Passing of FMC’s Mike Harper

AgWired Precision, Audio, FMC

We were shocked and saddened to hear of the passing this week of Mike Harper, who worked for FMC Agricultural Solutions for 39 years – starting as a Chemical Sales Rep, working up to Industry Relations Manager in 2017.

I interviewed Mike several times over the years, most recently at last year’s Commodity Classic. He was always very passionate about his work and exuded an intense focus and energy whenever I saw him. Here’s that interview from last year. I think you’ll hear that focus and energy in his voice.

From the 2018 Commodity Classic: Interview with Mike Harper, FMC

“Mike will be remembered for his contributions to FMC and to the industry, but more than that, he’ll be remembered for his individual contributions to the people he worked with. Mike was always the first to lend a helping hand or to volunteer for any project. He was a friend and a mentor to all, whether they were a long-tenured FMC employee or an intern starting their first day,” said Amy O’Shea, VP and NA business director. “He had this dry wit and sense of humor that could make you laugh, but also make you stop and think. There will never be anyone like him.”

I will be one of those who will miss him at Classic next week and will be sending prayers out to his family and co-workers. There is more information about Mike and services in this online story.

DEUTZ-FAHR Introduces New 6 Series Tractors at #NFMS19

AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show, Tractor

During the 2019 National Farm Machinery Show, PFG America, exclusive distributor of DEUTZ-FAHR tractors in the USA market, unveiled the new small frame 6 Series tractors boasting FARMotion diesel engines. Laura Handke spoke with Taylor Grout, Sales and Marketing Director for DEUTZ-FAHR USA and Aiden Zimmerman (pictured), Zimmerman’s Equipment.

Since 2016, DEUTZ-FAHR has offered the 6 Series Agrotron models that features a large chassis and power ratings up to 225 HP. This new, smaller chassis offering fits nicely between the larger 6 Series Agrotron models and the smaller 5 Series and 5G Series models to offer a full line-up of agricultural tractors from 65 HP up to 336 HP. Two models of the new 6 Series will be available in the USA market –6130 and 6140 –boasting 126 and 136 engine horsepower respectively. Multiple variants include a choice of power shift or TTV (CVT) transmission, selection of cabin and control layout, and the availability of a front end loader by Quicke (Alo) to fit the working profiles of customers and farmers across the USA.

Listen to Laura’s interview with Taylor and Aiden here: Interview with Taylor Grout & Aiden Zimmerman

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Ag Day Essay Contest Winners Announced

Ag Day, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has announced the 2019 National Ag Day video and written essay winners, based on the theme “Agriculture: Food for Life. How does our nation lead the way?”

The national written essay winner is Grace Brose from Box Elder, South Dakota. She receives a $1,000 prize and travel to Washington, D.C. for recognition at the National Press Club Ag Day event on March 14, where she will have the opportunity to read the winning essay and will join other youth for a panel discussion on issues and challenges in agriculture. Two merit winners in the contest will receive $100 and blog posts featuring their essays. They are Brody Allen Snook of Marseilles, IL and Emily Li of Sugar Land, TX. This year’s Video essay winner, Jacob Kandell of Mason, Ohio, wins a $1,000 prize. The winning entries can be viewed online athttps://www.agday.org/2019-contest-winners.

The Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., National Association of Farm Broadcasting, and Farm Progress.

USDA RMA Administrator Updates #CIRB2019

AgWired Precision, Award, CIRB, Crop Insurance, USDA

USDA Risk Management Agency administrator and Illinois farmer Martin Barbre attended the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) annual meeting this week to provide an update on his agency’s priorities.

Barbre discussed a number of issues, including the Multi County Enterprise Unit, upcoming deadlines, a Farm Bill implementation listening session coming up February 26, disaster relief, and the Dairy Revenue Protection program.

We broke it down into what he could address on the record in this interview. CIRB2019 Interview with Martin Barbre, USDA RMA

2019 Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Annual Meeting photo album

FMC Talks About the Danger of Reduced Herbicide Rates

AgWired Precision, Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show

At the 2019 National Farm Machinery Show I spoke with Drake Copeland, Technical Services Manager, FMC. Our topic was the danger of reduced herbicide rates.

Drake talks about the importance of pre-emergence residual herbicides for weed control and what happens when a grower uses reduced herbicide rates. He also talks weed size and it certainly does matter. There’s a lot more in our discussion about this topic that growers will want to hear.

