Bayer CropScience Offers New Cotton Varieties

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Cotton

bayer CropScienceWhether it’s the unpredictable heat and late-season storms in the Texas Coastal Bend or the tough full season in Georgia, cotton growers face unique regional challenges each year. Bayer CropScience announces four new FiberMax® and Stoneville® cotton varieties for the 2015 season that are bred to help growers overcome major challenges indigenous to their region.

All four new varieties come stacked with GlyTol® LibertyLink® TwinLink® technology to help growers fight two of the problems found in every region of the Cotton Belt: weeds and worm pests. GlyTol LibertyLink technology providesgrowers full tolerance to over-the-top application of Liberty® herbicide and glyphosate to manage tough-to-control weeds. TwinLink provides two Bt genes for season-long protection against lepidopteran pests, such as cotton bollworm.

Jeff Brehmer, U.S. product manager for FiberMax and Stoneville, said Bayer CropScience begins variety development by asking what challenges growers face that the company can address with its cottonseed varieties. Researchers, breeders and agronomists then work together to develop varieties that help growers improve fiber quality, achieve higher yields and increase profits.

“We’re excited to announce these new FiberMax and Stoneville varieties for 2015, because they expand our current variety portfolio and help address challenges to cotton production that growers face on their farms,” Brehmer said. “U.S. cotton growers know how to produce a crop in challenging, adverse conditions, and we want to offer them new tools to help maximize their profit potential.”

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The Fertilizer Institute Names 2015 4R Advocate Award Winners

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Award, environment

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 5.08.21 PMThe Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced the winners of the 2015 4R Advocate Awards. The 4R Advocate Award program, now in its fourth year, recognizes on-farm stewardship actions. Winners are selected based on their actions to protect the environment, boost profitability and benefit society through nutrient stewardship practices based on the 4Rs (using the right nutrient source, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place). Winners were nominated by their retail dealers who are also recognized with 4R awards.

The 2015 winners are as follows:
– Sean Jones from Massey, Maryland working with Michael Twining at Willard Agri-Service.
– Chris Heintz from Lakeview, Ohio working with Kevin Doseck at Crop Production Services.
– James Schoff from Walnut, Illinois working with Malcolm Stambaugh at Ag View FS.
– Matthew Clements from Grandview, Idaho working with Terry Tindall at J.R. Simplot Company.
– Joel Erickson from Langford, South Dakota working with Andrew Kappes at South Dakota Wheat Growers.

“These growers and their retailers are taking steps to establish sustainable cropping systems,” said TFI President Chris Jahn. “Their efforts need to be recognized by the agriculture community and by the broader public who consume what they produce. They are shining examples of the environmental, economic and social benefits of modern agriculture.”

Current and past 4R Advocates serve as spokespersons providing outreach to peers and stakeholders on fertilizer best management practices. The 4R Advocates speak from experience and bring on-farm knowledge when engaging with others.

The five winning growers are awarded an expense-paid trip to the Commodity Classic, scheduled for Feb. 26 – 28 in Phoenix, Arizona. At Classic, 4R Advocate winners will see the latest agricultural innovations first-hand, meet other growers and agricultural leaders from across the nation, and will be honored at an invitation-only banquet.

Farmers to Share Their Soil Health Decisions

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Farmers, Soil

Iowa Power farming ShowFarmers attending this year’s Iowa Power Farming Show in Des Moines February 3-5 can learn how other Midwest farmers are making decisions that improve the health of their soil, along with yields, profits and environmental outcomes.

An educational program “Building Farmer Wealth with Soil Health” will focus on what “soil health” means, practically, when farmers make decisions about soil sampling, fertilizer application and rates, reduced tillage, tiling, and cover crops, says program manager Dan Zinkand.

“While farmers can’t control crop prices, they can decide how to improve soil organic matter, water infiltration and drainage — which influence how soon they can get into plant in the spring — as well as how they sample their soil and when and how they fertilize crops,” says Zinkand. “They can also decide whether to try cover crops, a practice that’s vital to soil health in a corn-soybean rotation. These decisions not only improve yields and profitability, but also enhance environmental performance.”

One-hour sessions in the “Building Farmer Wealth with Soil Health” workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3 and Wednesday, February 4 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 5 in Hy-Vee Hall, Rooms 107-108.

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CHS, West Central Strike Deal

John DavisAgribusiness

Enchs-westcentralergy, grains, and foods company and the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative CHS is buying a share of Minnesota-based wholesale distributor West Central — an agreement that looks to help both companies in market share. This CHS news release says the deal gives CHS a 25 percent share of West Central.

