New Ag Leader GNSS and Steering Products Hit Market

John DavisAg Leader, Equipment, GPS, Guidance

A new line of GNSS and steering products are being touted as innovations that combine industry-leading precision farming displays with superior GNSS technology. Precision ag equipment provider Ag Leader Technology, Inc. announced a new line of GNSS receivers – GPS 6000, GPS 6500, RTK Relay and GPS 6500 base station – as well as the company’s latest automated steering controller, SteerCommand™.

“In developing our new GNSS products, we turned to NovAtel – the foremost manufacturer and innovator in GNSS technology – as our partner moving forward in this market,” said Matt Leinen, Product Manager. “We’re confident this relationship provides our customers with the best possible product combination available on the market.”

As a fully scalable, rugged Smart Antenna, the new GPS 6500 utilizes GLIDE, SBAS, TerraStar and RTK, and is designed to meet the need of extended RTK base lines in excess of 20 miles (32km).

agLeaderGPS6500aA full-featured, easy-to-install system, GPS 6500 with RTK Relay provides RTK correction. The GPS 6500 can be combined with one of four Relay offerings: Relay 900, Relay 400, Relay CDMA or Relay GSM. GPS 6500 with Relay 900 or Relay 400 also offers base station functionality, ideal for steering and other operations where sub-inch accuracy is needed.

When uptime is valued over absolute accuracy, StableLoc™ utilizes available correction signals in order to provide a seamless transition between correction sources – without position jumps – and maximize signal uptime.

agleadersteercommand“At Ag Leader, we endeavor to put out the best and most complete solution for our customers,” said Bill Cran, Product Specialist. “With our new GNSS products, we have an extremely flexible and powerful lineup capable of fulfilling any role within an operation.”For growers seeking an integrated steering system, Ag Leader’s SteerCommand offers best-in-class integrated steering performance when paired with GPS 6500 for repeatable, precision steering via RTK correction. The new SteerCommand controller features compact and flexible installation, as well as nine-axis terrain compensation for superior accuracy.

More information on the complete line of company products is available at www.agleader.com.

Corn Grower President Hosts EPA Staff

Cindy ZimmermanCorn, Government, NCGA, Regulation, water

ncga-epaThe president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) took the Environmental Protection Agency on an educational tour of his farm in southern Maryland on Friday.

Chip Bowling hosted nearly a dozen staffers from the EPA as part of a series of meetings between NCGA and the EPA connected to the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Bowling was joined by NCGA CEO Chris Novak and Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett.

“We wanted to give them a view of what actually happens on the farm,” said Bowling. “Our members have a lot of uncertainty and concerns with the proposed rules. We are working with the EPA to ensure that the final proposal provides clarity and addresses those concerns.”

During the tour, EPA staff were shown areas that could be regulated under the proposal as currently written, including drainage ditches, grass waters that are dry most of the year, and low spots on fields where water pools.

Bowling said it is important to work with the EPA and give farmers a voice during the rule-making process. “We want to have a seat at the table when these rules are being developed,” said Bowling.

EPA staffers described the tour and ensuing conversation as educational and productive, according to Bowling, who used the opportunity to highlight advances in farming operations over the past three decades, and what that has meant for conservation and environmental impact. “Ninety-nine percent of my farm friends do what I do,” said Bowling. “We have no problems with erosion or ditch damage. We’ve become more efficient and are doing more with less.”

EPA is accepting comments on the proposed rule through Friday, November 14. More than 200,000 comments have been submitted to date.

Encirca℠ Services and Raven Slingshot® Connect

Cindy ZimmermanData, Dupont Pioneer, Raven, Wireless

Screen Shot 2014-10-06 at 12.34.41 PMDuPont Pioneer and Raven Industries today announced a collaboration to enable data transfer from Pioneer Encirca℠ services to Raven Viper®4 and other compatible field computers through Raven’s Slingshot® wireless connectivity solution.

As part of this data exchange, growers can choose to have their EncircaSM services prescriptions wirelessly transferred directly to compatible Raven controllers to be accurately applied in their fields, as well as to automatically report what was applied for future analysis.

slingshot“We are excited about the new addition of Pioneer EncircaSM services to the list of decision agriculture and software solutions already compatible with Slingshot®,” said Paul Welbig, Raven Industries general manager of its Austin Technology Center and Slingshot operations. “The open architecture of Slingshot® easily enables great collaborators like Pioneer to provide their growers with technologically advanced solutions that help maximize yield.”

