FMC Solstice Enters Second Year

Cindy ZimmermanFMC, Weed control

nfms15-fmc-mattIt was just over a year ago now that FMC Agricultural Solutions launched Solstice™ herbicide, providing corn growers with a new dual-action option for postemergence control of broadleaf weeds, including those resistant to glyphosate.

FMC North America segment manager Matt Hancock says they received great feedback from corn growers who used Solstice last season. “We found that 92% of those growers that tried it last year were interested in shifting their program to Solstice in 2015,” said Hancock. “They really keyed in on the speed and the effectiveness on waterhemp.”

Hancock says Solstice combines a wide application window with fast performance to manage weed escapes and maintain cleaner fields as part of a season-to-season resistance management strategy.

Find out more about Solstice here and in this interview: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/fmc/nfms15-fmc-solstice.mp3″ text=”Interview with Matt Hancock, FMC”]

Precision Labs Cuts Water, Increases Yields

John DavisAgribusiness, Irrigation

precision-laboratories-logo1New water restrictions announced in California underscore the need to better manage water resources, especially irrigation. Precision Laboratories has introduced Tolero, an irrigation injection surfactant that increases crop yields while reducing irrigation water and the energy needed to move it.

“Agricultural irrigation is the top consumer of water in the United States. With mounting competition for fresh water, growers are under immense pressure to increase crop yields while reducing water and energy,” said Don Spier, vice president at Precision Laboratories. “We understand these demands on growers and are proud to help them be successful in a whole new way that can revolutionize agricultural irrigation practices.”

Irrigation in the U.S. covers nearly 52 million acres of harvested cropland and uses more than 79 billion gallons of water per day, according to the 2013 data from the USDA Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. This vast amount of water has great opportunities for more effective management with less waste. Many growers experience issues with water reaching the crop due to run-off and lack of distribution in the soil. Tolero improves the infiltration of irrigation and rainfall by spreading it into and throughout the plant’s root zone, keeping it readily available as needed. The increased water content in the soil enhances the growing environment by reducing plant stress and improving water and nutrient distribution.

“Lack of available water at critical stages of plant development negatively affects the establishment, fruit set, plant health and yield of most high-value crops,” said Spier. “Agronomists in western United States report thousands of acres of land are being removed from production due to insufficient water to grow crops. Incorporating Tolero into an overall water management program is proven to save water in one of two ways, either reducing irrigation time or increasing intervals between watering.”

Tolero has been shown to significantly increase crop yields, by nearly 80 percent in some cases, while cutting water use by 40 percent, as well as reducing soil compaction and enhancing the growing environment for roots and overall plant health.

More information is available on the Precision Laboratories website.

Industry Adjusting to Lower Farm Equipment Sales

Cindy ZimmermanAEM, Audio, Commodity Classic, Equipment, Tractor

Sales of farm tractors and combines are continuing their downward trend this year and the industry is adjusting after several good years in a row, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

aem“The last five years have been pretty darn good years and we were at pretty high levels of equipment sales,” said AEM Senior Vice President and Ag Sector Lead Charlie O’Brien. “So even though we’re down double digits in certain areas, it’s still at not too bad a level, but everybody has to make an adjustment based on what demand is now.”

During the recent Commodity Classic, AEM did an informal survey of ag equipment manufacturers about the downward trend and how long they think it will last. “Everyone has differing opinions but overall people think 2015 will be about the same as last year, 2016 there’s some optimism, but more people are saying 2017,” he said.

O’Brien notes that while sales of large tractors and combines are down significantly, sales of smaller horsepower tractors are up. “The smaller horsepower tractors track very closely with the general economy, while the larger equipment is tied to net farm income,” O’Brien said.

AEM’s most recent numbers on sales of farm tractors and combines show that as of February 2015 sales of 4WD farm tractors are down over 50% from the same time last year, but total tractor sales including the smaller horsepower categories are down only one percent. Combine sales are down 37% year to date.

