ZimmComm – New Media, LLC

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

Think we’ll get a new farm bill this year? Sorry, had to ask. We’ve been following along as the soap opera unfolds and it looks like a lot more drama to come.

This week Chuck is getting his first look at a Livestock Marketing Association convention in Montgomery, AL. In addition to the convention he’s also a judge for the 50th World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. You can follow his coverage on AgWired and see photos in his ever growing photo album.

Chuck was also in RTP, NC this week for the U.S. celebration of Bayer’s 150th Anniversary. While there he interviewed several leaders of the company and of course took plenty of photos.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked, “How good was your first cutting of hay?” Many of you felt your hay crop was better than last year. Hopefully this is a good sign for this season.

Our poll results: Thirty-five percent said Better Than Last Year, twenty-five percent said Same as Last Year, twenty-five percent said Worse Than Last Year, and fifteen percent said Other. The “Other” responses claimed it is too wet to cut hay. All this moisture is a cure for the drought but seems to have delayed hay season in parts of the country.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is your opinion of Senate immigration bill?” With a Senate vote of 82-15 to allow further debate on legalizing the nation’s 11 million unauthorized immigrants, update the hiring process and make legalization a breeze. President Obama claims it is “the best chance we’ve had in years”. How do you feel? Let us know.

Here are some interviews from this week you might have missed:

Jesse McCoy, Water Quality division manager, Ivesco Technical Services, on pig vaccinator
Doran Herritt, New Holland, Brand Marketing Manager, less than 60 HP Tractors, on compact tractors
Roger Bentley, Alabama Governor, welcomes LMA convention attendees
Tim Starks, LMA President, opening remarks
Phil Blake, President, Bayer USA, talks about company 150 year anniversary
Jim Blome, President/CEO, Bayer CropScience, also talks about company milestone
Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK, government relations, on Capitol Hill issues

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

The ZimmComm team has had a lot of fun working with our sponsors and friends at events in South Dakota – Raven Innovation Summit, Iowa – World Pork Expo and Pennsylvania – New Holland Construction Equipment Media Event. We’re sharing more photos and interviews than you’ll see anywhere else and you are welcome to listen in, view and share. Team members Chuck, Cindy, Jamie and Joanna have plenty more to post as soon as they get back to the office too.

New Holland introduced a new tractor this week with a legacy name – the Genesis T8 Series. Chuck was there to see it in action and got some great photos and an interview. Check it out here.

ZimmComm summer intern, Maggie Seiler, writes about her first agriblogging experience at the Alltech International Symposium and says, “In addition to making some great connections, I had the opportunity to really jump in and get my hands dirty as far as writing and reporting goes. I had a lot of chances to conduct interviews, take pictures and tweet about the sessions at the symposium. Probably my favorite part of reporting was getting to listen to the sessions on the future of nutrition, marketing and scientific development that will shape agriculture in 2020.” You’ll see Maggie back out in the field next at the American Seed Trade Association convention in Nashville.

Before we get to our new Zimmpoll let’s look at the results of our latest one which asked the question, “What is MOST important when buying a tractor?” It looks like price, horsepower, and versatility win this battle.

Our poll results: Twenty-two percent said Price and Horsepower, seventeen percent said versatility, fifteen percent said Customer Service, nine percent said Accessories, six percent said Warranty and Comfort, four percent said Color, and two percent said Size. The bells and whistles don’t seem to be a huge impact on purchasing decisions.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How good was your first cutting of hay?” Weather hasn’t exactly been predictable this spring. With a cold and wet spring season across much of the country how did it affect your hay crop? Has it bounced back from last year’s drought? Let us know.

Here are some interviews from this week you might have missed:

Matt Burkhart, VP/GM, Raven Industries, Viper 4 product launch presentation
Jeffrey Escobar, Novus international, on improving digestibility
Gary Wojcik, New Holland, on new Genesis T8 Series Tractor
Mark Hooper, Dir. Mktg., New Holland, on Agriculture/Construction Equipment integration
Mike Steilen, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, on new “Easy” campaign
David Coker, President, Fisher House Foundation, on mission and NH donation
Randy Spronk, NPPC President, opens World Pork Expo

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

Agriblogging kicks into high gear starting next week. It’s a summer on the run for the ZimmComm team. Cindy will take off on Tuesday for Des Moines and the World Pork Expo thanks to Boehringer Ingelheim and Novus International. At the same time Chuck will be headed to New Holland, PA to see some brand new equipment at New Holland headquarter offices. And also at the same time, Jamie will be in Sioux Falls, SD attending the Raven Innovation Summit. The action doesn’t slow down until near the end of the month too! So expect to see and hear what we see and hear!

Before we get to our new ZimmPoll let’s look at the results of our latest one which asked the question, ” Is agriculture doing a bad job of marketing?”

