Pork Economic Situation and Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman

bivi-nc-meyerThe record yields and production predicted for the U.S. corn crop this year have good potential to get even bigger, according to livestock economist Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics.

“It just looks very good … we’re looking at a great crop,” said Meyer at the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica North Carolina Swine Health Seminar last week. “Based on history, the two years we’re comparing to right now are 1994 and 2004, and in those cases, the final yield got 10-12 bushels larger than the August estimate. So my guess is this crop’s going to get bigger before we put it in the bin.”

USDA is estimating 167.4 bushels per acre for corn right now, but Meyer thinks 180 is within reach, and that’s good news for livestock producers looking at near record feed availability and lower prices. “We’re not going back to $2 corn and $180 bean meal but we’re at the lowest levels on costs in five years,” he said. “We’re in a lot better place from a cost standpoint, we’re in a lot better place from a demand standpoint.”

Meyer says demand right now is being driven by consumer interest in high protein diets. “Demand has been excellent for both beef and pork,” he said. “Less concern about fat and cholesterol, a lot more concern about carbohydrates. Some fundamental changes in consumer tastes and preferences that we think has got legs and is going to be here for a while.”

Interview with Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics

2014 BIVI NC Swine Health Seminar Photos

Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Grains, Livestock, Pork

John Deere Certified Pre-Owned

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere Bill WeberDuring the John Deere product launch taking place in Milwaukee, WI, I visited with Bill Weber who told me that not all the announcements are “new.” By that I mean we talked about the new John Deere Certified Pre-Owned Equipment program.


John Deere introduces a new Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Equipment program to assist customers looking for field-ready used machines with the latest technology to increase overall productivity for their farm or business operation.

“Some customers have not upgraded their machinery fleet in a few years and the Certified Pre-Owned Equipment program will allow them to trade up to later model machines with new technology,” says Bill Weber, division manager, remarketing, John Deere. “Typically, these machines have better fuel economy, comfort, convenience, and the latest technology to provide exceptional value to customers wanting to enhance and improve their overall equipment line-up.”
Every Certified Pre-Owned tractor or combine is covered by a comprehensive PowerGard™ Protection Plan that provides extra value and cost-of-ownership effectiveness. All main components are covered including engine, transmission, final drives, hubs, steering components, electronics, hydraulics, cab, and air conditioning. There are some deductibles and John Deere dealers will have more detailed information about the PowerGard coverages.

“No one else offers a low-hour used machine that’s been field tested, inspected and certified on over 170 points for tractors and 200 points on combines,” says Weber. “Plus, customers will have the peace of mind to know that these machines are covered with one year of PowerGard protection.”
All Certified Pre-Owned machines will also receive a free one-year subscription to JDLink™ which monitors machinery location and performance, tracks fuel usage, and manages and protects equipment from a laptop, desktop, or mobile device.

You can listen to my interview with Bill here: Interview with Bill Weber 2015 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, John Deere

John Deere Virtual Trainer

Chuck Zimmerman

Randy KasOn stage doing training for John Deere this week is Brian the virtual trainer. He’s pictured in the middle with Randy Kasperbauer on the right and Laura Donaldson. I talked with Randy about Brian.

Brian is a simulated customer with pre-recorded responses that Randy can control from his tablet. Some of the things Brian talks about is building his data network. He’s a true AgNerd!

You can listen to my interview here: Interview with Randy Kasperbauer

In the video you can see some of Brian’s presentation points.


2015 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Agribusiness, John Deere, Video

2014 John Deere Product Launch

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere Product LaunchJust in time for the fall farm show season, John Deere is announcing new products and updates to many existing ones. The event is taking place in Milwaukee, WI. The company is running daily presentations for dealers and I was invited in as part of the media group this week.

We’re going to not only be in the classroom at the Wisconsin Center but also out in the field. I’ll be sharing interviews, stories and photos as I get them and can get some online editing time.

I’m sharing photos from the event here: 2015 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Agribusiness, Equipment, John Deere

Policy is Priority for ASA

Jamie Johansen

ams-14-asa-ray-gaesserRay Gaesser farms with his family in Southwest Iowa. They harvest about 3,000 acres each of corn and soybeans each year along with serving as President of the American Soybean Association. Chuck spoke with him recently at Ag Media Summit and they talked policy.

Ray said that policies are ASA’s priority and reiterated their work to get the farm bill passed. He said they are continuing to work with USDA to make sure it is implemented and that farmers understand the programs within it. Of course another hot topic is Waters of the United States. Ray said they have met with the EPA a lot and recently hosted a webinar with Nancy Stoner to allow growers to ask questions concerning this issue.

“It appears to many of us in agriculture that the new rules and regulations allow EPA to reach even farther from our farms. Originally we thought navigable water was navigable water.”

Along with the rest of the agricultural community, ASA, is questioning EPA’s definition of navigable.

“We are really confident that a farmer knows how to manage their land much better then someone in Washington D.C. or even someone at the regional or state level. All the farmers I know really do want to take care of their land. They want to sequester the nutrients and keep the soil in place.”

You can listen to my interview with Ray here: Interview with Ray Gaesser, American Soybean Association

Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by
Ag Media Summit coverage is sponsored by FMCAg Media Summit coverage is sponsored by New Holland
Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit, Audio, Soybean

Join ZimmComm Team This Fall

Jamie Johansen

zimmcomZimmComm New Media is now taking applications for a fall intern. Students in the agricultural communications field interested in attending and learning how to “agri-blog” some of the most important industry events held every year should apply.

