Southwestern Fertilizer Conference Breaking Records

Cindy ZimmermanEvents, Fertilizer

sw-fertilizerNearly 1600 fertilizer industry representatives from 17 countries have pre-registered for the 79th annual Southwestern Fertilizer Conference (SWFC) coming up later this week in San Antonio.

Combined with the 200-300 attendees expected to register onsite, that is expected to make it the largest gathering of the fertilizer industry on record, according SWFC Executive Director Pat Miller. “It’s an exciting time to be in the fertilizer business and the number of registrations we’re seeing is a reflection of the optimism and opportunity that exists in the industry,” Miller added.

Sales and networking are the primary attractions at the conference, but education is also a focus. Speakers this year include Christopher Jahn, president of The Fertilizer Institute, Tony Will, president and CEO of CF Industries Holdings, Inc., and Lauren Williamson, editor of the Argus FMB North American Fertilizer publication.

The Southwestern Fertilizer Conference will be held at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio from July 19-23. Find out more here.

Forbes Announces AgTech Summit

Cindy ZimmermanEvents, technology

Forbes magazine will focus on accelerating new technologies and capabilities in farming next July at the “Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit” in Salinas Valley, California.

forbesForbes, in partnership with SVG Partners and The Steinbeck Innovation Cluster, will host the invitation-only event to bring together several hundred of the smartest minds in Silicon Valley and global agriculture for the purpose of tackling some of the world’s most critical challenges.

From biotech and precision farming to big data’s role in feeding a planet of eight billion people, “Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit” will explore topics at the core of this vital trend, and promises to be the definitive gathering for leaders at the intersection of technology and agriculture.

The summit will feature award winners from the Thrive Accelerator program formed by SVG Partners for technology-enabled startups in the Precision Agriculture space. Ten startup companies will be selected to receive the “Thrive AgTech” disrupt award and will gain direct access to the top fresh agriculture companies in the Salinas Valley to help deploy their innovative new technologies. To apply for the Thrive Accelerator award, technology-enabled startups in the Precision Agriculture space should visit: www.thriveaccelerator.com.

Customer Service Is A Way of Life For MapShots

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, MapShots

mapshots-2Good customer service is a rare commodity these days. You read countless articles touting the “no-customer service” from cable tv companies or large banks. That’s not the case with MapShots, Inc. a leading agricultural data management software company.

MapShots boasts a customer service department staffed with trained professionals with agricultural backgrounds that will solve your problems as fast as they possibly can. A human voice is available approximately 11 hours per day with an email system that runs 24/7. This is extremely important during the busy planting and harvesting times of the year when you need answers quickly.

In an effort to expand its customer service further, MapShots is launching a new website with an expanded customer service area. Online training videos, updates and complete operating manuals will be available for customers to view and use to further answer questions or find out how to optimize AgStudio product functions.

To further educate agricultural professionals on the AgStudio line of software, MapShots will hold its 2014 MapShots AgStudio Expo to demonstrate and answer questions concerning all its software products. This event will be July 28 at the Union Station Hotel, St. Louis Mo. This is the day before the InfoAg Conference held at the same location. Plan now to attend to learn how to make complex crop management simple. Register here for the MapShots AgStudio Expo.

Syngenta & QCCP Talk Cellulosic at Iowa Speedway

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Ethanol, Events, Syngenta

Delayne Johnson Quad County Corn ProcessorsOur Joanna Schroeder covered last week’s NASCAR racing activities at Iowa Speedway. Here’s one of her stories on the Saturday race sponsor:

Syngenta and Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) are collaborating to produce cellulosic ethanol from corn kernels as well as to license the technology to other ethanol plants. The first-of-its-kind technology is known as Adding Cellulosic Ethanol (ACE Project) and was developed by QCCP, which expects to produce one million gallons of cellulosic ethanol in 2014 and two million gallons in 2015. The introduction of the technology will enable QCCP to increase ethanol yield per bushel by six percent, produce an additional two million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year and realize a number of other important benefits including increased production of corn oil and distillers grains (DDGs).

Delayne Johnson, CEO of QCCP discussed the technology during a press conference held at the Iowa Speedway last Friday. The event was part of the American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen sponsorship. The NASCAR Camping Truck World Series races on E15.