Our poll results: Sixty-five percent said Yes, Consumers Losing Trust, twenty-one percent said Yes, Industry Thinks It’s Not Needed, twelve percent said No, Consumers Trust Food Supply, and three percent said No, Industry Is Doing A Great Job.

Wow. That’s a huge percentage thinking we’re doing a bad job of marketing. Do you agree with these results? If so, why? What is wrong with the way marketing is being done in the ag sector? Do you think that some sensationalized stories in the media are contributing to a feeling that we are doing a bad job of marketing? If we are doing a really bad job of marketing is it hurting any farmer or company bottom line?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is MOST important when buying a tractor?” Today, it seems like tractors come with as many options as a new car or truck. Many of these options are for comfort and flexibility. When you are shopping for a new tractor are you just looking for the basics or do you want and need all the new bells & whistles? Let us know.

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

We’re wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and want to thank all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country in the military.

This week ZimmComm summer intern Maggie Seiler, KSU, went on-location to start agriblogging the Alltech International Symposium. Maggie is off to an impressive start! She’ll be working with Cindy next at the American Seed Trade Association Annual Convention in Nashville. You can find Chuck and Maggie’s Alltech photos here.

During the Alltech Symposium Chuck had his first photo upload of the week interrupted by the Flickr changeover to their new design. We’re curious what you think about the new look. It has bigger thumbnails and now allows us to upload photos at full resolution. This means when you choose to download the original version of any of our photos you’ll be getting the “master” of the .jpg file! We get lots of requests for photo masters and now you can easily download them direct from our Flickr sets. BTW. We’ve got almost 92,000 photos in there with almost 4.4 million views to date! We love taking and sharing photos!

With all the farm bill activity in Congress this past week, our latest ZimmPoll asked “What’s your opinion of committee farm bill?” From the results, most think it’s better than nothing.

Our poll results: 18% said Better Than Nothing and Other, 14% said Hits Nutrition Too Hard and Bad For Everyone, nine percent said Senate Better Than House, Bad For Farmers, Will Help Conservation and Great For Everyone, and nobody said House Better Than Senate. Poll results are all over the charts this week with mixed reviews and disagreement with particular sections of the farm bill.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is agriculture doing a bad job of marketing?” Marketing is key to a successful business or industry. The public often gets a bad taste for agriculture after “issues” hit the media. Do we cover our tracks and market the good along with the benefits to agriculture, not to mention the must haves of it? Let us know.

Here are some interviews and other audio files you might have missed this week:

Dr. Patrick Wall, University College Dublin, on the New Reality
Rebecca Timmons, Alltech, on the Algae Opportunity
AMI statement on USDA COOL decision
Carl Chaney, Chaney’s Dairy Barn, on marketing their products
Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech, on his vision of 2020
Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech, wraps up 2013 Alltech Symposium

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

The ZimmComm agriblogging calendar has been filling up fast again this year. Chuck just got back from the NAFB Washington Watch program. What a great time to be in DC as both the Senate and House marked up and passed out Farm Bill versions. You can find lots of his interviews and recorded presentations here. Thank you to GROWMARK for making his trip possible. This coming week Chuck will be on the road with Maggie Seiler, our summer intern, at the Alltech Symposium.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Are so-called “ag gag” bills fair?”

Our poll results: Fifty-two percent said No, forty-one percent said Yes and seven percent said I Don’t Know. So most of you feel that ag gag bills are not fair. Do you think answers would be different if we called them “See Something, Say Something” laws?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What’s your opinion of committee farm bills?” The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 15-5 to approve their version of a 2013 farm bill. And according to House Ag Committee Chairman, Frank D. Lucas, “The work of the Agriculture Committee, including reauthorizing the Farm Bill, affects every American; ensuring that our farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to produce an abundant and affordable food and fiber supply is as important to our country as national defense.” Let us know what you think.

Here are some audio files from this week you might have missed. Find many more on AgNewsWire.com.

NCGA Chairman, Garry Niemeyer, on WRDA passage in Senate
AgChat Foundation Executive Director, Emily Zweber, on 2013 Agvocacy 2.0 Training Conference
Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow on farm bill
House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas on farm bill
Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, on farm bill and other issues
John Simpson, Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP, taking on activists in the courtroom
Bob Dinneen, RFA, on farm bill and RFS
Colin Woodall, NCBA, on farm bill
Mike Hergert, Red River Farm Network/Andy Vance, Feedstuffs, on NAFB Washington Watch

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

This week Chuck attended Farm Credit’s 2013 Idea Share where he participated in a panel discussion titled, “Meet the New Media.” He’s got more to share from the conference today on AgWired. There were a number of good tidbits you’ll find from the session like this tweet from Emily Zweber, Executive Director, AgChat Foundation, who was on the panel, “Social media is one more tool in the toolbox of risk management strategies for your farm.” @ezweber. The conference Twitter hashtag is: #IdeaShare2013. Yes, social media is the new media of today and that makes us all, “media!!”

