AgSync Helping with Logistics

Chuck ZimmermanAerial Application, Agribusiness, Audio, NAAA

During last week’s National Agricultural Aviation Association convention I met Clay Rassi, AgSync. We’ve visited with AgSync at the NAAA convention for the last several years. It’s always nice to find out what’s new.

Clay says this year AgSync is focused on letting ag aviators better communicate with the office using real time order processing without having to be distracted by it while flying.

When it comes to the growth of the use of fungicides in aerial application Clay says they’ve been working with BASF to help their customers “get it done” when they have a short window of opportunity.

Of course AgSync doesn’t only work with aerial application but ground application too. Clay says they specialize in helping companies move assets and move product, “the right amount of product to the right place at the right time.” It’s all about logistics!

You can listen to my interview with Clay here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/naaa/naaa-12-agsync-rassi.mp3″ text=”Interview with Clay Rassi”]

You can find photos from the 2012 NAAA Convention here: 2012 NAAA Convention Photo Album

Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference

Melissa SandfortAgribusiness, Events

The Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference has announced its program for the 2013 event, which features a special presentation of the Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar, an industry trade show and tremendous fundraising auction.

Sponsored by the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association (N.A.M.A.), the Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference will be held at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, Neb., Feb. 5-6, 2013. The event is designed especially for alfalfa producers, livestock/dairy producers and others who are involved in alfalfa production, purchasing, hay feeding or processing.

The featured presenter for the 2013 event will be Dr. Dan Undersander, professor of agronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Over the course of the two days, Dr. Undersander will present a variety of sessions, which are part of the Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar developed for the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance. Key topics addressed will include managing drought effects, trace mineral impact, pest management, alfalfa in rotations, and contract harvesting.

Additional presentations will include information from soil water/irrigation and animal nutrition experts and a panel discussion featuring a mix of alfalfa producers and purchasers from across the nation.

A large alfalfa industry trade show and fundraising auction are also included during the two-day event. A new event this year, the “Forage Olympics”, will pit teams of alfalfa producers and other conference participants competing in timed events such as hay strapping, stacking square bales and rolling large round bales.

Registration is $10 per person in advance (tickets must be purchased by noon, Feb. 1, 2013) and $20 at the door.

Announcing Formation of Valley Water Management

Melissa SandfortAgribusiness, Irrigation

Valley Irrigation continues to provide water management solutions for agriculture with the formation of Valley Water Management (VWM), a new division of the Valmont company Cascade Earth Sciences (CES). Initially, Valley Water Management will enter the North American market with custom engineered pumping stations. Service for these solutions will be provided by Valley dealers – the most extensive sales network in the irrigation industry.

For producers who are building a new reservoir, drawing from a canal, or using well fields to supply their irrigation needs, Valley Water Management can offer a custom engineered, high efficiency pumping station.

Valley Water Management pumping stations come with remote control and monitoring capabilities through the Valley BaseStation2. With the BaseStation2, producers can check the status of their pump from a Smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Helping Rice Growers Manage Tough Weeds

Melissa SandfortAgribusiness, BASF, FMC

During the 2012 Rice Outlook Conference, BASF Crop Protection and FMC Corporation announced that Command herbicide is now recommended for use in the Clearfield Production System for rice. Command herbicide adds value to growers by controlling tough grasses in rice production, which can rob growers of yield.

Weed management in rice has become more challenging as weed species are developing resistance to existing herbicides.

Command herbicide provides Clearfield growers with a different mode of action to control difficult grasses, such as barnyardgrass, that threaten profits and return on investment.

Barnyardgrass is a competitive weed in Southern rice that poses a major threat to Clearfield growers, especially with the rise in resistant strains. Experts agree that a comprehensive weed management system that includes early weed control and the use of multiple herbicide modes of action are vital to managing resistance concerns.

Get Ready for Championship Tractor Pull

Melissa SandfortAgribusiness, Events

High-horsepower, high-volume competition returns to the 52nd Annual Western Farm Show in 2013 with one of the show’s most popular attractions – the Championship Tractor Pull.

More than 150 drivers and machines from 15 states will compete for $64,600 in prize money during the three-day pulling competition, which gets under way at 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23, at the Kemper Arena in downtown Kansas City.

Featuring past and present champions, the tractor pull is staged by the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association of Carthage, Mo., in partnership with the Western Farm Show. Each night will feature different shows with a total of 10 competing truck and tractor classes, including Light Super Stock Tractors, Super Farm Tractors, Modified Tractors, Pro Stock Trucks and Tractors, and the powerful Unlimited Super Stock Tractors.

