Google Glass and Sullivan Solar Power

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 421Right after receiving my Glass I got a news alert from Sullivan Solar Power about their unique use of this new technology. What timing!

Michael ChagalaSo I got in touch with Michael Chagala, Director of IT, and we talked about how they’re employing Glass in their field operations. In the photo Michael is “wearing.” I think that’s how I’ll refer to it.

Sullivan Solar Power developed their own app for Glass and now places a set of Glass on the head of their field service technicians. This means that when the technicians go out to service a client they can basically carry all the data and information on all their products via Glass going hands free which means a lot for efficiency and safety, especially when you’re working on a roof. Additionally, they can stream live video back to headquarters when they need to to share and get opinions and feedback from other technical support. It’s a fascinating step forward for a technology that some folks have at first made fun of but are now finding has many applications to businesses.

Listen to this week’s program to learn more: Sullivan Solar Power & Glass

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

Energy, ZimmCast

My Wish For You

Melissa Sandfort

christmas_starThis week, a poem from my Aunt Jeanette. As a side note, I’m often amazed at the quirky similarities between the two of us. When I was younger, I used to spend HOURS in the loft of the old barn, just me and the pigeons, writing poems. My mom saved boxes of my old “stuff” and I recently went through them and had some laughs at the little haikus and poems and random thoughts I had when I was 10. But I think the love for writing, whether it be a book or poem or now blog posts, was passed down from my grandpa to my aunt and also to me. So when Aunt Jeanette sent this poem, I smiled to myself and thought, “I am proud to be like her.” Enjoy.

Another year almost over – Two Thousand, Thirteen,
And my, oh my, what a year it has been!

I’ve shared with you some of our life’s ups and downs,
Our worries, our tears, our smiles, and our frowns.

A farmer’s life can’t help being somewhat of a mess,
And in a way writing eased some of my stress.

We had a tough year in south central Nebraska,
“But it won’t last, will it?” I think I must ask ya.

You’ve heard of my plants, our crops that had hail,
Our awesome family who stuck together without fail.

You learned of my days of teaching third grade,
And some of the messes our three young sons made!

I was met with a challenge by my wonderful niece,
And when I began writing, my mind felt at peace.

Though some days I haven’t known quite where to start,
I love writing for you – it comes straight from my heart.

My wish, my friends, as the Christmas Star shines above,
Is a year blessed with Happiness, Faith, Hope and Love.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

AgNet West Radio Network Owned by AgNet Media

Chuck Zimmerman

AgNet West Radio NetworkNews from AgNet West Radio Network:

AgNet West Radio Network is pleased to announce its entire business operations have been fully acquired and will be merged into AgNet Media, Inc., which includes a group of farm media properties solely owned and operated by Gary Cooper and Robin Loftin. Both Loftin and Cooper were instrumental in launching AgNet West in California in 2012, and Cooper has been the network’s General Manager since its inception in 2012.

AgNet West remains the most localized, relevant and targeted farm radio network in California, the nation’s top farm state. All AgNet West broadcasts, under the direction and guidance of Farm News Director Sabrina Hill, will continue to originate from Fresno County, the nation’s No. 1 agriculture-producing county. Hill has a distinguished career in radio and television news reporting in central California. She has been with AgNet West since 2012 and was named its news director early in 2013.
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Media

AFBF Annual Convention Around the Corner

Jamie Johansen

afbf-maceThe 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention is right around the corner in San Antonio, TX. January 12-15 marks the organizations 95th convention and the event is expected to attract 6,000 farmers and ranchers from across the country.

Cindy caught up with AFBF’s Mace Thornton, Director of Communications, during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Convention where he shared more about the event and how the organization shares their message with grassroots members nationwide.

“This is the culmination of our annual grassroots policy development process. We take a lot of pride at Farm Bureau with the positions we have that all start at the county level with individual farmers. Those policy positions make their way up to the state level and then those with national implications make it to our meeting. It really is amazing that farmers with all types of farms, all areas of the country can come together and agree on policy positions.”

Austin, TX based western swing band, Asleep at the Wheel, will perform during the event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see Josh Turner and James Wesley in concert as well. For more information on the convention visit AFBF website.

Mace also shared how Farm Bureau is staying on the cutting edge of communications. This includes providing members with information that they can take and build their own personal stories with to help educate and share with others.

Listen to Cindy’s complete interview with Mace here: Interview with Mace Thornton, ABFB Communications Director

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Farming

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Agricen, a Loveland Products company delivering applied, biochemical-based solutions for efficient and sustainable plant nutrition, announced the hiring of Michael Hauck as Director of Sales.
  • Sweeney Feeders is pleased to announce the launch of their new website design for www.sweeneyfeeders.com.
  • The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced the winners of the 2014 4R Advocate Awards.
  • Alamo Group Inc. announced that negotiations relating to the proposed acquisition of Bandit Industries, Inc. have been terminated.
Zimfo Bytes

ASTA Takes Seed Theft Seriously

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-logoAs the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was concluding its annual seed research conference and trade show in Chicago last week, word came that arrests had been made in two separate conspiracies to steal seed and trade secrets of U.S. companies.

ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne says they were pleased that the U.S. government took swift action on a very serious offense. “It’s like stealing anyone’s intellectual property,” said LaVigne. “This is a product or seed varieties and technology that companies have put many years into research and development, getting it approved through the regulatory system and bringing it into the market for use by farmers.”

