New Holland Looks to Take Manual Out of Data Transfer

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Audio, InfoAg

infoag-15-new-hollandFor years, there’s been no problem with generating data with farm equipment. The issue came with the extra chore too many farmers had to perform at the end of the day and manually transfer information from a USB stick to their computer back in their home office. During the recent InfoAg Conference, Chuck caught up with Chris Carrier from New Holland to talk about the company’s Precision Land Management (PLM) Connect, which looks to take the manual, extra chore out of that data transfer.

“Our PLM Connect platform … uses the cloud to not only transmitting the machine data, but getting into agronomic data, helping the growers get the field data into the cloud easily and having a secure place to keep that data until [they can get it to a place where] they can bring value to it, improving yields and profitability,” he explained.

Chris said New Holland has been very deliberate in making sure their system is open and connected so it works with a variety of other service providers. New Holland wants to make sure producers are able to get the information gathered, even from other brands, into a place where they can use it. He added being at InfoAg has helped facilitate the idea of openness. “That’s one of the great things about this conference: you’re able to start collaborating with a lot of other providers that are here. That’s key for us.”

Listen to all of Chuck’s interview with Chris here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/new-holland-chris-carrier.mp3″ text=”Interview with Chris Carrier, New Holland”]

2015 InfoAg Conference Photo Album

Get Registered for InterDrone Conference

Chuck ZimmermanAerial Imagery, AgNerd, drone, technology, UAV

InterDrone ConferenceHere’s an update on the upcoming first ever International Drone Conference and Expo – InterDrone. Carl Berndtson, Business Development Consultant, BZ Media, wants to first remind everyone that the early-bird deadline for a big registration discount is August 21. If you register before August 21 use the discount code FLYIT on a 3 day pass for an extra discount courtesy of AgWired and if you just need a day pass use the discount code EXPO. An added incentive to attend is the CTIA Super Mobility 2015 Show which is a short express shuttle ride away from Interdrone. It’s “phones meets drones” time and the CTIA Show is huge.

To date there are 75 exhibiting companies at Interdrone with more expected. There are attendees registered from 45 states and 30 countries already. Some special events include the InterDrone Film Festival, drones in agriculture Summit, the “Hangar” for drone startups, a Yes Fly Zone for demos, Women-In-Drones luncheon and panel, and lots more! At least 3,000 attendees are expected.

On the speaker side of the program panels these panels have just been announced “Leading VCs Discuss Next Wave or Drone Innovation” and “Ways to Fund Your Drone Business.”

Ryan Mac, staff writer at Forbes, will lead the VC panel. Miles Clements of Accel, Anjney Midha of Kleiner Perkins, David Lam of WestSummit Capital, and Dave Famolari of Verizon Ventures, will join Mac to discuss cutting-edge drone innovations and future market-driving technologies.

“The Ways to Fund Your Drone” panel is lead by Frederic Lardinois, a writer at TechCrunch. The panelists include Matthew Bieschke, of UAS America Fund and NEXA Capital Partners, Clements of Accel, and Susan Mac Cormac, of Morrison & Foerster. These experts will discuss the many ways of securing funding as well as the different approaches that are available.

FMC Business Academy for Retailers

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Events, Retailers

FMCLogo_RED-SOLID-webFMC Agricultural Solutions is a company serving the ag community with innovative solutions, applications and products.  They will be hosting a free, educational webinar for retailers on business preparations on August 19 from 8:30-10 a.m. (CST). You can register online or by calling 1-866-402-3750.

“For the past 10 years, FMC has offered our Star Retailers educational programs through the FMC Business Academy,” said Adam Prestegord, FMC Agricultural Solutions North America segment manager. “With a decade of proven success, we wanted to expand our offerings this year. The Insight Exchange Panel will allow retailers to connect directly with subject matter experts on timely topics that can be applied now and impact fall sales.”

