Let’s have an ag chem news blog owned by Syngenta or BASF. Think about it. There’s a lot of reporters out here who might be able to make the transition to the internet. I say, “might,” with good reason. Even news blogging requires a talent and dedication that not every traditional media reporter may have.

Uncategorized

Blueberry Council Alternate

Chuck Zimmerman

U. S. Highbush Blueberry CouncilOur Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner announced one importer alternate to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, for a term of office beginning immediately and ending on Dec. 31, 2006.

The newly appointed importer alternate is Keith D. Mixon from Haines City, Fla.

We used to go to blueberry u-picks in north central Florida. Mmm, mmm. Now I want some vanilla ice cream topped with a pile of blueberries.

Ag Groups, USDA

The Dude Had A Dell (Power Supply)

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello from Reno. Tomorrow I’ll start blogging the Cattle Industry Summer Conference so stay tuned. After checking in and unpacking I realized I didn’t bring my computer’s power supply.

Hard to believe and I was thinking, “Now what am I going to do?” Actually I used some additional words that are not fit for print here. A road warrior needs to have 2 power supplies for his notebook for this very reason.

So I called the audio/visual department and Dave told me there was nothing he could do. Right before hanging up though he mentioned that he had a box with a bunch of adapters, cables and some power supplies from people who have left them here. I eagerly asked him to let me bring my Dell down and see what was in the box. What did I have to lose? When he pulled this box off the shelf the very top power supply was the exact duplicate of mine. The only one even close to what I needed.

I’m charging and Dave has my eternal thanks. That’s the kind of customer service I like.

Cattle Industry Conference

ARC Breakfast At AMS

Chuck Zimmerman

Agricultural Relations CouncilIf you’re involved in agricultural public relations are you involved in ARC? If not, why not? If not, then maybe you should learn more about the Agricultural Relations Council. You can do this by attending the ARC breakfast at the Ag Media Summit.

For the first time, the Agricultural Relations Council will be recognized as a participating organization at this year’s Agricultural Media Summit, July 23-26 in Portland. The recognition comes following unanimous approval from the steering committee of the Agricultural Media Summit LLC. “We’re excited to obtain this recognition and formally strengthen our ties with this premier agricultural communications event,” said Jeri Omernik, president of ARC, a service organization founded in 1954 to serve the unique needs of professionals in agricultural public relations. Omernik noted that as a result of the partnership, ARC members will be able to attend the event at Ag Media Summit member rates. In addition, ARC is being asked to provide one or more representatives to serve on the three Summit committees: Program, Sponsorship and InfoExpo. Read More

Ag Media Summit, ARC

Blogging From The Cattle Industry Summer Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Joni HarmsA “Country Swing” evening event with Joni Harms is just one of the activities on the agenda for the Cattle Industry Summer Conference that gets kicked off this weekend in Reno. I’m heading back to the city I just drove through for a few days of event blogging here on AgWired and on Beef Board Meeting.

Looking forward to bringing you all the action from the “biggest little city in the world.”

Ag Groups, Beef

Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation License Tag

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation License TagI’ve not been too fond of vanity license tags, especially since they cost more and then everyone knows where you’ve been. However, this is different and something that I think is a neat way to raise money for a good cause. I’m sure there are other states and groups where this kind of thing is available.

Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation is happy to offer cattle producers and beef enthusiasts the opportunity to show their support for the beef industry and help MCF to insure the future of Missouri’s most vital natural resource … OUR YOUTH! The proceeds from the sale of Missouri’s first-ever livestock-specific vehicle license plate will directly benefit the programs of the Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation: Cattlemen’s Children’s Fund; Farm Safety and youth education; and scholarships. For a minimum $25 donation to MCF (in addition to the standard $15-per-year Department of Revenue reservation fee) you can be among the first in the state to proudly display a Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation license plate. You also get to personalize your plate with a unique letter and/or number combination of up to 6 characters. The plate’s colors and design depict the rich heritage of Missouri’s cattle industry and the dawning of a new day in Missouri with a cow silhouetted on the horizon. For more information or to request the paperwork to order your plates, contact Darla Eggers at (573) 449-4923 or darla@mocattle.com.

Ag Groups

150 Wines A Day

Chuck Zimmerman

Indy International Wine CompetitionHere’s a competition that I would love to be a judge for. It’s the 15th annual Indy International Wine Competition which will be held July 27-29 in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

“This is the third largest wine competition in the United States,” said Jeanette Merritt, wine marketing specialist for the Indiana Wine Grape Council, located at Purdue University. More than 3,600 wines will be tasted and evaluated by eighty judges from all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Each judge will taste approximately 150 wines a day.

150 wines a day? Oh my. Jeannette, I hope your days as a farm broadcaster prepared you well for this event! I do have the right Jeannette Merrit? Wish I could be there blogging this one!

Food, University

New Deere Gear Store Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

The Deere Gear StoreAgWired is sponsoring the newest contest at the Deere Gear Store. If you’ve got a John Deer memory, now’s the time to make it known. You’ll have to go to their website to enter. Here’s some more details:

We all have our favorite John Deere memories. Maybe it’s a special romance. Maybe it’s great piece of John Deere machinery that helped you get through some tough times or that has served you well for many years. Maybe it’s a favorite item of clothing. Maybe it’s a heartfelt family memory of great times on the farm. If it’s a special memory somehow related to John Deere products we want to know. And we’ve got some great prizes for the best memories and photos! The Grand Prize draw is October 1, 2006, just in time for the holiday shopping season! Here’s what you can win!

FIRST PRIZE: $500 Gift Certificate for The Deere Gear Store
SECOND PRIZE: $300 Gift Certificate for The Deere Gear Store
THIRD PRIZE: $200 Gift Certificate The Deere Gear Store Read More

Tractor

Management Changes At Premium Standard Farms

Chuck Zimmerman

Premium Standard FarmsPremium Standard Farms, Inc. has some significant changes made to its management structure. They just announced that Robert Manly has resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer and that Chief Executive Officer, John Meyer, will assume the additional responsibilities of the President. There are no plans to name a new Chief Operating Officer. In addition:

Mr. Meyer will expand the responsibilities of industry and company veterans, Calvin Held, to Vice President of Process Improvement and Milan Operations and Blake Day, to Vice President of Business Development.

“This restructuring will flatten our organizational structure and streamline our decision making process, and further our commitment to improving PSF’s operational performance. As a result of these changes, we will be able to intensify our focus on both operational improvements and cost structure efficiencies,” commented John Meyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Standard Farms.

Agribusiness

Farm Journal In Elite 25

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Journal MediaFarm Journal Media just announced that Farm Journal has received a distinction that puts it into an elite publication group. BtoB Media Business, which is a magazine for business publishing executives, has selected Farm Journal as one the country’s top 25 business publications. It is the only agricultural magazine to be recognized in the list.

In its June 2006 issue, BtoB Media Business described the 25 publications as having “shaped the business publishing industry.” Other publications on the list include Business Week, The Economist, Forbes, Fortune, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

BtoB Media Business said that FARM JOURNAL “started regional editions in 1952 and switched its focus from a consumer magazine to a b-to-b publication in 1958. In 1982, FARM JOURNAL became the first magazine to bind issues based on customized information, such as crops, livestock and region.”

Publication