ZimmComm – New Media, LLC

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

The annual International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress is taking place in Sweden and Chuck is there courtesy of our long time sponsor for this event, Dupont Pioneer. He’s already got a lot of photos online for your viewing pleasure. While Chuck is in Sweden Cindy visited Collinsville, IL for a Respect the Rotation event with Bayer CropScience. The summer of agriblogging fun continues.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do ag journalists (broadcast/print/web) adhere to good ethical practices in reporting?” This is just in time for the ag journalists gathering in Sweden for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress. I’ll be sharing the results with them.

Our poll results: Sixteen percent said they all do; sixty-eight percent said most do; and sixteen percent said most do not.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Which team for President would be best for agriculture?” What do you think…who is the better choice for office when it comes to supporting our nation’s farmers and ranchers?

Here are some interviews from this week you might have missed:
• Dave Hollinrake, Bayer CropScience, Respect the Rotation
• Johan Rockstrom, Stockholm Resilience Center, talks about a damaged world • Mike Wilson, Farm Futures, now past President of IFAJ

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

Chuck is Denver right now doing some Beef Board Blogging for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board at the Cattle Industry Sumer Conference. You can find his photos here and follow him on Twitter – @AgriBlogger. Cindy just returned to ZimmComm World Headquarters from the Raven Innovation Summit in Sioux Falls, SD. You can find her photos here and follow her stories on Precision Pays and her tweets – @FarmPodcaster. It’s a continuing summer sizzler on the agriblogging highway.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Should nutrition programs be split out of the Farm Bill?”

Our poll results: Seventy-seven percent said yes and twenty-three percent said no. What do you think? With all those nutrition programs is it really a “farm” bill?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How will drought impact the Renewable Fuel Standard?” With corn prices up nearly 50 percent in the last month and forecasts saying it will go higher in the near future, this summer is proving to be a rough one. Here are a few more stats: 1,000 counties in 26 states are deemed “natural disaster areas” because of drought; 61 percent of the land in the lower 48 states is currently affected by drought; 30 percent of the corn crop is in poor or very poor condition. So what do you think – will the drought and effect on the corn crop impact the RFS?

Here are some interviews you might have missed this week:

• Wesley Grau, Chairman, Cattlemen’s Beef Board
• Steve Phillips, International Plant Nutrition Institute
• Karl Erichsen, Raven Dealer, South Africa
• Tim Taylor, MapShots, on new AgStudio app
• Colin Pollock, Raven Slingshot Sales Specialist

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

We’ve been having a cornfest on AgWired lately. Between Chuck’s interviews from the Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour, Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies, FMC Anthem Plot Tour and the International Conference on Precision Agriculture you can find lots of interviews pertaining to corn and lots of photos from these events. This week he’s also attending the Bayer CropScience Greenhouse 5 Grand Opening and then on to Joliet, IL for NASCAR action sponsored by the Illinois Corn Growers. While Chuck is there Cindy will be blogging the Southern Peanut Growers Conference once again in Panama City, FL.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How worried are you about the weather impact on crops this summer?”

Our poll results: Seventy-four percent said very worried; twenty-one percent said moderately concerned; four percent said they’re confident the crops will overcome and two percent said “what weather?”.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Should nutrition programs be split out of the Farm Bill?” With all the controversy surrounding cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, there has also been talk that the bill could be split. What do you think – should nutrition be separate from agriculture?

By the way, the ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency. We certainly thank them for their support!

Here are some interviews from this week that you might have missed:
• David Cox, DAVCO, Precision Farmer of the Year from Australia
• Dr. Mike Owen, Iowa State University, on weed control
• Rick Hofer, Ag Leader Technology, talks about SeedCommand
• Ivan Dozier, Illinois State Conservationist, on watershed planning
• Dean Getting, FMC, on Anthem performance
• Get to know Nevin McDougall and BASF
• Mark Stelford, John Deere, on the FarmSight Strategy
• Adam Ploog, Wyffels Hybrids, on tale of two seasons in IA

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

The temps may be lower in the midwest but as Chuck saw first hand this week the dry weather continues. He started out on the Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour north of Bloomington, IL where the corn looks bad. From there he went to NW Iowa for the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies and saw some very good looking corn although farmers there are still hoping for another nice rain. After that he moved down to Ames, IA for an FMC Anthem Field Plot Tour. All in all he interviewed 29 people and will be posting those interviews on the ZimmComm News Network (AgWired.com, DomesticFuel.com, PrecisionPays.com and WorldDairyDiary.com) during the coming week. Next up Chuck will be attending the International Conference on Precision Agriculture in Indianapolis the first of next week. No summer slowdown for the ZimmComm Team.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How will Obamacare affect you and your business?”