The opportunities will include all-expense paid trips to one or more industry events where students will assist in the compiling of photos, audio, video and posting of activities on pertinent websites. Interns will learn and develop communication tools, techniques and technology to gather and distribute information through various social media channels. Per-diem and college credits may also be available.

Right now we are looking for an intern to travel with us to World Dairy Expo, National FFA Convention and/or National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention.

YES! I’m interested in learning how to do some agri-blogging. Apply Below.
[gravityform id=”1″ name=”ZimmComm Internship” description=”false”]

Education, ZimmComm Announcement

John Deere’s History at Ag Media Summit

Jamie Johansen

ams-14-jd-barry-nelsonJohn Deere’s, Barry Nelson, has been attending Ag Media Summit for 14 years and is simply amazed with the amount of relationships and friendships he has built.

“The value for us, John Deere, is if an editor needs any information they know the person to go to. They can get the images, the information needed. It’s a great convention to get to know people.”

This year’s Summit had record attendance and has truly evolved from Barry’s first conference 14 years ago. He said as media has moved from only print to include all media types, events like this are needed to aid in the education process allowing all to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest.

Barry also talked about John Deere’s upcoming product launch where they will debut the expansion of their entire commercial hay line. They have invited media to take a quick first-glance at the equipment, which will take place tomorrow and we will be there to take it all in.

“We think that is going to be a growing market in the next few years because of what is happening with beef right now. We are going to have a whole new array of products for hay producers out there.”

You can listen to my interview with Barry here: Interview with Barry Nelson, John Deere

Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by
Ag Media Summit coverage is sponsored by FMCAg Media Summit coverage is sponsored by New Holland
Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, John Deere

Farm Progress Show Keeps Growing

Jamie Johansen

2014-fpsFor the 9th consecutive year the ZimmComm Team will be at Farm Progress Show to cover all the happenings. A special thanks goes out to our generous sponsors New Holland, FMC, GROWMARK, Ag Leader, John Deere and Bayer CropScience for making all the news we bring you possible.

Growth projections for the Farm Progress Show site in Boone, Iowa, continue to exceed the original site development plans. Visitors at the 2014 show to be held next week Aug. 26, 27 and 28 will find the largest show held on this site to date, including an annex created in the north visitor parking lot, immediately outside Gate #1 to satisfy this increased need for more display area.

“The exhibitors with lots in the annex did not participate in the 2012 show,” says Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events manager. “Plus, some companies who have not exhibited for a while, such as McCormick and Caterpillar, are coming back.”

“A brand new exhibitor at the Iowa show is Beck’s Hybrids, from Atlanta, IN. Until now the company did not market in Iowa or exhibit at the Iowa show,” adds Jungmann. “Beck’s has announced a territory expansion into two crop reporting districts in eastern Iowa and three crop reporting districts in Missouri. We’re happy to have them at the show.”

This additional Annex space brings the permanent show site to Boone to 3.68 million square feet of exhibit area, nearly 85 acres. Since the Farm Progress Show held in Boone in 2008, the exhibitor count has grown by more than 100, now with more than 600 exhibitors. Additionally, the show occupies 300 acres for field demonstrations and test drive areas, plus an additional 150 acres for visitor parking.

Ag Groups, Farm Progress Show, Farm Shows

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • The USDA announced to industry stakeholders that it would rein-in misleading language on organic packaging that all too often has been suspected of confusing consumers.
  • Laura Wood Peterson joins Syngenta as manager of federal government relations, based in Washington, D.C. In this role, Peterson will support the company’s strategic federal government relations including outreach and advocacy.
  • AgGateway announced that President and CEO Rod Conner is resigning effective January 1, 2015, in order to lead the newly formed AgGateway Global Network; and that current Executive Vice President and COO Wendy Smith will move into the role of AgGateway President and CEO beginning in 2015.
  • POET-DSM’s Project LIBERTY will open its doors to the public at its Grand Opening celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 3 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, showcasing first-of-its-kind technology that is poised to dramatically expand our world’s resources for transportation fuel.
Zimfo Bytes

A Unique and Functional iPad Holder

Chuck Zimmerman

LazepadDo you get tired of holding your iPad when lying down or sitting in your favorite chair? Here’s a possible solution for you. It’s the Lazepad and it is compatible with ipad 2/3 and the new ipad ( not ipad air). I got one to test out.

My favorite way to use it is on the kitchen counter and especially since I have an iPad Air. One side of the case has a ledge you can set your tablet on. Another side is an actual case frame you put your iPad in. This is not a case to travel with since it doesn’t fold up. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Life Happens & LazePad is Here to Hold You – Best iPad holder for bed!

The Lazepad brand stands for innovation, fun and comfort way to work, play or browse with an ipad. Lazepad is taking a big step forward in providing intuitive comfort.
Because we’ve thought of everything and obsess over the smallest details, we know that you’ll find value in our products. We take pride in carefully crafting each Lazepad with you in mind. We know what it takes to bring you a quality product that you can enjoy indoors, outdoors, while doing yoga in the living room, kitchen or iPad holder for bed.


Equipment, Video