Listen to my interview with Drake Copeland, Technical Services Manager, FMC: Interview with Drake Copeland, FMC

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Case IH Unveils AFS Connect Magnum Series Tractors

AgWired Precision, Audio, Case IH, National Farm Machinery Show, Tractor

During the 2019 National Farm Machinery Show Case IH unveiled the new AFS Connect Magnum Series Tractors. Working with me here at NFMS is Laura Handke who took photos, recorded the unveiling presentation and interviewed Bill Webber, North America Marketing Manager for High Hp Tractors, Case IH Brand.

Case IH is unveiling new AFS Connect™ Magnum™ series tractors, giving producers a new way to run their businesses — with the freedom to adjust, manage, monitor, transfer data and partner the way they want. Powered by Case IH Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) precision technology, the tractor is outfitted with a new display, operating system, receiver and completely redesigned hardware environment that allows for remote display viewing, remote support capabilities and more. Plus, a redesigned cab delivers comfort, storage and easy-to-use controls for ultimate productivity.

The AFS Connect portal is a gateway to the AFS Connect Magnum series tractor. It allows farm managers to precisely manage their farm, fleet and data from a desktop or tablet/mobile device anywhere while feeling assured their data is securely transferring to and from the cloud. Users can log in to AFS Connect to view current field operations, fleet information, agronomic data and more, remotely keeping an eye on their operation as if they are in the cab. Farm owners and managers then have the freedom to share selected agronomic data — down to the field level — with third-party partners of their choosing.

You can find more information on the Case IH website and in the interview and presentation audio below.

Interview with Bill Webber, North America Marketing Manager for High Hp Tractors, Case IH Brand: Interview with Bill Webber, Case IH

Case IH AFS Connect Magnum Series Tractors Unveiling Presentation: Case IH Unveiling Presentation

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Optimism in Crop Insurance Reinsurance Industry

AgWired Precision, Audio, CIRB, Crop Insurance

This time last year, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) was concerned about what might happen with the new farm bill. This year, members are pretty pleased with how it all turned out.

CIRB chairman Zane Vaughn with ARMtech Insurance gives a lot of credit to the organization’s “Protect Crop Insurance” campaign. “It was very beneficial for staff on Capitol Hill gaining awareness of the program, what it does for farmers in their districts and their states,” said Vaughn. “That was a great outreach tool for us.”

Vaughn says this year’s annual meeting for CIRB is the largest ever and there is plenty of energy and optimism in the industry.

Listen to this interview with Vaughn from the 2019 CIRB Annual Meeting this week in San Diego.

CIRB2019 Interview with Chairman Zane Vaughn

2019 Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Annual Meeting photo album

New Holland Launches Genesis T8 Tractor with PLM Intelligence

AgWired Precision, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Precision Agriculture, Tractor

New Holland used this year’s National Farm Machinery Show as the venue to unveil their new GENESIS® T8 Series tractor with Precision Land Management (PLM™) Intelligence. I talked with two New Holland representatives, Ken Paul, product marketing manager for New Holland, North America and Luke Zerby, PLM product marketing manager for New Holland, North America, about the new machine.

The new GENESIS® T8 with PLM Intelligence™ is designed to adapt to every individual farmer’s unique needs. With features ranging from advanced connectivity between operators, vehicles, advisors and dealers to improve productivity and reduce downtime, to customizable controls, improved visibility and enhanced comfort.

Customizable controls allow every operator to adjust based on their unique preferences and requirements. The all-new cab features more accessible storage, increased power ports and vents, egress lights, and an ergonomic seat for optimal comfort.

The in-cab experience has been enhanced to remove obstructions and ensure maximum visibility. The new InfoView™ monitor is positioned in direct line-of-sight on the dash so you can keep your eyes on the horizon ahead. Strategically placed cameras make it easy to navigate in and out of traffic and keep your eyes on in-field work as well. New 360-degree LED work lights turn night into day, delivering up to 25 percent more visible light for greater awareness of surroundings while operating.

But the most innovative features extend far beyond the cab with the complete integration of New Holland’s advanced PLM platform. “New Holland’s approach to precision farming solutions can be summed up in four words,” says Luke Zerby, PLM product marketing manager for New Holland, North America. “Open, Connected, Smart, Supported. PLM Intelligence maximizes all of these, utilizing ISOBUS CLASS III technology to keep you completely connected through MyPLM™Connect and APIs to share and analyze your data, and now to enhance support functionality through one’s local New Holland Dealer. This is all through a simple tablet-based user interface, allowing the farmer to do more, and do it easier than ever before.”

