USDA Analyzes Crop Insurance Demand

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, Agribusiness, Crop Insurance, Financing, Research, USDA

usda-logo The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a report completed by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) on the effectiveness of crop insurance. The report, titled How Do Time and Money Affect Agricultural Insurance Uptake? A New Approach to Farm Risk Management Analysis, analyzes the relationship between wealth, savings, and insurance over time to identify alternative approaches to managing farm risk.

Farmers use crop insurance to protect themselves against risk, primarily against crop failure and low output prices. The U.S. Federal crop insurance program has grown steadily since the mid-1990s, and has become the single largest individual program providing support to producers under the 2014 Farm Act. The growth in crop insurance programs is seen globally, and appears to be driven at least in part by premium subsidies from governments.

This report worked to examine the risk management choices available to farmers, and analyzed the ways that changes in the farmer’s financial environment, particularly in savings and insurance markets, may change insurance demand.

The results of the study show that insurance and savings are substitutes when farm households consider multiple growing seasons, and that the demand for crop insurance drops the longer the time horizon explored. The study also concluded that farmer attitudes toward risk matter less when examining crop insurance demand over multiple years, and that demand for crop insurance among U.S. farmers is significantly responsive to their savings and accumulated wealth.

View the full report from USDA here.

New Features for Falcon Soil Samplers

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, Company Announcement, Equipment, InfoAg, Soil, Soil Sampling

falcon-logo-top Falcon Soil Technology has added new mapping and live sampling tracking features to the Model 5000 Automated Sampling System, allowing soil samplers to now collect, map and share soil sample information within the same system.

The new capabilities add mapping features and live sample tracking within one system, and will allow for faster preparation of fields while utilizing the existing shape files of grids and zones. The increased visibility of sampling progress will increase productivity and reduce opportunities for mistakes and missed samples, allowing growers to keep the soil nutrient information current and part of the essential data model world.

Some new features that are exclusive to the Model 5000 include the ability to import field maps into their cab directly from a cloud account.

“Capabilities that reduce the collection time and removes variables that can affect the sample quality and consistency is what we are committed to”, states Allan Baucom, Monroe, NC farmer and developer of the Falcon. “As a farmer, it’s important that the last sample taken by the Falcon at the end of the day is the same quality as the first sample of that day. I need soil sampling to be consistent, accurate and precise to manage my inputs and optimize profitability.”

These new features have been incorporated into a software release that is available for all Falcon Automated Soil Sampling owners, and will be standard on all new machines.

More information can be found here

Spoon-Feeding Nitrogen Shows Benefits

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, agronomy, Crop Protection, Nitrogen

Pivot Irrigation in Tassled Cornfield Experts at The Fertilizer Institute, as well as decades of research and practical experience, have concluded that matching nitrogen application to plant uptake can help to minimize nutrient loss, maximize utilization and improve plant performance and yield, and the increased move towards late-season nitrogen application, ­­­a best management practice for corn production today, has led to significant discussion about the optimum timing of later-season applications and the best ways to apply needed nitrogen.

Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that corn yields always improve when nitrogen is applied as late as tasseling, but the question of “how late is too late?” still remains to be answered.

“Researchers agree that a positive response to nitrogen application is seen when nitrogen is applied around the time of tasseling,” says Erik Tribelhorn, CEO of Agri-Inject in Yuma, Colorado. “The corn plant, however, takes up 20% of its total nitrogen after R2.”

IPNI Growth Stage N Uptake Better Crops Graph 1 Tribelhorn noted that the difficulty in addressing the late-season need most efficiently is that most application systems can’t operate much beyond the tasseling stage. Corn growers with pivot irrigation systems can work through this issue by utilizing fertigation, spoon-feeding nitrogen to the corn crop throughout the entire period of nutrient uptake. This avoids the peaks and valleys inherent in other application methods.

“Corn plants don’t eat nitrogen—they drink it,” Tribelhorn points out. “It makes sense to feed the plant at the same time it is taking up water. With today’s injection systems, you can precisely match the level of nitrogen delivered to the needs of the corn plant throughout its entire life cycle.”

Tribelhorn made a point to note that nitrogen is not the only nutrient that can be spoon-fed to the corn crop through fertigation.

“More than half of a corn plant’s sulfur uptake, for example, occurs after VT/R1,” Tribelhorn says. “As a result, many farmers will apply 28-0-0-5 through their pivots during the critical late stages of grain fill.”