LaVigne stresses that while the suspects in the cases are Chinese nationals, the U.S. has a good relationship with the country of China. “Our understanding at this point in time is this is one company looking at doing this that has Chinese backing, not the government, not other companies that we have been dealing with,” he said. “We are thinking this is just a single incident.” Interview with ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne

Arrests were made in two different cases last week. A Chinese national working for the Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Company was charged with allegedly stealing inbred corn seed from production fields in Iowa and Illinois. In the second case, two Chinese scientists were arrested in Kansas after an incident in August when customs officials found stolen seeds in the luggage of Chinese delegation members who had visited the United States.

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

A Holiday Food Safety Twitter Party

Chuck Zimmerman

Twitter PartyIf you use good common sense when handling and preparing food you probably won’t have any problems. But if you’re concerned that you don’t know what the right procedures are then you might want to join in this chat on Twitter.

Make Sure to Join Us This Wednesday!

Chefs and home cooks bring their best goodies to the table during the holidays. But no one wants a bout of food poisoning or too many Santa cookies to dampen their holiday spirit.

Food safety experts from CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Registered Dietitians from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation, along with guest culinary enthusiasts, will host a Twitter chat for consumers with easy-to-remember tips for a safe and healthful holiday season.

Join us for a lively and informative question and answer on how to be food-smart and food-safe over the holidays. We will be answering all questions on how to prepare healthful options for holiday meals, how to safely prepare it, and how to make smart and healthful choices when eating out! Follow @FoodInsight on Twitter and use the hashtag #CDChat to participate in the chat.

What: Twitter Chat on food safety & nutrition
When: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 from 3-4 pm EST
Where: Follow @FoodInsight or the #CDCchat hashtag
Who Should Participate: Consumers, health professionals, industry members, and others!

Ag Groups, Food

BASF Advanced Seed Enhancement is Global

Cindy Zimmerman

basf-alysonAt the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo last week, we heard about the BASF portfolio of Advanced Seed Enhancements including inoculants, colorants, and biological and chemical seed treatments. Much of this new portfolio comes from the BASF acquisition of Becker Underwood in late 2012, according to Alyson Emanuel, Vice President of Global Business Management for BASF Functional Crop Care.

“We were here (at ASTA CSS) just a year ago when we had just closed the deal and the last year we’ve been very busy working on our portfolio in seed solutions bringing together the BASF side of the house and the Becker Underwood side of the house,” said Alyson.

She explains that BASF’s exclusive BioStacked® technology has enabled them to combine inoculants and biofungicides, polymers and colorants designed for specific crops. “It provides better rooting architecture, enhances plant health, nutrient uptake, disease protection – it’s a very interesting technology that we’re just beginning to see the benefits of,” Alyson said.

BASF is launching the technology in both North and South America and they plan to bring it into Europe as well. “The great thing about the BioStacked technology is that it can be very customized to the particular environment and the needs of the farmers in the area,” Alyson said

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Alyson Emanuel, BASF Functional Crop Care

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Farming, International, Seed

Nufarm Introduces Nuseed

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom KrollDuring Nufarm’s recent farm media tour, the company highlighted Nuseed, a branch off the parent company.

Chuck and Jody Heemstra, Red River Farm Network, met up with Tom Kroll, Product Manager in Seed Treatment for Nufarm. Tom works with products from the earliest idea of them all the way to market and helps with the technical aspects too.

“Nuseed is kind of the umbrella within the bigger umbrella, which is Nufarm. Nufarm is the parent company and within that we have an organization called Nuseed. Nuseed is focused on the gene technology of sorghum, sunflower and canola. We also have the seed treatment component which is a sister to the genetics.”

Nufarm describes themselves as a second-tier company. Tom says they won’t be bringing on new chemistries like their bigger competitors, but their focus is taking existing chemistries and building from them and giving growers the best value from a product.

Tom goes on to explain what areas of seed treatment they are working on, their custom blending and what we can see from them in the very near future.

You can listen to Chuck and Jody’s interview with Tom here: Interview with Tom Kroll

2013 Nufarm North America Headquarters Photo Album

Agribusiness, Nufarm, Seed

Gill Joins Diamond V Team

Jamie Johansen

Gill_Clayton_2MBDiamond V recently announced the hiring of Clayton Gill as Public Relations and Strategic Communications Manager. Starting at the first of the new year, Clayton will take the reins and be responsible for the global reach of Diamond V, working from the headquarters in Cedar Rapids, IA.

“We’re excited that Clayton’s joining the Diamond V team,” said Mike Wright, Global Marketing and Research Director. “He brings a strong background in U.S. and international ag media and has extensive editorial and media sales experience in the feed and animal industries. We’re looking forward to his contribution in building Diamond V’s brand worldwide.”

Clayton has been with Feedstuffs for the past six years working in print and digital sales. Prior to that he was editorial director of trade media for Watt Publishing Co., now based out of Rockford, IL. He holds a M.S. in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent four years in ag extension communications in Southeast Asia.

Diamond V is a global Nutrition & Health company that manufactures all-natural products to improve animal health and performance. We connect our unique competencies in microbial-based fermentation with our specie-specific expertise and world-class research to create profitable solutions for customers around the world.

Agribusiness, Public Relations