Milestone Speedrower Series Windrower from New Holland

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Forage, Hay, New Holland, Video

New Holland SpeedrowerHere’s another milestone for New Holland. It’s the 50th Anniversary of New Holland Speedrower® self-propelled windrowers. And to celebrate New Holland is introducing the Speedrower 160 SP Windrower. The media got to see it and learn about it so we can share the details with you.

Walking us through the details of the new machine is Jordan Milewski. You can listen to him or watch him, via ZimmGlass, tell us all about it below. Here are some of the key features.

ECOBlue™ Tier 4B engines tuned for performance, not just emissions
More cooling capacity results in increased horsepower and fuel efficiency
Deluxe cab is standard equipment
QuickMax™ knife-change system saves time New Holland’s new Speedrower® self-propelled windrowers are raising the bar with best-in-class comfort, horsepower, and efficiency, thanks to upgrades to the cab, fuel efficiency and the latest Tier 4B engine offering.

Listen to Jordan’s presentation here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/new-holland/nh-product-14-speedrower.mp3″ text=”Speedrower 160 SP Windrower”]

2014 New Holland Media Day Photo Album

Hick Chick Chat from The Legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Leah GuffeyAudio, Ethanol, Events, Hick Chick Chat, ZimmComm

11326519286_c9a07ae0bf_oLast week I crossed one thing off my bucket list thanks to the Renewable Fuels Association and ZimmComm. I was able to attend and cover the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. The Legendary Buffalo Chip opened for the first time in 1981 hosting the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling (TM) and the Best Party Anywhere (TM) There’s more than 580 acres of creek fed land that hosts the hottest stars, the Budweiser Clydesdales, and 9 days of live music in the amphitheater. There’s more than 25 bars, food and beverage vendors and exhibits.

_DSC0232The facility is owned and operated by one man and his staff, Rod “Woody” Woodford. I had the chance to spend some time with Woody in his office overlooking the land that he just started throwing a party at 33 years before with a few hundred of his closest friends. In this edition of the Hick Chick Chat Woody tells how the Buffalo Chip got started, and where it’s probably headed. I hope you enjoy this inside look at one of the most popular destinations in Sturgis as much as I did learning about it. Woody is one of the most humble and gracious people I have met. He was very accessible and happy to take time out of his busy day to spend time with me. As we were looking out the window I asked him off mic if he ever thought he’d be looking out across the grounds and see it as full as it is today. He replied, “We always just hoped we’d have a window to look out.”

You can listen to my chat here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/podcast/hickchickchat-14-sturgis-woody.mp3″ text=”Hick Chick Chat with Rod (Woody) Woodford”]

Join in the conversation on Twitter and on Facebook

Largest Crop Nutrition Research Farm to Host Tours

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Nutrient Management

Screen Shot 2014-08-08 at 8.21.56 AMAgro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers will host growers and retailers at their North Central Research Station, outside St. Johns, Mich. later this month. Educational tours and crop nutrition demonstrations will begin and end at the company’s new world headquarters facility at the corner of DeWitt Rd. and M-21 on the northwest corner of St. Johns. Buses will transport attendees to the 750 tillable-acre research facility where AgroLiquid researchers Dr. Jerry Wilhm, Stephanie Zelinko, Tim Duckert and Dr. Brian Levene will be on hand to answer questions and present the latest findings in crop nutrition.

AgroLiquid agronomists will also be on hand throughout the event. Tours will include boxed lunches and snacks; attendees can also enjoy AgroLiquid CEO Troy Bancroft’s famous homemade ice cream and network in the event’s dedicated exhibit hall at AgroLiquid headquarters both before and after their scheduled tour time. Sixteen tours will be held over the course of four days in late August. Crops covered during demonstrations will include corn, soybeans, potatoes, onions, sunflowers, navy beans, beets, milo, wheat, tomatoes, peppers and vine crops.

