New Pork Board Members

Chuck Zimmerman

USDAI’m a little behind on this. I meant to post it last week but then that little race in Indianapolis got in the way.

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2005–Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced five appointments to the 15-member National Pork Board. The five appointees will serve 3-year terms.

The five were chosen from among eight pork producers nominated by the National Pork Producers Delegate Body during its meeting in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in March.

The appointees to serve are: Wayne R. Peugh, Edelstein, Ill.; Brian D. Zimmerman, Beatrice, Neb.; Deborah M. Johnson, Clinton, N.C.; Carol E. Hein, Spickard, Mo.; and Lynn E. Harrison, Elk Mound, Wis.

For more information contact Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623 or Melanee Farrah (202) 720-8998.

Ag Groups

Ephron Analyzes Radio

Chuck Zimmerman

Ephron On MediaI have only started to delve into what is archived in the Ephron On Media archive site. As Erwin Ephron says on his bio page “He writes things down.” He’s a media planner kind of guy who writes interesting stuff about the media. His latest cover story is titled “REACH TRUMPS FREQUENCY How Radio Can Build Business in A PPM World.”

You might want to check it out and get his perspective on media and how it can and should be used and evaluated. For an example, his latest article on radio starts out: Whenever I hear “Radio is a frequency medium” I shudder. It implies two things, neither good. Either Radio messages don’t communicate very well, so you need say it again and again just to be sure. Or Radio’s reach is so limited that any typical schedule soon runs out of new listeners. I won’t argue with that. You can register on his website and download the full article.

Media

NAFB’s NFBS Makes Changes

Chuck Zimmerman

NFBS LiveThe latest NAFB eChats announced some big changes in their NFBS service.

NAFB Debuts Next-Generation NFBS

A new era begins for the National Farm Broadcast Service (NFBS) on June 1st, and for farm broadcasters and news partners, that means change for the better. Starting in June, the NFBS web site will have new hosting and content providers, and each will add significant new value, while actually reducing NAFB’s current overall costs.

For more information contact the NAFB office.

NAFB

Missouri Educational Farm Gets Boost From Pioneer

Chuck Zimmerman

Pioneer Hi-Bred LogoThe Thomas Jefferson Institute’s Educational Farm will be receiving a big gift from Pioneer Hi-Bred. It’s just up the road from yours truly. I hope to visit when it opens (or before) and bring you some pictures. Read on, visit their website and learn more.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International Supports New Educational Farm

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 1, 2005 — Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., today announced a $50,000 contribution to the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute in Columbia, Mo. The donation will be used to help fund the teaching greenhouse and adjoining plant preparation and lab facilities at the Institute’s Jefferson Educational Farm. The Educational Farm will demonstrate crops and their uses to students and other groups.
“Pioneer supports organizations that make a difference in agriculture, benefit youth and impact education,” said John Soper, Pioneer soybean research director. “The Jefferson Educational Farm will provide students and the general public with a more in-depth look at the role agriculture and emerging technology will play in meeting the food, fuel and fiber needs of a growing world population.”
Opening to the public in spring 2006, the Jefferson Educational Farm includes a visitor center, classrooms, office and meeting rooms, a teaching greenhouse, a children’s garden and demonstration gardens. Up to 10,000 students and other visitors are expected to tour the farm each year.

For more information contact Jerry Harrington.

Agribusiness

Elect Your Missour Beef Council Reps

Chuck Zimmerman

MBIC LogoMissouri’s cattle producers are urged to take part in elections for representatives to the Missouri Beef Industry Council. That’s the message in this week’s MBIC Report in which Cindy interviews executive director Steve Taylor.

You can listen to the MBIC Report now Download MP3 File

You can also subscribe to the MBIC Report podcast using the link which is always in our “Interviews” sidebar.

Ag Groups, Audio

Are You Born To Blog?

Chuck Zimmerman

Association Management Magazine CoverMany of our readers belong to the American Society of Association Executives and one of them brought the cover story of their latest magazine to my attention. You have to be a member to get it and I’m not but at least you can see that blogging is getting the attention of associations!

