Precision | Page 130 | News and reviews from the precision agriculture industry

AeroVironment Offers Defense Drones for Agriculture

Kelly MarshallNovember 16, 2016Aerial Imagery, drone

At this week’s Drone World Expo, AeroVironment announced a new commercial information solution for agriculture. The technologies feature the Quantix drone and Decision Support System (DDS) working together to provide growers with actionable crop health information.

The new system will be available in the spring of 2017, providing the agriculture community with the same superiority and trusted certainty that comes from a company known for supplying drones to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Quantix is an innovative drone featuring powerfully simple, automated flight with an operator-in-the-loop and a unique, hybrid design that allows the craft to launch vertically and transition into horizontal flight, maximizing aerodynamic efficiency and range.

At the heart of AeroVironment’s Commercial Information Solutions business is the Decision Support System (DSS). AeroVironment’s DSS uses advanced research and algorithms to produce high-resolution datasets and analysis of fields and vineyards in agriculture, and bridges, railroad tracks, pipelines, roads and many other valuable assets. It has easy-to-use mobile interfaces with secure cloud-based data storage.

“Every day, in unforgiving environments around the world, our military customers rely on the actionable intelligence our systems deliver to help them proceed with certainty,” says Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chief executive and president. “Today, this mission-critical insight becomes available to precision agriculture in a powerful new way. Quantix can automatically scan hundreds of acres per flight and alert growers to anomalies via smart text messages while the AV DSS securely stores the data and provides an intuitive platform for deeper image analysis.”

Nawabi added, “The growers we have been working with told us they want to focus on running their businesses, not on becoming drone experts. Working with several land grant universities and their extension programs, we created a powerfully simple drone and agronomic analytics system for farmers. Now, they will benefit from our industry-leading technologies that have been proven by countless American and allied troops working in the harshest environments on the planet.”

Senate Ag Committee Calls on China to Approve Biotech

Kelly MarshallNovember 16, 2016biotechnology, Government

Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry are urging approve of biotechnology products in China. Earlier this week Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) sent a letter to President Obama about the ongoing delays. The letter containing 37 signatures, 16 from members of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The Senators write, “American producers rely on access to the global market for the food and fiber they harvest. If they are to remain competitive around the world, it is imperative that we hold our trading partners to the commitments they make. When the Chinese government fails to remain transparent, science-based, and timely in its regulatory process it impacts not only our farmers’ and ranchers’ abilities to access critical markets in China, but also their abilities to utilize the best and most innovative agricultural technologies in our fields at home in the U.S.”

“As your administration prepares for the upcoming dialogue between the U.S. and China, the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, we ask that you continue to prioritize biotechnology approvals with the Chinese government. We encourage you to continue building on the progress that has been made over the last few years and urge China to move forward in deregulating products awaiting final approval, as well as to eliminate trade barriers due to regulatory systems that don’t operate based on scientific assessments.”

Veteran Farm Broadcaster Elected to Lead NAFB

Cindy ZimmermanNovember 16, 2016Audio, NAFB

Photo Credit: NAFB

The 73rd National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention is one for the record books. A reported 650 attendees gathered and the NAFB Foundation raised more than $18,000. During the convention a new slate of officers was also elected.

2017 NAFB Board of Directors
President: Max Armstrong, WGN Radio and Penton Agriculture
President Elect: Tom Cassidy, Ag Radio Network, Inc.
Vice President: Lorrie Boyer, KSIR Radio
South Region VP: Gary Cooper, AgNet Radio Network
West Region VP: Sarbina Hill, AgNet West Radio Network
East Region VP: Spencer Chase, Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.
Allied Industry Council: Laura Henke, FLM+
Allied Industry Council: Mark Lambert, NCGA
Management Sales Council: Breck Von Bank, Brownfield Ag News
Management Sales Council: Tim Marshall, KRVN Rural Radio Network
Marketing & Promotions Chair: Lance Knudson, American Ag Network

For the first time in NAFB history, a president was elected without following the ranks on the officer team. As a farm broadcaster with a 40 year career and a household name to farmers and ranchers nationwide, Max Armstrong had never run for NAFB office but he decided now was the time for a leadership role.

“I want to help elevate the status of NAFB. It is already highly regarded, but I think there is even more we can do to make it more commonly known throughout the agriculture community and how it represents the individual broadcaster from across the country.”

Learn more about his goals for NAFB in this interviews: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/nafb-16-armstrong.mp3″ text=”Interview with Max Armstrong, NAFB President-Elect”]

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by

#NAFB16 Amplifies United Soybean Board Message

Kelly MarshallNovember 16, 2016Ag Group, NAFB, USB

Ron Ohlde, Director of the United Soybean Board, came to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk event to get the word out about the work being done on behalf of soy growers.