Learn more in this interview with O’Brien from Commodity Classic. [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/AEM/classic-15-obrien-aem.mp3″ text=”Interview with Charlie O’Brien, AEM”]

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic is sponsored by
Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by John Deere Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

Bayer CropScience, NC Partner for Roadside Pollinators

John DavisAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Bees, pollinators

feedabeeBayer CropScience has pledged $100,000 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to be used for the development of roadside pollinator plantings this spring. This news release from the company says the project covers about 46 new acres of bee-attractant vegetation alongside North Carolina’s roads and highways, such as wildflower beds that promote honey bee population development and support crop pollination.

“This investment is a down payment on the sustainable health of pollinators in North Carolina and a model for how public-private partnerships, like that between Bayer and NCDOT, can benefit the environment and state,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “Bayer is dedicated to the establishment of new habitat for honey bees that will allow them to flourish, as they continue to play a critical role in creating sustainable agriculture.”

This is just the latest of Bayer’s partnerships across the country in its recently launched Feed a Bee campaign that has a goal of growing 50 million flowers and providing additional forage acreage for bees in 2015.

This is NCDOT’s 30th year of planting wildflowers annually across North Carolina and has been transitioning the state’s roadsides to incorporate a native planting zone that provides suitable habitat for many pollinator species.

“Bayer’s partnership will go a long way to continuing to bolster the aesthetic appeal of North Carolina’s highways and expanding forage for pollinators,” said Don Lee, unit head of the NCDOT’s Roadside Environmental division. “The wildflower beds and native habitat along our roadsides set North Carolina apart, and this investment will help us increase sustainability and improve the environment for our honey bees in the process.”

Farmers Mutual Acquires John Deere Insurance

John DavisAgribusiness, John Deere

farmersmutual1Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company has acquired John Deere Insurance Company and John Deere Risk Protection, Inc.

“The combination will take two very reputable, well respected mid-tier companies and create a top-tier company with a national footprint and enormous potential,” said Ron Rutledge, FMH Chairman, President and CEO.

Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, FMH has served America’s farmers since 1893 with a combination of financial strength, personal service, and Midwestern values. A leader in the crop insurance industry, the company has been managed by the same family for over 120 years, and has a reputation of building lasting relationships that benefit their employees, business partners, and customers. FMH provides comprehensive risk management solutions, including private and federal crop insurance, reinsurance products and services, as well as farm and ranch insurance that includes auto, property, and liability coverage.

Deere had been involved in the crop insurance business for 9 years, during which John Deere Insurance Company had become a top-10 provider of crop insurance with national distribution and a product portfolio of both government-backed multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) coverages as well as private crop insurance products such as crop hail protection.

Blessed Good Friday to All

Jamie JohansenZimmComm

st-john-crossIn observance of Good Friday ZimmComm New Media offices are closed today. The team wishes everyone a very happy Easter and Easter season. We’ll be back in action on Monday.

“Christ of Saint John of the Cross” is a painting by Salvador Dalí made in 1951 based on a drawing by the 16th-century Spanish friar John of the Cross.

Mandatory GMO Labeling Sweeps ZimmPoll

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is best for GMO labeling?”

Agricultural organizations are voicing support for the bi-partisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act introduced in the U.S. House recently. Over half of those who took this week’s ZimmPoll believe there should be mandatory GMO labeling for all foods. However, many still think doing nothing will be our best option.

Here are the poll results:

  • Mandatory GMO labeling for all foods – 53%
  • Voluntary certification for non-GMO labels – 19%
  • Let states decide – 2%
  • Nothing – 26%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Will you order an Apple Watch on April 10 or buy a Samsung S6 smartphone?

Starting April 10 you can order the coolest new gadget to hit the market this spring, an Apple Watch. There are a variety of models to choose from for every budget. But is this device something that you want/need? How would it improve life on the farm?

On that same day phone carriers will begin selling the new Samsung S6 smartphone. If you’re an Android fan has this been on your wish list. It looks like Samsung’s answer to the iPhone 6. So let us know if you have plans to purchase either of these new gadgets.

InfoAg Conference Back in St. Louis

Cindy ZimmermanInfoAg

infoagThe 2015 InfoAg Conference, now an annual event, is back at the Union Station in St. Louis July 28-30.

The premier precision agriculture event for producers, consultants, and the crop production industry, InfoAg this year feature five tracks of concurrent sessions with two tracks repeating to allow attendees to hear more of the presentations while offering a wide variety of topics. Last year a record-setting 1400-plus participants shared in presentations on a wide range of topics on technology applications and data management and interpretation.

On-line registration is now open and we hope to see you there!

John Deere’s 6 Family Tractor Line​

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, John Deere, Tractor

John Deere TractorJohn Deere has expanded its lineup of 6M and 6R Series Tractors for model year 2015 to offer producers a wider range of horsepower, frame sizes, transmissions, hydraulics and other options.

“Our objective is to continually expand our tractor line to meet a wide variety of customer needs, yet be able to offer the same proven performance, reliability and service standards in every 6 Family model,” says Kory Ross, mid-tractor product manager for John Deere. “The new models in our 6M and 6R Series continue that tradition, with tractors ranging from 110 to 215 engine horsepower, and build commonality in horsepower and other features within the 6 Family.”

Tractors in the mid-specification 6M Series are well-suited for such chores as haying and field work; loader, feeding and material handling; mowing roadsides; and maintaining orchards and vineyards. Operation can vary from creeper speed for working in specialty crops to 25 mph for faster transport. The closed-center pressure and flow-compensating hydraulic system offers advantages such as increased lift capacity and faster loader-cycle times.

Seven 6M models are available (the three numbers following the “6” indicate engine horsepower). Small-frame models are the 6110M, 6120M and 6130M; the 6145M and 6155M are mid-frame models; and the 6175M and the new 6195M are large-frame models.

In addition to the higher power range, the 6Ms are available with mechanical cab suspension system for improved ride quality; factory-installed AutoTrac™ Ready for assisted steering on the mid- and large-frame models; on-the-go auto mechanical front-wheel drive and differential lock for increased traction; and front hitch and front PTO options for front-mounted implements.

The 6M models also have Power Fill brakes for demanding loads and hillside mowing operations and come with multiple tire options based on different applications.

The 6R Series of premium specification tractors offer additional horsepower, cab and control options, and more performance features to handle larger chores and field operations. These features include the ComfortView™ cab, high-performance controls, and optimum comfort, along with panoramic visibility.

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New Bayer CropScience R&D Facility Opens in NC

John DavisAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Research, seed

Pikeville Ribbon Cutting1Bayer CropScience has opened a new breeding and trait development station in eastern North Carolina. This company news release says the $6.3 million state-of-the-art facility will be home to testing and development of new cotton and soybean varieties for the mid-Atlantic and Southern United States.

The Breeding and Trait Development Station at Pikeville is the first of several Bayer CropScience breeding stations throughout North and South America and the first to combine work on two crops. The facility will support the development and testing of Bayer CropScience’s FiberMax® and Stoneville® cotton varieties and Credenz™ soybeans for the mid-Atlantic region, utilizing high-performing, smart technology genetics in a wide range of varieties, in order to offer growers a new, more advanced choice to maximize yields and quality. These efforts will also evaluate the quality and yield of cotton and soybeans. Yield improvement for cotton will be the primary focus at the Breeding and Development Station at Pikeville, while Bayer CropScience strives to deliver the improved fiber quality increasingly demanded by cotton merchants globally.

“Our Breeding and Trait Development Station at Pikeville will have a significant impact on the way cotton and soybeans are grown and developed throughout this area of the country,” said Brent Styles, site and testing manager for the Breeding and Trait Development Station at Pikeville. “We place a high emphasis on quality management and seed stewardship, in order to ensure our cotton and soybean-related products are the most beneficial to growers.”

The facility consists of four new buildings on a renovated former Bayer Healthcare site, recycling nearly 90 percent of all the materials in the demolition and using automated LED lights and solar-powered seed dryers.