Fans can meet many of the drivers and see their machines on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23, at Kemper Arena. Access to this display is open only to attendees of the Western Farm Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, Feb. 22-24, 2013, at the American Royal Complex a short walk from Kemper Arena. Tickets to the Western Farm Show and to the tractor pull are sold separately and can be purchased beginning in January.

AEM 2013 Forum in India

Melissa SandfortAgribusiness, Equipment, Events

In collaboration with Agrievolution Alliance, AEM in 2013 will support agriculture member companies in the international marketplace with an educational forum in India.

Agrievolution Alliance, a global coalition of agriculture equipment manufacturing associations for which AEM serves as the secretariat, announced that the 2013 Agrievolution Forum will be held December 5-6, 2013, at the Hotel Taj Mahal in New Delhi, India.

It has established an industry issues committee to determine future outreach; its economic committee shares data on global regions represented by participants; and it has developed an alliance website for information exchange – www.agrievolution.com.

The alliance was launched in the shared belief of participants that issues and challenges in the agricultural economy should be viewed from a global perspective and acted upon on a global basis.

CropLife Previews Precision Seed Study at ASTA

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farmers, Research, seed

As we reported here last week, CropLife Foundation (CLF) is publishing a comprehensive report next year on “The Role of Precision Seed Protection in Modern Crop Production”.

CLF chairman of the board Jay Vroom presented preliminary findings of the report last week at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference 2012 & Seed Expo.

“Precision seed protection, as part of an integrated pest management system and when combined responsibly with other crop protection products, makes it possible for U.S. farmers to grow more resilient crops that can withstand harsh climate conditions and provide consumers more healthy and nutritious food choices,” said Vroom. “CLF looks forward to the publication of this report in the spring and sharing important findings on the benefits of precision seed protection for modern agriculture.”

Listen to my interview with Jay from the ASTA expo here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/asta/asta-css-vroom.mp3″ text=”Interview with Jay Vroom”]
ASTA-CSS Photo Album

Introducing Virtual Vista for Farmers

Melissa SandfortAgribusiness, Data Collection, Leica Geosystems

Leica Geosystems has introduced Virtual Vista, a new web-based platform that delivers a flexible data management solution to farmers.

Virtual Vista offers a simple solution which connects directly to the Leica mojo3D. Through the built-in modem of the Leica mojo3D farmers can access the service within a few steps; no additional hardware has to be purchased.

Initially Virtual Vista provides users with a convenient overview about activities in the field. It enables customers to monitor their fleet by combining real time and historical information with the use of Google Maps. Features such as geo fencing and curfews allow a new level of fleet management and can be easily activated with just a mouse click.

What sets Virtual Vista apart from other online farm services is its simplicity. Users don’t need to manage a complex menu structure to use the service. The intuitive design of the platform ensures an easy understanding for a best possible user experience.

FMC Signs Agreements with GAT Microencapsulation AG

Melissa SandfortAgribusiness, FMC

FMC Corporation announced that its Agricultural Products Group has signed a perpetual, global licensing agreement, along with distribution and services agreements with GAT Microencapsulation AG covering a range of advanced crop protection products and proprietary formulation technologies.

Under the agreement, FMC will access GAT Microencapsulation AG’s complete library of intellectual property, which includes a portfolio of registered products, proprietary formulation technologies, and new products in development. FMC will be the main distributor of GAT Microencapsulation AG’s current product portfolio in virtually all global markets. GAT Microencapsulation AG will supply the products to be sold, as well as new materials for products FMC commercializes in the future. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Ag Leader Holds Annual Dealer Meeting

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights Weekly This week, Ag Leader dealers gathered for the annual meeting themed “Together we are Ag Leader”. And because dealers are the critical link between Ag Leader and the bulk of their market, Ag Leader will continually be putting more emphasis on trying to help their business be more successful.

In his opening remarks, Ag Leader founder Al Myers said:

“Ag Leader continues to grow steadily through the expansion of our product lines. Ag Leader’s sales this year are at a record level, giving us the ability to invest in product developments that will keep us on a strong growth path. We also continue to grow through the expansion of our geographic scope. In the last couple of years, we have established offices in Europe and South America, and have direct sales staff in Australia. This international expansion is necessary to allow Ag Leader to maintain its worldwide market share.

The acquisition of Soil Max and Gradient has made us the leading supplier of equipment and controls for tiling. The integration of the Intellislope functionality into the Ag Leader Integra is a further step to keep us in the lead in Precision Ag. And, we plan to expand the functionality of Intellslope to other water management functions, to become a true competitor to companies already established in the water management field. GeoSteer is going to be a great product for Ag Leader. Planter downforce control is another major expansion of our product line.

Together, we are the best in the business, and we need to use that to our advantage to continue to grow. This year, Ag Leader celebrated its 20th anniversary. Let’s make the next 20 years even better for all of us who – Together we are Ag Leader.”

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