2015 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Underway

Chuck Zimmerman January 5, 2015

The “new format” is now in its second year. That is the new format of the annual Beltwide Cotton Conferences. The conferences have been slimmed down to three days and there is no trade show. I missed last year’s in New Orleans but thanks to my sponsor, Nufarm, I am able to spend a day here in San Antonio.

To get an overview of this year’s program I spoke with the coordination, Dale Thompson, Manager, Marketing & Processing Technology at National Cotton Council of America. Dale says the conference has really dialed in on the consultants who are advising so many farmers today. There are cotton farmers here of course but many are relying more and more on their advisors as technology in agriculture continues to move fast. Learn more about what’s going on at this year’s Beltwide in my interview with Dale.

You can listen to my interview with Dale here: Interview with Dale Thompson

You can find photos from the opening day of the conferences here: 2015 Beltwide Cotton Conferences

Coverage of the Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, Cotton

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes January 5, 2015

Eli Lilly and Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of Novartis Animal Health, which will further position Lilly’s Elanco as a global leader in the animal health industry.
S&W Seed Company and DuPont Pioneer announced the closing of the previously disclosed acquisition by S&W of DuPont Pioneer’s alfalfa production and research facility assets, as well as conventional (non-GMO) alfalfa germplasm, for a purchase price of up to $42 million.
The NCGA-FMC Ag Weather Advisor, prepared by Blue Water Outlook, is a special, free member benefit that can help growers stay a step ahead.
Shook, Hardy & Bacon has graciously offered to host the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City in January, for what has become a traditional legal update for the Council.

Zimfo Bytes

Farm Bureau Proud 2015 Convention

Cindy Zimmerman January 5, 2015

Innovation and technology will be in the spotlight at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th annual convention, which begins this weekend in San Diego.

Big, new and really different this year is the IDEAg Innovate Conference and Trade Show that will feature topics such as managing agricultural big data, the use of drones for farming purposes, precision agriculture and Internet strategies for farmers and ranchers. The IDEAg conference will be held from 8:00 to 10:30 am on Saturday, the trade show will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 10:30 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday.

AFBF’s Dan Durheim says a survey of Farm Bureau members guided the planning for convention this year. “And what they told us is ‘give us more opportunity to engage with the commercial people.'” said Durheim. “It’s really finding that sweet spot behind what we do really well, which is policy work and advocacy, as well as making our trade show more robust.”

The events and exhibits on Saturday and Sunday will be open to all farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals, not just Farm Bureau members. There is no fee for Farm Bureau members to attend but they are encouraged to register online at annualconvention.fb.org. Non-members may attend the IDEAg conference by paying $75, in addition to $10 to attend the trade show, by registering online at annualconvention.fb.org.

The convention kicks off with the opening general session on Sunday morning, when AFBF President Bob Stallman will share Farm Bureau’s direction for 2015. At the general session on Monday morning, Commander Rorke Denver will provide insights on teamwork and courage when faced with pressure-filled situations, and comedian Jay Leno will leave us laughing at the closing general session.

The convention also includes two dozen workshops covering a variety of topics and issues on Sunday and Monday. Topics covered will include how to become a more effective advocate for agriculture, big data, the latest technology trends, updates on economic issues affecting today’s farmers, and skills and ideas leaders can take home and apply at their county and state Farm Bureaus.

Members attending the convention are also encouraged to support ag literacy by bidding on items in the online/onsite auction and purchasing tickets to attend the Flapjack Fundraiser, the golf outing or the Foundation’s Night Out event. Learn more at annualconvention.fb.org.

I’m heading to San Diego on Saturday so hope to see you there!

AFBF

AgNerd Cloud – Ayrstone Ayrmesh

Chuck Zimmerman January 5, 2015

It’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!

Thanks 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.

At 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

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by

Locally owned, globally strong.

Agribusiness, Audio, Internet, ZimmCast

AgChat National Collegiate Congress

Jamie Johansen January 5, 2015

In 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 January 5, 2015

2014 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 January 5, 2015

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.

Classes 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 January 4, 2015

What 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

Agribusiness, Nufarm

Where in the World was the Gold Mic in 2014

Chuck Zimmerman January 4, 2015

With 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!

Among 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 January 2, 2015

Entries 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

Page 850 of 2,393
←
1
...
849
850
851
...
2393
→