Our poll results: Sixty percent said negatively; thirty percent said positively; five percent said not at all and the remaining five percent didn’t know.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How worried are you about the weather impact on crops this summer?” The worst U.S. drought since Ronald Reagan was president is withering the Midwest’s corn crop. The condition on July 1 was the worst since the drought of 1988. What do you think – will the rest of the summer bring relief or are the crops in trouble?

Here are some interviews from this week that you might have missed:
• Bill Tierney, AgResource Company, provides some corn market commentary
• Bill Wyffels, Wyffels Hybrids, talks about new hybrids
• Jere White, Kansas Corn Commission, on the first sale of E15
• Herb Steffen, Steffen Farms, talks about conservation projects on his farm
• Janae Tapper, John Deere, on new Mobile Weather

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

The ZimmComm team wishes we could send some of the rain we’ve been receiving at our new world headquarters to the midwest. Our prayers are with all the people suffering from the heat and dry weather.

Chuck will get to visit some of that heat this week when he travels to Illinois for the Conservation Technology Information Center Indian Creek Watershed Field Tour. Then he moves to Iowa for a Wyffels Field Day and FMC Plot Tour. Look for his coverage on AgWired during the week when internet access and time allows.

Have you marked your calendar for the NAMA Fall Conference? It will be held September 25-26 in Minneapolis. The theme is “Fertile Ground, Forward Thinking.” Listen to NAMA President Beth Burgy talk about what’s different about the conference this year here.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “When do you think Congress will complete a Farm Bill?” Our poll results: Twenty-two percent were optimistic and said before Sept. 30, 2012; twenty-eight percent were a bit more hesitant but said before the end of this calendar year; and twenty-five percent said both next year and maybe never.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How will Obamacare affect you and your business?” Some of the farm groups are split on the ruling, just as was the Supreme Court. But on a more personal/business level, how will this ruling affect you?

Here are some interviews you might have missed this week:
• Jerry Roell, John Deere FarmSight
• Matt Hynes, GROWMARK, talks about ASTA

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

It has been a hot one on the agriblogging highway as Chuck has traveled to Minneapolis for the NAMA Executive Committee Meeting and then on to Des Moines for the John Deere FarmSight Tech Summit. Maybe things will cool down a little for the holiday week coming up.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Will you buy E15 for your MY2001 or later car if it’s offered?”

Our poll results: Nearly half, forty-nine percent, said Yes; twenty-nine percent said No; and twenty-two percent said it depends on price. Looks like consumers are in favor of having a choice at the pump, and are fans of ethanol!

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “When do you think Congress will complete a Farm Bill?” On June 20, the Senate voted 64 to 35 to pass the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012. When do you think – given that it’s an election year and amidst all other “big” news items – we will have a new Farm Bill?

Here are some interviews from this week you might have missed:
• Kent Croon, Monsanto, talks about the Vegetable and Flower Seed division of ASTA
• Dr. Fred Below at BASF Media Summit
• Darrell Maddox, Endless Sky Partners, talks about ASTA phytosanitary work
• GROWMARK President Dan Kelley on organization’s 85th anniversary

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

This week Chuck is spending some time getting to know the American Seed Trade Association which is holding its 129th Annual Convention! If you are not familiar with ASTA, follow his coverage on AgWired. You can find photos from the convention here. Next week he’ll be back on the road attending a NAMA Executive Committee Mtg. in Minneapolis and learning more about plans for the NAMA fall meeting which will be held there September 25-26, at the Graves 601 Hotel. Then it’s on to John Deere Technology Summit in Des Moines, Iowa.

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Does Your Business Have an Interest in Pinterest?”

Our poll results: Thirty-one percent said Yes, part of our marketing plan or just figuring it out; thirty-one percent said No, no application for us; and thirty-eight percent knew nothing about Pinterest. So there you have it. Surprise you?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Will you buy E15 for your MY2001 or later car if it’s offered?” The EPA has given its approval for the first retailers to sell 15% ethanol blended fuel. E15 is a legal fuel for sale to cars, pickups and SUVs made since 2001. Here’s some more background on E15. Sales could start this week in Iowa, Illinois and/or Kansas. What do you think?

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

• Mike Gumina, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Chairman, ASTA
• Ag Secretary Vilsack Addresses ASTA convention
• NRCS Chief David White on conservation partnerships

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

A big congratulations to the AgChat Foundation for Thursday’s Twive and Receive event. And a big thank you goes out to the 78 Twivers who gave a total of $6,830 in the one day event. The Foundation placed 12th on the list of hundreds of participating charities. This event was successful because of the highly motivated and active AgChat community of farmers and others involved in agribusiness. It wouldn’t have happened or been coordinated so well without the work of staff members Emily Zweber, Executive Director, and Jenny Schweigert, Communications Assistant!

The ZimmComm team has been enjoying a break from the agriblogging highway. New ZimmComm World Headquarters are becoming more settled and the team is busy making travel plans for a summer full of on the road action. Got us in your plans?

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do you prefer corn sugar to high fructose corn syrup?” In what is a first for our poll, the response was split evenly! See the chart below.