Trimble Adds to its Autopilot Steering System

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, technology, Trimble

trimbleTrimble announced that it has added advanced line acquisition technology to its Autopilot™ automated steering system—Trimble® OnSwath technology. It reduces the time lost turning at the end of the row by enabling the vehicle to make a tighter turn and approach the next line, or crop row, 50 percent faster. UsingOnSwath, the farmer can decrease idle driving time, fuel consumption, soil compaction, crop damage, and working time in the field—which can lead to cost savings. OnSwath is a free upgrade to customers using the Trimble Autopilot automated steering system.

The new OnSwath technology allows the user to customize their line acquisition to the vehicle, operation and operator preference including adjusting turn angle, approach angle and speed. Using OnSwath the vehicle projects its path to the line, which allows it to get online faster. As a result of these improvements, vehicle performance is more controlled, predictable and repeatable.

“By adding OnSwath to Trimble’s Autopilot steering system, we’ve enabled farmers to be more efficient with their field operations,” said Erik Ehn, Smart Machines business area director of Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “OnSwath saves time, money and fuel, while also decreasing soil compaction and crop damage. Since we’re providing the technology at no additional cost, farmers who use Trimble’s automated guidance can leverage OnSwath and measure how much it can save their farm.”

“With Trimble’s OnSwath, I’m able to get online much faster and more accurately,” said Joe Brightly, who began using the OnSwath technology this spring for planting and strip tilling operations. “After an end of row turn, I can get online in a matter of only a few feet, which has saved me a lot of time.”

OnSwath is currently available with a software update to the Trimble Autopilot system. Contact a Trimble reseller for more information.

Raven Announces Hawkeye

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Raven

Screen Shot 2014-08-14 at 9.40.00 AMRaven Industries’ Applied Technology Division announces Hawkeye™, an innovative pressure-based nozzle control system that provides the most precise and accurate application across the entire sprayer boom, and the entire field.

“Our customers are operating larger equipment in diverse field conditions, all while trying to better maximize and manage their inputs, which has created demand for more innovation in our application control product family,” says Matt Burkhart, Vice President and General Manager of Raven’s Applied Technology Division. “The pressure-based control capabilities of this system give applicators more accurate droplet size and more precise and consistent spray patterns across the board, in addition to drift reduction. The superior quality and simplicity of Hawkeye takes nozzle control systems to the next level.”

Hawkeye will be integrated with the Viper® 4 field computer, as well as other ISObus compatible virtual terminals, giving customers a fully-integrated system with less cab clutter. Hawkeye also comes standard with turn compensation, adding even more precision during sprayer operation as well as individual valve diagnostics, sectional shut-off, and a clean system architecture designed for simple installation and operation. Raven will feature Hawkeye at MAGIE in Bloomington, IL and other upcoming tradeshows. The system will release later this fall.

Enlist™ Ahead app for Enlist Weed Control System

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy, Apps, Herbicides, Weed control

Screen Shot 2014-08-14 at 9.14.22 AMDow AgroSciences unveiled, the Enlist™ Ahead app offers growers and applicators vital herbicide application information from a single source. The app, designed for use with the Enlist Weed Control System, is a precision agriculture tool for maximizing weed control performance, managing weed resistance and making responsible applications of Enlist Duo™ herbicide with Colex-D™ Technology. Regulatory approvals are pending for the Enlist system.

“With the Enlist Ahead app, growers and applicators will be able to carry important application data with them as they move from field to field,” says Damon Palmer, commercial leader, Enlist Weed Control System, Dow AgroSciences. “Two key features of the app — the application planner and the mode of action calculator — will help them make informed decisions for their weed control program and herbicide applications, maximizing their herbicide investment and getting the most from the Enlist technology into the future.”

The Enlist™ Ahead app is part of the Enlist Ahead management resource, which provides technology advancements, management recommendations, training and education. Parts of the app are powered by CDMS, a leading provider of software services and agricultural databases.

