Agri Marketing articles from March 2006

Agri Marketing archives from March 2006

Five years ago (2001).(THIS MONTH IN AGRIMARKETING)
March 1, 2006... * RFD Communications, Inc., launches a TV network dedicated to serving the needs of rural America. * Seed companies announce they are completing testing programs to detect if StarLink bt may have contaminated their 2000 hybrids. *...

Ten years ago (1996).(THIS MONTH IN AGRIMARKETING)
March 1, 2006... * Monsanto announces it will request growers who purchase its new Roundup Ready soybeans to sign technology agreements and pay $5-per bag tech fee. * ICI Seeds, Inc., announces it will reemphasize the Garst Seeds name. * The top five...

Twenty years ago (1986).(THIS MONTH IN AGRIMARKETING)
March 1, 2006... * Sandoz purchases Velsicol Chemical Corp. * Rob Fletcher resigns as CEO of Fletcher Mayo Assoc. He is succeeded by Glenn Mayo. * NCGA and Funk Seeds announces the new "Corn Utilization Project" to search for new uses of the nation's...

MACA sponsors stewardship seminar.
March 1, 2006... Officers of the MidAmerica CropLife Association (MACA) huddle after hosting its inaugural "Security & Safety Through Stewardship & Traceablilty" seminar held in St. Louis, MO, last month. Over 200 representatives from crop input distributors...

Pioneer hosts ag media event.(Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l held its annual seminar for the ag media last month at its headquarters in Johnston, IA. Here, the editors and broadcasters join with Pioneer Pres Dean Oestreich (center, back). Named "The Science of Solutions," the...

Monsanto launches Roundup Ready Alfalfa.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Monsanto announced the launch of its new Roundup Ready Alfalfa at the World Ag Expo held in Tulare, CA, last month. RR Alfalfa was developed by Monsanto in cooperation with Forage Genetics International, Inc., St. Paul, MN. Participating in the...

Firestone tests FFA members driving skills.(FYI NEWS & NOTES)
March 1, 2006... How quickly can you kick dirt? More than 1,600 FFA members answered that challenge during the 2005 National FFA Convention at the Firestone Agricultural Tire Division exhibit. With help from The Meyocks Group, Firestone tested FFA members'...

Welcome ...(AgCareers. com forms partnership with AgriMarketing magazine)
March 1, 2006... Welcome to 'The Scoop on Recruiting' from AgCareers. com. We are pleased to announce a recent partnership with AgriMarketing magazine to provide their readers with information regarding recruiting and retaining talent within an organization....

Market opportunities in today's farm households.
March 1, 2006... Over the past several decades, farm structures have changed and continue to evolve. The U.S. Farm Household Typology, a classification system of today's farm, illustrates how agrimarketers can effectively and efficiently capitalize on...

The right people in the right place at the right time.(Direct Contact Inc.)(Company overview)
March 1, 2006... FACE TO FACE SELLING In many ways the agricultural industry is quite fraternal. Many of the experienced and professional members of that fraternity don't go away but rather they reappear with a different hat and coat and continue to impact...

Agrium Inc. announced that it has successfully acquired control of Royster-Clark.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Agrium Inc. announced that it has successfully acquired control of Royster-Clark, creating North America's largest retailer of crop inputs. The purchase price for the units including assumed debt is anticipated to be approximately...

Dow AgroSciences (Dow) and Monsanto announce a global business agreement that establishes cooperative arrangements.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Dow AgroSciences (Dow) and Monsanto announce a global business agreement that establishes cooperative arrangements that will give farmers new technology options and more choice in the products to meet their needs. Under this agreement: ...

Bayer CropScience is bringing its business structure more closely into alignment with the strategic market segments.(William Buckner appointed)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Bayer CropScience is bringing its business structure more closely into alignment with the strategic market segments. Effective April 1, 2006, the organization will be structured into six Business Operations units and a Business & Global...

DuPont has reached an agreement with FMC Corporation to introduce new sulfentrazone combination product offerings for bareground vegetation management uses in the U.S. and its territories.(AT CLOSING NEWS)
March 1, 2006... DuPont has reached an agreement with FMC Corporation to introduce new sulfentrazone combination product offerings for bareground vegetation management uses in the U.S. and its territories. DuPont will provide the market with value added blends...

Bush Hog, LLC, announces that Dennis Webster has assumed the position of pres/CEO following the planned retirement of Bobby Middlebrooks.(AT CLOSING NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Bush Hog, LLC, announces that Dennis Webster has assumed the position of pres/CEO following the planned retirement of Bobby Middlebrooks. Webster has been with Delphi Automotive since January 2000. Additionally, he has ten years of senior...

