American Seed Trade Officer at NAFB

Cindy ZimmermanASTA, Audio, Cover Crops, NAFB, seed

nafb14-asta-risa-galeThe first vice chair of American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was in Kansas City last week for a meeting of the Western Seed Association immediately before the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention.

“It’s the only organization that’s been meeting here longer than NAFB,” said Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who stuck around for another day to do some interviews with farm broadcasters. “It’s not a trading meeting, necessarily, but just getting together and letting people know what the new innovations and new products that are coming.”

DeMasi is very excited about what’s new in the cover crops business, with the pollinator “buzz” that’s going around. “Our company Grassland Oregon just introduced a winter hardy legume that is fantastic for fixing nitrogen, combating compacted soils, weed suppression,” she said. “Next year we’ll be introducing a Berseem clover called ‘Frosty’ that I think is really going to transform the alfalfa market.”

Coming up next month is ASTA’s annual Seed Expo in Chicago and while this has been largely a corn, soybean, and sorghum event, DeMasi says it has become much more. “With some of the changes coming to agriculture and the government programs and directives coming at us, we’ve got to start talking to each other, and it’s all interrelated,” she said.

Listen to my interview with Risa here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb14-asta-risa.MP3″ text=”Interview with Risa DeMasi, ASTA officer”]
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

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John Deere Offers Small-Frame 6R Series Tractors

Cindy ZimmermanEquipment, John Deere, Tractor

jd-6rJohn Deere has introduced three small-frame 6R series tractors in the 110 to 130 engine horsepower range for 2015. The ability of the 6R Series tractors to handle many farm, ranch and commercial chores and right-of-way maintenance, has led to their growing popularity.

The new small-frame 6110R, 6120R and 6130R are designed with many of the hydraulic, control and comfort features of the larger 6R Tractors, but offer the maneuverability and compactness many customers want to more easily handle a wide variety of chores. “The new small-frame 6Rs have additional selective control valves, which have been moved further under the cab to improve visibility to the drawbar,” explains product manager Kory Ross. “Customers can choose up to five SCVs or four SCVs plus Power Beyond, giving them the added hydraulic capacity to perform more functions, and we’ve added a hose disengagement lever to make it easy to uncouple hoses under pressure.”

The cab environment and control features have also been updated in the small-frame 6Rs, giving them more commonality with the larger 7R, 8R and 9R Series Tractors. The small-frame 6Rs equipped with popular IVT transmissions come with the CommandARM™ and Generation 4 CommandCenter™ Display for convenient finger-tip access to controls and monitors. These tractors also have AutoTrac capabilities and come with a 30-degree right-hand swivel seat for enhanced operator comfort and visibility to the rear implements.

USDA Announces Grasslands Carbon Credits Sale

John DavisGovernment, Hay, livestock, USDA

usda-logoIn a first, Chevrolet has bought carbon credits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This USDA news release says the sale of nearly 40,000 carbon dioxide reduction tons are from working ranch grasslands in the Prairie Pothole region of North Dakota.

“This announcement is the first-of-its-kind. The amount of carbon dioxide removed from our atmosphere by Chevrolet’s purchase of carbon credits equals the amount that would be reduced by taking more than 5,000 cars off the road,” [Agriculture Secretary Tom] Vilsack said. “This public-private partnership demonstrates how much can be achieved with a modest federal investment and a strong commitment to cut carbon pollution.”

Robert Bonnie, USDA’s under secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, announced the purchase and USDA’s involvement in the project at an event today at USDA headquarters. He was joined by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Greg Martin, executive director for global public policy, General Motors; Sean Penrith, executive director of The Climate Trust and Paul Schmidt, chief conservation officer of Ducks Unlimited.

Chevrolet’s first purchase of third-party verified carbon credits generated on working ranch grasslands was undertaken voluntarily as part of its commitment to reduce eight million tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted. This is comparable to the annual carbon reduction benefit of a mature forest the size of Yellowstone National Park.

Under the system, landowners put the land under a perpetual easement for which they receive compensation, but they are still allowed to work the land growing hay and raising livestock.

AgGateway Announces New VP & CEO

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Company Announcement

Screen Shot 2014-11-17 at 3.23.19 PMAgGateway is pleased to announce that Brent Kemp is joining the staff as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective November 24. Kemp replaces Wendy Smith, who will move into the position of President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1.