It really is a great communications tool for associations. What faster, easier way can you have to communicate to members and get their immediate feedback?

Uncategorized

Podcasts Your Kids Can Listen To

Chuck Zimmerman

Family Friendly PodcastsAs podcasters ourselves we keep an eye out for the latest in this fast-growing way to distribute audio content. There’s really too much going on in podcasting to bring it all to you here. But when we see something interesting we’ll let you know. Like Family Friendly Podcasts, which is a relatively new podcast directory that won’t list anything that contains foul language, sexual situations or drug or alcohol promotion. This does limit the list of currently available podcasts somewhat. They have listed the ZimmCast though and really like what we’re doing.

Family Friendly Podcasts is published by 1st Podcast Publishing. 1st Podcast Publishing will teach you how to create your own podcasts or you know who else you can call (hint, hint).

You might also be interested to know that TV Guide is now podcasting. As their website says “In this exclusive weekly Podcast, you can listen to Michael Ausiello and the TVGuide.com crew as they provide inside scoop, offbeat opinions and answers to your questions about the latest entertainment headlines, the hottest TV shows, the newest movies and the biggest celebrities. “

Podcasts

Valley Announces New Spider Dual Drive

Chuck Zimmerman

Valmont IrrigationYou know if I was having problems with my rut challenged soil and wondering what to do about it I’d call Valley!

Valley Introduces Rut Solution for Especially Challenging Soils

Irrigation season will be much easier for some growers if they don’t have to deal with wheel ruts. Certain soil types make this a challenge, and Valley is coming to the rescue. The industry leader in mechanized irrigation already has the V-3 Drive on the market, which puts three wheels at the base beam to provide more traction and flotation. Some situations, however, call for maximum assistance, and that’s why Valley Irrigation is now introducing the Spider Dual Drive.

Field test results show a 30-50% wheel rut reduction with the use of the Spider Dual Drive from Valley. Product Manager Jim Mikula says “This product provides a solution where other options have not proven acceptable. It’s the highest flotation and traction option available. The Spider Dual Drive minimizes rut depth in the field, and can be added to any span of a pivot, wherever the grower finds the most challenging soil conditions.”

For more information contact Kim Lang. By the way, Kim attended my Blogging 101 presentation at the Midlands NAMA chapter meeting last month. I hope we’ll see her put some of those creative ideas to work, along with others who were also there!

Agribusiness

New Look For Holstein Foundation Website

Chuck Zimmerman

Holstein FoundationWho am I not to post an announcement about a new web look?

Holstein Foundation Website – Same Address, New look

BRATTLEBORO, Vt., May 31, 2005– The Holstein Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of their newly redesigned website with improved site features and layout at www.holsteinfoundation.org.

“We have seen excitement for the Foundation at a whole new level this year. It is only fitting that our website reflects that,” said Jodi Luttropp, Holstein Foundation Programs Manager.

The redesigned website will appeal to the broad audience the Holstein Foundation works with to provide a wealth of information that is easy to find. For example, youth might look for practice questions for Dairy Bowl, a dairy judging team coach can download a related workbook and a proud grandparent can look for photos of their young stars in the photo album.

For more information contact Lisa Perrin.

Ag Groups

Soybean News For The Media

Chuck Zimmerman

Soybean ChronicleThe United Soybean Board has created a nifty little e-newsletter for media types which contains just a few short stories.

Stories in the latest issue include:

Supreme Court Rules Favorably for Beef Checkoff
Biodiesel Making Friends in High Places
Soy Biodiesel Joins the Yacht Club
Soybean Checkoff Rises to Fight the Aphid Challenge

Each story is short and contains suggestions for individuals to interview about each subject. I like how simple it is. You can scan it in just a few seconds to see if you’re interested and you know who to contact for more. Pretty good idea if you ask me.

Contact Chris Toebben or Tyler Kelley at Osborn & Barr Communications, 888-235-4332, for more information.

Ag Groups, USB