“Adding Cellulosic Ethanol technology will help us to increase the protein content of dried distillers grains (DDGs) by 40 percent, improve corn oil extraction by 200 percent and realize more ethanol out of the same kernel of corn,” said Johnson. “The commercialization of this technology represents a major advance in the production of cellulosic ethanol. For example, Adding Cellulosic Ethanol technology could produce one billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by converting the corn kernel cellulose from corn currently being processed in existing dry grind ethanol plants. And, once hemicellulosic yeast is FDA-approved, Adding Cellulosic Ethanol will be capable of producing an additional one billion gallons – all from corn already being processed.” Johnson said tests have also shown that Adding Cellulosic Ethanol technology, in conjunction with Enogen® trait technology, will deliver significant benefits to ethanol plants beyond what can be achieved through either technology alone.

Jack Bernens SyngentaCellulosic Ethanol Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quad County Corn Processors. Earlier this year, Syngenta announced an agreement with Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies to license Adding Cellulosic Ethanol technology to ethanol production facilities.

“Ethanol is helping America reduce its dependence on foreign oil, lowering prices at the pump, improving the environment with lower emissions, and growing the economy with jobs that can’t be outsourced,” said Jack Bernens, head of marketing and stakeholder relations for Enogen Trait Technology at Syngenta. “The combination of Adding Cellulosic Ethanol technology and Enogen could represent the next leap forward for ethanol production.”

Listen to my interview with Delayne Johnson here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/syngenta/NASCAR14-QCCP-johnson.mp3″ text=”Delayne Johnson interview”]

Visit the 2014 American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen photo album.


LI-COR Helps Measure Leaf Area Index

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, technology

LI-CORThere is a some unique new technology from LI-COR that makes it possible to do leaf area index measurements (LAI) in all uniform sky conditions. This greatly increases efficiency and provides more accurate information on crop productivity. LI-COR Biosciences announces the LAI-2200C Plant Canopy Analyzer, a non-destructive way to easily and accurately measure leaf area index.

Previous technology in the field permitted leaf area index measurement only at specific sun angles or under cloud cover. “The new system implements light-scattering correction software that dramatically increases the instrument’s application in all types of uniform sky conditions, making it more convenient to use,” says Rod Madsen, LI-COR product manager.

“Leaf area index is one key driver of crop productivity. Leaf area index is directly related to many of the factors that farmers view as production reducers, such as lack of moisture, too much moisture, soil nutrients, hail damage, and pests. Understanding LAI can help reveal fields or portions of fields that may be under-producing,” says Madsen. “The LAI-2200C overcomes many of the traditional problems associated with measuring LAI, allowing easier and more accurate measurements in daylight situations.”

The LAI-2200C employs the gap fraction technique – a powerful and practical tool available for indirect sensing of plant canopy structure. While other types of LAI measurements, such as ceptometry, may be less effective, or inaccurate for row crops and non-uniform canopies, the LAI-2200C provides the ability to restrict the field of view (both azimuth and zenith), making it ideal for certain agricultural situations.

FAA and UAVs

Leah GuffeyAerial Application, Aerial Imagery, UAV

_DSC0034Concern about regulations for the commercial use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was a big topic at last week’s 2014 Precision Aerial Ag Show (PAAS) in Decatur, Illinois.

I had a chance to chat with Brendan Schulman of Kramer Levin Law in New York, New York about his win against the FAA regarding a UAV flight for the filming of a commercial in Virginia. It was the first time that the FAA had imposed a fine for flying a UAV on the basis that it was “too aggressive, too close to the ground.” Schulman says they successfully defended against the penalty arguing that there is “no existing regulation concerning this kind of device.” The case is currently pending before the National Transportation Safety Board so it will have national significance.

Schulman spoke to attendees at PAAS about the status of FAA regulation of UAVs and how they relate to ownership of airspace above private land. “There is thought that needs to be given to what rights a landowner has over the immediate airspace,” he said. “If the intent is to fly a camera 20 feet above the corn fields, there’s an argument that’s private airspace and not necessarily placed into the jurisdiction of the FAA to regulate.”

This is important information for farmers and ranchers to know! [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/precision/paas-14-schulman.mp3″ text=”Interview with attorney Brendan Schulman on UAVs and the FAA”]

iCropTrak Version 5 on Display at InfoAg

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Apps, CropTrak, InfoAg

iCropTrakIn the next few weeks leading up to the InfoAg Conference in St. Louis, MO, we’ll be featuring interviews with some of our sponsors to give you a preview of what they’ll have on display. So, I thought I’d start with the sponsor of the AgWired App, iCropTrak.