ARGO S.p.A. of San Martino in Rio, Italy, announces a reorganization creating ARGO Tractors.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... ARGO S.p.A. of San Martino in Rio, Italy, announces a reorganization creating ARGO Tractors to manufacture and market McCormick and Landini brand products throughout the world. The Landini and McCormick brands will be distributed by common,...

Roger Underwood and Jeff Becker, co-founders of Becker Underwood, Ames, IA, a leading specialty chemical producer of seed, agriculture, turf, horticulture and landscape products.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Roger Underwood and Jeff Becker, co-founders of Becker Underwood, Ames, IA, a leading specialty chemical producer of seed, agriculture, turf, horticulture and landscape products, announce they are stepping back from their management...

Bill Lewis has been named Business Unit Head of Arysta LifeScience North America, Cary, NC.(AT CLOSING NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Bill Lewis has been named Business Unit Head of Arysta LifeScience North America, Cary, NC. Lewis joins Arysta from Syngenta Crop Protection, where he was VP of Professional Products and Regional Business for NAFTA.

Central Garden & Pet Company, Walnut Creek, CA, announces it has acquired the stock of Farnam Companies, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, for approximately $287 million, plus $4 million for the purchase of related real property.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Central Garden & Pet Company, Walnut Creek, CA, announces it has acquired the stock of Farnam Companies, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, for approximately $287 million, plus $4 million for the purchase of related real property. Farnam is a leading...

Dow AgroSciences.(launches series of websites)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, IN, has developed a series of new interactive Websites. www.CleanCorn. corn, shows corn growers how soil-applied herbicides benefit both conventional and herbicide-tolerant corn weed-control systems. It has...

Monsanto and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) announce that ADM will process Monsanto's VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans in 2006.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Monsanto and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) announce that ADM will process Monsanto's VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans in 2006 at its facility in Frankfort, IN, and will market the low-linolenic soybean oil for use by the food industry. ...

John Deere Risk Protection (JDRP).(John Deere Insurance Group Inc. appoints)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... John Deere Risk Protection (JDRP), Johnston, IA, announces it is adding staff resources and expanding its marketing area from 18 to 35 states to build its crop insurance business. Tommy Jones has been named Manager, sales and marketing and...

Cargill AgHorizons and Wells Fargo announces a new program to help farm families pay for their healthcare expenses and save for the future.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Cargill AgHorizons and Wells Fargo announces a new program to help farm families pay for their healthcare expenses and save for the future. Called "Harvest Health," it combines a health savings account (HSA) provided by Wells Fargo with funding...

Diversa Corporation, San Diego, CA, and BASF announce they have entered into a broad alliance that will leverage Diversa's leadership position in novel enzyme development and BASF's expertise in biotechnology, process development, product applications, and global marketing and distribution.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Diversa Corporation, San Diego, CA, and BASF announce they have entered into a broad alliance that will leverage Diversa's leadership position in novel enzyme development and BASF's expertise in biotechnology, process development, product...

Kent Feeds Inc.(appoints and promotes )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Kent Feeds Inc., Muscatine, IA, announces John Meineke is promoted to VP, market development. He will be responsible for market research. John Howard joins the sales and marketing department at Kent as national accounts and pet foods...

Rabobank, New York, announces it has completed the $371 million acquisition of Central Coast Bancorp, Salinas, CA, the holding company for Community Bank of Central California.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Rabobank, New York, announces it has completed the $371 million acquisition of Central Coast Bancorp, Salinas, CA, the holding company for Community Bank of Central California. The acquisition increases Rabobank, N.A.'s retail branch network to...

Officials at Bayer CropScience have launched the "FiberMax One Ton Club" to honor the numerous achievements of cotton growers who have raised FiberMax Cotton Seed.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Officials at Bayer CropScience have launched the "FiberMax One Ton Club" to honor the numerous achievements of cotton growers who have raised FiberMax Cotton Seed. The inaugural class of FiberMax One Ton Club growers was honored at a reception...

Mycogen Seeds announces its first Quad-Stack corn hybrid which includes the in-plant insect protection of Herculex XTRA.(MARKETING NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Mycogen Seeds announces its first Quad-Stack corn hybrid which includes the in-plant insect protection of Herculex XTRA--combining the protection of Herculex RW Rootworm Protection and Herculex I Insect Protection--along with the herbicide...

Obituary.(GOOD RIDDANCE DEPT.)(Obituary)
March 1, 2006... On October 17, 2005, Corporate Yes-Man died at his office in Plainview, USA. Known for his ability to block true progress and derail innovation, his crippling fear of all things new and different eventually led to his demise. He will not be...

Delta King Seed Company.(appoints David Fraser for promotional campaign)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Delta King Seed Company, Memphis, TN, announces that David Fraser of The Fraser Group has been hired as "SoyDiesel Ambassador" to assist in Delta King's 2006 SoyDiesel promotion campaign. Fraser will travel throughout the Midsouth, calling...

