Bayer Opens Young Farmer Sustainability Award Program

John DavisBayer CropScience, sustainability

BCS_VerticalLogoLooking for leadership from young agricultural producers in business and sustainability, Bayer CropScience is seeking nominations for the 2015 Young Farmer Sustainability Award program.

“Young men and women across the United States are solving great agricultural challenges by implementing innovative, sustainable solutions on their farms,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience North America. “From making small-scale system tweaks to wholesale operational and marketing shifts, we hear stories every day from farmers who are working 24/7 to make their farms more sustainable by the day.

“The Young Farmer Sustainability Award recognizes and celebrates the next generation of exceptional growers who will lead this industry into the future—a generation that is critical to meeting the demands of a growing population and protecting our planet.”

Farmer and ranchers age 40 and under who receives at least half their income from farming and farm-related ventures are eligible to apply. More information is available here.

NCGA Offers Online Seminar on Bt Corn Resistance

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, biotechnology, Corn, NCGA

NCGA-Logo-3Bt corn is still one of the most important technologies for controlling insect pests, but the western corn rootworm’s increasing resistance to Bt corn has caused some alarm. That’s why the folks at the National Corn Growers Association are sponsoring a five webcast seminar focusing on the many new and changing aspects of western corn rootworm management in the transgenic era, presented by Dr. Robert Wright, Research & Extension Entomologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This seminar, titled “Corn Rootworm in the Transgenic Era” is located in the Plant Management Network’s ‘Focus on Corn’ resource, which is co-sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association. All five talks are freely available 24/7 to corn producers, consultants, extension agents, and other practitioners involved with Bt corn and the management of western corn rootworm.

You can connect with the seminar here.

Ag Retailers Kick Off Convention

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, ARA, Audio

Daren CoppockThe 2014 Agricultural Retailers Association Convention & Expo is being held in New Orleans this week and CEO Daren Coppock, pictured here with some young attendees, says attendance is at a record this year.

Keynote speakers include Mike Vande Logt of Winfield and Kenny Cordell with Pinnacle Ag Holdings, but Daren says the key reason ag retailers and agribusinesses attend the convention is the networking opportunities. [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ara/ara-14-coppock.mp3″ text=”Interview with Daren Coppock, ARA”]

2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo Album

Sumitomo Acquires DuPont Asana Insecticide

John DavisAgribusiness, Dupont Crop Protection, International

sumitomoJapan-based Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd. is acquiring the DuPont™ Asana® Insecticide business in the United States. The company announced Asana® will be distributed through Valent U.S.A. Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical in the United States.

Asana® Insecticide, active ingredient esfenvalerate, is a proven control tool for a wide range of insect pests in major field crops, vegetables, tree fruits and nuts. Asana® has more than 50 crops on the product label. Its unique cottonseed oil-based formulation provides superior wash-off resistance and UV Light protection to enhance residual control of insect pests.

The active ingredient esfenvalerate, a resolved pyrethroid, was invented by Sumitomo Chemical, and it is currently commercialized in more than 60 countries. In the United States, Asana® was developed and commercialized by DuPont, providing consistent control in U.S. crop production for many years.

Director & Managing Executive Officer, Health & Crop Sciences Sector of Sumitomo Chemical Ray Nishimoto said, “We believe this agreement is very beneficial to Sumitomo Chemical and DuPont, and Sumitomo Chemical very much appreciates the long-term partnership with DuPont, and expects further development of mutual collaborations.”

“This agreement is another step in the execution of our DuPont Crop Protection business growth strategy,” said Rik Miller, president, DuPont Crop Protection. “The agreement further enhances our focus on innovative new offerings that drive profitable growth both today and over the long term.”

U2U Tool Helps Farmers with Nitrogen Application

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Fertilizer, Nitrogen

u2uThe Purdue University-led Useful to Usable climate initiative is offering a new online tool to help farmers and farm advisers better manage the application of nitrogen fertilizer for maximum crop yields and minimum environmental damage.

The free tool, called Corn Split N, combines historical weather data and fieldwork conditions with economic considerations to determine the feasibility and profitability of completing a post-planting nitrogen application for corn production. Now available for use in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas, it will be expanded in 2015 to include seven North-Central states – Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Michigan.

Farmers traditionally have applied nitrogen fertilizer to the soil in a single pass, either in the fall or in the spring before planting. But Ben Gramig, Corn Split N project team member and Purdue associate professor of agricultural economics, said agronomic recommendations are to “split-apply” the nitrogen twice – once in the spring at planting and then a second time after the corn plants have emerged from the ground so that they can use the fertilizer most effectively.

Read More

Kinze Adds Features to Autonomous Harvest System

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Harvesting, Kinze

Kinze AutonomyKinze® Manufacturing, Inc. continues progress on the world’s first large-scale, truly autonomous row-crop solution, with three farmers successfully using the system and testing new functionality in fields throughout Illinois this fall. Based on feedback from farmers testing the system since 2012, Kinze added new functionality this year, including the ability to run multiple combines and autonomous carts in the field simultaneously.

The autonomous system automatically chooses from the multiple carts in the field the one that is most appropriate for the combine operator to unload into when he or she makes a request for a cart. The system also keeps tabs on all the vehicles operating in the field so that the autonomous grain carts always take the safest and most efficient path to the combines.

Any of the combine operators can call any of the autonomous grain carts in the field when ready to unload. The combine operators also have an aerial view of the field from the tractor cab to allow them to see where the other combines are located and where all of the autonomous grain carts are running.