The United Soybean Board handles the Checkoff dollars, and Ohlde and the team there are committed to making investments that give producers the best return on their money. One such investment is the High Oleic soybean.

“That is a new program that Checkoff is heavily invested in. We’re trying to address some of those issues, like trans fat where we lost some of the marketshare. High Oleic is replacing it, so we’re trying to regain that marketshare, both domestic and abroad,” Ohlde shared with me.

So far the program has surprised him with its success. Yields are similar to other varieties of soybeans and tests for protein levels have been impressive. “The project is really looking strong,” Ohlde says.

Other investment projects include: foams for seats used by the Ford motor company, paints and of course, biodiesel, along with a broad spectrum of other uses. Projects are chosen based on their alignment with the organization’s new Strategic Plan– a plan now in its second year that overhaul the previous program entirely.

Part of that plan and the direction of the Soybean Board is sustainability; but from the perspective of the entire supply chain, rather than just the point of view of the grower.

Learn more about the United Soybean Board’s efforts in my full interview: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/nafb-16-ohlde.mp3″ text=”Interview with Ron Ohelde, United Soybean Board”]

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by

Knowledge is Power at Wyffels Hybrids

Kelly MarshallNovember 15, 2016Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB, seed

Mitch Heisler believes not only in the products of Wyffels Hybrids, but in the knowledge of the grower as well. Knowledge is power, he emphasizes, when it comes to choosing the right product.

“Knowledge is key. [Growers] knowing their farm and their fields and past pest and disease history, and then working with a knowledgable seed representative. Our Wyffels seed representatives are really outstanding in understanding our products and their benefits and lining those up with their fields to mitigate risk and set them up for success,” Heisler told me at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk event.

Customer feedback for 2016 seems to confirm his theory. While Mother Nature has the ability to knock the top off of yields, many of their customers are seeing good things; some even braking records. The new products for this year were especially impressive, leading Heisler to be excited about the future of his company.

Learn more about Wyffels Hybrids in my full interview here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/nafb-16-heisler.mp3″ text=”Interview with Mitch Heisler, Wyffels Hybrids”]

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by

BRANDT Sponsors Agriculture Scholarships

Kelly MarshallNovember 15, 2016Agribusiness, Education, Scholarship

BRANDT, retailer and manufacturer of specialty ag products, is sponsoring the first John & Carol Salmonson Scholarships for Excellence in Agriculture. Two students at Cal Poly received $10,000 to study in agriculture fields. Omar Alexander Gonzalez Benitez is majoring in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences and Kristen Fernandez is studying Environmental Plant Sciences.

“Carol and I are thrilled to be a small part of helping these two deserving students pursue their dreams. Both Kristen and Omar are outstanding students who, I’m sure, will be leaders in the Ag field one day,” said John Salmonson. “We are very fortunate to have partnered with BRANDT on this scholarship. We believe strongly in helping bring along the next generation.”

The John & Carol Salmonson Scholarship for Excellence in Agriculture will be awarded for four more years. It was established in 2016 by matching grants from John & Carol Salmonson and BRANDT. Applicants are open to students in the Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Successful applicants must be California residents, demonstrate academic success and have financial need.

“We helped fund this scholarship as a way to say ‘thank you’ to John and Carol for all their years of service to BRANDT and for building Monterey AgResouces,” said Rick Brandt, CEO & President of BRANDT. “It says a lot about John that giving back to deserving students at Cal Poly was the thanks that meant the most to them. They are just extraordinary people who built a great company. And I’m proud to say that Omar and Kristen are extraordinary students.”

FMC Launches New Topguard® EQ Fungicide Premix

Cindy ZimmermanNovember 15, 2016Audio, FMC, Fungicides, NAFB

FMC Corporation has launched a new fungicide premix called Topguard® EQ that provides long-lasting disease control and plant health benefits in over two dozen crops.

Topguard®EQ fungicide with FMC’s patented flutriafol is rapidly taken up by the plant and distributed throughout the leaf to control the spread of disease. The leaf icons on the left indicate the point of application, as shown by the lighter green color

At the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk last week, FMC Technical Manager Tom Quade explained that Topguard EQ fungicide is the only premix of azoxystrobin, a strobilurin fungicide, and flutriafol, a triazole fungicide patented by FMC. “It is the most systemic of the triazole fungicide family,” he said. “It gives growers excellent control of a wide range of foliar diseases in corn, soybeans, wheat, pecans, and more than 20 other crops.”