The Slingshot® API, or Application Programming Interface, is an open and secure data connectivity platform that provides a simple way for software systems to connect with Raven controllers in the field utilizing wireless technology.

New Century FS is Iowa Environmental Respect Winner

John DavisAgribusiness, Growmark

envirorespectawardlogoA regional cooperative that is part of the GROWMARK family has picked up a major environmental award in Iowa. New Century FS of Grinnell, Iowa, was named the Environmental Respect Award winner for the state of Iowa, an award honoring agricultural retailers who excel in stewardship, education, and environmentalism within the industry and in their communities.

“The Vinton facility has given New Century FS employees the satisfaction of being able to better serve our customers, and a sense of pride in being able to show the community that we can protect and improve the environment,” said Jake Jacobs, general manager.

Ongoing safety training and state-of-the-art safety features helped New Century FS win this award. The cooperative is also active in the Vinton community, offering tours to local organizations and supporting community and school groups.

The Environmental Respect Award program is sponsored by DuPont, Farm Chemicals International magazine, and CropLife magazine. Now in its 25th year, the program recognizes excellence on a state, regional, national, and international level. More information can be found at www.environmentalrespect.com.

The New Century FS co-op provides agronomy, energy, facility planning, risk management, and grain products and services in eastern and central Iowa.

Seed Trade Expo to Focus on Cutting-Edge Issues

John DavisAgribusiness, ASTA, seed

ASTAconf2014This year’s American Seed Trade Association’s CSS 2014 & Seed Expo has been redesigned to focus on the most relevant and cutting-edge issues facing the seed industry. Organizers are inviting potential attendees to take a look at the schedule and see the topics for the Dec. 8-12 event in Chicago, Illinois, the largest seed industry conference in the country.

Keynote speaker Bill Whitacre of J.R. Simplot Company will address attendees during the General Session Tuesday, December 9. Popular presenter Dan Basse will also return with his market outlook and trend report during The Economics of the Export Market Breakfast on Wednesday, December 10.

Also new this year will be a dedicated, fully functioning media room that will offer private areas to live broadcast and host one-on-one interviews. Industry press conferences on a variety of topics are also being planned. All media will receive complimentary registration.

For a full schedule of events, registration and hotel information click here. Register by November 15 to take advantage of discounted hotel pricing.

FMC’s Investment in Farming’s Future

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Audio, FFA, FMC

ffa-14-3-editedOver the past couple of years FMC has put a strong emphasis on investing in farming’s future. Here at the 87th National FFA Convention they are asking students to step into their sound booth and share what investing in farming’s future means to them. Following the convention FMC will create a mashup of the students audio to share with their industry partners about where the future of agriculture is headed through the eyes of high schoolers.

FMC’s support for the next generation of agriculturalists is nothing new. They also provide internships in sales, marketing, tech support and product development. All while helping to bring new solutions to farming and agriculture.

FMC is also sponsor of the Agriscience Research Plant Systems Proficiency Award. “We look at this as another opportunity for us to give back to the community and to help with the growth of the future of agriculture.” They also give support to FFA chapters in local FMC communities.

Listen to my complete interview with Matt here:[wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/fmc/ffa-14-fmc-thompson.mp3″ text=”Interview with Matt Thompson – FMC”]

Find all our photos from the event here: 87th National FFA Conventions Photo

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by FMC

Vital Force Technology Offers Organic Ag Tools

John DavisAgribusiness

Vital Force Technology Logo TMOregon-based Vital Force Technology is offering organic ag producers some new tools to feed their animals while meeting strict organic standards. The company says it is focusing its efforts on bringing the benefits of energy-infused products to the growing organic agriculture sector.

“Producers and manufacturers of food and animal care products in the organic agriculture sector are desperate for new solutions that conform to strict, organic farming and livestock principles and practices,” said Dr. Yury Kronn, Ph.D., ETI’s founder and chief scientist. “Vital Force Technology infusions – based on our proprietary process that maps the energy signatures of existing products/formulations to deliver experimentally verified enhancements – have proven to be useful in promoting animal health and reducing morbidity in organic farming applications.”

The company is targeting the “business-to-business” niche, reaching out to animal and veterinary care formulators; feed manufacturers; and, other channel intermediaries that serve the growing organic sector within the larger agriculture market. “Organic farmers and ranchers have an urgent need for alternatives to traditional, antibiotic-based solutions,” continued Dr. Kronn. “We are encouraged by field experiments conducted by a doctor of veterinary medicine that document the benefits of our technology.”

Company officials says that in addition to amplifying and enhancing existing ingredients and components, their products come in a wide variety of formulas so that customized infusions can be developed in collaboration with each individual client.

