ZimmCast

ZimmCast 633 - Looking Back at 2019

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. In this week's program my poor laryngitis recovering voice takes a look back at 2019 with a list of the top posts on AgWired and some statistics about photos, audio and video. I also share an excerpt of an interview that was produced in October of 2019 and had the highest number of downloads. It was an interview I did with Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association. Next I shared an end of the year interview Cindy did at the last event we attended, the 201...

ZimmCast 632 - Ag Retailers Wrap-up

In this week's program I spoke with the leadership of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA).  In the program you'll hear from past Chair, Troy Johnson, Wilbur-Ellis, as he talks about his term leading the board. Then next up will be Rod Wells, GROWMARK, new Chair for ARA, as he talks about his outlook and plans for the coming two years. Then finally, I talked with Daren Coppock, ARA CEO, about how this year's conference went. You can find  a lot more interviews, audio and photos f...

ZimmCast 631 - Hemp in the Heartland

In this week's program you can hear Cindy talk with Wayne Gale, Stokes Seeds and Chairman of the American Seed Trade Association. I then talk with Bill Cook, Executive Director of the Missouri Hemp Association about their inaugural Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic. Wayne talks about hemp because it is a topic many members of ASTA have been asking about. Cindy and I will be attending the annual ASTA CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago this month. Then I will be attending the Heart of Ame...

ZimmCast 630 - Past & Present NAFB Presidents

In this week's program I talk with Rita Frazer, RFD Radio Network, now President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting and Lorrie Boyer, KSIR, now past-President of NAFB. Both farm broadcasters talk about the convention that just took place in KC, MO but also talk about their year as president, past and future. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

ZimmCast 629 - Hemp Farming in Florida

This week I attended the inaugural Florida Industrial Hemp Conference & Expo in Orlando. Hemp has become a hot topic in agriculture today since so many states have created legislation allowing it to be grown and more are in the process. That includes my home state of Florida. I asked all the people I spoke with or interviewed during the Conference how USDA’s announced interim final rule on the Domestic Hemp Production Program would affect the budding industry and their company or organizat...

ZimmCast 628 - Conversation with Demeter Communications

In this week's program I have a conversation with Sharlet Teigen, CEO, Demeter Communications. Sharlet talks about the start of the company and the challenges she and the team had to overcome. For her it began with a major move from Chicago to rural Montana. Cindy and I have known Sharlet for many years so we also do some reminiscing about how we did agricultural marketing and communications work "way back when." Sharlet asks me questions during the conversation, one of which includes th...

ZimmCast 627 - Commercial UAV Expo

In this week's program you will hear Jeremiah Karpowicz, Executive Editor of Commercial UAV News, talk about this year's Commercial UAV Expo Americas. This trade show and conference focuses on commercial drone integration and operation in a variety of industries, including agriculture. Here's some more information about the conference. In the Conference Program, UAV industry experts share key insights into the issues asset owners face when implementing unmanned aerial systems, including ...

ZimmCast 626 - New Executive Director for LPC

In this week's program let's meet Lindsay Graber Runft, Executive Director, Livestock Publications Council, pictured on the right with the LPC Board at the 2019 Ag Media Summit. Lindsay started with LPC in July this year and I met her at the AMS. Lindsay has a solid background in livestock production and association management. As an example, she served as director of marketing and communications of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) from 2013 to 2018. She has been principal of Prai...

ZimmCast 625 - NAMA Fall Conference Preview

In this week's program we'll get a preview of the 2019 National Agri-Marketing Association Fall Conference. Conference committee chair, Brittany Phillips, Brighton Agency, talks us through the program and activities. Registration is available on the NAMA website with the early registration deadline of September 16. The hotel is the Ritz Carlton in St. Louis.  The program starts on Monday with a tour organized by the Gateway NAMA Chapter, which I am a past-president of. I'm sure they'll d...

ZimmCast 624 - #FPS19

In this edition of the ZimmCast, you will hear from some of the many voices at #FPS19, including Show Manager Matt Jungmann, BASF External Communications Manager Casey Allen, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, President Donald J. Trump, National Corn Growers Association 1st VP Kevin Ross, and National Hemp Association executive director Erica Stark.

