AgNerd Cloud – Ayrstone Ayrmesh

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 461It’s time for another edition of the AgNerd Cloud, a fairly regular column on new technology for the farm. In this program we’ll learn about how you can obtain a good internet cloud on your property that can include remote ethernet connections via a new wireless device!

Ayrmesh Hub2nThanks to Bill Moffitt, Ayrstone Productivity, for working with us by supplying some products that include a few Ayrmesh Hubs (Hub2n) and an Ayrmesh Receiver. These have been installed at ZimmComm World Headquarters and at the Walkin’ Z Ranch. The Walkin’ Z is my brother Paul’s Georgia farm. In this program you’ll hear him and his son Eli talk about they Ayrmesh system they set up to have good wifi coverage over all of their property and buildings. In the photo is one of Paul’s Ayrmesh Hubs that is mounted on the roof of his home. It is connected to another Hub at his guest house where Eli is living while he attends college.

Ayrmesh ReceiverAt ZimmComm World Headquarters I have an Ayrmesh hub set up that is connected to an Ayrmesh Receiver (pictured). The Receiver takes the Hub signal and provides me with an ethernet connection that I have running through an ethernet switch (splitter) to provide me with multiple ethernet cable connections in the second building on my property.

They work great! They’re simple to set up and Ayrstone support is fantastic. ‘Nuff said.

Listen in to my conversation with Paul and Eli as we talk about using the Ayrstone system: AgNerd Cloud - Ayrstone Ayrmesh

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Agribusiness, Audio, Internet, ZimmCast

AgChat National Collegiate Congress

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.01.45 PMIn the world of agricultural communications and public relations, training and preparation are key. Unfortunately, many students today don’t have access to the training necessary to become great communicators. The AgChat Foundation has been working for years to help build the next generation of agricultural advocates.

This January AgChat Foundation is hosting the first Collegiate Congress, a conference for college-aged students to help build their communications skill set, both online and off-line. How can you help? If your office has an intern, send them to the conference. If you know of other young people looking to become better leaders, encourage them to attend as well and share the word with your colleagues within the industry.

Ag Groups

MGEX Sets New Records

Cindy Zimmerman

mgex2014 was a record year for the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) in total volume of trading at 2,177,740.

It marks the first time in history that the Exchange’s volume has surpassed 2 million in a calendar year. Electronic volume during 2014 was 1,856,423, which is also an all-time high for the Exchange.

Total volume from 2014 was 47 percent higher than it was during 2013. Five new monthly volume records were set during the year, which also included the highest open interest day in the history of MGEX – 82,056, set on April 17.

Following Wednesday’s activity, MGEX also set a new record for total volume during the month of December, finishing at 167,617. This is the second-straight month that the Exchange has set a new monthly record, having done so in November, as well. Electronic volume during December was also a new high for the month, coming in at 144,101 and the 18th best month electronically in Exchange history.

Markets

GROWMARK Cultivating Master Farmers Program

John Davis

Learning from someone who has “been there and done that” can be some of the most valuable lessons of all. That’s why GROWMARK, along with the other sponsors, including 1st Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Illinois, Illinois Farm Bureau, Monsanto, and Prairie Farmer are looking for applicants for the Cultivating Master Farmers (CMF) program for the class of 2017.

Now in its tenth year, the Cultivating Master Farmer program has provided expert farm and family guidance from folks who have walked the walk. This unique mentoring program links young farmers with a wealth of information from Prairie Farmer’s Master Farmers.

cultivatingmasterfarmersClasses of approximately 10 young farmers (21 to 35 years old) and 10 Master Farmers are selected for the two-year program, which features six ag-related events. The Class of 2015, which graduates in July, toured the Chicago Farmer’s Market, the Federal Reserve, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. They also heard from acclaimed speakers on estate/succession planning, diversification on the farm, marketing strategies, how to give back, and managing working relationships with family members.

Like previous classes, incoming CMF members will have plenty of opportunity to hear from a top-notch slate of speakers. However, the real backbone of the program is the round-table discussion, where young farmers learn from Master Farmers and vice versa. Upon the completion of the two-year program, most participants have developed lasting relationships that continue to yield solid farm advice even after the program’s conclusion.

Young farmers need to get their applications in by March 31, 2015. They must be residents of Illinois, be between the ages of 21 to 35 as of Dec. 31, 2014, and actively engaged in production agriculture. They also must be willing to actively participate in the two-year program. Couples are encouraged to apply.

More information is on the GROWMARK website.

Ag Groups, GROWMARK

First AgriBlogger Event of 2015

Chuck Zimmerman

2015 Beltwide Cotton ConferencesWhat is the first event on the agriblogging highway for the ZimmComm Team? The Beltwide Cotton Conferences in San Antonio. Much thanks to NuFarm for making this possible.

It will actually be a short trip for Chuck but that’s where you’ll find him tomorrow.

You can find the program here.

Coverage of the Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by Coverage of the Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by NuFarm
Agribusiness, Nufarm

Where in the World was the Gold Mic in 2014

Chuck Zimmerman

2014-world-micWith a lot of help from Cindy here’s the answer to the question.

Another busy year is history as ZimmComm New Media moved into its second decade in 2014, celebrating our 10 year anniversary in April.

The ZimmComm team covered 78 events around the world in 2014, in twenty different states and five other countries – six if you count the visit to Mexico for our youngest daughter’s wedding!

2014-us-micAmong the highlights: getting caught in Atlanta’s snow fiasco covering the International Production and Processing Expo in January, going on an airboat ride in Wild Florida at the National Ethanol Conference, having NAMA in the Sunshine State, joining international bloggers in France – oh, and becoming grandparents, seeing one daughter marry and another become a doctor!

We now have almost 123,000 photos in 546 Flickr photo albums – and if you go visit before the end of the year we might hit the 10 million view mark! Update: We have passed that mark!

2014 was an exceptional year in many ways and we are most grateful to our fabulous family and friends, both inside and outside the wonderful world of agriculture. Thanks be to God for the good people in our lives!

The ZimmComm golden microphone is getting a few days of holiday R&R but preparing to get back on the Agriblogging Highway in January. Watch for the mic at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, American Farm Bureau convention, National Biodiesel Conference, and IPPE – just to start the new year off right1

ZimmComm Announcement

2015 CCA Communications Contest Entries

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2015-01-02 at 9.22.01 AMEntries for Cooperative Communicators Association’s 2015 Communications Contest are now being accepted. This year, electronic, rather than printed, contest brochures have been issued to save money and allow more in-depth category descriptions. The early bird deadline for the entries is Friday, Feb. 6.

All the brochures, information and forms you need to submit your contest entries are available on the CCA website.

Questions can be answered by Marian McLemore, CCA Vice President and overall contest chair, at mmclemore@flintemc.com, or the CCA Business Office at ccacontest@communicators.coop.

Ag Groups

AgWired on MyFarmRadio

Chuck Zimmerman

AgWired on MyFarmRadio

Want to listen to AgWired audio on a brand new channel? Try out MyFarmRadio courtesy of Farm Journal.

All you need to do is download the app to your mobile device and look for us in the on-demand section. We’ll be featuring our regular podcasts as well as special interviews and other types of audio that we hope you’ll be interested in. Got ideas for what you’d like to hear? Feel free to make suggestions and let us know how you like the app!

Apps, Media, Podcasts

New Holland Wishing Everyone Happy Holidays

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2014-12-30 at 8.51.09 AMThere are many reasons to be thankful this holiday season.

As we head into our 120th year, we can think of many.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year.

Abe Hughes, VP New Holland North America and the New Holland Team

Agribusiness