“Brent will be a terrific addition to the staff – we couldn’t be more pleased,” said AgGateway Chairman Randy Beard. “Through both his professional career and volunteer work with AgGateway, he has demonstrated many times over his energetic support of – and success in – promoting, enabling and expanding eBusiness in agriculture. He knows both how to foster collaboration and guide a team toward implementation, which are critical skills as we work to increase participation in AgGateway initiatives.”

Kemp, who is currently Manager of Process Development with Southern States Cooperative, is an experienced leader in the chemical, seed, feed, nutrient and animal health segments. In his current role he implements electronic messaging for multiple business lines across a 15-state geography to achieve process automation. He has helped Southern States implement electronic connections with numerous trading partners, including over 100 connections for EDI and XML, resulting in lowered costs and increased accuracy and efficiency.

He has been active in AgGateway for many years, serving on councils for ag retail, crop nutrition, crop protection, feed, and seed; chairing the Architecture Committee and the Ag Industry Identification System (AGIIS) Directory Oversight Committee; as well as multiple roles on other AgGateway committees, projects and AGIIS task forces. Kemp received the AgGateway Ron Storms Leadership Award in 2010.

AEM Elects 2015 Officers & Directors

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Equipment, Machinery

aemThe Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announces its newly-elected 2015 officers, as well as directors elected at its recent annual meeting to the AEM Board of Directors and AG and CE Sector Boards.

AEM Officers for 2015 are:
Chair John Patterson, Chairman JCB USA Group and Director JCB Group, JCB Inc.
Vice Chair Leif Magnusson, President, CLAAS of America
Treasurer Göran Lindgren, President Sales Region Americas, Volvo Construction Equipment
AG Chair James Walker, Vice President Case IH NAFTA, CNH Industrial
CE Chair Michael Haberman, President, Gradall Industries Inc.
Secretary Dennis Slater, AEM’s full-time President

AEM officers and directors work on behalf of all AEM member companies to provide strategic direction and guidance for Association services, activities and programs, in areas including public policy; equipment statistics and market information; trade shows; technical, safety and regulatory; global business development; and education/training.

Find a complete list of those elected to AEM Board of Directors and AG and CE Sector Boards here.

Lower Rate for N YIELD CX Nitrogen Stabilizer

Cindy ZimmermanConservation, Eco Agro, environment, Fertilizer, NAFB, Nitrogen

nafb14-ecoagroDuring the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk meeting last week, Eco Agro Resources announced a new N YIELD CX label that includes a new high-efficiency, lower rate for the 2015 season.

According to the company, testing during the 2014 growing season confirmed that N YIELD CX makes stabilized nitrogen fertilizer more affordable and is equally effective. Testing showed just two quarts of N YIELD™ CX nitrogen stabilizer with PENXCEL™ Technology performed just as well as a labeled rate of the industry standard product.

eco-agro-n-yieldThe unique patent-pending formula of N YIELD CX nitrogen stabilizer delivers more stabilizing power by volume, while maintaining nitrogen efficiency and performance in the field. This means cost savings at a time when farmers really need it, without compromising yield.

The low viscosity of N YIELD CX stabilizer helps it pour easily and quickly coat fertilizer, even in the cold. It blends 15% faster in tests performed in drum blenders. It’s easier to handle than other industry standard formulations, saving time during the critical application season. The end result is consistent fertilizer product that flows freely and performs in the field at a new lower rate. N YIELD CX nitrogen stabilizer performs just as well in UAN liquid fertilizer, so one product can meet both needs.

2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by
NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC

Farm Broadcasters Honored

Cindy ZimmermanAward, NAFB

14nafb-9-edtedThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting paid tribute to the 2014 Farm Broadcaster of the Year last week, as well as one of its newer members with a bright future.

Ken Anderson is this year’s Farm Broadcaster of the Year and is an ag reporter and news anchor for the Brownfield Radio Network. His broadcasting career began in 1977 with KRVN Radio in Lexington, Nebraska. From there, he went to work for regional seed company NC-Plus Hybrids where he was in charge of marketing communications activities. That was followed by public relations stints with two advertising agencies. In 2008, Ken returned to broadcasting with Brownfield Ag News. Among Ken’s honors are the Excellence in Marketing Communications Award from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and the Editor’s Choice Award from the NAFB News Service. He has also received the Media Appreciation Award from the Nebraska Corn Board and the Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award from the Iowa Soybean Association. Ken is a past president of the NAFB Foundation board of directors and a past president of the Nebraska Agribusiness Club. A graduate of Nebraska’s ag leadership program (LEAD), Ken now serves on the LEAD Alumni Association board of directors.

