John Deere To Acquire Precision Planting and More

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, John Deere, Monsanto, Planting

Pat Pinkston, John DeereThis morning John Deere announced that the company has acquired Precision Planting from the Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto. Also included in the announcement is an exclusive agreement with Climate Corporation for near real-time data connectivity between certain John Deere equipment and Climate Corporation’s FieldView Platform.

Making the announcement at the Develop with Deere conference in Kansas City this morning was Pat Pinkston. You can listen to his announcement below.

Yesterday Deere made another announcement that it is acquiring Monosem, a leading manufacturer of precision planters in Europe. Also announced is a joint venture creating SageInsights with DN2K’s cloud software platform. Yep, lots of announcement from Deere!

Listen to Pat’s comments here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/jd-precision-planting-15.mp3″ text=”Pat Pinkston, John Deere”]

You can find photos from the Develop with Deere conference here: Develop with Deere Photo Album

AgriLife Extension Tests Sprinkler System

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Irrigation, water, Water Management

WaterSenseIn an effort to conserve water, manufacturers have been making smart irrigation for landscapes.  These sprinkler systems sense the water in the ground and apply just the right amount of moisture to lawns.  Now Charles Swanson of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services is testing those irrigation systems to see if they are as accurate as they say.

Originally, Swanson and Dr. Guy Fipps, AgriLife Extension irrigation engineer, College Station, set up the lab in 2008, to test “smart” weather-based irrigation controllers, Swanson said.  Recently, the lab completed all the requirements needed to be certified by the International Code Council to test landscape irrigation products, he said. The certification is required by the Environmental Protection Agency for labs conducting WaterSense product testing for manufacturers. This includes irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors and sprinklers.

“WaterSense is a partnership with EPA to protect the future of our nation’s water supply,” according to Swanson. “They do this by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, including new home designs and services,” Swanson said.

“People may have heard or seen WaterSense-labeled products in the market already,” Swanson said. “Many household water fixtures like low-flow toilets, faucets and showerheads are WaterSense labeled. Now WaterSense is starting to focus its attention on landscape irrigation by identifying products that can save consumers water.”

Swanson reports that WaterSense labels may only be applied to products that have proven at least 20 percent more efficient that traditional products.  Currently they are testing 25 sprinklers from five manufacturers.

“We know these products have great water conservation potential,” Fipps said. “Field analysis at a commercial site in 2013 showed that converting to pressure-regulated sprinklers increased the application uniformity by 27 percent and decreased water use by 23 percent.”

Farm Foundation Hosts Forum About ESA

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Events, farm land, Wildlife

farmfoundationlogo3The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been protecting mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians since it was signed into law in 1973.  But for more than 40 years it has also frustrated landowners with its restrictions, especially when the benefits hardly seem to outweigh the regulations.  Finding that balance has been a struggle.

A recent success has given many hope for the future of endangered species protection.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to list the Greater Sage-Grouse, thanks in large part to a collaboration between private landowners, environmentalists, and state and federal agencies.

The Farm Foundation will be highlighting the key points that led to this success in a forum on Tuesday, November 10.  Many notable speakers will take part in the discussion, including Jason Weller, Chief of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Michael Bean, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Parks and Wildlife.

The Forum will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.  A live audiocast will be available, free of charge, for those who are unable to attend in person.

There is no charge to participate in the Nov. 10 Forum, but registration is requested. REGISTER HERE if you plan to to attend the Forum in person at the National Press Club. REGISTER HERE to participate in the live audiocast. Audiocasting is made possible by a grant from Farm Credit. After the event, an audio file is posted to the Farm Foundation website for those unable to be part of the live event.

The Farm Foundation encourages those with an interest in agricultural, food and rural policy, including members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, industry representatives, NGO representatives, academics and members of the media to attend this event.

