John Deere Picks McCormick Company for Marketing

Cindy Zimmerman

johndeerelogoJohn Deere today announced the selection of McCormick Company as its marketing agency for John Deere agricultural equipment media and creative projects, and John Deere Financial’s agribusiness market. The relationship will be managed from McCormick’s Kansas City and Des Moines offices.

mccormick“It’s a sincere privilege for our company to have the opportunity to work alongside the teams at John Deere and John Deere Financial,” says Mark Perrin, president of McCormick Company. “We look forward to a long and productive relationship and helping steward one of the most preeminent brands in agriculture.”

McCormick Company will work with Deere in two primary areas: Agricultural Equipment platforms in the United States and Canada as well as John Deere Financial in the agribusiness market. The agency will manage buying and placing media for the complete line of John Deere agricultural equipment – including row-crop and 4WD tractors, combines, planting and seeding tools, sprayers, utility tractors, hay tools, equipment attachments, parts, and services; as well as providing account and creative services. In addition, McCormick was selected to provide full agency service for John Deere Financial, agribusiness market.

Advertising, Agencies, Agribusiness, John Deere

NSP & USCP Announce New Hires

Jamie Johansen

nspNational Sorghum Producers and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program announced the hiring of two employees to its national headquarters in Lubbock, Texas, and the hiring of one southeast regional director.

“We are excited to welcome these talented new individuals to team sorghum,” said NSP and USCP CEO Tim Lust. “Each are uniquely qualified individuals that will be an asset to our organization, ensuring we continue to be the best in serving the sorghum industry.”

Debra Lloyd joins NSP as director of operations with more than 20 years of experience in operations management and finance. Lloyd was a small business owner for 13 years and has a B.B.A. in accounting from Texas Tech University.

Kelli Fulkerson takes the NSP communications director position. Fulkerson grew up on a farm and ranch in Michigan. She is a former Michigan state FFA officer and is a graduate of South Dakota State University with dual degrees in animal science and agricultural communications and a minor in marketing.

Brent Crafton will serve both NSP and USCP as a southeast regional director and assist with sustainability. Crafton previously organized the energy crop and grain sorghum field demonstrations in North America for Abengoa Bioenergy, and he has worked in the environmental monitoring field for six years. Crafton also served in the United States Army. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, specializing in agriculture technology.

Additionally, Jennifer Blackburn has been named external affairs director for NSP and USCP. She previously held the position as NSP communications coordinator for four and a half years and recently served as the NSP director of operations during an interim period this fall. Blackburn takes over the external affairs director position from Lindsay Kennedy who will return to Texas Tech University in 2015 to pursue her Ph.D.

Ag Groups, sorghum

AGCO Operator of the Year at ARA Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

Brent KleinThe winner of a brand new Harley-Davidson motorcycle at the ARA Convention is Brent Klein, Simplot Grower Solutions. He beat out 4 finalists for the AGCO Application Equipment Operator of the Year Award. This is the ninth consecutive year the company has recognized North America’s top custom applicators who consistently bring outstanding skill, dedication and passion to their jobs. Brent is pictured receiving his plaque from AGCO’s Mark Sharitz.

I think Brent was a little overwhelmed with his award. Now he gets to figure out how to get his prize back home! You can see Brent on his prize bike here.

You can listen to my interview with Brent here: Interview with Brent Klein, Simplot

2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

Upgrade Propane Equipment for Year-End Savings

Cindy Zimmerman

propane-incentiveNow is the time to take advantages of year-end tax deductions by upgrading your on-farm propane equipment.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has three incentive programs where farmers can get up to $10,000 toward the purchase of new propane equipment for the farm and home.

The Propane Farm Incentive Program offers up to $5,000 on eligible propane irrigation engines, grain dryers, ag heaters, generators, and more.
The Propane Mower Incentive Program, now extended through March 31, 2015, is offering double incentive dollars, up to $2,000, toward the purchase of a new propane-powered mower, and up to $1,000 toward a qualified conversion.
The Propane Heat & Power Incentive Program offers financial incentives of up to $10,000 for eligible propane-powered products, such as standby generators and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

“Post-harvest is the perfect time to consider equipment upgrades for cutting input costs and increasing profits — and that’s where new fuel-efficient propane technology comes in,” said Cinch Munson, PERC’s director of agriculture business development. “PERC incentives reduce costs for new equipment, so farmers will see a return on their investments in a shorter amount of time and be set for a productive and cost-efficient 2015.”

PERC recently released a suite of cost calculator tools to help producers estimate fuel savings and ROI for propane irrigation engines, work trucks, and commercial mowers in comparison with their running on conventional fuels like diesel and gasoline. The calculators are available for use online, as a desktop tool, and as mobile applications for phones and tablets available in app stores for iOS and Android devices.