Aaron Hutchinson talked with me about their introduction of Version 5 of this mobile farm management platform. For starters he says they heard from customers that they would run into difficulty trying to load or download big files while out in the field with a poor network connection. So this new version uses the processing power of the iPad without that connection. Some other features include a Management Zone Builder allowing you to work with multiple layers of data; Zone Correlations Tools that “are designed to assist our customers with determining data relevance by providing numerical, spatial, and graphical descriptions of the correlation between your Zone Builder layers so you can easily understand which ones are influencing your production and which ones are just big data getting in your way;” Rapid Scouting and the ability to create reports using Microsoft programs like Word and Excel and print them directly from the app. Aaron says you can find iCropTrak at InfoAg in booth 8 and he urges you come by and be prepared to be amazed at what you can do on an iPad.

You can listen to my interview with Aaron to find out more here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/icroptrak/icroptrak-hutchinson-7-14.mp3″ text=”Interview with Aaron Hutchinson”]

Beautiful Wx for Precision Aerial Ag Show

Chuck ZimmermanAerial Application, Aerial Imagery, AgNerd, Agribusiness, Audio, UAV

Precision Aerial Ag ShowYou especially like to have good weather when you’re holding an air show! In this case it’s the Precision Aerial Ag Show taking place at the Farm Progress Show site in Illinois. Check out the flight schedule that’s going on.

I was really hoping to have a chance to attend this event. It has “AgNerd” written all over it. But the next best thing to being there is getting to chat with someone and being able to share a couple of photos.

Precision Aerial Ag ShowI talked with one of the coordinators for the event, Stu Ellis, AgEngage. The show is presented by Penton Farm Progress.

The show features a UAV technology showcase where manufacturers and suppliers of UAVs and related equipment for agricultural application will demonstrate their products throughout the show. There are also educational activities in addition to the demos.

I learned from Stu that there are more than 1,000 companies worldwide who are involved in UAVs for agriculture. he invited many of them to the show. He says that the U.S. is way behind Japan and countries in Europe in the use of this technology. Surprisingly there are attendees from several countries outside the U.S. As you might guess he says attendees are most interested in using UAVs for crop scouting since it can save so much time.

Listen to my interview with Stu Ellis here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/precision/paas-14-ellis.mp3″ text=”Interview with Stu Ellis”]

Maybe I can go next year. BTW. Thank you to Hugh Whaley for the use of his phone for both photos and my interview with Stu!

Valley® Water Management Partners with Yaskawa™

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Irrigation, water, Water Management

New_valley_hor_CMYK_tagValley® Water Management (VWM) and Yaskawa™ America are partnering to provide variable frequency drives for VWM pump stations.

Variable frequency drives ensure that pump motors function at optimal efficiency. They can dramatically boost efficiency and energy savings by preventing over pumping and over pressurizing of irrigation equipment.

“Yaskawa is the market leader in water pumping and agriculture applications for variable frequency drives,” said Wade Sikkink, director of Valley Water Management. “The iQPump®1000 software has the most advanced features for efficiency, performance, and protection. Our customers want the best, which is why they come to Valley in the first place, so it was natural to forge this partnership.”

The Yaskawa iQPump®1000 VFD will be sold as the Valley Water Management VFD at Valley dealerships.

Valley Water Management VFDs give growers:
· Money Savings – Energy savings produce meaningful cost savings
· Versatility – Multiple control options, including pressure, flow, and level
· Reliability – Field proven, thousands of units in operation
· Control – Yaskawa software designed for ag irrigation pumping

“Valley Water Management continues to expand its product line to deliver comprehensive pumping solutions,” Sikkink said. “Our commitment to innovation and strong partnerships means growers can rely on Valley to meet all their irrigation needs.”

How Will the EPA Water Rule Will Impact You?

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What will be on your Independence Day grill?”

It looks like most people stuck with the traditional 4th of July grillers. Hamburgers and hot dogs topped the list and I can’t say I am surprised. Maybe everyone was saving their creative genius for the fireworks display.

Our poll results:

  • steak – 14%
  • hamburgers – 25%
  • hot dogs – 18%
  • pork chops – 14%
  • chicken – 4%
  • fish – 0%
  • shrimp – 4%
  • lamb chops – 0%
  • venison – 0%
  • multiple meats – 11%
  • other – 10%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How would the EPA water rule impact you?”

One of the hottest topics in the ag sector these days has to do with water rights. The EPA says that under the proposed rules defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) “all normal farming practices are exempt – period” but those in the agriculture community are questioning if that will hold true. Have you looked in to how this water rule would impact your operation?