ZimmCast 623 - 2019 IFAJ Congress/Ag Media Summit Interviews

In this week's program you will hear from the new president of the AAEA The AgComm Network, Gil Gullickson; the new president of the Livestock Publications Council, Jennifer Carrico; the new conference manger for the Ag Media Summit, Tina Bowling and the presenters of the session, "So You Have a Podcast, Now What," Sara Steever, president of Paulsen Marketing and Kelsey Litchfield, digital media consultant.

ZimmCast 622 - The Future for InfoAg Conference

In this week's program I speak with Quentin Rund, PAQ Interactive and Lara Moody, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). Quentin has been involved with organizing and running the InfoAg Conference since it started in 1995. He talks about this year's conference which is doing very well on attendance in spite of the challenging planting season the midwest has had. Lara talks about how TFI has acquired the InfoAg Conference and what the organization is doing to expand and grow it. During this conf...

ZimmCast 621 - Preview of Ag Media Summit/IFAJ Congress

This program will be a preview of the 2019 Ag Media Summit and International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress. The two programs are being held together like they were in 2009. The IFAJ Congress moves to a different country each year. To help me preview the events I spoke with Carey Brown, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association and co-chair of the coordinating committee for the events.

ZimmCast 620 - Timber Creek Distillery

For this week's program I visited Timber Creek Distillery near Crestview, FL. The owners are Camden Ford and Aaron Barnes, two exceptional entrepreneurs who are building a new distillery on some beautiful property. I had the opportunity to meet them when they did some taste testing in Pensacola and found their story to be fascinating. The new distillery building, which is near completion, is a massive 13,000 square feet with 40 foot high ceilings and includes outdoor seating areas. They ha...

ZimmCast 619 - President Trump Visits Ethanol Plant

In this week's program you will hear from industry attendees to President Trump's visit to Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in Council Bluffs, IA. Included in the program are: Mike Jerke, CEO, SIRE Craig Floss, President/CEO, Iowa Corn Growers Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Ross, farmer and 1st VP, NCGA Monte Shaw, Executive Director, IRFA Geoff Cooper, President/CEO, RFA Geoff provides a wrap-up of the program since I was able to talk with him after the...

ZimmCast 618 - Do Business Better with Damian Mason

This week we're going to learn all about a new book from Damian Mason titled "Do Business Better." Here's an excerpt from the book description to get us started. After speaking to companies such as Merck, Land O'Lakes, and Cargill, and 2,000 audiences across the world, Damian Mason, successful businessman, agriculturalist, podcaster, and writer, wants to help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals and live a better life. While other business books claim to tell you how to reach success, t...

ZimmCast 617 - Farmer Veteran Coalition

This week we're going to learn about the Farmer Veteran Coalition with founder/director, Michael O'Gorman.  The Mission of Farmer Veteran Coalition is Mobilizing Veterans to Feed America We cultivate a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develop viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. We believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable...

ZimmCast 616 - Voices from Alltech #ONE19

I'm going to share a few interviews from the conference that I hope you'll enjoy. First up will be Amanda Radke, BEEF daily blogger, BEEF Magazine. Amanda was an early intern for us who wrote for AgWired when she was in her final year at South Dakota State University. I'm proud of the career she is having and to have been a part of it in our little way. Next up you'll hear Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist, Department of Animal Science, University of Cali...

ZimmCast 615 - Water for Food

This week's program features interviews from the 2019 Water for Food Global Conference. Here is the list of who you will hear: Overview interview of the conference with Peter McCornick, Executive Director, Water for Food Institute Interview with Mark Edge, Director of Collaborations for Developing Countries, Bayer Interview with the Irrigation Association: Deborah Hamlin, CEO, Irrigation Association; Brent Mecham, Industry Development Director, Irrigation Association; Aric Olson, Presi...

