New President For Cofina Financial

Chuck Zimmerman June 26, 2005

Brian Legried has accepted the position of president for Cofina Financial, LLC. Legried comes to Cofina Financial from Farm Credit Leasing where his most recent role was a senior vice president of sales and marketing.

“Brian’s commitment to agricultural business and his extensive finance and banking background makes him a natural choice to lead Cofina Financial,” says Tom Larson, Cofina Financial board chairman and executive vice president CHS Business Solutions.

Cofina Financial is the recent formation, limited liability company (LLC), with CHS Inc. and Cenex Finance Association. Beginning operations July 1, the company is based at the CHS headquarters in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Cofina Financial will provide financial solutions to accelerate the success of agricultural producers, cooperatives and commercial businesses. With its combined resources, commitment and deep knowledge of agriculture, cooperative and producer financing, Cofina Financial is solidly positioned for the future with strong financial products and services offerings and experienced staff.

For more information contact Lani Jordan.

Agribusiness

Agritourism Is The Topic On This Week’s ZimmCast

Chuck Zimmerman June 26, 2005

Agritourism has become a valuable additional way for many farms to make more money. In this week’s ZimmCast I interview Jane Eckert, Eckert Agrimarketing, about her business. Jane is a professional direct marketing consultant with a passion for agritourism. I think you’ll enjoy hearing what she’s got to say.

You can listen to the interview here

You can also subscribe to our weekly podcast (ZimmCast) using the file in our sidebar.

Agribusiness, Audio, Podcasts, ZimmCast

Announcing The World Dairy Expo Blog

Chuck Zimmerman June 26, 2005

ZimmComm is teaming up with the World Dairy Expo to publish the first ever World Dairy Expo blog! The Expo will be held October 4-8. Between now and then we’ll begin publishing news and information about the activities that you can expect to see. Then during the Expo we’ll be onsite to provide pictures, interviews and news as it happens each day.

There’s lots of information on the World Dairy Expo website if you haven’t visited it yet. It’s not too early to be making your plans if you wish to attend. However, even if you can’t you can always log onto the blog! We’ll also post information about the Expo right here on AgWired too.

Please feel free to visit and offer your thoughts and opinions as we blaze new trails in the web world. If you like what you see think about having ZimmComm team up with you for your event too!

World Dairy Expo

Demo Post To Test Streaming Audio File

Chuck Zimmerman June 26, 2005

This is a test of a streaming audio file that I’m trying out. Please ignore. Thanks.

Uncategorized

USA RAISED BEEF Because COOL Not Cool

Chuck Zimmerman June 25, 2005

Here’s something new to me. Just got this information on a press conference on the new coalition. I really don’t have any more information than this so we’ll see what comes out of their press conference. If they have any websites for CCMP or the USA RAISED BEEF program I haven’t found any yet. The closest I can find it this.

D E T A I L S : Stakeholder organizations in CCMP have developed a national initiative to promote USA RAISED BEEF. This press
conference will mark the national unveiling of the USA RAISED BEEF logo and publicity campaign. It will underscore the fact that the USDA grade stamp of approval does not guarantee consumers are purchasing USA RAISED BEEF. Retailers participating in the USA RAISED BEEF initiative will be present to discuss how the program is being used in their retail
outlets to educate consumers and enhance demand for USA RAISED BEEF.

A B O U T C C M P : The Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP) is a voluntary producer contribution program
developed by producers to support fair, open and competitive markets; realistic international trade policies; mandatory country of origin labeling and promotion of USA RAISED BEEF.

B A C K G R O U N D : The Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP) will launch nationally its USA RAISED BEEF “Ask
For It” campaign on June 28, 2005 at 12:30 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The event will showcase the new
promotional initiative for domestically grown beef and how the logo is already being displayed in retail stores, livestock auction markets and ranches throughout the Midwest and West.

For More Information:
Chase Carter, OCM Executive Director, 402.817.4443

Carrie Longwood, SDSGA Executive Director, 605.342.0429

John Lockie, MCA Executive Director, 406.628.2230

Chris Abbott, ICON President, 308.282.2826

Danni Beer, R-CALF USA COOL, Committee Chair, 605.524.3383

Ag Groups, Beef

Positive BSE Test

Chuck Zimmerman June 25, 2005

By now I’m sure everyone and their brother has heard about the USDA announcement on the BSE test. You can read the full transcript of remarks at the USDA press conference here.

This has certainly generated the need for organizations to respond so we’ll have more after we evaluate the information we receive.

Beef

Florida Gulf Coast Sunset

Chuck Zimmerman June 24, 2005

This is why you need a client in Florida when you live in the midwest. After yesterday’s blogging seminar we re-located to an undisclosed west coast of Florida location to spend the night. We got there just in time for the sunset! My picture doesn’t do it justice but at least I thought to take one.

Today’s going to be a “day off” for the most part but then it’ll be time to get back into the action for AgWired.

Uncategorized

NAIS Would Boost Consumer Confidence

Chuck Zimmerman June 23, 2005

The folks at Global Animal Management have done a consumer survey to find out what the move to a national animal id system will mean to confidence in food safety. That’s the topic of their latest talking news release.

CONSUMER POLL: FOOD SAFETY CONFIDENCE WILL IMPROVE
WITH MANDATORY NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

KENILWORTH, N.J. June 24, 2005 – A recent poll shows that consumers will become even more confident in the safety and security of the nation’s meat and poultry supply if a mandatory National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is implemented. Under the national animal ID system, authorities would be able to quickly locate specific animals to prevent the spread of livestock diseases, such as mad cow disease. The consumer survey was sponsored by Global Animal Management Inc., a leading provider of animal and premise identification systems.
The poll of one thousand U.S. consumers was conducted in mid-May. It shows that consumers already have considerable confidence in the nation’s meat and poultry supply with more than thirty-seven percent saying their current meat safety confidence is high and only ten percent rating their confidence as low.

Jim Heinle (Hine-lee), president of Global Animal Management, says that the survey shows that consumer cofidence would increase significantly with the implementation of a national animal identification system. Nearly 55 percent of those polled said their confidence would then be high, and those who said their confidence will remain low declined to less than 4 percent. (Full Release)

For more information contact Julie Lux, (908) 298-4774.

Agribusiness, Audio