Precision | Page 318 | News and reviews from the precision agriculture industry

Monsanto Offers New Cotton Varieties for 2015 Season

Taylor TruckeyMarch 13, 2015Audio, Cotton, Monsanto

While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, our own Chuck Zimmerman had a chance to chat with Monsanto’s Keylon Gholston, Cotton Product Manager with Monsanto, who provided insight into new cotton technologies and products that will be beneficial to growers.

Keylon was excited to further explore the 2015 varieties that Monsanto released in December; “We really want to bring increased yield and fiber quality to the market place.” Deltapine 1555 Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex has extremely high yield potential with fiber quality that is a step above the current line-up. The second variety is Deltapine 1558 Bollguard II Flex NR, a root knot nematode resistant variety that yields well under heavy or moderate nematode pressure.

Five XtendFlex varieties have been announced for 2015 after Monsanto received deregulation of the Xtend technology; DP 1518 B2XF and DP 1522 B2XF for shorter season markets, DP 1538 B2XF & DP 1553 B2XF for mid- to full-season markets, and DP1549 for acres in West Texas and Arizona.

All varieties, five XtendFlex & two Flex, are available for the 2015 growing season. Gholston stressed optimism in the cotton industry due to genetic advancements made within the last ten years that have improved yield and efficiency, thereby increasing profitability for growers.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Keylon here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-gin-show/mid-south-15-monsanto-gholston.mp3″ text=”Interview with Keylon Gholston, Farm and Gin Show”]

Mid-South Farm

Brock Commodity Outlook at Farm & Gin Show

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 13, 2015Audio, Corn, Cotton

The 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show once again featured the annual Commodity Outlook from Richard Brock, of Brock Associates.

In an interview after his presentation, Brock said he encouraged growers to shift acres to cotton if they’re in a cotton producing area as he sees the downside risk being minimal and upside potential being greater than most are anticipating. Brock mentioned soybeans having considerable downside risk in the market, and although there is temptation to plant more soybean acres due to lower costs, Brock says that by year’s end, they will wish they’d planted cotton.

In reference to how to double your money with corn, Brock cheekily stated, “Fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.” Particularly in non-irrigated areas, he says there is greater upside potential by planting acres to cotton versus planting acres to corn as weather risks have a much larger impact on corn on non-irrigated acres. Brock also stressed the importance of knowing how to make decisions in the market versus importance of knowing price direction.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Richard Brock at the recent Mid-South Farm & Gin Show: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/farm-gin-show/mid-south-15-brock.mp3″ text=”Interview with Richard Brock, Brock Associates”]

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by

Census Bureau ICT Survey

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 13, 2015Government, technology

The agriculture industry is included in the 2013 United States Census Bureau Information and Communication Technology Survey. No release or summary has been posted but you can find more information if you’re interested on their website.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Survey provides data on both noncapitalized and capitalized spending for information and communication technology equipment and computer software by U.S. nonfarm businesses with employees. Data have been collected annually beginning with data for 2003. United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and makes responding mandatory; it also protects the confidentiality of respondents and the data they provide.

Find results from the 2013 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Survey, including data at the national level on both noncapitalized and capitalized spending for information and communication technology equipment and computer software by U.S. nonfarm businesses with employees. Data are published for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 3-digit and selected 4-digit industries.

USDA Report Shows Ethanol Increasing Efficiency

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 12, 2015Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, USDA

The amount of corn necessary to make a gallon of ethanol is less than previously believed according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

In this month’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report (WASDE), corn use for ethanol production was projected 50 million bushels lower based on the new Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report recently released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), citing “a higher rate of conversion than previously assumed” as the reasoning for the adjustment.

“What is most remarkable about this supply and demand report is the light it sheds on a topic of great concern to U.S. corn farmers – recognition of the growing efficiencies in the ethanol industry,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Chip Bowling, a Maryland corn farmer. “For many years, we have strongly asserted that the ethanol industry continues to improve and those productivity gains should be taken into consideration. With the simple justification offered for the analysis, USDA made a great step forward in showing its growing appreciation for the advances made in ethanol production and, thus, the ever-increasing benefit it offers Americans.”

While USDA estimates for corn use in ethanol production were lowered by 50 million bushels, the overall drop was partially offset by higher than expected production over the winter months. The demand decline was more than offset by projected increases in demand for corn from the export and feed and residuals markets of 50 million bushels each.

Projected ending stocks were lowered by 50 million bushels in light of the other adjustments. Average farm price estimates were raised by five cents at the midpoint to $3.50 to $3.90 per bushel.

USFRA Holds Research & Food Industry Workshop

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 12, 2015Audio, Commodity Classic, USFRA

I had the opportunity to catch up with U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) chairwoman Nancy Kavazanjian during the Commodity Classic to find out about their Research & Food Industry Workshop which was held just prior to Classic.

“We’ve been doing research because to talk the talk we need to know what the consumers want to know, the messages that resonate,” said Kavazanjian. “We asked the rest of the industry – the Pepsicos, Frito-Lays, Coscos – to come together so we could share our research and learn from them.”

Kavazanjian says other groups shared their consumer research, such as the Center for Food Integrity, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the dairy industry. “We see this as a great area to continue collaboration,” she said.

Listen to my interview with Nancy here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/usfra/classic-usfra-nancy.MP3″ text=”Interview with Nancy Kavazanjian, USFRA chair”]

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic is sponsored by

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by John Deere

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

Majority Urge Congress to Grant TPA

Jamie JohansenMarch 12, 2015ZimmPoll

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Should Congress grant TPA?”

