Eggs and Kevin Bacon

Chuck Zimmerman

Kevin Bacon and EggsPlease don’t make puns about Kevin’s last name. He would appreciate it. I’m sure he’s also appreciating the American Egg Board for including him in their latest campaign, Wake up to Eggs with Bacon.

Nobody knows eggs better than bacon, which is why America’s egg farmers are teaming up with the most famous bacon of all, Kevin Bacon. The new marketing campaign, slated to launch March 13, is an integrated promotional effort that will bring attention to the many nutritional benefits of the Incredible Edible Egg, just in time for Easter.

“With a last name like Bacon, I’m the obvious choice, and I’m excited to be a part of the new Incredible Edible Egg campaign,” said Kevin Bacon. “I like the creativity behind the idea, and I’ve always been a big fan of eggs. They’re a nutritional powerhouse and I never get tired of them because there are so many ways you can eat them.”
The actor will be featured in a variety of online video, print, digital and social media ads throughout the next year. Grey New York is the American Egg Board’s creative agency, Starcom handles media planning and buying, and Edelman oversees PR and social media.


Ag Groups, Video

Thirsty Land Documentary in Production

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 469The director of The Great American Wheat Harvest documentary is back in action with a new project called Thirsty Land.

Will there be enough water to survive? “Thirsty Land” is an exciting new documentary that tells the story of drought, its impact on agriculture, communities and the global food supply.

“The story of drought needs to be told! Our global food supply and our very survival of humans depend on clean, abundant fresh water. I want to make the audience think about it every time they take a drink of water, enjoy a shower or water their lawn,” says Weaver.

Thirsty Land Movie

Conrad is working with the Robert B. Daugherty Water For Food Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska in partnering for the production of “Thirsty Land” film. DWFI, along with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, have provided startup sponsorship funds for the project to move ahead.

“We are very pleased to participate in this important documentary about the challenges of drought and climate change,” said Roberto Lenton, founding executive director of the Water for Food Institute. “It supports our mission by educating people about the threats, as well as the opportunities, to achieving water and food security for generations to come.”

Learn more about Thirsty Land and how you can support the project in this week’s program: Thirsty Land Documentary


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Audio, Education, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • ADAMA, a world leader in customer-focused agricultural solutions, announced that NIMITZ nematicide received state registration in California for use on tomatoes, peppers, okra, eggplant, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupe and squash.
  • Kenneth A. Spearman has been designated by President Barack Obama as Chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration.
  • World Dairy Expo (WDE) is pleased to announce the addition of Nicole Smith, Communications Specialist, to their staff.
  • Starting March 16, beef and dairy producers can enter the “Rev It Up” My ROI Checkoff Challenge by visiting the MyBeefCheckoff Facebook page to share how the beef checkoff has impacted their operations.
Zimfo Bytes

Right Relevance is Right

Chuck Zimmerman

Right RelevanceHave you ever wondered who the influencers are in your industry? Where to find “deep relevant content?” Try Right Relevance which was founded by Vishal Mishra and Sumit Taank in August 2013.

Right Relevance came to my attention via Twitter since yours truly showed up in a list of influencers for the keyword search, Agribusiness. 1039 results showed up. Check out the list and see who the influencers are!

Internet, Social Media

Letter Calls for USDA, HHS to Reject Dietary Report

Jamie Johansen

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined 29 of her colleagues in objecting to a report on food guidelines that advises Americans to decrease consumption of red meat. In a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, the senators condemn the report’s conclusions, which ignore relevant scientific evidence on nutrition. Senator Fischer released the following statement regarding the report this afternoon:

“The recommendations in this report are misguided and if enacted, could have a devastating effect on Nebraska’s livestock industry. Any changes to our nation’s food policies must be based on sound science and outside experts. Our ranchers, and the millions of Americans they feed, could be harmed for generations by inaccurate and unfounded reports like this.”

Every five years, USDA and HHS review the dietary guidelines for American food nutrition policy. Last month, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee – whose members are appointed by HHS and USDA – submitted their report recommending that Americans eat less red meat and consume more fruits and vegetables. Their recommendations were based on environmental impact concerns, not science. HHS and USDA use this report as the foundation to develop standards for national nutrition policy, including the school lunch program.

The senators’ letter, led by Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), also requests an extension of the 45-day comment period to ensure stakeholders have enough time to review and comment on the report’s questionable findings.