American Soybean Applauds EU Biotech Vote

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASA, biotechnology, EU

asaThe European Parliament voted 619-58 to reject a proposal that would allow member states to opt-out of importing and using biotech food for non-scientific reasons.  The American Soybean Association was pleased with the results of this decision.  Their president, Wade Cowan issued a statement on the vote.

“This is a much-needed action today by the European Parliament. ASA has repeatedly called on the EU to make science-based decisions on the issue of biotechnology, and we are very happy to see the Europeans do so this morning. One of the unifying principles of the EU is to provide a single market, both within Europe and as a partner in in global commerce. Enabling each of its 28 member states to go rogue on GMO acceptance, based on societal or political concerns, is hardly a unifying strategy for success.

“Soybean farmers welcome today’s news as we look to expand our European markets for animal feed, edible oils, biodiesel and biobased products. Europe is a top-five market for American soybeans, and we looking forward to further expanding our trade relationship.

“Moving forward, the Commission has been directed by the EU Parliament to come up with a new proposal. However, in our view, it would be more appropriate for the EU to use its own existing procedures to approve new biotech products rather than trying to come up with another approach. The Commission just needs to do its job by following its own regulations and procedures.”

Free Transition Planning for Your Farm Webinar

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Farm Management

American Agri-WomenAg Transition Partners, and American Agri-Women (AAW) are hosting a no-cost farm transition webinar to help producers plan for the future.  Three webinars are planned and on-site or virtual coaching and action templates will be provided as well.

The first webinar is already available for download on the AAW website.  The second webinar will be held November 17 at noon CST.  This webinar will help growers use the Ag Transition tool to learn the process and gather information to develop a plan.

You can register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5386075726088145410
Webinar ID: 118-664-379

The third session “Making it Happen” is scheduled for December 8.  Registration detail will follow later.

The project’s multi-layer approach sets it apart from other planning processes, better helping farm families ensure the legacy of their operations. Each family will be coached by a member of the Ag Transition Partners and action plans will be developed using the University of Minnesota’s Ag Transitions online templates.

This project is free for participating farm and ranch families and is made possible through a grant from North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center (NCERMEC) and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

An estimated 70 percent of farms and farmland are expected to transition ownership in the next 20 years, with less than half having estate plans in place.  Fewer than 70 percent have chosen a successor, and only 11 percent have a transition plan.  An estate plan can help families work together, rather than leave family members overwhelmed with taxes and unable to run the business.   

For more information, or to sign up to for the project contact Kristine Ranger, project manager, at kristine@knkowledgenavigators.com or (517) 974-5697.

CEOs Launch Sustainability & Innovation Council

Taylor TruckeyDupont Pioneer, Food, Government, Land O'Lakes, sustainability, Video

The heads of several agribusiness companies last week made a new commitment to sustainability.

Council on SustainabilityElanco president Jeff Simmons, Kellogg CEO John Bryant, and Chris Policinski, President and CEO of Land O’ Lakes, joined former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to discuss what sustainability means to their companies last Thursday and to launch a new council.

These companies, along with DuPont Pioneer, launched the Council on Sustainability and Innovation with the support of the Bipartisan Policy Center. Glickman began by saying, “Companies at every stage along the food chain are facing a wealth of challenges including weather & climate, a growing population, nutrition, and other challenges to a stable food supply. The business community and food industry is powerful force for change. That’s why these leaders from agriculture and food are creating a Council on Sustainability and Innovation; creating a platform to highlight the initiatives and activities that the private sector is taking.”

Watch the conversation below:


New Risks, New Rewards for Farmers and Big Data

Taylor TruckeyAFBF, Farm Bureau, Government, technology

HurstPrivacy concerns are still forefront in farmers minds even with the substantial benefits of new technology and the associated A”big data.” Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst explained farmer concerns to the House Agriculture Committee during a hearing this week. Hurst, a board member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, was asked to testify on innovation and its implications for agriculture.

“The big data movement—and the innovative technologies and analytics it yields—could lead to at least as much change in agriculture as the Green Revolution and the adoption of biotechnology did,” Hurst said. “Farmers are reporting higher yields, fewer inputs, more efficiency and higher profits thanks to technology.”

