Solutions Made Easy at Develop with Deere

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Audio, John Deere

jd-develop-16-leifker Jeremy Leifker works to help John Deere find solutions for growers. At the recent Develop with Deere Conference in Kansas City, Leifker sat down with Chuck Zimmerman to define what that means for the company and the important role their connected partners play in providing those solutions.

Solutions, he says, are by definition, answers for problems. Growers have specific problems each season, beginning with how to get a uniform emergence. In today’s world the answer to that problem involves a combination of equipment and software: a planter, a good power unit, a tractor, technology to guide the planter and turn rows on and off, put down seed at the right rate etc. The combination of all these things and the quality in doing them is what Deere considers a “solution.”

“When you package that up into a planting solution, that is really a focus for John Deere,” Leifker explains. “We expect that solution to not only come from John Deere, but some of these connected parters that are here today.”

Those connected partners start with the farmer. Growers understand the value of good decision and the power of a decision making tool and John Deere understands their role is to make it all easy.

Our current economic climate is challenging. However, challenging doesn’t mean impossible, Leifker asserts. And running a better business will help. Better farming will find solutions in precision agriculture, in a space where opinions are no longer part of the decision-making process.

Listen to Chuck’s full interview with Jeremy here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/jd-develop-16-leifker.mp3″ text=”Jeremy Leifker, John Deere Solutions”]

Photos from this year’s conference can be found here: Develop with Deere Photo Album

PrecisionHawk and Deere, Moving Forward

Kelly MarshallAerial Imagery, Agribusiness, Data, John Deere

jd-develop-16-hyde PrecisionHawk attended last year’s Develop with Deere conference and already, Business Developer Nat Hyde says, they see major changes.

PrecisionHawk is an ariel imaging company with a software platform called DataMapper. Last year they attended the boot camp to get started using Deere’s API.  Now, 12 months later, all of their DataMapper files can be downloaded to the Operations Center as a shape file and rather than learning the system, PrecisionHawk is ready to move it forward.

At this conference Hyde says he sees John Deere moving from a one way message of pushing information about the Operations Center to a two way street for collecting new ideas.

“Our goal is that this is the first step, and they [John Deere] recognize that,” Hyde told Chuck Zimmerman. “It’s been really incredible. The feedback is they are grateful it is where it is and they are excited to see where it goes from here because they know it’s going to be a process, but they are ready to see it happen and they are excited for the next steps.”

PrecisionHawk is ready for its own ‘next steps’ as well. The company sees new requests for aerial imaging all the time. Insurance companies to mining operations see data as a valuable asset and PrecisionHawk is placing themselves in a position to meet those needs.

Learn more about PrecisionHawk and the Develop with Deere event in Chuck’s interview with Hyde: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/jd-develop-16-hyde.mp3″ text=”Nat Hyde, PrecisionHawk”]

Photos from this year’s conference can be found here: Develop with Deere Photo Album

Two Weeks To NCYC Harvest Deadline

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Contest, Corn, NCGA

NCYCThe National Corn Growers Association reminds growers that the deadline for the 2016 National Corn Yield Contest is just a few weeks away.  Online entries must be completed within seven business days of their final yield check, or by November 21, whichever comes first.

The online form can be accessed by farmers and seed representatives with the same login process as the entry form.  Submissions must be accompanied by the entrant’s NCGA membership number.  A reminder that this year, all harvest documentation must be submitted online, documentation including weight tickets and row lengths.  These documents must also be signed by a contest supervisor.

For half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.

Winners earn recognition in the NCYC Corn Yield Guide and other publications, cash trips and awards from sponsoring seed, chemical, and crop protection companies, and will be honored at the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas.

Trimble Ag Software Just Announced

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Software, Trimble

ZimmCast 529Trimble is holding a large customer event in Las Vegas this week in Las Vegas, Trimble Dimensions, where the company made a big announcement – Trimble Ag Software. This new farm data management platform combines their products Connected Farm™, Farm Works Software® and Agri-Data® solutions. This all-in-one tool offers customers a complete desktop, web-based and mobile-enabled agricultural software solution that simplifies farm data management to drive productivity, profitability and sustainability for farmers, crop advisors, ag retailers and food processors. I spoke with Ben Allen, Trimble, about today’s announcement to learn more.

Trimble Ag SoftwareAmid the current shift toward precision agriculture practices, farmers are also running into hurdles with technology integration. When farmers mix precision ag hardware and software with third-party vendors, the results can lead to lost time due to data re-entry, USB data transfer or multiple support entities. To combat these barriers, Trimble Ag Software seamlessly integrates with its hardware solutions as well as with other third-party manufacturers using Trimble’s API. By using one technology platform, supported by a global Trimble Vantage™ distribution network, farm data can now flow wirelessly across the entire farm and to trusted advisors. This provides timely crop input recommendations and eliminates data re-entry, saving time and reducing potential errors.