We are so pleased with the response to our new agri-blogging internship program. It was tough to choose just one for the summer semester, but we finally decided on Maggie Seiler – a sophomore at Kansas State University dual majoring in agricultural communications and journalism and animal sciences and industry.

We are not wasting any time getting Maggie on the agri-blogging highway. She will be joining Chuck next week for the 2013 Alltech Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky and you can expect to meet her at other events this summer.

Welcome, Maggie! And thank you to all the students who have applied. We’ll be selecting fall interns in July.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How many generations are you removed from the farm?”

Our poll results: Thirty percent say they are “One Generation, My Parents are Farmers,” 23% are “Two, My Grandparents Were Farmers,” 22% say “None, I’m a Farmer,” nine percent are not farmers but work in the ag industry, seven percent have “No Direct Farm Connection,” and three percent say “Three, My Great-Grandparents Were Farmers,” “More Than Three,” or “Other.” It is safe to say that most of our followers are not far removed from the farm, if at all!

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Are so-called “ag gag” bills fair?” In the wake of undercover videos at animal agriculture operations that have shown abuse, and especially those that were compiled over a period of time, edited and then released to the public without doing anything to stop the abuse or take it to the proper authorities, several states have passed legislation making that illegal. Most of the laws simply require mandatory reporting of animal cruelty when it happens but opponents have labeled them “ag gag” laws that would suppress efforts to document and publicize animal abuse. Those in favor prefer to call them “See Something, Say Something” bills. Do you feel that the so-called “ag gag” bills are prohibitive? Will these laws hamper efforts to stop animal cruelty? Does this impede our efforts for transparency in the food systems? Let us know.

Here are some interviews you might have missed this week:

Janet Thompson, farm girl, economist, wife, mom, on farm privacy
Regina Gill, Farm Credit Funding Corporation, on state of Farm Credit System
Janet Riley, American Meat Institute, on new animal handling videos
Ethanol Report with Bob Dinneen, RFA, on current events

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

This week our Jamie Johansen has been to the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit courtesy of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Pork Producers Council. Her coverage is appearing on AgWired.com. After having a break from the agriblogging highway things will kick into high gear next week when Chuck heads to New Orleans to participate in a panel for the Farm Credit Idea Share 2013. We’ll continue to see you out and about! BTW. If you don’t have us on your schedule please let Chuck or Dave know.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question “Does celebrity media attention sway your purchasing/listening/watching decisions? (e.g. Carrie Underwood supporting HSUS)”

Our poll results: Sixty-four percent said No, sixteen percent said Yes, eleven percent said Carrie Underwood Who, seven percent said Depends on the Celebrity, and two percent said Other. It looks like our audience doesn’t make decisions based on what media coverage of so called “celebrities.” How about you? Do you think differently? Let us know.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question,How many generations are you removed from the farm? With fewer and larger farms in the United States, not as many people are involved in production agriculture as 40 years ago. What is your family connection to farming? Let us know.

Here are some audio files from this week you might have missed. Don’t forget to check out AgNewsWire for more each week.

Tyler Hackstadt, Monsanto, on Warrant herbicide
USDA/EPA Honey Bee Report presser
John Grandin, GROWMARK, on nutrient management with late planting
Steve Hershberger, ComBlu, on most important word in social media

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

Last week we announced our new Agri-Blogging Internship Program during the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference and we’ve already received applications from 30 students at universities from coast to coast! We are making this program open for sponsorship in order to be able to offer our interns the best possible experience. If your company or organization would be interested in becoming a sponsor of the first ever Agri-Blogging Internship program please contact Dave or Chuck for the details. We will be selecting one student for this summer and two for this fall.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is the #1 thing you look for on a food label?”

Our poll results: Nineteen percent said other, sixteen percent said Low Sodium, fourteen percent Don’t Read Labels, thirteen percent said Reduced Fat, ten percent said Saturated Fat Content, and we had a tie at nine percent saying Non-GMO and Organic. Three percent said Heart-check Mark, Fat Free, and No Synthetic Hormones and one percent said All Natural. The majority of our viewers chose Other. Based on responses, “other” constituted calories, carbohydrates, and ingredients. Evidently our viewing audience has a different outlook than the audience being interviewed by media about the “big debates” such as antibiotics, hormones, and non-GMO foods.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Does celebrity media attention sway your purchasing/listening/watching decisions? (e.g. Carrie Underwood supporting HSUS)?” Recently in Tennessee, Carrie Underwood has been a big voice for HSUS by publicly pressuring the Governor to veto a bill that would possibly end undercover investigations of animal abuse in the state. Carrie has used Twitter to its fullest, tweeting “@BillHaslam It’s not all about big business. Please look out for the little guys! Show TN that you have a heart…#NoAgGag”. She goes on to explain to questioners and agvocates that she is not against agriculture just against animal abuse. Would you not purchase a ticket to a Carrie Underwood concert based on her recent rant? Let us know.