With market volatility and many factors beyond control, it’s important to control what you can by learning new skills and developing behaviors that will maximize success when working with growers. Retailers are invited to join their peers and growers as David Widmar, agricultural economist and Purdue University Researcher, and Don Tyler, management coach and advisory to agribusiness corporations, as they share how to “sharpen your axe” with relevant business skills.

“During this 90-minute free webinar, retailers will have the opportunity to learn about the impact current market dynamics have on growers’ decision making and business decisions,” said Prestegord. “Additionally, retailers will have the opportunity to submit questions via a live chat and interact with panelists.”

After the web conference FMC Star Retails will also be able to talk with experts Widmar and Tyler through an online forum “Maximing Profitability” on BeckAgConnects.com.

John Deere Ops Center Like Grand Central for Data

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Audio, InfoAg, John Deere

infoag-15-jd-jakeJust like Grand Central Station serves as a hub for trains and people coming in and out of a city, the John Deere Operations Center serves as a hub for data coming in and out of a producer’s operation.

“That’s where all of our data is feeding in, being processed in a way to be consumed and help [farmers] with their decision making,” Jake Flanders with John Deere told Chuck during the InfoAg Conference. In addition, just like that Grand Central Station, producers can decide which information they want to access and even where or when they want to access it. “You can see [in real-time] exactly where your equipment is at at any time, but it’s also after the fact so you can review it at the end of the day or week. And it’s accessible anywhere [even the cab].”

Jake encouraged producers to get started while the Operations Center is still being offered for free.

“Talk to your dealer, and they can help you get started.”

Listen to all of Chuck’s interview with Jake here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/jd-jake-flanders.mp3″ text=”Interview with Jake Flanders, John Deere”]

2015 InfoAg Conference 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 Growmark

360 Yield Center

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, agronomy, Audio, Fertilizer, InfoAg, Nitrogen, Nutrient Management, Spraying, Variable rate, Video

360 Yield CenterMaking sure that “once you plant your seed, it never has a bad day” is the mission of 360 Yield Center according to Rhett Schildroth, engineering manager. Rhett was working during the InfoAg Conference and we talked about what the company does.

At 360 Yield Center, we are fueled by our passion for the industry and our experience in maximizing crop potential. Our team of agricultural industry leaders – in agronomy, engineering and product development – work with and for farmers to gain control, make decisions and take action to capture more yield. And, we know we can help you; in fact, we’ve used our own fields as the proving grounds for this new approach to farming.

Rhett says that one of their products, 360 SOILSCAN, which provides you fast in-the-field soil nitrate tests how offers PH testing. The other product on display is their 360 Y-DROP which allows a grower to spray in season nitrogen very precisely with variable rate capability.

You can listen to my interview with Rhett here or watch it below. Please feel free to share. [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/infoag-15-360-yield-center.mp3″ text=”Rhett Schildroth, 360 Yield Center”]


2015 InfoAg Conference 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 Growmark

Farm Bureau Maps Show EPA Increasing Authority

John DavisAFBF, Ag Group, environment, Farm Bureau, water

farmbureauNew maps released by Farm Bureau shows the federal government is massively increasing its authority at the cost of American producers. This news release from the group says the Environmental Protection Agency will radically expand its jurisdiction over land use if its controversial Waters of the United States rule takes effect as expected Aug. 28. That expansion comes even as major parts of the rule remain largely incomprehensible to experts and laypeople, alike.

The maps, prepared by Geosyntec Consulting, show the dramatic expansion of EPA’s regulatory reach, stretching across wide swaths of land in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Montana. In Pennsylvania, for example, 99 percent of the state’s total acreage is subject to EPA scrutiny. Landowners have no reliable way to know which of the water and land within that area will be regulated, yet they must still conform their activities to the new law.

“Farmers face enforcement action and severe penalties under EPA’s new rule for using the same safe, scientifically sound and federally approved crop protection tools they’ve used for years,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “This rule creates a new set of tools for harassing farmers in court, and does it all with language that is disturbingly vague and subject to abuse by future regulators. It’s worth saying again: The EPA needs to withdraw this rule and start over.”