“In the consumer smartphone market, people are looking for hardware and software that works well together and makes life easier—the same is true for farmers,” said Benjamin Allen, enterprise solutions manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “Agricultural technology can be very complex and farmers are adopting solutions that ease data transfer and provide enhanced mobile functionality.”

Trimble Ag Software doesn’t just solve problems for farmers. Over the last decade, Trimble has advanced its integrated agricultural technology strategy to provide solutions that touch nearly every aspect of the agriculture supply chain.

  • Crop advisors are using Trimble Ag Software to manage their farm customers’ data, leading to better input recommendations and solid metrics in real time that allow for quick adjustments and higher yields.
  • Ag retailers are using Trimble Ag Software to track leads, manage performance and empower their sales agronomists to better serve farm customers.
  • Food processors are turning to Trimble Ag Software to track data at different processing stages, meet regulatory requirements and manage the growing volume of grower data.


You can listen to my weekly podcast to hear more from Ben here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/zimmcast529-11-7-16.mp3″ text=”ZimmCast with Ben Allen, Trimble Enterprise Solutions Lead, Agriculture”]

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

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ASA Seeking Participation in Farm Bill Survey

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, ASA, Company Announcement, Farm Bill, Soybeans

asa The American Soybean Association (ASA) is conducting a survey of producers in states represented by ASA state soybean affiliates on key issues that are likely to be considered by Congress during the process of 2018 Farm Bill negotiations.

The results of the survey will be collected and summarized for discussion at ASA’s Board of Directors meeting in St. Louis on Dec. 7.

Results will also provide guidance to the ASA Governing Committee and the Farm Bill Working Group as the group begins discussing farm bill issues with the new Administration, members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and returning and new members of Congress in January.

The survey will close on Nov. 25, 2016, and is available online: please click here to access the survey. A PDF survey is available here for anyone wanting a hard copy instead. Please mail all hard copies to the following address:

Blair Elias
C/o Gordley Associates
600 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
Suite 320
Washington, DC 20003

John Deere Encourages ADAPT Toolkit

Kelly MarshallAgGateway, Agribusiness, Connectivity, John Deere

AgGateway

One of the focuses of last week’s Develop with Deere conference in Kansas City was AgGateway‘s new ADAPT Toolkit.  John Deere was a leader in creating the ADAPT program, and they’re making sure the software developers at the conference have the information they need to put it to use.

Chip Donahue told Chuck Zimmerman that Deere has developed their own plug-in for the system and has tested it in the U.S. and Europe.  It’s working fine and now they’re moving ahead with plans to make sure the toolkit is implemented.  The team at AgGateway has hired an evangelist to work with the software companies and provide support for the process.  The overall goal, Donahue said, was for all ag systems to work together seamlessly, regardless of the equipment or the software.  He’s says they’re at a strong point now, where the system is ready for delivery, but they aren’t resting on their laurels.

“We’ve got work to do,” Donahue says.  “We did get to this point, but now we’ve got to move forward because it’s been a bunch of point sources and now people want integrated systems and that’s what our vision is and we’re helping deliver that.”

Develop with Deere is helping shape that vision with the connections and learning experiences offered.  Another year or two and who knows what we’ll be seeing as a result?

Learn more about John Deere’s role in ADAPT in Chuck’s interview with Donahue: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/jd-develop-16-donahue.mp3″ text=”Chip Donahue, John Deere”]

Photos from this year’s conference can be found here: Develop with Deere Photo Album

AgCompass Aids Growers in Riding Out Low Prices

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness

agcompass-logoIn times of tight margins, solutions for operating expenses become even more vital.  One such solutions is to remote host software that allow all farm partners to be on the same page for crucial decision making– a solution that can be accomplished with AgCompass.

“With AgCompass, farm managers and consultants can look at farm data together in real time, securely from anywhere, allowing them to make informed and timely decisions that have a positive impact on the bottom line” said Nick Chambers, AgCompass business development manager. “AgCompass has been hosting software for agribusiness and CPA firms since 2003. Our solution provides the flexibility and collaboration that improves a farm’s efficiency, while producers maintain control and data independence.”

Daily data backups and software updates are handled by AgCompass, which further helps growers managing time and stress.  The off-site back up keeps data safe from computer crashes or other on-farm disaster and remote access means partners can be in the know, no matter where they are.

“I don’t have to worry about going on vacation,” says Cheryl Walsh, who manages the finances and payroll of Cowser Field and Feedlot in Peoria, IL. “It is worth a lot knowing I can keep tabs on the company away from home with AgCompass.”

AgCompass is also used by CPA companies, a great advantage during tax season.  By sharing the platform growers can collaborate through the cloud, eliminating travel expenses and reducing IT costs.

“With the shared environment, clients and our staff have easier access to their financial records and our staff can easily support them to maintain robust financial statements,” said John McNutt, a business consultant at Latta Harris. “With Ag Compass we help our clients reduce costs freeing up everyone to concentrate on adding value instead of moving files around.”