Interview with Luke Zerby, PLM product marketing manager for New Holland, North America: Interview with Luke Zerby, New Holland

Interview with Ken Paul, product marketing manager for New Holland, North America: Interview with Ken Paul, New Holland

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Precision Ag Bytes 2/13

AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

  • Marrone Bio Innovations Inc., a leading developer of biological crop protection and plant health solutions, is offering a pair of products – Haven® for Plant Health and Regalia® Biofungicide – to serve California almond growers as market demand for almonds continues to boom around the globe.
  • Valent U.S.A. LLC announced the launch of MycoApply® EndoPrime® SC – a liquid formulation of the company’s leading soil enhancement product, MycoApply EndoPrime. Applied in-furrow, MycoApply EndoPrime SC contains four unique species of mycorrhizal fungi that help improve soil health, nutrient efficiency, drought tolerance and maximize yield potential throughout the season.
  • January 2019 saw increases in U.S. sales of self-propelled combines and 4-wheel-drive tractors as well as total U.S. 2-wheel-drive tractor sales compared to January last year, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. 4-wheel-drive tractor sales gained 38.2 percent in January compared to last year and U.S. January self-propelled combine sales grew 14.5 percent. View the full report here.
  • Results are in for World Ag Expo’s® Top-10 New Products Competition, sponsored by Bank of America. The winners will be showcased February 12-14, 2019, during the World Ag Expo® in Tulare, California.

National Cotton Council Announces Leaders, Intentions

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The National Cotton Council (NCC) named its leaders for 2019 and also shared planting intentions for the coming growing season at the group’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

The group announced results of its 38th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey, which show that U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 14.5 million cotton acres this spring. That number is up 2.9 percent from USDA’s December 2018 estimate.

Mike Tate of Huntsville, Ala., will serve as NCC chair and Kent Fountain of Surrency, Ga., will be vice chair for 2019.

Elected as NCC vice presidents are Kirk Gilkey, ginner, Corcoran, Calif., and Ron Harkey, warehouser, Lubbock, Texas. Re-elected as vice presidents are: Robert Lacy, Jr, cottonseed processor, and Kevin Brinkley, marketing cooperative executive, both from Lubbock, Texas; Joe Nicosia, merchant, Cordova, Tenn.; and David Hastings, textile manufacturer, Mauldin, South Carolina. Re-elected as secretary-treasurer is Barry Evans, a producer from Kress, Texas.

Elected to the NCC Board during segment caucuses were: Producers – Neal Isbell, Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Patrick Johnson, Tunica, Miss.; Shawn Holladay, Lubbock, Texas; Doyle Schniers, San Angelo, Texas; and Mark McKean, Riverdale, California. Ginners – Wesley Morgan, New London, N.C.; Curtis Stewart, Spade, Texas; George LaCour, Morganza, La.; Tom Pires, Riverdale, Calif.; and Drake Perrow, Cameron, South Carolina. Warehousers – Joe Tillman, Memphis, Tenn.; Jay Cowart, Altus, Okla.; Coalter Paxton, Wilson, N.C.; Joe Cain, Bakersfield, Calif., and Robert Swize, Corpus Christi, Texas. Merchants – Jordan Lea, Greenville, S.C.; Raymond Faus, Plano, Texas; William Barksdale and Jeff Johnson, both of Cordova, Tenn.; and Bobby Walton, Memphis, Tennessee. Cottonseed – Paul Scruggs, Overland Park, Kan.; Sammy Wright, Tifton, Ga.; Austin Rose, Altus, Okla.; and John Chisum and Jerrod Drinnon, both of Lubbock, Texas. Cooperatives – Keith Lucas, Lubbock, Texas; Hank Reichle, Greenwood, Miss.; Paul Bush, Glendale, Ariz.; Wayne Boseman, Garner, N.C.; and Reid Nichols, Altus, Oklahoma. Manufacturers – Anderson Warlick and James Martin, both of Gastonia, N.C.; William Bowen , Inman, S.C.; Robin Perkins, Sanford, N.C.; and Owen Hodges, Columbus, Georgia.