“Investing in West Central is one more way CHS is demonstrating its commitment to help its farmer-owners grow, by providing greater access to products and services across the supply chain,” said Rick Dusek, CHS Agronomy vice president. “CHS is the nation’s third largest agronomic retailer, and the largest domestic wholesale fertilizer distributor; by investing in West Central, we’re gaining access and market share within the crop protection products business segment,” said Dusek.

CHS Country Operations Service Centers currently offer producers high-quality crop protection products along with crop nutrients, seed, seed treatments and agronomic services, all backed by knowledgeable local agronomists and the CHS YieldPoint precision ag program. Dusek says by partnering with West Central, CHS will broaden both the scope and availability of those crop inputs, and will look to further expand its crop protection platform.

West Central President Dale Engan said the agreement with CHS is a good fit for the company, which has a 40-year history of helping farm retailers grow their businesses. He says West Central will continue to focus on its retail customer base providing a full range of crop protection products and agronomic services. “This opportunity with CHS supports our strategic plans, which include expanding our distribution and service network to support customers, launching new West Central branded products, and investing in our people,” said Engan.

CHS will gain West Central’s current branded products for its Country Operations Service Centers.

Farm Bureau Optimistic about New Year

Cindy ZimmermanAFBF, Audio

afbf15-stallmanThe 96th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation is underway in San Diego, kicked off by president Bob Stallman Sunday morning telling the membership that agriculture must push harder for important policy reforms in 2015.

“We cannot ignore the extremes of the left and right, but we must speak to the center: the legislators in both parties who go to Washington because they want to make policy and get things done,” Stallman said. “It’s time for Congress to get back to work – to do their job so you can do yours.”

Acknowledging that preparing for the 2016 elections will shorten time for Congress this year, Stallman detailed a number of important issues the need to be tackled, including immigration reform, food labeling, taxes and energy policy.

Listen to Stallman’s speech here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/afbf/afbf15-stallman-speech.mp3″ text=”AFBF president Bob Stallman, 2015 convention”]

Stallman opening press conference: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/afbf/afbf15-stallman-press.mp3″ text=”AFBF president Bob Stallman, press conference”]
2015 AFBF Convention photo album

Phenome Networks Announces Project Unity

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Research

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 9.03.09 AMPhenome Networks, a plant breeding management and analytics Software-as-a-Service company, announced the beta launch of its Project Unity at the Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) XXIII conference in San Diego.

Today, plant and animal breeders must discover the crops to feed the future through breakthrough research. Yet, at the same time, phenotypic data from hundreds of genetic studies conducted in academia – examining plant species in multiple locations/conditions, population types, environmental conditions and locations – is lost. How can research then detect the genes that confer improved plant or animal traits? Although the data is public and is immensely valuable, this data is lost. Datasets are published in scientific journals (as PDF files) and the underlying raw data is left in researchers’ spreadsheets.

Project Unity was conceived to correct that wrong. It is a collaborative web-based network designed to host, manage, analyze and share phenotypic and genotypic studies of plants and animals. Project Unity lets researchers privately link and correlate their results with the world’s data, unleashing research insights through big data analytics. Researchers can connect their entities (genotypes, phenotypes and markers) to common ontologies and maps and get immediate access to the entire amazing wealth of research data from leading universities.

By default, data loaded into Project Unity is private and can be accessed only by the person who uploaded it. Sharing of data sets, either with specific users or with the public is fully upon the user’s discretion.

Project Unity simplifies the analysis process of phenotypes and genotypes, creates standardization and allows smart comparison among different data sets, eventually leading to better understanding of genes’ effects on phenotypes. The platform is currently in beta and free of charge for academic use. Later in 2015, it will be upgraded to include full plant breeding management functionality.

Raven Release Over-the-Air Updates via Slingshot Link

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Data, Raven, Software

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 8.52.55 AMRaven Industries announced the release of Slingshot® Link™, a groundbreaking set of new support tools that will simplify the management of field-deployed precision ag hardware. Slingshot Link will give customers and dealers the ability to send Raven Operating Software (ROS) upgrades and updates wirelessly to compatible Viper® 4 field computers through a Slingshot Field Hub. This new capability will ensure customers in the field have instant access to the latest and greatest features and enhancements for their Viper 4 field computer, as well as other important diagnostic information. To improve upon the quality experience Raven customers have come to expect, this new round of updates will also contain enhancements to its popular remote support capabilities, which have become an invaluable tool for both Raven and its global dealer network for providing real-time field support and training.

“Connectivity in the field is becoming an integral part of our customers’ operations,” said Paul Welbig, General Manager of Raven’s Austin Technology Center. “Building up and leveraging those capabilities is a key to success in today’s ever-changing and connected environment. Sending ROS updates wirelessly will greatly simplify a previously very cumbersome and costly process.”