While farmers are eager to adopt these groundbreaking tools, they are not willing to simply hand over their sensitive business information – nor should they have to. Farmers have the right to know what information is collected, how exactly their data is used and who else has access to it. “It’s then up to farmers to determine whether the benefits outweigh the privacy and security risks associated with usage,” Hurst said.

AFBF has led the way in addressing big data concerns and recently joined with other industry players to produce a set of principles to govern data privacy and security. AFBF and its partners are currently developing tools to help farmers evaluate privacy agreements and data storage options. When farmers and businesses work together, Hurst told the committee, they can “expand their return on investment and unlock the power of ag data.”

75 Years of Innovation for ARS Ag Utilization Centers

Taylor TruckeyResearch, USDA

USDA_logo.svgFour regional ARS ag utilization centers are celebrating 75 years of scientific excellence. The centers, spread throughout the country, are celebrating innovative achievements and improved methods of ensuring product quality, detecting foodborne pathogens, and creating bio-based fuels among other things.

The centers, which celebrate their 75th anniversaries during the remainder of 2015 and start of 2016, are the: Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania; Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) in Albany, California; National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, Illinois; and Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The centers were established circa 1940 to create new, value-added uses for surpluses of region-specific crops and their byproducts, notes Rob Griesbach, deputy assistant administrator for ARS in Beltsville, Maryland.

Today, the mission of the centers’ scientists remains very much the same—albeit with an expanded list of crops, consumer expectations and marketing challenges.

Read more about each individual research center here.

USDA Announces $210m Investment in Renewable Energy

Taylor TruckeyEthanol, NCGA, RFS, USDA

NCGA-Logo-3Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is partnering with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists.

With the matching commitments by state and private entities, the BIP is investing a total of $210 million to strengthen the rural economy.

“This is a big win for both corn farmers and consumers,” NCGA President Chip Bowling, a Maryland farmer, said. “Fuel choice is important to consumers, and investing in our biofuel infrastructure will help ensure they have access to a stable supply of ethanol that is American-grown, renewable and affordable.

“While we celebrate this program, we will continue to push the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to uphold the statutory volumes of ethanol required under the Renewable Fuel Standard. With more pumps coming online, it’s important to have the fuel they provide ready to go.”

According to the USDA announcement, the states participating in the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership include Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The final awards being announced today are estimated to expand infrastructure by nearly 5,000 pumps at more than 1,400 fueling stations.

Verdesian Life Sciences Receives 4R Nutrient Award

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Award, Fertilizer, sustainability

VerdisianThe 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program has named Verdesian Life Sciences a partner in recognition of their efforts towards making agriculture a more sustainable and efficient industry.  The four Rs of the program apply to the right source, right rate, right time and right place for fertilizer application.  These standards align with Verdesian’s commitment to grow row crops by maximizing inputs through research and development.

“Since the company’s inception, Verdesian has been committed to becoming a partner of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program,” said Greg Thompson, chief operating officer of Verdesian Life Sciences. “We are proud to now be recognized among an impressive list of industry leaders in environmental accountability. Verdesian will continue to support farmers by developing new and innovative ways for them to remain sustainable stewards of their land and simultaneously maximize their productivity on every acre.”

Innovative science and technologies developed by Verdesian help farmers deliver essential nutrients to their crops without being lost to the environment. Farming operations that are following the 4R principles see increased profits from decreased nutrient loss, which can also lead to improvements in the environment, such as a lower impact on local watersheds.

“We want inputs to make a farmer more efficient, so they can still experience a strong ROI while being cognizant of the environment,” Thompson said. “For example, our polymer technologies can allow farmers to reduce their phosphorus and nitrogen rates but still continue to meet their crop production goals and yield expectations. These are the types of innovative technologies we are continuing to develop and why the 4R nutrient partnership is a natural fit to the Verdesian core values.”