14nafb-8-editedNicole Heslip was awarded the 2014 Horizon Award and brings the latest market updates and agricultural news to more than 250,000 listeners across Michigan. You can find her at many agricultural events around the state, providing remote coverage as well as working with local advertising. Nicole also currently serves on the communications work group for the Michigan Agricultural and Environmental Assurance Program and contributes to the Michigan Ag Council’s From the Farmer Blog. As a student at Michigan State University (MSU), she majored in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, and specialized in Agri-Business Management and Public Relations. She worked as a student for MSU ANR Communications, as well as Filament Marketing, a public relations firm in Madison, Wisconsin. As a dairy farmer’s daughter, Nicole grew up in Allegan County, where her family today milks over 2,800 cows and operates a custom farming business.


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by
NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC

Sustainably Grown USSEC Markets

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Audio, Exports, NAFB, Soybeans, sustainability

nafb-ussecNational Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk led me to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) booth where I talked with Laura Foell. She is chairman of the USSEC, member of the United Soybean Board and an Iowa farmer. USSEC is comprised of United Soybean Board, American Soybean Association, state soybean associations and industry members. As a non-profit the council’s job is to ensure there are markets for soybeans produced.

“I think the future is going to be bright. I think we have markets and I think we have made those relationships that are important in trade. We have done a good job making sure our customers have the product to fit their needs.”

Sustainability is also at the forefront of USSEC’s minds. Laura divided their sustainability efforts into three areas which included environment, economic and social. Listen to or download my complete interview with Laura to learn more about what USSEC is doing for soybean growers nationwide. [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-14-ussec-foell.mp3″ text=”Interview with Laura Foell, USSEC”]


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by
NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC

Plant Sap Analysis Sampling

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Audio, Crop Health Labs, Fruit, Vegetables

chl-14-79-editedThe Power Growers Seminar by Crop Health Laboratories attracted fruit and vegetable growers from the East and West Coasts and everywhere in between. The conference covered anything pertaining to plant sap analysis, but the session on proper sampling, handling and labeling techniques answered many frequently asked questions.

Maikel van de Ven is a consultant for NovaCropControl/HortiNova and was there to share insight and provide answers. His role for the company is to consult with growers on adjusting their fertilization programs based on sap analysis. This year he has been supporting Crop Health Laboratories in providing the sap analysis service to growers in the United States and Canada.

In my interview with Maikel, he reminds growers about the importance of sampling only youngest and oldest leaves, avoiding outer rows, sampling leaves with average leaf quality and leaves found both in the sun and shade.

One of the most sought after answers was to the question about sampling leaves from small plants. Maikel addressed that, along with tricks to large leaf sampling. Other topics tackled included the cleanliness of leaves, what time to sample, moisture of sample, how to store and pack samples and of course what not to do.

Listen to my interview with Maikel here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/chl/chl-14-vandeVen.mp3″ text=”Interview with Maikel van de Ven”]

Find photos from the event here: 2014 Crop Health Labs Power Growers Seminar Photo Album

Secretary Vilsack Addresses NAFB

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, biotechnology, Farm Bill, NAFB, USDA

nafb14-vilsackSecretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed a number of topics at the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention, including President Obama’s visit to China last week and his discussions about access for biotechnology traits.

“The president publicly talked about this and suggested it’s in China’s best interest to take a much more open view to science and technology and seed technology than they have,” said Vilsack. “I’m hopeful, but I’ve been hopeful for a long time now.”

The Secretary also gave an update on farm bill implementation. “ARC and PLC, starting on November 17th, folks will be able to make their selection,” he said of the new risk management programs. “They have until March 31st of next year. We’ve established the website so folks can do calculations to determine what’s in the best interest of their operation.”

Vilsack also answered questions about new Senate leadership, immigration, WOTUS, trade negotiations and more. [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-14-vilsack.mp3″ text=”Secretary Vilsack at NAFB 2014″]
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB convention is sponsored by
NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC