iCropTrak 5 Features On-Board Processing

Joanna SchroederAgribusiness, Apps, Data, Farm Management

Cogent3D has released its newest version of iCropTrak and the application now features “on-board” processing for mobile analytics and is helping to take precision ag one step futher. This technology is a bit different than many that are based in the “cloud” or on your desktop. According to Cogent3D, iCropTrak version 5 performs all the iCropTrak 5 logoprocessing needed on your iPad and in the field or wherever you need to be even without a wireless connection.

So how does it work? Imagine this scenario: you are standing in your field, reviewing your data, stacking it up and analyzing it with correlation graphs to visualize how your chemical application has impacted your projected yield. Then you walk to a spot in your field and inspect where your analysis shows potential for lower yield. This is exactly what you can do and more with iCropTrak version 5.

Cogent3D considers this a technological leap in capturing and analyzing farming data and explains that this technology is considered “disruptive” technology. In other words, distruptive technology describes a process by which a product or service takes root in simple applications at the bottom of the market and then moves up until it takes root, or displaces other technologies. An example is the desktop computer and initial data software. In this case, Cogent 3D believes that the history of computer technology is repeating itself with the farming industry from standalone pc programs to cloud-based web services and now to native mobile applications.

iCropTrak 5 has some new features. According to Cogent3D, it’s the first of the next generation mobile farming applications to maximize a mobile device’s power, exploiting it and its performance to execute some of the most complex processing tasks, for example, multi-layer and multi-year management zone creation or colorization of 10’s of thousands of tractor data points on a field to provide visualization of your data so it makes sense to you.

The company is confident iCropTrak 5 will change how agronomists and sales teams interact with their clients and perform their jobs. With iCropTrak 5 an agronomist can load data, stand in a field with their client or sit with them at their kitchen table, show them how their prescriptions and recommendations have impacted their fields using quantifiable information and make informed decisions based on solid data from a device that sits in the palm of your hand.

To learn more about iCropTrak 5, visit www.iCropTrak.com and also view the entire product press release here.

FMC Corporation to Acquire Cheminova

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Crop Protection, FMC

FMC-LogoFMC Corporation today announced an agreement to acquire Denmark-based crop protection company Cheminova for $1.8 billion.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to combine Cheminova with our own Agricultural Solutions business,” said Pierre Brondeau, FMC Corporation president, CEO and chairman. “Cheminova is a company that we have long considered to be an attractive potential partner. It follows a similar strategic approach to FMC in applying technology to deliver solutions to its customers, and has a highly complementary product portfolio and geographic footprint. This transaction will broaden our Agricultural Solutions portfolio and significantly strengthen our market access in key agricultural end markets.

“Cheminova’s direct market access in Europe, combined with its strong position in Latin America, will help bring greater balance to our business. Its technology will allow us to expand our position in existing crop segments and provide accelerated access to additional crops, such as cereals. It will also strengthen our offerings to existing customers, especially in sugarcane, soybeans and cotton.”

Brondeau added that Cheminova brings complementary technologies in insecticides and herbicides, significantly enhances FMC’s fungicide portfolio and adds a growing micronutrient business. “Cheminova has a portfolio of more than 60 active ingredients, over 2,300 registrations and a pipeline of active ingredients currently under development. It is the addition of this broad suite of technology that is particularly exciting to us, and we firmly expect to increase our pace of new product launches in the coming seasons as a direct result of adding Cheminova’s capabilities to ours,” said Brondeau.

Introducing Root Demand Irrigation™

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Irrigation

RDI_IllustrationDuring Husker Harvest Days 2014, Root Demand Irrigation™ (RDI™) is launching a revolutionary, subsurface irrigation method to help growers improve underperforming acres using less water, energy, and time. Based on the natural processes of plant growth, this new method provides plant-driven irrigation from the ground up.

The RDI solution was co-developed by Valmont® Irrigation and DuPont after years of extensive research on the natural process of root exudation, a means in which the plant roots send “signals” to release water from the RDI tube. Water is delivered at low pressures to plant roots via a proprietary RDI tube.

At the centerpiece of RDI is a series of subsurface distribution tubes, porous along their entire length (unlike other types of subsurface irrigation) and positioned below the root zone. Manufactured by Valmont Irrigation in the United States, the RDI tube is fully compatible with fertigation and chemigation. More importantly, RDI eliminates filtration concerns as the filter is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand and filtration maintenance is handled with ease.

RDI General Manager Darren Siekman states that RDI is a labor-free irrigation solution that saves time, energy, water, and money. “Growers are continually challenged to find new ways to meet ever-increasing demands for productivity,” Siekman said. “To remain globally competitive, it’s more important than ever to bring underperforming acres up to speed, and RDI is designed for the challenge.”

