Hickory Park BBQ – Ames, IA – Eat There

Chuck Zimmerman

Stuck CarBoy am I glad I waited until today to drive up to Des Moines. I haven’t seen so many cars off the highway waiting on tow trucks in a long time. Road conditions must have been pretty rough last night. There’s really not that much snow on the ground but it’s still pretty windy. Back at home we got nothing out of the forecast 6 inches of snow. This is not a complaint.

Hickory Park RestaurantI’m actually in Ames waiting on our Classic Video iPod winner to show up. He suggested we meet at the Hickory Park Restaurant and as I’m finishing my sandwich I’m really glad he did. This is quite an operation here. I recommend it if you’re ever in Ames.

After a meeting in Des Moines this afternoon to discuss podcasting it’s off to Omaha so I’ll probably get in late and who knows how much energy I’ll have left to post at that point.

Ciao.

Uncategorized

NAWG Keeps On Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

NAWG LogoI’ve written about the NAWG Blog before and it’s time to write about it again. This time we have a new President who’s giving it a stab. He’s Dale Schuler from Carter, Montana. We met him at Commodity Classic.

The most recent NAWG Newsletter says “The NAWG Blog needs your help.” I think they want feedback and specifically comments on what’s written. They want this to be a two-way communication vehicle, which is exactly what it can be. However, the help needs to come from within first. The only post Dale has made was on Februray 21. Blogging requires more frequent and regular posting by an author with something to say. Post often enough and if you’ve got something people want to know about you’ll get your comments. Realize that most people will never post a comment. It doesn’t mean they aren’t reading though.

I can’t emphasize enough that you can’t write a post and realistically expect you’ll get lots of visitors who will write you lots of comments. Write lots of posts and over time you’ll generate traffic and interaction.

NAWG was the first national level farm group that I know of that sipped the blog koolaid as a friend of mine likes to say. Now we need to see the committment to post regularly so members get accustomed to seeing fresh information. The posts don’t have to be long carefully crafted essays. They need to come from the heart about the issues imprtant to organizational members. I know the messages are there and having met Dale I’ll bet he can write them. I would think in terms of “short, simple, regular.” That’s how the NAWG Blog can help itself!

Ag Groups

Classic iPod Keepsake Winner Announced

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland Welcome to National Agriculture Day on AgWired. This is the day for the announcement of the winner of the New Holland “Down on the Farm” Classic iPod Keepsake Contest. Thanks to all the people who entered online or at the New Holland booth at Commodity Classic. The random drawing has taken place and . . .

The winner is Marcus Spotts, a corn/soybean farmer from Nora Springs, IA. Congratulations to Marcus.

I caught Marcus on his mobile phone at lunch time to give him the news. You can listen to a portion of my conversation with him here: Listen To MP3 Telling Marcus He Won (3 min MP3)

I want to thank New Holland and Michael Peterson for working with us on this project. It has been fun and we are looking forward to doing it again soon.

Please keep our video iPod keepsake idea in mind. It makes a great and truly unique giveaway item! Can we create one for you?

Agribusiness, Commodity Classic

Our Student Blogger Has a Job

Chuck Zimmerman

Margy FischerThis post isn’t being written by Margy Fischer. It’s being written about her. You will remember Margy from her coverage of Commodity Classic on AgWired that was sponsored by Monsanto. Margy will be graduating soon and just announced that she’s got a job.

After graduation in May, I’ve got a job! I’ve recently accepted the position of assistant editor with Farm Journal magazine. Along with my assistant editor responsibilities I’ll also be the Assistant Test Plot Director.

Thank you all for being part of my professional development. I wish you all the best and hope we’ll be seeing each other soon.

Congratulations Margy. I hope we get to hear from you again soon.

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Steve Rhea Discusses Worldwide Partners

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast61 - Interview With Steve RheaIt’s National Agriculture Day. Time to thank a farmer for the abundant and safe food supply we have been blessed with in this country!

Steve RheaIn this week’s ZimmCast I interview Steve Rhea, President & CEO of Rhea & Kaiser, about the agency joining Worldwide Partners, Inc. You’ll have to listen to the program to learn what that means. Before the interview I make an important announcement and review some of the news on AgWired this past week. I hope you like it.