Propane Expands in Non-Traditional Farm Uses

John DavisAgribusiness, propane

propane-logo1Farmers across the country are turning more and more to propane for their operations. A new study sponsored by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) shows that farmers looking to cut fuel costs, increase efficiencies, and meet strict emissions standards are turning to the clean-burning fuel.


Propane is currently used by more than 40 percent of farms in the U.S. According to a survey conducted by PERC and Artemis Strategy Group, the most common uses for propane among farmers are building heating (47 percent) and grain drying (35 percent).

The survey also showed that the role of propane on farms is changing, as more farmers are choosing propane to fuel vehicles and irrigation systems over other alternative fuels such as natural gas. According to the survey, 14 percent are using propane to fuel a vehicle on the farm (compared with natural gas at one percent) and five percent are using propane for irrigation (compared with natural gas at two percent).

“The results show that farmers trust propane as a reliable, convenient, American-made fuel,” Cinch Munson, PERC director of agriculture business development, said. “Every year, new, fuel-efficient propane-powered irrigation engines, grain dryers, work trucks, and forklifts are hitting the market. As more options become available, more farmers will turn to propane for greater efficiency and fuel savings.”

The survey also shows that farmers like using propane, as favorability ratings hit about 84 percent for propane, compared with 61 percent for natural gas and 33 percent for heating oil. PERC also touted its partnerships with equipment manufacturers with research and development investments to commercialize new propane-powered products or advance the energy efficiency of existing applications.

Livestream from ZimmGlass

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, AgWorks, Apps, Glass, Video

AgWorks ZimmGlass LivestreamThis was a test and only a test. I’ve been waiting for a chance to live stream from my ZimmGlass. That opportunity came this morning here at the AgWorks User Conference. It’s not a great video because I was actually doing this the first time so I was streaming and trying to figure a few things out on my computer while doing it.

Your thoughts? I think the video and audio were very acceptable in this classroom setting. But . . . Glass got too hot at about ten minutes and shut the broadcast down. Which was fine with me for the purposes of doing this as a test demo. I’ve had that same issue with Glass recording video too.

So, for you agnerds out there, take a look. Let me know what you think and how you could see this as a Glass feature to help you and your business or farm.

By the way. I was using the Livestream Glass App connected via wifi to my AT&T Netgear hotspot.

2014 AgWorks User Conference Photo Album

AgWorks Doing AgOS Training

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, AgWorks, Audio, Software

AgWorks Greg DuhachekThe 2014 AgWorks User Conference is underway in Davenport, IA. Welcoming us this morning is Greg Duhachek, President. I spoke with him during last night’s reception to get a preview of what this conference is all about. It’s an annual conference to bring customer users together to show new features of their software and share the vision of the company. Speaking of new features, a big topic of training here will be the new AgWorks AgOS Software which was just announced recently. As Greg describes it, “It’s an agricultural operating system.” I’m sure I’ll be learning and sharing more about it during the conference.

You can listen to my interview with Greg here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/agworks/agworks-14-duhachek.mp3″ text=”Interview with Greg Duhachek”]

You can listen to Greg’s welcoming remarks here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/agworks/agworks-14-duhachek-speech.mp3″ text=”Greg Duhachek Opening Remarks”]

Photos from the conference can be found here: 2014 AgWorks User Conference Photo Album

Are Right to Farm Laws Necessary?

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What’s your favorite way to eat peanut butter?”

It’s official…you can put peanut butter on anything. We had votes all over the board with this poll. But it is clear people like peanut butter. Some of the top ‘others’ we got included apples and toast.

Here are the poll results:

  • PB & J – 19%
  • Crackers – 8%
  • On a spoon – 11%
  • With celery – 8%
  • Cookies – 14%
  • Candy – 3%
  • Pie – 3%
  • Ice Cream – 6%
  • Pancakes/waffles – 6%
  • Other – 22%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What do you think of Right to Farm laws?

Missouri just narrowly passed a constitutional amendment on the right to farm and North Dakota has had one for two years. Is this necessary or is agriculture over-reacting?