Through their Slingshot account, customers will have access to a suite of tools to help manage in-field devices as well as software upgrades and updates for their entire fleet. This will enable incredible flexibility and control of software updates for Viper 4 systems. Slingshot Link tools will be available in early 2015.

NRGene Tech Speeds CIMMYT Maize Mapping

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Corn, Genetics

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 8.48.45 AMNRGene, a leader in agricultural big data genomic analysis, and The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) are collaborating to generate the denovo genome assemblies of 20 tropical, subtropical, and highland maize genomes as part of CIMMYT’s collaborative Seeds of Discovery project (SeeD). They anticipate that this work will augment the existing temperate reference for maize and significantly enhance molecular research and breeding for tropical agro-ecologies. CIMMYT will be using NRGene’s DeNovoMAGICTM big data genome analysis platform to analyze the genomic content of CIMMYT maize populations and lines.

“Technology is the lynchpin to address the pressing need to grow the world’s food supply,” said Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO, NRGene. “The speed at which NRGene’s big data genomic analysis delivers results means that CIMMYT be able to quickly apply the information to its practical research.”

Fifty percent of modern maize varieties grown in developing countries contain CIMMYT backgrounds. The goal of the collaboration is to help CIMMYT and its partners to accelerate the development of diverse, high yielding, nutritious maize that is better able to withstand infertile soils, drought, pests, and diseases.

NRGene’s GenoMAGICTM and DeNovoMAGICTM use unique algorithms to compile and analyze genomic big data at unprecedented speeds and accuracy. The results of the genomic analysis will allow CIMMYT to understand the exact genetic basis of variation in complex traits and later develop maize lines providing heartier yields.

CIMMYT is an international non-profit research and training center focusing on research and training that increases sustainable agricultural productivity to feed a growing world population and improve the lives and livelihoods of farmers throughout the developing world, including Africa, Asia and the Americas.

“We’re constantly confronted by the challenges of sustainably increasing the productivity and profitability of maize production, especially in resource-limited tropical environments,” said Dr. Sarah Hearne, leader of SeeD’s maize component, CIMMYT. “Maize is an increasingly essential crop, and we need tools that enhance our effectiveness in using the genetic resources stored in our gene banks to address the challenges of climate change and growing consumer demand for more nutritious foods. The DeNovoMAGIC analysis will give us some broad markers as to how to direct our R&D efforts.”

Hick Chick Chat: Bayer CropScience Sustainable Rock Star Search

Leah GuffeyAudio, Bayer CropScience, Hick Chick Chat

leahpro250Are you a farmer or rancher age 40 and under who receives at least half of his or her income from farming and farm-related ventures?? If so then you may be just who Bayer CropScience is looking for. Bayer CropScience is conducting their search for their Young Farmer Sustainability Award. The deadline is fast approaching as this Friday, January 16, 2015 is the final day to enter.

YSF_THumbIn this Hick Chick Chat, I talk with Jeff Donald of Bayer CropScience he tells me about the award, the prizes, and about some of the previous winners like Brian Boll of Minnesota who was last year’s winner. Bayer CropScience is challenging young agricultural producers to step up and share with the world how they are demonstrating leadership and excellence in the areas of business and environmental sustainability through the 2015 Young Farmer Sustainability Award program. To apply, submit a completed entry form, responses to essay questions and a letter of reference from an accountant, banker, input dealer/representative or agribusiness leader. We will introduce to you the 2015 winner from AgIssues Forum in Phoenix next month.

Hick Chick Chat with Jeff Donald here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/podcast/hickchickchat-15-bayer-donald.mp3″ text=”Hick Chick Chat with Jeff Donald, Bayer CropScience”]


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PumpProxy Helps Farmers Save Water

Cindy ZimmermanConservation, Irrigation, technology, water, Water Management

pump-proxyAs water management becomes an increasingly important issue for farmers in all parts of the country, PumpProxy from Net Irrigate offers a solution that saves money, time, fuel and millions of gallons of water.

PumpProxy allows farmers to remotely monitor and shut down irrigation pumps by website or mobile app, and receive text, voice or email notifications upon issues including thermal overloads or power failures. Up to ten recipients can be notified when technical issues occur. PumpProxy is integrated through cellular connectivity with WireRat, another Net Irrigate solution which alerts farmers when well wire tampering or thefts occur.

“At a nursery that uses about 60 million gallons of water annually, saving water is a big benefit,” said Chase Weatherly, a PumpProxy user from Arkansas, who adds that the remote monitoring function saved him countless trips between the nursery and the pump station.

Will Spargo of Neelyville, Missouri says the remote monitoring function is his favorite part of PumpProxy. “When I’ve been gone out of state or even down the road, I can control what happens with the pump,” said Spargo.

The PumpProxy product is used by farmers in dozens of states and is sold at more than 200 dealerships nationwide.