You can listen to this week’s program here: Listent To ZimmCast ZimmCast 61 (15 min MP3)

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar.

You can also now find the ZimmCast on CoolCast Radio or subscribe in iTunes.

Agencies, Audio, Podcasts, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bites

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA has announced the dates for Agri-Marketing Boot Camp and Agribusiness Forum.

Proof that agriculture can be beautiful and worth taking a drive for.

Are cherries a healthy part of your diet?

Consider investing your agriculture marketing dollars in Malaysia.

Zimfo Bytes

NAMA Awards Announced

Chuck Zimmerman

George ThorntonThe National Agri-Marketing Association has named the recipient of its highest honor of the year. George Thornton, President & CEO of Agriliance, LLC is the Agribusiness Leader of the Year. “The award honors outstanding leaders in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness related areas who exemplify excellence in agribusiness by their significant contributions to the industry.” The award will be presented at the opening session of this year’s annual conference, April 20 in Kansas city.

Tom DavisAnother award to be presented at the conference will the NAMA Marketer of the Year to Tom Davis, Meredith Corporation. “NAMA recognizes its active members with senior management of marketing and/or sales responsibilities with the NAMA Marketer of the Year award. This award is NAMA’s most prestigious honor awarded to active members of the association and honors outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing.” Hey Tom, I notice they use the word “senior” with this one.

NAMA

4 New Partners At Context Network

Chuck Zimmerman

Context NetworkAre you in need of ideas for how to run your organization or business. Then maybe you need to put it in context, Context Network that is.

Four new partners have been named at The Context Network as part of an overall business expansion effort to enhance and deepen the firm’s ability to deliver strategic management solutions and business management consulting services to leading agricultural and biotechnology companies.

“The addition of four new partners and their combined 95 years of experience greatly enhance The Context Network’s ability to offer deeper industry and business expertise,” said founding partner Tray Thomas. “It also allows us to work more closely with our clients to improve their performance.” Named as new partners are Steve M. Hawkins, Blake Sieker, Mike J. Borel and Alex Fink.

Agribusiness

Corn Users to Focus on CITT Hearings to Overturn Duties on US Corn

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensIt’s a trade war. One that really doesn’t matter to the Americans and puts one ag sector against the other in Canada. I can’t believe how we are so prone to shoot ourselves in the foot. Be that as it may. The Canadian Pork Council will press for the elimination of countervail and antidumping duties on imported unprocessed U.S. grain corn when the Canadian International Trade Tribunal begins pubic hearings next week.

In December, the Canada Border Services Agency found evidence the Americans were dumping subsidized U.S. grain corn into Canada and imposed provisional antidumping and countervailing duties totaling $1.65 US per bushel on the imports. Two days ago the CBSA reaffirmed that decision, indicating the provisional duties will remain until the Canadian International Trade Tribunal concludes its injury investigation.
Canadian Pork Council Executive Director Martin Rice says corn users will argue to eliminate those duties when the CITT conducts public hearings. “Regardless of any improvement in the duty rate we will still take a full investigation of the final injury investigation to challenge the injury claim and to prevent the duty from becoming permanent,” said Rice. “We have seen corn imports actually decline during this period of investigation so the argument the imported corn is creating injury from changes in imported corn is simply not easily substantiated.”

The CPC’s arguments will say increased corn imports have not adversely affected the corn prices to Canadian corn producers. If the Canadian International Trade Tribunal finds the imports harm Canadian corn growers, the duties will become permanent. However, if it finds no injury, the duties will stop. The CBSA will refund duties already collected and the case will end. The CITT will begin public hearings in Ottawa March 20 and make a decision by April 18.

Siemens Says

International

Move That Movie To Your iPod

Chuck Zimmerman

4 Leaf CloverOkay so it’s a St. Patrick’s day Friday night and I’m posting. Workaholic. Not really. Just learning how to convert a movie to my iPod. Although I don’t have green beer at least it’s in a green bottle. This really wouldn’t have taken as long as it has if I’d made sure the audio box was checked at one point in the process. Had to do it all over again to get the audio. I’m ready for that next plane ride now.

I’m using Videora. But first you have to use a program like DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0, which you can find here. Make sure you follow these instructions.

Got any questions, let me know.

Uncategorized