New American Farm Bus Tour

Chuck Zimmerman

New American Farm TourbusThis is what I call a “revolutionary” way to get out and solicit some business. I’m thinking AgWired Bus! Nothing like borrowing a good idea. Of course it would have to have satellite high speed internet access but wouldn’t that be a cool way to blog around the countryside? In fact, I’ve suggested that New American Farm’s Ben Allen do just that so we know what’s happening on this tour each day!

You can see a neat little video about the company on their website here.

REVOLUTIONARY FARM COMPANY LAUNCHES 60-CITY TOUR
“BREAKING GROUND” TOUR SWEEPS MIDWEST, SELECTING FARMERS FOR INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OPERATION

New American FarmAustin, TX – New American Farm, a farmer-owned production company, announced today that it will launch a 60-city, five-month tour that will cover an estimated 10,000 miles and five states across the Midwest on Thursday, June 23, 2005.

The farmer-owned and operated company with just under 20,000 contracted acres will be meeting with pre-selected corn producers across the Midwest to discuss industry consolidation, marketing trends, and the company’s approach to achieving large-scale production. The tour will feature a customized tour bus and appearances at regional farm shows, including the Farm Progress Show, Husker Harvest Days, and FarmFest.

“Our clients represent the best of the best producers across a five-state region who are the first to recognize that banding together is the best defense against inevitable consolidation,” said Ben Allen, CEO of New American Farm. “This tour is about listening to smaller producers, letting them have a voice, and providing an opportunity to be more profitable.”

For more information contact Julie Huls.

Agribusiness

Pitching CAFTA-DR On Rural Radio

Chuck Zimmerman

Agriculture Coalition For CAFTA-DRI waited to post this until I had a copy of the radio spot that this coalition of ag groups for CAFTA is running this week on rural radio stations.

You can listen to the radio spot here Download MP3 File

AGRICULTURE COALITION FOR CAFTA-DR TO LAUNCH RADIO SPOT ON RURAL STATIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C.—June 22, 2005— The Agriculture Coalition for CAFTA-DR will launch radio spots next week to be broadcast on rural stations across the United States highlighting the critical need for farmers and ranchers to contact their members of Congress and urge them to support the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR). The audio spot explains that CAFTA-DR offers increased export market access for U.S. agricultural products ultimately resulting in long-term growth for U.S. agriculture. “To reap such benefits, the recently negotiated agreement must be passed by Congress and implemented now,” states the advertisement. “A vote against CAFTA-DR is a vote against agriculture.”

For more information contact AFBF: Tracy Taylor Grondine: 202-406-3642, GMA: Stephanie Childs: 202-337-9400, NCBA: Karen Batra: 202-347-0228, NCGA: Rhondalee Dean-Royce: 202-628-7001, ext. 19, NPPC: Kara Flynn: 202-347-3600.

Ag Groups, Audio

New President For Cofina Financial

Chuck Zimmerman

Cofina FinancialBrian 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.

Brian LegriedCofina 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

ZimmCastAgritourism 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 Download MP3 File

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

2005 World Dairy ExpoZimmComm 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

USA RAISED BEEF Because COOL Not Cool

Chuck Zimmerman

CCMP LogoHere’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.

USA RAISED BEEFA 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

USDABy 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

Keeton Beach SunsetThis 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

Global Animal ManagementThe 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