USDA to Provide $4 million For Honey Bee Habitat

Cindy ZimmermanBees, pollinators, USDA

usda-beesUSDA is providing more than $4 million in technical and financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers in the Midwest improve the health of honey bees, which play an important role in crop production.

“The future of America’s food supply depends on honey bees, and this effort is one way USDA is helping improve the health of honey bee populations,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Significant progress has been made in understanding the factors that are associated with Colony Collapse Disorder and the overall health of honey bees, and this funding will allow us to work with farmers and ranchers to apply that knowledge over a broader area.”

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is focusing the effort on five Midwestern states: Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. From June to September, the Midwest is home to more than 65 percent of the commercially managed honey bees in the country. It is a critical time when bees require abundant and diverse forage across broad landscapes to build up hive strength for the winter.

Funding will be provided to producers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are due Friday, November 21. The assistance will provide guidance and support to farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices that will provide safe and diverse food sources for honey bees.

This year, several NRCS state offices are setting aside additional funds for similar efforts, including California – where more than half of all managed honey bees in the U.S. help pollinate almond groves and other agricultural lands – as well as Ohio and Florida.

Propane Powered Engines for Ag

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Energy, Irrigation, propane, Video

2014 World LP Gas Forum Photo Album

perc-ag-enginesThe new Tier 4 emission standards for diesel engines have opened up new opportunities for propane in the agricultural engine market.

At the World LP Gas Forum in Miami this week, Propane Education and Research Council agricultural director Cinch Munson talked about how they have worked with OEMs to develop and commercialize new engines for ag applications, especially irrigation. “Since 2009, we’ve brought a number of new engines to the market,” said Munson. “A new industrial propane engine will cost about half of a new Tier 4 diesel engine and then cost about 56% less to run that engine.”

On display at the forum were an 8.8 liter PSI engine and a 9.1 liter Origin engine which are new to the market. Pete Stout with Origin Engines says they went to farmers and asked them what they wanted. “The adage they gave us is ‘there’s no replacement for displacement,'” he said. “They want large displacement, low speed engines that are designed to run on propane.”

Jeremy Lessaris with PSI Engines said they also worked with PERC to first develop smaller engines for irrigation. “We kept moving up the horsepower and torque band, up to 5.7 and now into the 8.8,” said Lessaris. “We’ve seen newer markets where the requirement for irrigation is much bigger, in California where they have large diesels pumping a lot of water…so we went from the 8.8 liter all the way up to 22 liters.”

PERC has a Propane Farm Incentive Program under which up to $5,000 can be available for farmers to switch to propane irrigation. In addition, states such as California and Nebraska have additional incentive programs.

Listen to Cinch, Pete and Jeremy talk about propane engines for ag here and see what they are talking about in the video below: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/perc/perc-wlpgf14-ag.mp3″ text=”PERC and Propane Engines for Ag”]


New Study Shows Value of Neonics

John DavisAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Insect Control, Insecticide, Pesticides, Syngenta

growing_matters_logo1A new study shows just how valuable neonicotinoid insecticides are for farmers in North America. The research, commissioned by Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A. Corporation and others under the umbrella coalition called Growing Matters, documents the value of neonicotinoids to agriculture as well as residential and urban landscapes, and the significant implications if these products were no longer available.

The study evaluated seed treatment, soil and foliar uses of neonicotinoid insecticides in the United States and Canada. Research included commodity crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, sorghum and canola, specialty crops such as citrus, vegetables and grapes, plus turf, ornamental and landscape uses.

As the largest selling insecticide class in the world, some have questioned the value of neonicotinoids. This study was undertaken to provide reliable, objective evidence of the benefits these products bring to modern pest management systems.

Research results prove that neonicotinoids add billions of dollars to the economy, and benefit entire communities, not just individual growers.

“Although many people know intuitively that this class of chemistry is highly valued within the industry, we now have a comprehensive, science-based analysis that documents the magnitude of this value,” said Dr. Pete Nowak, emeritus professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and AgInfomatics principal. “The studies were conducted with a level of rigor necessary to meet the stringent standards of peer-reviewed publications.”

The researchers also contend that a loss of neonicotinoids would force growers to rely on a few, older classes of insecticides that could ultimately reduce crop yield and quality, disrupted pest management practices impacting beneficial insects including honey bees and, in some cases, cause catastrophic damage due to a lack of suitable alternatives to manage invasive pests.

More than 22,000 growers, consumers and applicators in the U.S. and Canada were surveyed for the report.