Here are some interviews you might have missed this week:
Charlie Hale, Becker Underwood, on seed treatments
John Glisson, Director of Research Pgms., US Poultry & Egg Association, on chicken flock modernization
NAMA President Paul Redhage, FMC, wrapping up 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference
Melissa’s Grandpa explains what farming used to be like from AgWalk
USDA/Dairy Energy MOU press call
Damian Mason, Agriculture’s Professional Funny Man, ag outlook
USDA Preview of G-8 International Conf. on Open Data press conference

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

The 2013 Agri-Marketing Conference is in the books and it was an impressive one. We had a near record attendance that was the highest since 2000. Twenty nine student NAMA chapters competed in their marketing competition with the University of Minnesota winning first place. Best of NAMA awards were awesome as usual. You can find the full list of winners in the latest digital issue of AgriMarketing Magazine. ZimmComm had a wonderful time talking with so many friends and clients, especially at our booth in the Connection Point. You can find almost 400 photos from this year’s conference online to view and share now. Chuck and Cindy have a number of interviews still to post from the conference when they get back home to ZimmComm World Headquarters. If you made it to the Brownfield party then you can find photos here. We’ve still got more to add later today. And yes, lots of fun was had by all.

Now it’s time to look forward to 2014 when we go to Jacksonville, FL!

This week ZimmComm announced an ongoing educational opportunity for students – the Agri-Blogging Internship. We’ve had many students already apply. Please feel free to direct any you know to our online application form.

Also this week ZimmComm announced some major changes to AgNewsWire.com. For all you ag media out there, this is your online ag news media service. Ag media will find all our media content posted there including news conferences, interviews, photos, videos and more. We publish a lot of media content and the ag media can utilize it at no charge. So you farm broadcasters will find lots of audio to cut up for programming, web editors will find audio/photos/video for use and publication editors will find the same and can request masters of any photos we publish online for publication purposes with no strings attached.

For you agrimarketers, AgNewsWire is now much more than just a news release distribution service, which we still do. You can now have us record your press conference and publish in this searchable online database of ag media news! So contact Chuck or Dave for more information on pricing and long term packages for discounts to get your news in this newly re-birthed online ag news service.

This week Jamie Johansen attended the 2013 Chicken Media Summit. The National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has once again brought together media from across the country to share their dedication to providing a wholesome product.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Have you started spring planting”

Our poll results: Sixty-two percent said No, I’ve Been Delayed More Than One Week, twenty-three percent said Yes, I’m In the Field Right Now, and fifteen percent said No, I’ve Been Delayed by One Week. The late winter storms and heavy rain showers seem to have put a damper on the majority of farmer’s spring planting plans.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is the #1 thing you look for on a food label?” Reading food labels has become more popular with media attention about health risks. What are some of the things you look for in the grocery store? Let us know.

Here are some interviews from this week you might have missed:

Bill Wheldon, VP, Global Outreach & Development, Elanco Animal Health on animal source foods
Thad Simons, Novus International, remarks upon receiving NAMA Agribusiness Leader of Year Award
Steve Vandeberg, Merial Limited, remarks upon receiving NAMA Marketer of the Year Award
Mick Sibbel, remarks upon being honored for 20 yrs. service to Agri-Business Education Foundation

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

Happy week before the national Agri-Marketing Conference! Next week Chuck & Cindy will be in Kansas City attending the conference with a ZimmComm exhibit in the Connection Point. We will see you from there and you can also follow coverage on AgWired.com.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you combat social media overload?” We live in a new media world where we can communicate instantly with one person or the whole world. Does it ever bother you? Do you have to take a break from it all?

Our poll results: Twenty-five percent said Focus On 1 or 2 Social Networks, twenty-three percent said Physically Talk To People, thirteen percent Turn Devices Off For a While, ten percent Don’t Get Overloaded, eight percent Do Farm Chores and said Overload, What Overload?, five percent Set Time Limits, Read a Book, and Other. Based on poll results, focusing on one or two social media networks rather than all of them helps most people keep the chaos at ease.

Our new ZimPoll is now live and asks the question, “Have you started spring planting?” The weather has been less than predictable over the last month, this time last year many of you were already in the fields. Has it delayed your spring planting date? Let us know.

Here are some interviews from this week you might have missed:

• Elanco investment in China Animal Health Care press conference
• Mary Kay Thatcher, AFBF, on Farm Bill plan
• Dan Misener, Misener Family Harvesters, on Great American Wheat Harvest
• Growth Energy Washington, DC press conference

You can find the full e-Newsletter here and subscribe here.