MachineryLink has a new CEO and he’s Scott Hazlett.
David Forsee, co-founder of MachineryLink, who previously served as CEO, says the company’s tremendous growth over the past few years created the need for additional leadership talent to manage that growth into the
future. “Scott’s extensive experience in building and leading industrial businesses of varied sizes, complexity and challenge, coupled with his solid experience in the agricultural and construction equipment segments, makes him uniquely qualified to lead MachineryLink on its future growth trajectory,” Forsee says. “He is a dynamic, exciting addition to the company as we continue to increase our value to producers and expand our market presence.”
New Team Ethanol Car Driver
Team Ethanol and Rahal-Letterman Racing announced the new driver of the ethanol car today at a press conference in Indianapolis.
He’s Jeff Simmons, who had this to say: 
Jeff Simmons Announcement (Courtesy of Gary Truit, Brownfield Network)
Simmons, a native of East Granby, Conn., is the winningest driver in IRL Indy Pro Series (IPS) history with seven victories. He has garnered extensive experience in the IPS, having run four seasons and twice finishing as the championship runner-up – in 2003 and 2005.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to promote the message and need for the clean-burning, renewable fuel ethanol and to become a member of Rahal Letterman Racing,” said Simmons, 29. “It is one of the most professional teams I could ever hope to be associated with, and I truly appreciate the faith that Bobby (Rahal) and the Team Ethanol sponsors have placed in me. The fact that I have this opportunity as a result of Paul’s passing is not lost on me, and I want to express my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
Liquid Cadre For Peanuts
The latest news from BASF is a liquid formulation of Cadre herbicide for peanuts.
Cadre is a broad-spectrum herbicide, registered for peanuts, controlling more than 34 grasses and broadleaf weeds. This includes excellent control of nutsedge, pigweed and morningglory – key weed problems in peanut
production areas. Its wide window of application is another key benefit of Cadre as the product application is tied to weed size (consult the label for maximum heights by broadleaf or grass weed species) and spectrum, and not by crop stage. This offers further flexibility for peanut growers. (Full Release)
O&B Agency For Monsanto Dairy
Osborn & Barr Communications just received some new business from Monsanto after being named agency of record for Monsanto Dairy.
Osborn & Barr is charged with developing and executing a strategy of integrated communications, including creative direction, media services, digital marketing, and public relations. Osborn & Barr will be involved with Monsanto’s POSILAC® and DecisiveTM brands, as well as all forage nutrition brands which the agency already supports through Monsanto’s crop division.
With the recent addition of Monsanto Canada East’s business to the agency’s portfolio of clients, Osborn & Barr now supports nearly all of Monsanto North America’s marketing communications needs.
Boomtown Institute by the Boomtown Blogger
The Boomtown Blogger has now started the Boomtown Institute. He’s Jack Schultz.
The Institute’s mission is “To provoke innovative thinking, encourage leadership and foster investment in communities across the U.S.A.”
There are many initiatives planned to achieve this mission. As well as Jack’s national speaking tour that has taken him to 41 states and more than 220 towns, Boomtown Boot Camp, an intensive, two-day, strategic planning session for communities will be offered. Fasten your seatbelts for this fast paced, action packed summit that’s worth every dollar. Communities may schedule this practical, hands-on forum starting in April of 2006. Extensive research on matters that affect America’s hometowns is a constant mainstay for the new entity. Future initiatives include additional publications and books, mentoring services to communities as well as media projects that highlight the advantages of living, working and building a business in rural America.
Posing In Front of Work Station
Aren’t we cute? We had a nice photographer here a couple weeks ago since the Jefferson City Business Times was doing an article on us. This is the picture he shot.
I wish they had a website so I could link you to the article but apparently not. At least it’s a nice picture in front of one of our work stations.
New Valent Brand Manager
There’s a new Valent brand manager in town and he’s Joseph Short.
Short will be responsible for marketing a growing line of quality products from Valent including such leading brands as Prism® Herbicide, Select® Herbicide and Valent’s newest product: Select Max™ with Inside Technology™. His efforts will be focused on various markets including soybean, cotton, oilseeds, legumes, peanuts and vegetables. (Full Release)
Nitragin Media Kit On A Memory Stick
The folks at AdFarm covered all the bases when it came time to send out news on Nitragin’s acquisition of Agribiotics, Inc. Not only did they include acquisition information but also product information.
This came packaged in a very sturdy green plastic logo’d binder. In it were an introductory 
letter from the VP of Sales & Marketing, news releases, FAQ’s and contact information. Also included was all of the above in electronic form on a logo’d 64MB USB Flash Drive. And just to make sure we had it all, the information was emailed out, which is how I first received it.
That’s covering all your bases in making sure the reporter gets your information.
And, yes, I did check to make sure the releases were posted to the company’s website last week when this was announced.
Benchmarking in New Seeding Resource
While pioneers in the cropping business used the tools at their disposal, often relying on hard, sweat of the brow work, gut feelings and a blank want-list paper at the kitchen table, today’s farmer-entrepreneur has a multitude of resources, often at his fingertips.
A Saskatchewan firm is offering a new Internet based farm management system to prairie grain producers saying benchmarking its unique strength. Developed by Leo Kosokowsky, an agricultural Consultant based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, calls the system AgMpower. “Since the system is Internet based, producers are able to compare their costs, returns, margins and seeding intentions with other participating producers,” said Kosokowsky. “Even the best managers can improve their operations by benchmarking.”
Participating producers have a password to access their account at www.agmpower.ca. On the site, producers can adjust their seeding intentions, price projections and expense assumptions as conditions warrant. By accurately calculating the cost of production for each grain, producers can determine their breakeven prices and do a superior job of marketing. The company says the real strength of AgMpower, and what makes it unique is benchmarking. While maintaining confidentiality, the site makes the aggregate information available to producers who in turn make their information available to the system. Producers are able to determine if their overhead costs per acre are lower or higher than average. They are also able to watch as overall seeding intentions and expected revenues figures adjust through the year. This provides valuable insights into the marketplace.
The company markets AgMpower to producers online and through local suppliers and advisors. At a cost of $300 per year, a farmer can plan, benchmark and view aggregate seeding intentions and crop margins.
FFA Officer Blogs
I just found out that the FFA officers are blogging. If you haven’t seen their blogs you can find a list of them here. Thanks to Cyndi Young for the heads up on her blog. She also found the Ohio FFA Officer blog too.
Back to the national officers. Here’s links to their individual blogs:
Travis Jett
Jessie Geib
Ryan Peterson
Erica Der
Anita Estes
Stuart Joy
If any more FFA’ers have a blog out there please let us know.