News from ZimmComm New Media

March 2, 2012

Hello ZimmComm Fans:

The ZimmComm team is attending a record breaking Commodity Classic this week in Nashville, TN. You can find out what's going on by visiting AgWired.com. At last count there are nearly 6,000 registered attendees at this combined meeting of the NCGA, ASA, NAWG and NSP. You can find photos from the event in Chuck & Cindy's online photo album.

In our latest ZimmPoll we asked, "What will be planted this year?" It's that time and everyone seems to have their own idea about what it will be. 45% of respondents said More of both, 32% said More corn less soybeans and 12% each said More soybeans less corn and Less of both. USDA is estimating corn acreage will be higher this year and the highest since 1944 with soybean acres nearly the same as last year. What do you think?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, "Is our food system broken?" During the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum one of our speakers was Gawain Kripke, Oxfam America. He told us "our food system is broken." We think the statement was made out of frustration that we produce more food than we can eat in this country and a huge amount goes to waste. Since we don't have a system to get waste food to those who need it they seem to believe the food system is broken. It's a provacative statement and we would love your thoughts.

Here are some interviews you might have missed. Much more audio on AgWired, so check it out!

Now for some news from the ZimmComm News Network:

AgWired

Ready For Record Commodity Classic

I'd like to thank New Holland for sponsoring the media room at Commodity Classic once again this year. And I'd especially like to thank them for being one of our sponsors for AgWired coverage of the event again this year. New Holland was one of the first companies to support our unique brand of "live" event blogging. This is the 7th year the company has been our sponsor for Commodity Classic. Thank you to Gene Hemphill and to Abe Hughes. I'm looking forward to seeing Abe this afternoon in the New Holland exhibit at the trade show. Now back to our program. MORE

Podcast

BASF Supports Scholars with ASA, NCGA and Now NAWG

BASF Crop Protection is expanding its support of young people pursuing careers in agriculture by joining with the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) Foundation to establish a memorial scholarship to honor longtime wheat industry friend and BASF employee Jerry Minore. As a BASF Senior Market Manager, Minore was a liaison to the wheat industry, including NAWG and the Foundation, and an advocate for wheat growers. MORE

Podcast

Podcast 2

2012 BASF and NCGA/ASA Scholarship Winners

Commodity Classic Trade Show Ribbon Cutting

The trade show at the 2012 Commodity Classic is officially underway here in Nashville, TN. Of course things got started with a ribbon cutting where representatives from each of the four participating commodity groups made brief welcoming comments. We'll hear more from them at tomorrow's general session that also includes a speech from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. There's a lot going on here as this annual event just keeps getting bigger and bigger. MORE

2012 Commodity Classic - Trade Show Ribbon Cutting

Domestic Fuel

RFS May Top Farm Bill in Importance to Corn Growers

Maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) may be more important to corn growers than a new farm bill. MORE

Podcast

Podcast 2

Ethanol Report Wraps Up NEC

The 17th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC) of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) was one of the best ever, with a good crowd and headline speakers. MORE

Podcast

RFA CEO Pleased with Ethanol Conference

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen was very happy with the 17th annual National Ethanol Conference held last week in Orlando, Florida. MORE

Podcast

Precision Pays

Tire technology can make farmers more efficient

When you think of technology, tires aren't exactly the first thing that come to mind. In this Precision Pays Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology we examine how the world of implement tires is changing and how Titan Tires is helping producers become more efficient in their operations. MORE
Podcast

Organizations Express Support for Conservation Title in the Farm

Today, 643 organizations, representing tens of millions Americans, expressed strong support for the Conservation Title of the U.S. Farm Bill in a letter sent to Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Frank Lucas (R-OK), as well as the ranking members of those committees. MORE

New Highly Erodible Cropland Initiative for CRP

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a new conservation initiative to protect up to 750,000 acres of the nation's most highly erodible croplands. The new initiative will assist producers with targeting their most highly erodible cropland (land with an erodibility index of 20 or greater) by enabling them to plant wildlife-friendly, long-term cover through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). MORE

World Dairy Diary

Moisture Tester Available from Deere

Hay producers can now determine the moisture content of the hay they are baling on the go with the Advanced Baler-Mounted Hay Moisture Tester from John Deere. MORE

Nebraska Dairy Convention

The Nebraska Dairy Convention carries a theme of "The Future...Is Now," and will be held March 13-14 at Divots Conference Center in Norfolk, Neb. The convention is free to all Nebraska dairy producers, families and guests. Registration and a complete agenda are found online. MORE

CWT Export Update

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 20 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 1,129 metric tons (2.489 million pounds) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese and 1,385 metric tons (3.053 million pounds) of butter to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered February through June 2012. MORE

Contact Information
ZimmComm New Media
1600 Skyview Dr.
Holts Summit, MO 65043
phone: 573-896-5842
email: news@agwired.com (inquiries/news releases/announcements)
Chuck on Twitter
Cindy on Twitter

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