RDI offers a new solution to growers who use less efficient and labor-intensive flood irrigation. Side-by-side comparisons show that RDI delivers the same or slightly higher yields, while using 40 percent less water than adjacent flood-irrigated acres.

Growers now have an alternative in the subsurface irrigation market. RDI is currently being offered in limited commercial release through select dealers. With RDI, growers can set it, forget it, and monitor from the ground up.

Midyear 2014 US Ag Equipment Exports Drop

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Dealers, Equipment, Machinery

PrintU.S. agricultural equipment exports dropped 27 percent during the first half of 2014 compared to midyear 2013; $4.77 billion in exports were shipped to global markets compared to $6.53 billion at first-half 2013, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group produces global trends reports using U.S. Commerce Dept. information to assist members’ business planning.

All world regions experienced declines, from South America with a drop of 8 percent to Asia, with a 35.7-percent decrease in purchases of U.S.-made agricultural machinery.

At midyear 2014, exports of agricultural machinery to Europe declined 26.9 percent compared to first-half 2013, for a total $1.21 billion, and exports to Canada dropped 34.3 percent to total $1.55 billion.

Exports to Asia declined 35.7 percent to $420.7 million for the first half of 2014. Mid-year exports to Central America decreased 12.5 percent to $528 million, and exports to South America declined 8 percent to $528.5 million.

Australia/Oceania’s agricultural equipment export purchases dropped 22 percent for a total $360.9 million, and Africa took delivery of $168.7 million worth of agricultural equipment, a 23.4-percent decrease.

The top countries buying U.S.-made agricultural machinery for the first half of 2014 were: (1) Canada – $1.55 billion, down 34.3 percent; (2) Mexico – $442.6 million, down 15.1 percent; (3) Australia – $321.9 million, down 24.9 percent; (4) Brazil – $230.1 million, down 11.9 percent; (5) China – $208.5 million, down 27.8 percent; (6) Germany – $175 million, down 36.2 percent; (7) Russia – $154.9 million, down 15.6 percent; (8) Ukraine – $144.1 million, down 0.3 percent; (9) France – $116.2 million, down 40.8 percent; (10) South Africa – $113.6 million, down 27.1 percent.

The Yield Lab Supporting Ag Innovations

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, technology

yield-labA new agricultural technology business accelerator was officially launched last week out of St. Louis.

The Yield Lab is “focused on bridging the critical gap between innovation and fruition of new agricultural technology by supporting early stage companies” providing new ag tech companies with $100,000 in funding, mentors, and connections in the greater St. Louis area.

thad-simons“”We plan to embrace the unique agricultural networks and resources the region offers,” said Thad Simons, one of the general partners for The Yield Lab. “We think this can be a powerful opportunity to take innovative companies to the next step.”

Simons is Board President of the International Food and Agribusiness Association (IFAMA) and former President and CEO of Novus International, Inc. Other general partners include Jeff Peterson, former Vice President of Strategic Development at Monsanto and board member of the Center for Emerging Technologies in St Louis, and Tom Adamitis, Former Global Vice President of Raw Materials and Energy Procurement for Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Backed by Cultivation Capital, The Yield Labs intends to select four to eight agriculturally based technology companies each year with a nine month cohort and is currently accepting applications for the inaugural 2015 class. Applications are due online by October 24th, 2014.

Bayer ILeVO Fights Soybean SDS

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Bayer CropScience, Crop Protection, Soybeans

ILeVO research plot compares treated soybeans (right) with untreated with SDS

ILeVO research plot compares treated soybeans (right) with untreated with SDS

A growing threat to soybean yield is Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). In fact, it is one of the top-four yield-robbing diseases in soybeans and has now spread throughout the Midwest, threatening to severely impact the gains in productivity soybean growers have come to expect. But Bayer CropScience has a new weapon to fight SDS that will hopefully be available next year.

fps14-bayer-dave“Between 2009 and 2011, SDS robbed the American farmer of 45 million bushels of soybeans, or 500 million dollars of revenue,” said Dave Byrum, Senior Product Manager. “ILeVO will be the first seed treatment introduced to the marketplace for the prevention of Sudden Death Syndrome.” He says they anticipate EPA approval by the end of this year, making ILeVO available for the 2015 growing season.

During the Farm Progress Show, Bayer offered a tour of ILeVO research plots in Ames. “They’re exceptional plots, we’ve been doing them for four years now and the results have really shown that ILeVO will put the farmer first,” said Byrum. “What ILeVO does is allow a grower to plant at the optimal time and achieve the full genetic yield benefit of the soybean plant.”

[wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps14-bayer-byrum.MP3″ text=”Interview with Dave Byrum, Bayer CropScience”]

2014 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Biologics Business is Booming

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Bayer CropScience, bioproducts, biotechnology

bpiaThe market for biopesticides and other biologics in crop protection is growing fast and the industry is making significant investments in more research and development for these types of products.

