What Skill Set is Most Important for Ag Comm Students?

Jamie Johansen August 21, 2014

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think of Right to Farm laws?”

This ZimmPoll struck very close to home for me. As a Missouri farmer, I did what I could to help educate everyone I knew on the truths about the Right to Farm amendment that took a narrow victory earlier this month. I was excited to see that the majority of pollers thought laws such as these were needed to ensure the right to farm for generations to come. I believe we will see more and more states taking action to protect farmers. In my opinion it is a necessity.

Here are the poll results:

Necessary to save farming – 47%
Not necessary – 16%
Too dangerous – 14%
Maybe some states- 5%
Should be federal law – 8%
no opinion – 10%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What’s the most important skill set for ag communications?

College campuses across the country are flooded with students heading to class. With that in mind, we want to know what you feel is the most important skill agriculture communications students need to have mastered when they enter the workforce. Is it still the traditional writing/editing skills or more current social media/blogging skills that employees are seeking?

ZimmPoll

2015 John Deere Products Are Launched

Chuck Zimmerman August 21, 2014

The new John Deere products are launched. Now it’s on to the field and fall farm shows and time to take orders.

However, you can’t order this machine which someone on Twitter last night dubbed the AgriTerminator. It’s a prototype Model 9RX with four tracks! The machine charged onto the show floor last night and was an example of how John Deere is being transparent with its dealers about the products the company is working on. That’s according to John Lagemann, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, United States/Canada/Australia/New Zealand, Agriculture and Turf Division who was on hand for the product reveal.

I spoke with John who says the theme of the show is “Committed to Lead.” We saw a full range of products from turf and utility to full size combines and new high horsepower 9 series tractors. John says that this is not only a product launch that addresses all types of equipment but also all segments of customers. It is also the biggest launch into the hay and forage business with products like a new large square baler.

Interview with John Lagemann

Now, if you’d like to see the new equipment in action then check out this video. I’ve compiled all the equipment that came out on the floor along with some entertainment for you to enjoy. That entertainment includes The Bella Electric Strings who are awesome. I hope you like it and share it.

2015 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, John Deere, Video

Give A Man A Fish…Give A Child A Book…

Melissa Sandfort August 21, 2014

Today Aunt Jeanette writes:

You probably have heard the saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

As my sister-in-law and I put up our third Little Free Library, that was the thought that went through my head. Only my thinking went something more like this, “Give a child a book, teach him to read, and he will learn for a lifetime.” Whether you enjoy reading or not, which I realize some people just don’t, everyone uses reading every day. It is one of life’s necessities. Whether you are reading for sheer pleasure, reading instruction manuals, figuring out the directions for a new piece of farm equipment, finding the correct formula for spraying those nasty weeds, or googling something on the internet, everyone reads. It just makes life easier…and better.

We are so excited to have our third Little Free Library up and running! It has been a wonderful experience – not only for us, but for everyone, young and old, who has taken advantage of the opportunity to read our books. It is thrilling to see someone stop at the library, select a book, and ride off on their bike. My sister-in-law and I probably have enough of our own books to start a complete library, but the generosity of community members has added to our supply.

So, if you live in the Edgar, Neb., area, stop by and visit our Little Free Libraries! We’d love to share our books with you.

Happy Reading!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Quick AFBF Washington Update

Cindy Zimmerman August 21, 2014

While at the John Deere 2014 product launch this week, Chuck spent some time with American Farm Bureau Federation Congressional Affairs specialist Mary Kay Thatcher, who was along for the ride.

At my request, he got an update from Mary Kay about what she expects Congress to do before the election, what Farm Bureau’s number one concern is right now, and the organization’s lawsuit against the EPA for privacy violations.

First of all, Mary Kay thinks immigration will be way back on the burner for Congress, considering they will only have about two weeks in session between now and election day. “Certainly we’re still focused on immigration and trying to do all we can to get it done, but the chances just aren’t very good,” she said. “We have got to do some appropriations bills, we have 12 of those to do, haven’t accomplished any of them, and the government will shut down October first…I’m just afraid the time is not there to deal with much else than appropriations.”

Farm Bureau and its members are mainly focused right now on getting comments into the EPA on the proposed Waters of the United States rule. “We’re concerned because we understand EPA may be taking some of the post card campaigns we have going and counting every post card as one, saying it’s one opinion expressed 853 times,” she said, adding that environmental interests favorable to the rule are claiming they have a million comments in. “So we have a lot of work to do to catch up.”

Last week, AFBF filed suit in federal court against the EPA over last year’s public release of personal information, charging that it violated “basic tenets of federal law” and Mary Kay says they want to make sure that never happens again. “We just filed the case, but at least we put a marker down,” she said.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Mary Kay here: Interview with Mary Kay Thatcher, AFBF

AFBF, Audio

Pork Economic Situation and Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman August 21, 2014

The 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 August 20, 2014

During 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 August 20, 2014

On 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 August 20, 2014

Just 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 August 20, 2014

Ray 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 Groups, Ag Media Summit, Audio, Soybean

Join ZimmComm Team This Fall

Jamie Johansen August 19, 2014

ZimmComm 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

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