ZimmCast 614 - Golden Mic Interviews from #NAMA19

This week's program features interviews that Cindy and I did during the 2019 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City. The Golden ZimmComm Microphone got a workout! At the beginning of this episode you can hear from Sheri Seger, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, outgoing NAMA President and Scott McClure, Brighton, incoming NAMA President. After that I'm sharing the other interviews we did in our Connection Point booth. We offered free Golden Mic Interviews to whoever stopped by and had quite a...

ZimmCast 613 - Agri-Marketing Conference Preview

In this week's program I visit with Susan Hunyor, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, who is the Chair of the Agri-Marketing Conference Committee. This is the annual conference of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). Susan walks us through a preview of the program for this year's conference.  ZimmComm is celebrating 15 years and will be having fun in the Connection Point, Booth 312. The Golden ZimmComm Microphones will be set up to conduct interviews with attendees. It's an opportunity ...

ZimmCast 612 - Agri-Pulse 15th Anniversary

ZimmCast 611 - National Ag Day

This week's program focuses on National Ag Day activities in our nation's Capitol. In the program you'll hear from Senator Pat Roberts who made remarks during the Celebration of American Agriculture reception. I also interviewed Isabella Chism, American Farm Bureau Federation, who is the Chair for National Ag Day.  Next up is USDA Deputy Secretary, Steve Censky, who spoke prior to moderating a panel discussion, "Observations from the Next Generation of America's Agriculturists." After hi...

ZimmCast 610 - Bayer AgVocacy Forum

This week's program includes where in the world the ZimmComm Team has been as well as a couple of interviews. We've been to Destin, FL for BASF Legacy Club events, then on to Orlando for the Commodity Classic and associated activities. At the same time Cindy was in Memphis for the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show. In this week's program I'm sharing interview with Darren Wallis, Vice President, North America Communications at Bayer CropScience and Willie Vogt, Executive Director, Content and Use...

ZimmCast 609 - Media Rooms and National Farm Machinery Show

In this week's program I talk about the crazy agriblogging highway schedule and the value of media rooms at conferences and conventions.  In addition to the above I am sharing some audio from the 2019 National Farm Machinery Show which includes Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles. Next up is FMC's Rick Ekins, Application and Innovations Platform Lead. He talks about "Investing in the Furrow." After that you can hear the presentation audio from the Case IH AFS Connect Magnum...

ZimmCast 608 - Cattle Industry Convention

This week's program contains some audio from last week's Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. After looking at what's coming up on our calendar I share a couple of excerpts from the press conference with Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue and then from Terry Bradshaw's speech. Sonny talks trade and Terry talks cows. I had no idea he had cattle and horses. After that you can listen to my wrap up interview with Kendall Frazier, CEO, NCBA. Kendall reviews the process NCBA goes through du...

ZimmCast 607 - Developing with Deere

In this week's program things get started with more analytics from ZimmComm media content. This time it's photos and videos. Think Flickr and YouTube. But then we go back to last week and I share some interviews from the Develop with Deere Conference. First up is Kayla Reynolds, Digital Business Development Manager, John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group.  Following Kayla is Brandon West, Evangelism Leader, Americas, AWS, who gave a keynote speech during the conference. The last interv...

ZimmCast 606 - Some ZimmComm Analytics

Besides some of the reach numbers from the AgWired channels and downloads of ZimmComm audio this week's program features Dr. Fred Moore, BASF, from their 2019 APT Summit and then Kevin Skunes, NCBA, talking about the 2019 Soil Health Summit.

ZimmCast 605 - ASTA CSS and Seed Expo

ZimmCast 604 - Interviews from ARA Conference & Expo

Once again ZimmComm worked with ARA to produce a virtual ag newsroom via our AgNewsWire service and you can find it on AgNewsWire.com. So, in this week’s program I want to share a couple of interviews I hope you’ll enjoy. The first one is with Melisa Augusto, ARA’s Director of Communications and Marketing. One of the key sponsors of the ARA conference and expo is FMC. The company sponsored the charging station for all our mobile devices with a place to sit down and relax. I met several F...