“We’re growing globally about 15-16% per year, here in the U.S. about 14% per year,” says Biopesticide Industry Alliance executive director Bill Stoneman. “Starting from a small base, we’re about doubling every five years – that’s significant growth.”

bayer-biologics-stonemanStoneman says they estimate biologics account for about six percent of crop protection right now and “we believe by 2020 we’ll be somewhere around 12 percent.”

“People are looking for integrated solutions for pests, whether for crops or industrial applications, that are environmentally safe and cost effective,” he added.

At the grand opening of the Bayer CropScience new biologics facility in West Sacramento last week, Stoneman said it was the third major facility opening this year. “I went to a grand opening for Valent Biosciences in Osage, Iowa, a $140 million biological control production facility,” said Stoneman. He also attended the opening of Marrone’s $60 million facility in Bangor, Michigan. “So there’s capitol investment being made in our industry,” he said. “Now we’re really building the facilities to deliver the products to the growers.”
[wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/bayer/bayer-biologics-stoneman.MP3″ text=”Interview with Bill Stoneman, Biopesticide Industry Alliance”]


Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Photo Album

Catching up with Bayer Queen Bee

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Bayer CropScience, Bees, Farm Progress Show, pollinators

bayer-bio-beckyIt was great to catch up with Dr. Becky Langer, manager and queen bee of the Bayer CropScience North American Bee Care Center in North Carolina that just opened April 15.

She says the center has proven to be a popular spot for school children to visit. “They’re so willing to learn, so surprised at how close up they can get to the bees,” said Langer. “Our beekeepers show them the queen, the honey on the frames … it’s an experience few of them have ever had before.”

Dr. Langer says she recently happened to overhear a five year old at a restaurant telling his family all about his visit to the bee care center. “Once they come and visit us, they’re entertaining their parents and families out to dinner on the weekend!”

During our visit at Farm Progress Show we also talked about Bayer’s commitment to pollinator health and what we can do in our own yards to help out. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps14-bayer-becky.MP3″ text=”Interview with Dr. Becky Langer, Bayer CropScience”]

2014 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Husker Harvest Days Supporting America’s Food Drive

Joanna SchroederAgribusiness, Events

American’s Food Drive is taking place again this year during Husker Harvest Days from Tuesday, September 9, 2014 through Thursday, September 11, 2014 in Grand Island, Nebraska. During this year’s show, the attendees will have the opportunity to fight hunger in Nebraska. Organizers of the food drive will be accepting nonperishable food donations and will be donated to local hunger organizations. The food drive is sponsored by Monsanto in conjunction with Farm Progress and will benefit Heartland United Way.

Husker Harvest Day logo“In order for children and families to thrive and do their best every day, they need reliable and nutritious food,” said Karen Rathke, president of Heartland United Way in Grand Island. “There are 9,270 people in our four-county area that are completely food-insecure, uncertain where their next meal is coming from — and almost half of those individuals are children. That’s why our food pantries, shelters, backpack programs and places that serve community meals need food to support individuals and families.”

FFA chapters and 4-H clubs have special incentives to participate in the food drive. Members from these two organizations will receive free admission with a donation of five nonperishable food items per student. The top three FFA chapters and top three 4-H clubs that bring in donations of more than 100 pounds of food will each be awarded $250 from Monsanto. Donations will be accepted at the main bus entrance and Main Street flag entrance of the show.

“Although America’s farmers work day in and day out to feed the growing population, there are still nearly a billion people who go to bed hungry each night,” added Howard G. Buffett, HGBF president. “The America’s Farmers Food Drive is an opportunity for farmers, community members and ag youth to help feed their families, friends and neighbors.”

Statistics show 15.5 percent of rural homes are in need of nutritional assistance. For every pound of food collected, Monsanto will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to the Heartland United Way. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation is also committed to matching that donation with $1 (up to $10,000) to the non-profit Feeding America.

Many Say Equipment Sales Down Due To Commodity Prices

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you think commodity prices are impacting farm equipment sales?”

Looks like the majority of us believe that since prices are down, sales will also be down. And the other majority polled don’t see this changing in the near future.

Here are the poll results:

  • Prices down, sales down – 38%
  • Temporary slump – 8%
  • Good crops, sales ok – 10%
  • Downward trend will continure – 35%
  • No idea – 9%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How important is it to know about farming in other countries?

Chuck is quite the world traveler these days. No, he isn’t on vacation. He is actually working…we think. Over the year’s the ZimmComm duo has brought you stories about farming from many various countries from around the world. That leads us to wondering how important you think it is to know how farming differs in other countries. Can you learn from them? Should we be sharing more of our knowledge?