Farm Bureau says the additions to the Clean Water Act will prohibit many common agricultural practices in or around many ephemeral features.

GOP Ticket Full – Who’s Your Pick Today?

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What brings you to the county, regional or state fair?”

People all across the country are flocking to their local, regional and/or state fairs. It looks like tradition topped out lasted poll as to why many attend. But exhibiting livestock and a fair corn dog were runners up. Whatever your reasoning for going, we can all agree fairs are all centered around agriculture.

Here are the poll results:

  • Food – 18%
  • Exhibit livestock – 22%
  • Carnival – 0%
  • Just the experience – 17%
  • Tradition – 35%
  • Concerts – 4%
  • Other – 4%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Who’s your pick now for GOP candidate?

The Republican field for president is crowded but since the debate on Fox some are starting to stand out. This week most of them will be on the soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. Who stands out for you at this time?

Critical! Slam the Breaks on WOTUS

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Government, NCGA, water

NCGA-Logo-3The date for the EPA’s “Waters of the US” ruling is fast approaching.  The National Corn Growers Association is demanding the rule be postponed and that Congress act to end it all together.  The situation becomes more critical in light of a recent memo from the Army Corps of Engineers.

“In July, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy came to our meeting in Washington and made certain assurances that no new risks are created by the rule,” NCGA President Chip Bowling said. “We have since become convinced that these assurances are based on an inaccurate reading of the rule, the preamble, and the recent applicable field record of her agency’s own actions on these issues.”

The NCGA’s concerns were exacerbated when it became known that the Corps of Engineers, which had been partnering with EPA in the process, expressed significant reservations on the science and legality of the rule.

“Corps data to EPA has been selectively applied out of context, and mixes terminology and disparate data sets,” a May 15, 2015 internal memo states. “In the Corps judgement, these documents contain numerous inappropriate assumptions with no connection to the data provided, misapplied data, analytical deficiencies and logical inconsistencies.”

And from an earlier memo: “The rule’s contradictions with legal principles generate multiple legal and technical consequences that in the view of the Corps would be fatal to the rule in its current form.”

In a letter sent to McCarthy this week requesting an extension of the effective date of the rule, NCGA noted that the agency’s field staff did not even have a clear or consistent understanding of how to implement the rule.

“Our concerns are exacerbated by the fact that the Agencies’ field staff have yet to develop a shared understanding of the rule and how it will be implemented,” the letter states. “Furthermore, the Agencies’ leadership and field staff have yet to develop with farmers a similar understanding of their responsibilities under the Clean Water Act in light of this rule.”

USDA Makes Disaster Declarations in Three States

Cindy ZimmermanUSDA, weather

usda-logoThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated counties in at least three states as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain and flooding since June of this year.

The declarations include 87 counties in Illinois, 53 counties in Indiana, and 33 counties in Arkansas. The declarations also include contiguous counties, which encompass at least 15 counties in Missouri, as well as counties in Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.

“Our hearts go out to those farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”

Farmers in counties designated are eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met.

Ads to Air Supporting Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act

John DavisAg Group, GMO, Government

SafeFoodNew ads to support a bill that bars states from enacting mandatory GMO labeling laws will start airing in selected states. This article from Agri-Pulse says the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF) is releasing advertisements in Minnesota and Kansas to encourage support for the federal bill that would protect farmers and consumers alike.

The television and radio ads, which praise Reps. Mike Pompeo, R-Kans., and Collin Peterson, D-Minn., will begin airing this week and run for two weeks in regions coinciding with the lawmakers’ districts, according to CFSAF. The coalition represents various aspects of the food and agricultural sectors including the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

Pompeo sponsored the bill, known as the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, which passed the House in June with a vote of 275-150. Peterson was one of forty-five House Democrats who voted for the bill on final passage. Supporters say the bill would prevent a “patchwork” of state labeling laws that would drive up consumer cost.