Ag Groups, Food, USDA

Monsanto Offers New Cotton Varieties for 2015 Season

Taylor Truckey

mid-south-15-gholstonWhile at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, our own Chuck Zimmerman had a chance to chat with Monsanto’s Keylon Gholston, Cotton Product Manager with Monsanto, who provided insight into new cotton technologies and products that will be beneficial to growers.

Keylon was excited to further explore the 2015 varieties that Monsanto released in December; “We really want to bring increased yield and fiber quality to the market place.” Deltapine 1555 Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex has extremely high yield potential with fiber quality that is a step above the current line-up. The second variety is Deltapine 1558 Bollguard II Flex NR, a root knot nematode resistant variety that yields well under heavy or moderate nematode pressure.

Five XtendFlex varieties have been announced for 2015 after Monsanto received deregulation of the Xtend technology; DP 1518 B2XF and DP 1522 B2XF for shorter season markets, DP 1538 B2XF & DP 1553 B2XF for mid- to full-season markets, and DP1549 for acres in West Texas and Arizona.

All varieties, five XtendFlex & two Flex, are available for the 2015 growing season. Gholston stressed optimism in the cotton industry due to genetic advancements made within the last ten years that have improved yield and efficiency, thereby increasing profitability for growers.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Keylon here: Interview with Keylon Gholston, Farm and Gin Show

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Audio, Cotton, Crop Protection

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Advanta announces the launch of its new website, PhoenixCorn.com, dedicated to the sale of Phoenix® brand corn hybrids.
  • AgriLabs announced it has appointed Sean O’Hare as executive vice president effective March 1.
  • EPA is registering a new miticide, oxalic acid, to combat the devastating effects of the Varroa mite on honey bee colonies.
  • The National 4-H Council’s sixth annual 4-H Legacy Awards will be held Thursday, April 23, 2015, at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.
Zimfo Bytes

Catching up With Anna Leigh Peek

Chuck Zimmerman

Anna Leigh PeakWhile wandering around this year’s Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Anna Leigh Peek found me. Anna worked with Cindy and me on-location at the 2014 National Farm Machinery Show to gain experience as an agriblogger. It’s always great to see her. She graduated from Auburn and is now working for Monsanto as a consumer engagement specialist working with our good friend Janice Persons. Anna is also doing graduate school work in St. Louis.

You can listen to my interview with Anna here: Interview with Anna Leigh Peek

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Farm Shows

Mississippi State University Utilizes Drones

Taylor Truckey

mid-south-15-moorehead Robert Moorehead, Director of Geosystems Research Institute and Northern Gulf Institutes at Mississippi State University, was at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show to showcase the research being done on harnessing UAV technology on farm.. Moorehead had a chance to chat with Chuck Zimmerman about their use of UAVs and drones.

Geosystems Research focuses on agriculture; they utilize UAV technology to determine plant development, particularly in early-plant corn. Using one of the drones that they had on display, they “can view down to 1/8″ resolution to determine growth problems” or animal impacts, especially from feral hogs.

The number of producers using UAV technologies has steadily grown over the last 2-3 years; it has increased the demand for research that shows cost benefit information in addition to ways to utilize UAV usage on farm.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Robert here: Interview with Robert Moorehead, Mississippi State University

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Farming, Technology, Uncategorized

USA Rice Federation at 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show

Taylor Truckey

mid-south-15-jemisonThe USA Rice Federation is the commodity association that represents all industry aspects (growers, millers, merchants) of the rice industry; they have members in all 6 major rice producing states. While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Randy Jemison, Director of Louisiana Field Operations for USA Rice Federation, spoke with Chuck Zimmerman about their role in supporting rice production.

When asked about current priorities for USA Rice Federation, Jemison said, “Our #1 priority is to make all of our industry aspects viable, and profitable. On our production side, it’s important to maintain markets and improve marketing via trade.”

When Trade Promotion Authority came up in conversation, Jemison stressed the importance of trade for rice growers in the USA: “Anything dealing with trade that will allow our government to make sure we are dealing on a level playing field is always part of our focus.”

Jemison mentioned price slide being a major concern due to rice overstock around the world. “Our growers are growing the best rice in the world but they’re fighting a tough battle right now with low prices so we’re doing our best to protect and expand our markets.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Randy here: Interview with Randy Jemison, USA Rice Federation

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Rice, Trade