Reinke Manufacturing, Inc., Deshler, NE, has partnered with Northeast Community College in Norfolk, NE.(MARKETING NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Reinke Manufacturing, Inc., Deshler, NE, has partnered with Northeast Community College in Norfolk, NE, to offer a new online educational course available to servicemen within the Reinke dealer network. The Internet-based course, "Basic...

The Roto-Mix Division of JSI Industries, Inc., has been reacquired by the original investors who founded the Company back in 1984.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Roto-Mix Division of JSI Industries, Inc., has been reacquired by the original investors who founded the Company back in 1984. Roto-Mix is a leading manufacturer of livestock feed mixing equipment for the beef cattle and dairy industries....

Agrium Inc., Calgary, Alberta, announces it has concluded the purchase from Spectrum Brands Inc., Atlanta, GA, of its Nu-Gro fertilizer technology and professional products businesses.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Agrium Inc., Calgary, Alberta, announces it has concluded the purchase from Spectrum Brands Inc., Atlanta, GA, of its Nu-Gro fertilizer technology and professional products businesses. Agrium will fund the purchase price of $86-million from...

Redball, LLC, Benson, MN, has been named distributor of the Green-Seeker optical sensing and application system in the South and Midwest by NTech Industries, Ukiah, CA.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Redball, LLC, Benson, MN, has been named distributor of the Green-Seeker optical sensing and application system in the South and Midwest by NTech Industries, Ukiah, CA. GreenSeeker utilizes optical sensors to assess color and health of crop...

AgVenture, Inc.(MARKETING NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Bonnie Washburn has been named Marketing Specialist for AgVenture, Inc., Kentland, IN. Washburn has more than twenty-five years experience in marketing and sales in publishing, banking and insurance industries.

The buzz on buzz....(marketing)
March 1, 2006... The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), AdAge, the American Marketing Association s Marketing Matters, Fast Company, Business Week and a host of sources invaluable to marketers are all covering the buzz on buzz. Word of Mouth (WOM) marketing has gained...

A favorable ruling on commodity marketing boards was issued last month by the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento.(ASSOCIATION
March 1, 2006... A favorable ruling on commodity marketing boards was issued last month by the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento. In the case of Gallo Cattle Company v. A.G. Kawamura which had challenged the constitutionality of the California...

Over 400 seed producers and associated industry representatives were on hand for the 17th annual Independent Professional Seedsmen Association's Annual Conference held last month in St. Louis, MO.(ASSOCIATION / MEDIA NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Over 400 seed producers and associated industry representatives were on hand for the 17th annual Independent Professional Seedsmen Association's Annual Conference held last month in St. Louis, MO. Among the highlights of the conference was the...

Meister Media Worldwide.(ASSOCIATION / MEDIA NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Meister Media Worldwide, Willoughby, OH, announces Gary T. Fitzgerald, president, will become chairman and CEO, and Richard T. Meister, chairman, will become chairman emeritus and will continue to work alongside with Fitzgerald, on the...

RFD Communications, Inc., Omaha, NE, announces the nation's two DBS satellite companies, DIRECTV and DISH Network.(EchoStar Communications Corp. signed)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... RFD Communications, Inc., Omaha, NE, announces the nation's two DBS satellite companies, DIRECTV and DISH Network have extended their agreement to carry the company's RFD-TV channel and expand its coverage by including it in both DBS companies...

Farm Journal.(Charlene Finck appointed)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Charlene Finck has been named editor of Farm Journal. She will replace Karen Freiberg, who is retiring. Finck joined Farm Journal in 1989 as machinery editor, then opened Farm Journal's crop production headquarters in Missouri in 1992 when...

The Nat'l Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) announced its annual Crop Consultant of the Year.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Nat'l Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) announced its annual Crop Consultant of the Year award honorees. They include: Jim Mum, Centrol, MN. He has been in the crop consulting business for 25 years, specializing in...

Ag stock index.(Table)
March 1, 2006... STOCK PRICE AT CLOSE OF MARKET Month Ago This Month Exchange:Ticker 1/31/06 2/28/06 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT, FARM MACHINERY AGCO Corp. ...

Rising input costs on producers' minds.(PRODUCER DIALOGUE: What's On Farmers' Minds?)
March 1, 2006... As spring fieldwork gets under way and input decisions are finalized, the AgriMarketing/Beck Ag PRODUCER DIALOGUE indicated that increased costs of purchased inputs will be the single most important problem facing their businesses in 2006. ...

Introducing the new AgriMarketing/ BECK Ag Com.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The goal of PRODUCER DIALOGUE is to provide the agrimarketing community with insight on what leading ag producers are thinking including their economic outlook and anticipated business decisions. It is our intention to provide information that...