Additionally, side radar sensors were added in 2014, giving the farmer a full field of vision to the left and right in addition to what is happening in front of the tractor. The system can “see” obstacles approaching from either side and can consequently drive safely down narrow corridors. Furthermore, the wireless communication network and path planning software were updated in 2014 for more efficient performance.

“By listening to the farmers and testing the autonomous system on their farms, we get a firsthand look into the features and benefits they find valuable,” said Susanne Veatch, Kinze’s vice president and chief marketing officer. “Our goal is to help increase productivity by allowing the farmer to accomplish multiple tasks at once and eliminate the need for skilled labor during harvest time.”

As Kinze proceeds with its multi-year plan to launch the autonomous harvest system commercially, their priority is to evaluate its performance in many different environments before making it widely available for purchase. The roll out is very deliberate in order to make improvements based on farmer feedback and incorporate features that actual users have requested. Ensuring the system operates reliably in many different conditions will be Kinze’s focus for 2015.

John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum Opens

Cindy ZimmermanEquipment, John Deere, Tractor

deere-museumThe John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Iowa officially opened its doors to the public this week with a focus on engaging visitors in the history of tractor and engine design and manufacturing.

“Tractors and engines have been and continue to be important to John Deere’s success,” said Dawn Hendershot, Project Manager. “We are pleased to share the history of these products as part of our overall story as a technology leader and quality manufacturer.”

Located on the original site of the Waterloo Tractor Works, museum exhibits highlight the history and growth of the tractor business at John Deere. Nearly four years in the making, the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum joins various other company attractions in the Midwest, including the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, Illinois and the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois.

A grand opening celebration for the new museum is expected to be held in the spring.

Alltech’s 2014 Harvest Analysis Results

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Alltech, Audio, Forage

alltechAlltech will be unveiling the 2014 Harvest Analysis Results from their 37+ Mycotoxin Analysis program and during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk, Chuck spoke with Ann Hess, North American Field PR Manager for Alltech about their discoveries.

“A few years ago we started the Alltech 37+ Mycotoxin Analysis program that analyzes up to 38 toxins in feed samples. It’s surprising each year what we find and often more than meets the eye. This year experts are estimating a record plus year for yields, but an abundant harvest doesn’t always mean a problem free crop for livestock.”

Producers who send in their samples receive a customized report and then an Alltech rep will visit each operation to examine where the mycotoxins might be entering into the feed. Solutions will vary, but storage plays a big factor.

The Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team will be releasing their annual North American Harvest Analysis Survey and producers can see the latest results from the 2014 crop, the potential mycotoxin challenges for 2015 and ways to protect livestock health and performance.

Find out more about Alltech’s mycotoxin testing in Chuck’s complete interview with Ann: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-14-alltech-hess.mp3″ text=”Interview with Ann Hess, Alltech”]


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Verdesian Life Sciences Offers New Biological Herbicide

John DavisAgribusiness, Herbicides

verdesianA new herbicide offered by Verdesian Life Sciences will soon give growers of cereal crops, grass seed and alfalfa, and managers of rangeland and non-cropland a new biological tool for fighting downy brome. The company says D7 was discovered by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and commercially developed by Verdesian.

An invasive species, downy brome infests millions of acres of cropland, rangeland and non-crop areas across the United States. The weed, which outcompetes native grasses, is especially troublesome for winter wheat growers as its development cycle parallels that of winter wheat. In rangeland and non-crop areas, the unwanted plant has virtually eliminated native grass species and the highly flammable weed blankets the ground to provide fertile fuel for brush fires. In addition, the seeds produced by this invasive weed are very irritating to grazing animals and can induce significant stress in livestock.

The plant’s extensive root system is a key to downy brome’s proliferation. D7 suppresses the weed’s development and growth. For wheat growers who currently control the weed with herbicides that inhibit acetolactate synthase (ALS), D7 will offer a second mode of action to improve activity and help protect against resistance development. Uniquely, D7 does not control weeds through pathogenic interactions but rather through the secretion of chemicals selectively suppressive to cheatgrass.

“Most herbicides for control of cheatgrass are ALS-inhibiting,” said Ryan Bond, Ph.D., vice president of marketing, Verdesian. “We’ve seen some resistance development in the last few years, and D7 will give growers a tool to help mitigate that risk by offering a novel mode of action.”

Verdesian says D7 is to be used at low rates of 2 grams per acre and can be applied in-furrow, via aerial application or as a seed treatment. D7 will be commercially available in 2015.

2015 International Year of Soils

Jamie JohansenAg Group, International, Soil

iys2015The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) at the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has declared 2015 the International Year of Soils. In celebration, the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is coordinating a series of activities throughout 2015 to educate the public about the importance of this precious natural resource.

“When GSP recognized the urgent need to raise awareness and promote sustainability of our limited soil resources by designating 2015 International Year of Soils, we knew this was our opportunity to make an impact with the public,” says David Lindbo, past president of SSSA, and a professor of soil science at NC State University. “Soil—like air, water and sunlight—is one of the natural resources necessary for life,” says Lindbo. “By telling the story of what soil does for us as humans, we hope to increase the respect humans give back to soil, to protect it for future generations.”

SSSA’s 6,000+ members are being encouraged to interact with the public with a series of 12 monthly messages throughout the year. If you would like an SSSA member to speak to your audience (schools, community groups, gardening groups, etc.) please fill out the Ask a Scientist form at soils4teachers.org/ask. In addition, SSSA members have created materials for educators to teach to the K-12 audience. All materials can be found at soils.org/iys starting on January 1st and will be updated throughout 2015.