Equipment, Propane

An FFA Welcome to Ag Retailers Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

Louisiana FFAAttendees to the 2014 Agricultural Retailers Convention were welcomed this morning by two of the Louisiana state officers of the National FFA.

On the stage were Christen Wall (l) and Nicole Roofner. Christen talked about her family alligator farm and Nicole gave us an invocation. Both are high school seniors but already have plans for what they want to do with their careers. I’ll let you listen to them describe their ambitions.

You can listen to my interview with Christen and Nikki here: Interview with Louisiana FFA members

You can find lots of convention photos here: 2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo Album

Ag Groups, ARA, Audio, FFA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

Ag Retailers Kick Off Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

Daren CoppockThe 2014 Agricultural Retailers Association Convention & Expo is underway in New Orleans. The President/CEO for ARA is Daren Coppock, pictured here with some of our younger attendees from FFA and AFA. Great to see them here!

Daren says attendance is at a record this year and judging by the crowd at the opening reception and today’s opening general session it’s a big one. The big keynote speakers include Mike Vande Logt, Winfield and Kenny Cordell, Pinnacle Ag Holdings. I’ll feature some of their remarks when I can. Daren also says that the networking opportunities with ag retailers and agribusinesses here at the convention is always one of the key reasons they love to attend.

You can listen to my interview with Daren here: Interview with Daren Coppock, ARA

The hashtag for the convention is #ARA2014.

You can find lots of convention photos here: 2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo Album

Ag Groups, ARA, Audio

NAMA Nominations Sought

Cindy Zimmerman

namaThe National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is seeking nominations for the cream of the 2014 crop – Agribusiness Leader of the Year and NAMA Marketer of the Year.

Who do you think belongs in the company of such past agribusiness leaders as Sonny Beck of Beck’s Hybrids (2014), Thad Simons of Novus International (2013), John Becherer of United Soybean Board (2012), and Jeff Simmons of Elanco (2011)? What marketers meet the high standards set by Jeff Hartz of Wyffels Hybrids (2014), Steve Vandeberg of Merial Limited (2013), Greg Guse of Paulsen Marketing (2012), or Roger Reierson of AdFarm (2011)?

The deadline to submit your nominations is January 16, 2015. Winners of these prestigious awards will be honored at the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 15 – 17 in Kansas City, MO. Celebrate the achievements and impressive careers of the very best in agriculture with NAMA – Growing Greatness!

Agencies, Agribusiness, NAMA

Alltech’s 2014 Harvest Analysis Results

Jamie Johansen

alltechAlltech will be unveiling the 2014 Harvest Analysis Results from their 37+ Mycotoxin Analysis program and during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk, Chuck spoke with Ann Hess, North American Field PR Manager for Alltech about their discoveries.

“A few years ago we started the Alltech 37+ Mycotoxin Analysis program that analyzes up to 38 toxins in feed samples. It’s surprising each year what we find and often more than meets the eye. This year experts are estimating a record plus year for yields, but an abundant harvest doesn’t always mean a problem free crop for livestock.”

Producers who send in their samples receive a customized report and then an Alltech rep will visit each operation to examine where the mycotoxins might be entering into the feed. Solutions will vary, but storage plays a big factor.

The Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team will be releasing their annual North American Harvest Analysis Survey and producers can see the latest results from the 2014 crop, the potential mycotoxin challenges for 2015 and ways to protect livestock health and performance.

Find out more about Alltech’s mycotoxin testing in Chuck’s complete interview with Ann: Interview with Ann Hess, Alltech


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio, Feed, Forage

Google Glass Wedding

Cindy Zimmerman

wedding1We are back at ZimmComm World Headquarters today after spending Thanksgiving in Cancun marrying off our youngest daughter to a wonderful young man we are proud to call our new son-in-law.

The setting for the wedding was just beautiful in a Catholic chapel on the beach. All of my family was there from south Florida, which made it very special. And Daddy wore Google Glass walking Caitlin down the aisle, which you can see below. Congratulations to our newlyweds – Clint and Caitlin Underwood – and our adorable grandson Cruz and baby brother Case on the way.

laura-weddingWe were so pleased to be able to have one of the best photographers in the world capture this special day for us. Our long-time AgWired readers will remember Laura McNamara who was our very first freelancer back in 2007-2009. She lives in Playa del Carmen, Mexico – just about an hour away from Cancun – so she was able to be our photographer.

In all the craziness of the wedding day we neglected to get a photo of her with us, but here is a screen shot of her at work. It was so wonderful to see her again! Be sure to check out her website PlayaLoves.me to see her work.


Photography, Video, ZimmComm Announcement