ZimmCast 603 - NAFB Leadership

This week’s program is dedicated to discussions with the leadership of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. NAFB just held its 75th annual convention in Kansas City. Cindy and I attended and obtained some great content which you’ll find in our virtual ag newsroom on AgNewsWire.com as well as story posts on AgWired. First up in the program is the just past-president of NAFB, Tom Cassidy, Ag Radio Network. The next person I talked with about NAFB is Tom Brand, NAFB Executive Dire...

ZimmCast 602 - A Farm Broadcasting Icon, Ethanol Co-Product and Mycotoxin Myths

In this week's program I share a conversation with farm broadcasting legend Everett Griner who just announced his retirement after 70 years in the broadcast business! Ev was also a mentor for me and Gary Cooper when I worked with him many years ago. Ev continued working for Gary and Southeast AgNet until this week. Next in the program I have an interview with Kelly Davis, Renewable Fuels Association, about their co-partnership with the Export Exchange conference that brings together intern...

ZimmCast 601 - FMC in the Field

In this week's program you'll get to hear from these FMC representatives who did presentations in the field for agricultural retailers. Ryan Osborn, Southeast Region Business Manager, FMC David Wheeler, Technical Service Manager, FMC Matthew Wiggins, Technical Services Manager, FMC Craig Heim, Senior Technical Service Manager, FMC Jake Franklin, FMC Research Station Manger Del Brandenberg Retail Marketing Manager, FMC FMC has acquired a number of products to round out their portfoli...

ZimmCast 600 - John Deere at World Dairy Expo

In this week’s program we’ll hear several John Deere representatives talk about the company’s newest forage harvester, the self-propelled 9,000 Series. I spoke to these folks on the morning the product was launched at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. Each of the guys I talked with provide a different perspective which I thought would be interesting. First up is: John Thomassen, Global Director – Hay & Forage Harvest. Next I spoke with: Dan Paschke, Director of Marketing – Hay & ...

World Dairy Expo Interview with John Holevoet, Edge Dairy Cooperative

World Dairy Expo Interview with John Pretz, Hubbard

ZimmCast 599 - BASF Cotton and Soybean Business

BASF is in high cotton since the acquisition of Stoneville and Fiber Max as a result of the Bayer-Monsanto deal, as well as soybean varieties such as Credenz and Liberty Link. This is a new field for BASF but along with the brands came many specialists from Bayer who know the products well. Over the past month, Chuck has been to several field days and events spotlighting the BASF cotton and soybean brands so we are featuring some of the interviews he has done in this ZimmCast. The person...

ZimmCast 598 - NAMA Fall Conference

This week's program features interviews with Melanie Rice, Brownfield Ag News, who is the Chair of the NAMA Fall Conference committee; Jerry Gennaria, Brighton Agency, recipient of the PDA for Excellence in Marketing Communications; John Robinson, NCBA, recipient of the PDA for Excellence in Public Relations and Laurie Fleck, newly appointed President/CEO of FLM Harvest.

Interview with ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne on treated seed harvest reminders

ZimmCast 597 - Next Generation on the Farm

A Bayer Grower Panel during the Farm Progress Show focused on “Preparing for the next generation of ag – on and off the farm.” I interviewed the panelists which included Bob Arndt, Wisconsin farmer, Jill Bramble, Senior Vp & Chief Resource Development Officer, National 4-H Council, Greg Nickrent, Senior Relationship Manager with BMO Harris, Serena Woodard, 4-H and Jeff Waller, Wisconsin farmer.

ZimmCast 596 - GROWMARK Annual Meeting

This week the ZimmCast, sponsored by GROWMARK, will feature interviews from the GROWMARK Annual Meeting.  Carrie Muehling interviewed GROWMARK CEO Jim Spradlin about the company’s new strategy, based on the acronym ‘GROW’ which is not just focused on getting bigger. It’s focused on getting better. She also interviewed Illinois farmer Rick Nelson who has served on the GROWMARK board for 28 years and is retiring from it. Ann Kafer, vice president of human resources and strategy officer t...