NAMA members "jazzed" during best of NAMA season.(National Agri-Marketing Association)
March 1, 2006... Every January industry professionals gather m several cities around the country to honor the best in creative agri-marketing communications. This year was no different. The first ceremony to kick off the Best of NAMA Season was the Region...

New NAMA members.(National Agri-Marketing Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The following are NAMA members that joined from January 1, 2006 to February 23, 2006. AT LARGE Clarence Shwaluk, Ridley Inc. Mike Mason, The Farm Credit Council BADGER Jaclyne Hamlett, Bader Rutter & Associates, Inc. ...

Will the twins take back the central?(Myrna Krueger of National Agri-Marketing Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... NAMA leader Myrna Krueger lives with her family and cat, Rocket in a log house in Elk River, Minn. She is married and has a 15-year old daughter. Krueger believes that the Minnesota Twins, with their strong pitching and having picked up some...

Full court press.(National Agri-Marketing Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The nature of the NAMA year is that the full court press of activities comes in March and April with the Agri-Marketing Conference being the culmination of the year's activities. The conference is the time to catch up with friends, learn about...

Regional best of NAMA results.(Special Member Bonus)(National Agri-Marketing Association)
March 1, 2006... Regional Best of NAMA judging took place during November in Kansas City. From the six regions 527 were eligible to advance to the national competition, held during February in Kansas City. Those advancing entries won either a first place or...

Marketers should expand scope of rural living.(Broadhead + Co)(Company overview)
March 1, 2006... The president is talking up ethanol. Chevy is marketing E-85 in TV spots. The term 'ruralpolitan' is being added to marketing vocabularies. It all begs the question, is rural the next big thing? According to the 2000 U.S. Census, just over...

FedEx Corp. and the Christmas Tree assn join forces to bring real trees to real heroes.(THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX)
March 1, 2006... Since 1998, the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), the trade association for Real Tree growers, wholesalers and retailers, has depended upon the staff of Drake & Company, Chesterfield, MO, to help promote Real Christmas Trees and...

Dairy industry looks strong.
March 1, 2006... Overview by Hoard's Dairyman, Ft. Atkinson, WI by Steve Larson, managing editor There're plenty of reasons to feel good about the dairy industry in 2006. We have just had 23 consecutive months of the benchmark Class III price...

Bou-Matic LLC, a dairy equipment supply company based in Madison, WI, has selected the communications firm of Morgan&Myers, Inc.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Bou-Matic LLC, a dairy equipment supply company based in Madison, WI, has selected the communications firm of Morgan&Myers, Inc., as its agency of record. "Morgan&Myers was the logical choice, thanks to their experience in marketing...

Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications.(AGENCY NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications, Naperville, IL, announced the opening of its new downtown Chicago meeting space in Tree Studios. The location is a shared-office environment housed in the 80-year-old former Medinah Temple at the corner...

Tierney Communications, Philadelphia, PA, has been awarded the $20 million advertising and direct marketing business for Bayer Environmental Science.(AGENCY NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Tierney Communications, Philadelphia, PA, has been awarded the $20 million advertising and direct marketing business for Bayer Environmental Science, a leading manufacturer of pest and turf management technology headquartered in Raleigh, NC....

If it's worth doing ... it's worth over-doing: Burrus Hybrids earns success with the fundamentals of marketing.(Cover story)(Company overview)
March 1, 2006... Achieving a five percent market share in the hotly contested seed corn business is quite an achievement, as anyone who is familiar with the seed business knows. Especially for a smaller, family-owned business which is competing with...

Measuring ROI in communications through technology.(return on investment)
March 1, 2006... Time and time again I hear the same story. We have invested in this tool or application and no one is using it." You can have all the data in the world, the best lead management software and a great Web site, but if you have no centralized...

Agricultural communication pros report on what's new.(technology applied in marketing procedures)
March 1, 2006... Agriculture Online[R], Des Moines, IA www.agriculture.com by Tom Davis, publisher, Successful Farming Agriculture Online offers an array of cutting-edge interactive marketing solutions. Producers have trusted Agriculture Online for more...

Upcoming meetings for Agri marketers.(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... APRIL APRIL 9-12: Biotechnology Industry Organization Meeting, Chicago, IL. For more information visit, www.bio.org. APRIL 12-13: Informa Economics Inc. 14th Annual Food and Agriculture Policy Outlook Conference, Washington, D.C....

Monsanto continues to expand its seed business.(Dennis Plummer of Americana Seeds Inc.)(Interview)
March 1, 2006... Name: Dennis Plummer Title: President, American Seeds Inc., subsidiary of Monsanto, St. Louis, MO. Started his career with Butler Manufacturing Co. then moved to Pfizer Genetics before joining Monsanto in 1980. Education: B.A. from...