Sharing a background in agriculture and with Midwestern values, the IT Staff at AgCompass provides one-on-one technology support. However, the only requirements for the customer are an internet connected device and a secure connection to the AgCompass cloud server. Installation is easy and there’s nothing new to learn. Farms use the same software that they use now.

You can find out more from the AgCompass newly launched website, calling 844-4-AGCLOUD, or listening to Cindy Zimmerman’s interview with Nick Chambers [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/ag-compass.mp3″ text=”Nick Chambers, AgCompass”]

BASF, FMC Bring Next Generation Crop Protection

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, BASF, Crop Protection, FMC

logo_basfBASF and FMC Corporation are working tougher to bring innovative, in-furrow crop protection products to the marketplace.  By integrating insect and disease protection technologies with FMC’s convenient LRF patented technology, the companies have a new product that is easy to mix, provides consistent active ingredient distribution and stays suspended for uniform application.

Each of the companies will launch a product in 2017.  BASF will offer Manticor LFR In-Furrow Fungicide/Insecticide, while FMC will go to market as Temitry LFR Insecticide/Fungicide.

“The LFR technology brings greater convenience, simplicity and dependability to our customers,” said Scott Stout, Corn Fungicide Products Manager, BASF. “FMC is a recognized liquid in-furrow leader, and our customers will benefit from our leading disease control and plant health fungicide with the best below-ground insect control and in-furrow insecticide formulation technology available.”

fmc-logo“The collaboration combines the core competencies of two market leaders. FMC is an in-furrow formulations technology leader and BASF is a fungicide active ingredient leader,” said Rick Ekins, fungicide and insecticide portfolio manager for FMC. “This alliance allows both companies to help our customers take yields and profits to the next level. In-furrow protection has never been so convenient or powerful.”

The EPA has given registration for both products, products that will help feed a growing populations, BASF and FMC believe.

“As an industry, we need new tools to push yield potential higher without using more of our natural resources,” said Stout. “These kinds of collaborations help us reach that goal.”

Something Useful at Develop with Deere

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Audio, Dealers, John Deere

jd-develop-16-shannon-norwood John Deere’s new approach to the Develop with Deere conference in Kansas City last week drew a lot of attention. Instead of focusing on software developers exclusively, as has been done in the past, the company opened the event to dealers. But did all the fuss boil down to anything useful? Shannon Norwood of TriGreen Equipment, LLC John Deere Dealership seems to think it was.

Norwood attended the conference looking for opportunities to serve her customers in Athens, Alabama and other TriGreen dealerships across the south. She told Chuck Zimmerman about the sessions and the set-up Deere created to allow dealers to approach presenters later for follow up questions. “I’m definitely learning!” she laughs.

“Our customers have a tremendous amount of interest in information that is flowing through the Operations Center because with the current economic climate we’re looking to do anything we can to increase productivity and increase those economic returns.  So I feel like really having a data set that they can look at to make economic-based decisions on is going to be key for our growers.  That’s what we’re after.”

Heading back home with something concrete to take with her was Norwood’s priority. She’s found that and more. In addition to sessions, contacts with software developers will be valuable to her. Connections with other John Deere dealers who share what they’ve done to help farmers use the Operations Center successfully are vital as well.  Hallway time is important, Norwood asserts.

As she arrives in Alabama, Norwood plans to coordinate presentations between her customers and three to five of the companies from the event, hoping to help create even better solutions for 2017.

Hear more about the Develop with Deere Conference here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/jd-develop-16-norwood.mp3″ text=”Shannon Norwood, TriGreen Equipment”]

Photos from this year’s conference can be found here: Develop with Deere Photo Album

Accepting Applications for USDA Conservation Grants

Kelly MarshallConservation, USDA

usda-logoThe USDA is accepting proposals for projects designed to provide new conservation opportunities.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing up to $25 million for applications that encourage the development and adoption of conservation technologies in areas like conservation finance, data analytics and precision conservation.

“Conservation Innovation Grants have played a critical role in developing and implementing creative new methods to conserve the nation’s private agricultural lands and strengthening rural communities,” said Vilsack. “Today’s announcement builds on our support of technologies and approaches that help producers increase resiliency to extreme weather such as drought and floods.”

The 2017 focus areas for project proposals include the following:

  • Innovative approaches that benefit historically underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers and those with limited resources;
  • Natural resources data analytics tools—such as software and mobile apps—that increase producer knowledge of conservation benefits and alternatives;
  • Precision conservation tools that uncover opportunities for better input management (for example, nutrient management addressing source, timing, rate and placement), or address in-field vulnerabilities;
  • Conservation finance approaches that demonstrate the potential for new investment strategies to accelerate and expand private lands conservation;
  • Demonstration, evaluation and quantification of the effects of water management and soil health practices to minimize off-site impacts of natural resource challenges, such as excess sediment and nutrient runoff;
  • Pay-for-success models that stimulate conservation adoption and achievement of measurable outcomes.

    • Proposals are due by January 9, 2017.  Details about the applications are available online.  American Indian tribes, state and local units of government, non-governmental organizations and individuals are eligible to submit proposals.