ZimmCast 595 - Soil Health Partnership & Can-Am

Dr. Shefali Mehta has been tapped as the new executive director of the Soil Health Partnership, a long-term data project that measures and quantifies the impact of farm management practices known to promote healthy soils. Let's meet her in this episode. Can-Am is introducing a new Defender Series Mossy Oak Hunting Edition HD10 model with improved features that includes an optional roof rack.

ZimmCast 594 - Ag Media Summit 2018 recap

The 20th annual Ag Media Summit was held Aug 5-8, 2018 in Scottsdale, AZ. This year the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Life and Human Sciences joined the American Agricultural Editors’ Association, Livestock Publications Council and the Connectiv Agri-Media Committee.  In this ZimmCast, we hear from outgoing AAEA president Julie Deering, FMC product development manager Brent Jacobson, Cyndee Smiley with John Deere, AMVAC director of por...

ZimmCast 593 - Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Ag Media Summit

This week's program previews two events coming up starting this weekend. Cindy will be attending the Ag Media Summit while I am working at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Buffalo Chip Campground. To start things off I visit with Robert White, Renewable Fuels Association, who talks about what to expect at what has become an annual educational program of activities in Sturgis, South Dakota. Then I talk with Suzanne Steele, Assistant Director, Communications, The Ohio State University C...

ZimmCast 592 - Tim the Dairy Farmer

Blue Collar meets Green Acres. That's how Comedian, Tim the Dairy Farmer, describes the release of his first album through a production company owned by famed comics Larry "The Cable Guy” and Jeff Foxworthy. The 50-minute album is called 'Farm Raised' and will be released by Git-R-Done Records on July 20th.  'Farm Raised' will be available throughiTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Spotify, and Pandora.  To purchase an actual hard copy CD of the album 'Farm Raised' visit www.timthedairyfarmer.co...

ZimmCast 591 - From the Tailgate

I'm pretty sure that most of you have been involved with an activity centered around a tailgate. That's part of why a new tv show is named, From the Tailgate. In this week's program you're going to learn all about it. The show is hosted by Jamie Johansen, Honey Creek Media. You know her. Our Jamie. Well, Jamie started her own company during the time she was doing work for us and with her sister, Joanna, they have acquired a growing number of projects, including this one. Cindy and I can't ...

ZimmCast 590 - Precision, Pork & Podcasts

Happy Independence Day week. This episode of the ZimmCast will introduce you to some other farm podcasters you may not be familiar with. If you are not subscribing to podcasts then get started. There are many really good programs and quite a few that have started recently. In the program you'll hear The Raven Precision Podcast, the latest information on Raven precision technology; Pork Pod,  look at the hot topics in the pork industry; The Business of Agriculture Podcast, listen to Damian ...

ZimmCast 589 - Incredible Eggs & New CEO for USFRA

In this week's program you'll hear mostly from Cindy and the people she interviewed recently. So, let's get started by thanking our sponsor, GROWMARK, Locally Owned, Globally Strong. First up will be an interview Cindy did with American Egg Board Marketing Communications Manager Marc Dresner. They discuss the AEB's eggciting promotional sponsorship of Disney-Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” that has audiences scrambling for new “How Do You Like Your Eggs?” recipes reflecting each of the film’s char...

ZimmCast 588 - Social Networking & Ethanol Education

In this week's program I'm going to cover a couple of different topics, although there are some common elements from an educational perspective. First up is Joanna Guza, Digital Communications Manager, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and also volunteer with GMO Answers. We talk about social networking as a tool to reach people about topics like GMOs, especially during Dairy Month. Joanna has some great insight and advice for using the tools we have. Next I talk with Paul Teutul, Jr., Paul ...

ZimmCast 587 - IFAJ Congress 2018 - Jacqueline Wijbenga

In this week's program we'll get a preview of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists annual Congress which will take place in the Netherlands this year. I spoke via Skype with one of the organizers of the Congress, Jacqueline Wijbenga, Adjunct-uitgever, Eisma Businessmedia. We discussed the program and the theme of this year's Congress. The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) annually organizes a world congress. Alternately, the congress takes pla...