Recently the FDA denied a request from the Corn Refiners Association to allow food labels to use the term corn sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Nutritionally, there is no difference in regular table sugar and HFCS so we don’t see why FDA ruled like they did. Their reasoning had to do with their definition of sugar as a crystalline solid. This is basically a public relations war over words since the “problem” with either cane or corn sugar is how much someone consumes. Nothing wrong with cane sugar or corn sugar, regardless what you call it, in our opinion. We like them both. Apparently consumers like HFCS better according to this story. What do you think?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Does your business have an interest in Pinterest?” This online pinboard is now being used by political campaigns to target key demographics. Even President Obama’s wife is using it! Seems like there might be some good reason for agribusinesses, farm and food groups to start pinning away. What do you think?

Here are some interviews you might have missed this week:

• Christophe Pelletier, futurist, on future of farmers at BASF Ag Solutions Media Summit
• NPPC Director, Bill Luckey, on concerns about an egg bill
• BASF Crop Protection President Markus Heldt on new AgBalance study

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

We’re not counting miles this week. Between Chuck in Indianapolis for the Corn Utilization Technology Conference, Cindy in Chicago with BASF and in Des Moines for World Pork Expo and Jamie in Minneapolis for the Fuel Ethanol Workshop, we’ve covered more than a few! Now we get a short break to finish setting up the new ZimmComm World Headquarters in Cantonment, FL!

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is Atrazine lawsuit settlement good for farmers?” We posed this question after a lawsuit against Syngenta related to the herbicide was settled with an offer of over $100 million by the company, even thought there has been no evidence of harm in drinking water caused by the product and the plaintiffs in the lawsuit acknowledged they had not commissioned any research on the subject or seen any new research to the contrary either.

Our poll results: Sixty percent said Yes, time to move on; twenty eight percent said No, still other challenges and twelve percent chose Other.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you prefer corn sugar to high fructose corn syrup?” Recently the FDA denied a request from the Corn Refiners Association to allow food labels to use the term corn sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Nutritionally, there is no difference in regular table sugar and HFCS so I don’t see why FDA ruled like they did. There reasoning had to do with their definition of sugar as a crystalline solid. This is basically a public relations war over words since the “problem” with both substances is how much someone consumes. Nothing wrong with cane sugar or corn sugar in our opinion. We like them both. Apparently consumers like HFCS better according to this story. What do you think?

Here are some interviews from this week you might have missed:
• MU economist, Ron Plain, on sow housing survey
• Paul Rea, BASF, wraps up BASF Media Event
• Rick Tolman, NCGA, wraps up CUTC
• Precision ag as a conservation tool with Terry Griffin, CrescoAg
• Garry Niemeyer, corn grower/NCGA President, on CUTC and other topics
• Bob Dinneen, RFA, talks RFS and more at FEW
• Tom Buis and Jeff Broin, Growth Energy, launch Flex Fuel Finder at FEW

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

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

Chuck is just returning from “the best tour ever,” 2012 Conservation in Action Tour which is coordinated by the Conservation Technology Information Center. He’s got lots of stories to post and photos to upload as soon as he gets back to ZimmComm World Headquarters. Farmers are proactively doing all they can to improve their stewardship of the land and he’ll share those stories over the next several days.

Next week is a big one for the ZImmComm team. Chuck will be attending the Corn Utilization Technology Conference in Indianapolis, Cindy will be attending a BASF media event in Chicago before going to World Pork Expo in Des Moines and Jamie will be covering the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis. Keep an eye on us as we burn up the agriblogging highway!

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Which group should restaurants consider experts on animal care?” Recently many folks in agriculture participated in an online thank you campaign for Domino’s Pizza. Why? Because the restaurant chain made a decision based on good humane animal practices and did not give in to the demands of the animal activist group HSUS. According to our poll 48% said Farmers, 35% said Veterinarians, 16% said Ag Industry, 1% said Activists and no one selected Government. Sounds like good common sense response to us. So take notice all you restaurant chains. If you need advice and want to do the right thing for your customers and the folks who produce safe, humanely produced food, ask the experts and not people with an agenda.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is Atrazine lawsuit settlement good for farmers?” A lawsuit against Syngenta related to the herbicide was settled with an offer of over $100 million by the company, even thought there has been no evidence of harm in drinking water caused by the product and the plaintiffs in the lawsuit acknowledged they had not commissioned any research on the subject or seen any new research to the contrary either. What do you think?

Here are some interviews you might have missed this week:

• AG CONNECT Expo excitement building with Sara Mooney, Show Director
• New Boomers from New Holland with Dan Valen
• Locust Trace AgriScience Farm instructor Tod Harp
• Re-introducing SLIP Plate from Superior Graphite with Barry Lee
• Preview of the 2012 Conservation in Action Tour with CTIC Chairman, Rex Martin, Syngenta

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