Field Days Highlight Soil Health Practices

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Events, Soil Health Partnership

soilhealthpartnershipSoil Health Partnership field days include advanced farming practices for Indiana farmers with both more and less experience. The summer schedule offers growers the chance to learn from experts and peers and see what’s happening in the world of soil health.

The following schedule is planned for August and September:
Aug. 11: Harlan, Ind.
Aug. 11: Stryker, Ind.
Aug. 17: Frankfort, Ind.
Aug. 23: Tippecanoe, Ind.
Aug. 24: Stockwell, Ind.
Aug. 25: Remington, Ind.
Sept. 6: Auburn, Ind.

“Field days allow farmers and experts to share information and success stories and to troubleshoot issues with new farming techniques,” said Dan Towery, a Soil Health Partnership field manager in Indiana. “Working with peers is critical to successful implementation of new farming strategies like cover crops, advanced nutrient management and conservation tillage.”

The Soil Health Partnership is an initiative of the National Corn Growers Association and is in its third year working with commodity groups, federal agencies and environmental groups to achieve common goals.  Topics to be covered at these events may include: cover crops, conservation tillage, advanced nutrient management, the opportunity to observe a soil pit and a water quality update.

Land O’Lakes Acquires Ceres, Inc.

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Forage, Land O'Lakes

land o lakesLand O’Lakes has now completed its acquisition of Ceres, Inc. and will make the company a part of the Forage Genetics International business unit.  The addition will add new plant breeding and biotechnology to the Land O’Lakes R&D pipeline, bringing new traits to market faster.  It also brings the company into a position to provide holistic forage to customers.

FGI has significant expertise in field testing, product development and regulatory approval of traits. Ceres has excelled in the discovery and laboratory testing of new forage traits. Combining Ceres and FGI is a joining of complementary strengths and capabilities designed to accelerate the path to creating new forage solutions for farmers globally.

Ceres shares trading ceased yesterday and is no longer listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Looking Ahead to 2017 ECPA and ACPA

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, ICPA, InfoAg, International

ECPA 2017During the opening session for the 2016 ICPA we heard presentations from two precision agriculture conferences that will be held in 2017.

The first up was the 11th European Conference on Precision Agriculture.

It is 20 years since the first ECPA conference and the UK organisers are pleased to welcome the return of the conference to the UK and to Edinburgh. The conference will continue with a successful format of previous conferences building in strong industry sessions and participation. The theme of ‘Innovating through Research’ will enable all involved in Precision Agriculture to participate.

You can listen to the ECPA description here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/infoag-16-ecpa.mp3″ text=”ECPA 2017 Report”]

ACPA 2017Next on the program was the 7th Asian-Australasia Conference on Precision Agriculture.

The Precision Agriculture Association of New Zealand (PAANZ) invites you to the 7th Asian-Australasian Conference on Precision Agriculture (ACPA). The Organising Committee is honoured to host the Conference in New Zealand during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring months.

Research on information-based livestock production systems is progressing rapidly. In light of this, we are also organising the first Asian Australasian Conference for Precision Livestock Farming (1ACPLF) in conjunction with the 7ACPA. This conference succeeds the Australian New Zealand symposium series on Spacially Enabled Livestock Management (SELM) and introduces additional research and technology topics.

You can listen to the ACPA description here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/infoag-16-asian-australasian.mp3″ text=”ACPA 2017 Report”]

2016 ICPA/InfoAg Photo Album

Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by
Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by John Deere   Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by CropTrak

An ISPA Update at #13ICPA

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, ICPA, InfoAg

Dr. Ken SudduthThe 13th International Conference on Precision Agriculture (ICPA) is underway. Dr. Ken Sudduth, Research Agricultural Engineer, USDA-ARS, is currently President of the International Society of Precision Agriculture (ISPA) and welcomed us in this morning’s opening plenary session.

During Dr. Sudduth’s remarks he gives a report on the ISPA and encouraged attendees from 28 countries to help start affiliated groups in their countries. There are over 380 people attending the ICPA this year which is being held in conjunction with the 2016 InfoAg Conference. After this morning’s session the breakout sessions begin. There are 144 vocal presentations! Whew. Dr. Sudduth also introduced the incoming officers for ISPA during his remarks.