As Congress still considers granting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to our President, we asked what you thought on the issue. It looks like an easy majority believe it should be granted, however there are still a few in agricultural circles that question it. Hopefully, we will soon have a decision from Congress.

Here are the poll results:

Yes – 75%
No – 19%
Don’t care – 6%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Which potential presidential candidate would be best for ag?

Earlier this week we gave you highlights from the first Iowa Ag Summit. The event featured nine possible GOP presidential candidates as they shared their opinion on agricultural issues to the national media. Of the presidential hopefuls, who do you think will be best for agriculture?

ASA Awards at #Classic15

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 11, 2015ASA, Commodity Classic, Conservation, Soybeans

Bryan Perry, of BASF, (left) and ASA President Wade Cowan (right) present Steve Berger (center) with the National Conservation Legacy Award

The American Soybean Association (ASA) presented several awards during the annual banquet at Commodity Classic last week.

Steve Berger from Wellman, Iowa received the 2015 National Conservation Legacy Award, designed Along with ASA, the program is co-sponsored by BASF Crop Protection, Monsanto, Corn & Soybean Digest magazine and the United Soybean Board/Checkoff.

ASA presented Dr. Jim Specht, emeritus professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with the Special Meritorious Service Award for his work leading to major advancements in the soybean industry, including findings that an earlier planting date was crucial to achieving higher soybean yields. He was instrumental in DNA sequencing for generating higher seed yields and a leader in water management research and soybean yield response.

Finally, Harvey Morken, of Casselton, N.D., was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award which honors individuals who have provided outstanding leadership and dedication to ASA and helped further the interests of soybean farmers. Morken’s dedication as a membership recruiter helped the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association increase membership enough to receive a second national director on the ASA Board for 2015.

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic is sponsored by

Seed Education Campaign Taking Root

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 11, 2015ASTA, Audio, Commodity Classic, seed

Registration is now open for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) 132nd Annual Convention which will be in Washington DC this year, June 17-20, where members will be sowing seeds of information inside the Beltway.

“One of the focuses there is going to be on advocacy,” said ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne at Commodity Classic, who adds that it will be part of their recently launched education effort. “Our hope is to increase awareness of the diversity of the seed industry,” he said.

LaVigne talked about the educational effort with both growers and the media at Classic, explaining how their research has shown that people have little interest in seeds until they are provided with information about how seeds impact their lives. “We’re targeting foodies, moms and food bloggers to try and get that message out,” he said.

The three-year information campaign was just unveiled in December and LaVigne says they will have more details at the ASTA annual meeting in June.

[wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/asta/classic15-asta.MP3″ text=”Andy LaVigne, ASTA at Commodity Classic”]

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic is sponsored by

Future in Smart Sensors & Cheap Connectivity

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 11, 2015Audio, Bayer CropScience, Internet

A combination of more, cheaper smart sensors and more connectivity could make the future of agriculture and food production pretty bright in this country. During the recent Bayer CropScience 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix, Michael Rogers, who is an author, journalist and futurist, spoke to those gathered at the event about some of these global trends driving food innovation. He told Chuck that he’s a big believer in the potential of combining a technology, such as Google Glass, with smart sensors that would be cheap and able to be scattered about a farm field.

“I’m a great believer in wearables,” he said. “[Those sensors] could be giving you literally a foot-by-foot presentation on exactly the soil conditions, which could be visualized through smart glasses, overlayed with the data.”

Going hand-in-hand with this wearable data gathering device is the idea of better connectivity in rural areas. Michael said by the year 2020, we’ll be amazed by how low cost and how widely available high-speed connectivity will be, thanks, in part, to the Federal Communications Commission’s ruling on net neutrality. He compared it to the projects in the 1930s that finally brought electricity to rural America.

“The federal government has decided broadband needs to be everywhere,” he said, adding that when you combine that with regulatory powers wanted by the FCC, we’ll see more competitors and, in turn, lower prices for quality, high-speed internet throughout farm country.

In the food sector, Michael said there are a lot of efficiencies that can be wrung out of the food distribution system that will give all those in the supply chain better information to reduce problems, such as spoilage. And he said that don’t be surprised when those parts of the world that might not be as technologically advanced now end up leap-frogging some of the more developed world in what he calls the “Biblical law of technology” where the last shall become first.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Michael here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/bayer/aif-15-rogers-interview.mp3″ text=”Michael Rogers, author, journalist and futurist”]

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Learn More About Overlap System

Cindy ZimmermanMarch 10, 2015FMC, Weed control

As weed resistance is increasing and weed characteristics are changing, weed management strategies have to change. That’s why agronomists and weed scientists recommend using more than one soil herbicide. This strategy, called the Overlap™ System, takes weed stress off post herbicides by introducing multiple effective modes of action, different chemistries and controlling weeds before they emerge for longer periods of time.

We recently spoke with Nick Hustedde of FMC Corporation about the system who says it is designed to address resistant weeds that have long emergence patterns. “That overlap program encompasses several different products from FMC for soybeans and corn that fit in the strategy,” said Hustedde.

The Overlap System involves: (1) applying strong residual herbicides preplant or preemergence to control weeds early in the season (2) following that application with an early postemergence herbicide that features a different mode of action.

Learn more here.

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