Quade says this unique combination broadens the spectrum of diseases that can be controlled and offers multiple modes of action to combat disease resistance. “The flutriafol component moves quickly through the plant, protecting plant leaves from stem to leaf tip,” said Quade.

The product controls a broad range of diseases including gray leaf spot, Southern rust and Northern corn leaf blight in corn; frogeye leaf spot, brown spot and cercospora blight in soybeans; leaf rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew in wheat; and pecan scab in pecans.

Topguard EQ fungicide was tested in 32 trials across the U.S. last year in corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar beets and specialty crops and the results showed significantly better disease control on Southern rust and gray leaf spot in corn, frogeye leaf spot in soybeans and leaf rust in wheat.

More data will be available in December following the 2016 crop season.

Learn more in this interview: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/nafb-16-fmc-quade-topguardeq.mp3″ text=”Interview with Tom Quade, FMC – Topguard EQ”]

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by

Latest Updates from Kinze at #NAFB16

Kelly MarshallNovember 15, 2016Agribusiness, Audio, Kinze, NAFB

Kinze had big things happening in 2016. They recently introduced the new seed meter test stand, a tech-based support system that gives feedback on the performance of seed meters. Phillip Jennings took the time to give me an update on the product at last week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk event.

“Bring your meters into your local Kine dealers, they’re able to put them on the stand. Utilizing a new tablet user interface, you can set the seed meter up to see if it has the right population, travel speed, all the details of your management style, and then that meter gets tested, and it gives you not only accuracy and skips and multiples, but also COV (that’s coefficient of variation that is a direct correlation of ‘what does my end row spacing look like?’). So I can know before I go. I make sure I’m doing the best job possible and get the best performance out of my Kinze planter.”

Results from this past season are good, Jennings told me. To keep the positive things going he suggests pulling that planter to the front of the shed, rather than burying it in the back behind fall equipment. Take time this winter to look for updates to the software and get the monitors up to speed before spring arrives.

To hear more about what’s going on at Kinze, listen to my interview with Jennings here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/nafb-16-jennings.mp3″ text=”Interview with Phillip Jennings, Kinze”]

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by

AFBF President Visits #NAFB16

Cindy ZimmermanNovember 15, 2016AFBF, Audio, NAFB

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Zippy Duvall experienced his first National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) convention last week where he talked about his first year at the helm of the nation’s largest farm organization.

“It’s been very busy and exciting and a big education for me as far as agriculture in different parts of the country,” said Duvall. “I’ve been to 28 states across the country and probably a total of eight conventions before the middle of December.”

Looking ahead to 2017 with President Donald Trump in office, Duvall says they are excited to work with the transition team as they start to make key appointments. “I think (Trump’s) stand on regulation is what drew farmers and ranchers to him,” said Duvall. “We encourage them to think about having a farmer as head of EPA, or at least someone that’s farm-friendly and understands agriculture.”

Duvall says they are also looking forward to working with President Trump and Congress on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2017. “We don’t debate that there may be some problems with TPP but it’s not in agriculture,” he said. “This is a win for American agriculture.”

Listen to our full interview here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/nafb-16-afbf-zippy.mp3″ text=”Interview with Zippy Duvall, AFBF”]

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by

Brookside Agra Encourages Biological for Health Soil

Kelly MarshallNovember 14, 2016Agribusiness, biologicals

Getting the most out of soil and biomass after harvest is important, and using biologicals can be part of that, says Ben Elliott, Vice-Presiden of Agronomy Operations at Brookside Agra. A biological with components to support growth, like the all-natural H2O Excel can break down biomass quickly, making nutrients available to plants in time for spring planting.

“In what I call ‘digester-type programs,’ we are showing improved break down of biomass when using a biological. If using a biological alone, however, the process can still be slow and of little effect,” said Elliott. “Remember that biologicals function according to environmental factors like temperature and moisture. If you apply a biological alone, it may only have species that respond to those environmental factors present when they are applied.”

The best program is to get as many biologicals in the sprayer as possible, Elliot says. That gives them the food necessary to multiply rapidly.

“There are products on the market today that are designed to contain all of the needed components for this type of operation, but be very careful when making a selection,” he said. “I have witnessed many cases where the guaranteed analysis was not accurate or the biological component had died and was not available at all. Always use a trusted source for these types of products. If you are unsure, contact an agronomist to help you make a decision.”

Learn more by contacting Tony Arro, Director of Sales – Specialty Products, at 618-628-8300 ext. 24 or tony.arro@brookside-agra.com.

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