You can listen to Dr. Sudduth here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/infoag-16-icpa-report.mp3″ text=”Dr. Ken Sudduth, ISPA Report”]

I will be here for the ICPA and InfoAg until Wednesday morning but I am tag teaming with our Kelly Marshall who will complete our coverage until the end of the joint conferences on Thursday.

I’ve just started a photo album for your viewing and sharing pleasure – 2016 ICPA/InfoAg Photo Album

Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by
Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by John Deere   Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by CropTrak

Existing Stocks of Bayer Belt® Approved for Sale

Cindy ZimmermanBayer CropScience, EPA, Government, Insecticide

bayer-beltAn appeals board for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has upheld the decision to cancel registration for Bayer’s insecticide flubendiamide, marketed in the U.S. as Belt®, but retailers are being permitted to sell existing stocks to growers.

While Bayer intends to comply with the order, it will fully review the EAB’s decision and evaluate its options going forward. “Bayer maintains the EPA’s actions on flubendiamide are unlawful and inconsistent with sound regulatory risk assessment practices,” said Dana Sargent, Bayer’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. “The science supporting the registration of flubendiamide may be complex, but it is solid, and it’s unfortunate that we were denied the opportunity to argue the scientific merits of our case. You cannot use the regulatory process as a shield to avoid engaging in meaningful dialogue, but that is exactly what the EPA has done.”

Sargent expressed Bayer’s appreciation to organizations including Crop Life America, Agriculture Retailers Association, American Soybean Association, and others that “signed amici in support of a sound science regulatory process.”

Growers, retailers and distributors with questions about this issue, should contact their local Bayer Field Sales Representative, or call 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937).

Farm Groups Praise Obama for Signing Labeling Bill

Kelly MarshallAFBF, Ag Group, ASA, Government, Labeling, NCGA

Multiple farm organizations have released statements, thanking President Obama for signing the food labeling bill into law.  The new law was created to protect the food supply from a patch-work of state labeling laws and to offer consumers a more transparent, national system.

NCGA-Logo-3“We are grateful to President Obama for swiftly signing into law a bill that is crucial for American farmers and consumers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “His signature brings consistency to the marketplace and prevents the negative ramifications of conflicting state and national food labeling standards.”

Considering the high reliance on biotechnology to feed an ever-growing population while reducing the impact on the environment, American’s farmers, especially those growing GMOs, are concerned about labels that place an unscientific stigma on proven technology.

asa“The American Soybean Association congratulates and thanks President Obama for today signing into law the bipartisan GMO compromise bill,” says President Richard Wilkins.  “This law will provide stability in the marketplace for both producers and consumers, while avoiding a messy patchwork of state laws. We are happy to put this fight behind us, and continue to provide safe, affordable food for the American people, just as we have for generations.”

afbf“President Obama’s signature today will put a stop to the harmful patchwork of state GMO labeling laws and set in place a uniform, national disclosure system that will provide balanced, accurate information to consumers,” adds the American Farm Bureau Federation.  “For decades, biotechnology has made it possible for farmers to grow safe and healthful crops while reducing their environmental impact. We are pleased that Congress and the administration have moved swiftly to prevent consumer confusion and protect agricultural innovation.”

Loveland Launches Titan XC Fertilizers

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Fertilizer

loveland productsLoveland Products is known as a global provider of innovative crop input solutions and now they’re adding to that name with the launch of Titan XC.  This next-generation formula for dry fertilizer was created to improve efficiency by being extra concentrated.

It also offers growers benefits such as: increased nutrient availability and uptake, enhanced nutrient use efficiency, better root growth and development, improved plant performance and optimized yield potential.

“Titan XC is a unique fertilizer biocatalyst that changes the way that fertilizer responds to soil,” said Eric Moon, Plant Nutrition Marketing Manager for Loveland Products. “Titan XC ‘unlocks’ applied nutrients, making them available more quickly so that more of them get taken up by plant roots. With its higher concentration of active ingredients, next-generation Titan XC is also easier to apply.”

“For a grower’s dry fertilizer program, Titan XC is the key to quick release and uptake of a broad range of vital plant nutrients. This can really maximize the return on a grower’s dry fertilizer investment,” added John Oesch, Marketing Manager for the Southern Ohio division of Crop Production Services (CPS).

Titan XC also offers the advantage of being able to be incorporated into any production practice already using dry fertilizers.  The recommended rate is 1 to 2 pints per ton of dry fertilizer.