Ag Commissioners Oppose WOTUS

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, Government, water

State commissioners of agriculture have added their voices to the critics of the proposed “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule.

nasdaAt their annual meeting last week, members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) unanimously called on EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the proposed rule.

The action item, submitted by North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring, also urges the EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers to collaborate with state departments of agriculture and other stakeholders on the appropriate scope of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. “We’re being regulated to death, when we have over 4500 new regulations that have come through different agencies at the federal level,” said Goehring during a conference call on behalf of the Republican Agriculture Commissioners Committee.

logoLouisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Stain says regulation of resources is best done from the ground up. “Many of the laws passed by Congress, especially the Clean Water Act, specifically state that the primary jurisdiction is within the states themselves,” said Stain.

Also speaking on behalf of RACC were Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, and South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers.

You can listen to the conference call here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/racc-14-call.mp3″ text=”Press call with Republican Ag Commissioners on WOTUS”]

New John Deere 9R/9RT Series Tractors

Cindy ZimmermanEquipment, John Deere, Tractor, Video

deere-14-9rAgWired’s @AgriBlogger Chuck Zimmerman pulled out the ZimmGlass at the recent 2015 Products Launch to get a good look at the new John Deere 9R/9RT Tractors and a driver’s eye view during a test drive. Watch the video below to learn more about the new series of tractors.

The new 9R/9RT Series Tractors feature more horsepower across all models and industry-leading hydraulic capacity in durable, articulated four-wheel-drive and track tractor platforms. These machines are ideal for row-crop applications and large-acre small-grain operations with tough field conditions and hillside terrain, as well as the high-performance demands of the scraper market.

The 9R/9RT Series features 10 models with wheels and six tracked models to meet any farming or land management need.


2015 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Pesticide Safety Education Program Reaches 50-Year Milestone

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Pesticides, Weed control

wssaScientists with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) joined with the American Phytopathological Society (APS) and the Entomological Society of America (ESA) to recognize the 50-year anniversary of the national Land-Grant University Pesticide Safety Education Program. Although the program has evolved over the past 50 years, it remains the focal point for pesticide safety education throughout the United States.

The Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) had its genesis in 1964 to enhance pesticide label compliance and to develop the first training manuals. In the early years, the program was under the direction of each Land-Grant University’s Cooperative Extension Program and was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In 1970, USDA passed the safe-use education torch to the newly created U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which concentrated especially on safety issues on the farm and in other occupations.

In 1978, EPA classified the first 12 restricted-use pesticides (RUPs). Applicators were required to demonstrate competency to apply RUPs, and Pesticide Applicator Training (as PSEP was then called) served as the primary developer and deliverer to inform and educate on safe pesticide use.

The reach of the Pesticide Safety Education Program has expanded greatly over the years. There are many more RUPs, and many states now require whole categories of users to be certified, even if they do not apply RUPs. Examples include certification of hired applicators, public employees and those treating schools or aquatic environments. In fact, an estimated 40% of certified applicators in the U.S. today do not apply RUPs.

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Conservation Grants Announced

Leah GuffeyAudio, Conservation, Government, USDA

nrcsAt a farm in Moline, Illinois Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of $15.7 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) to 47 organizations in 36 states, funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Among the grant recipients, the National Corn Growers Association will receive almost $1 million to promote soil management practices aimed at improving productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes in seven states. The National Association of Conservation Districts will receive $750,000 to fund a project to significantly increase the number of farmed acres nationwide (including Illinois) that are successfully managed for soil health. Other organizations, tribes and academic institutions will receive funding for conservation projects.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) chief Jason Weller held a press conference Monday to talk about the new grants: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/usda/usda-14-nrcs-pressconf.mp3″ text=”Press Conference with Jason Weller, USDA NRCS”]

NIMITZ Nematicide Approved by EPA

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Crop Protection, environment

Screen Shot 2014-09-12 at 1.01.30 PMADAMA, a world leader in customer-focused agricultural solutions, announced that NIMITZ, a novel, non-fumigant nematicide with simplified application features and unmatched user safety, has received federal registration from the EPA.

The active ingredient in NIMITZ has a unique mode of action which categorizes the product within a new chemical classification. The U.S.A. is the first country to receive a federal registration, with approved crop use on cucurbits, (including cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupe and squash), and fruiting vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, okra and eggplants).

“NIMITZ is the nematicide that growers have been waiting for,” says Herb Young, ADAMA brand leader. “It is highly effective in controlling plant-parasitic nematodes. It also has a ‘Caution’ signal word which has never existed until now for a chemical nematicide. No other nematicide in the U.S.A. currently has this same mode of action or classification.”

ADAMA’s latest entry is a new paradigm for nematode control on high value crops. NIMITZ eliminates stringent use requirements of fumigant nematicides including Fumigant Management Plans, re-entry intervals (REI), 24-hour field monitoring and restrictive buffer zones.

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State-of-the-art Grain Rail Terminal Open for 2014 Harvest

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy, Company Announcement, Grain

1. LSC_Fall River Grain FacilityLandmark Services Cooperative announces the opening of their new Grain Rail Facility in Fall River, Wis. Grain growers can now market their grain quickly and efficiently at this new location.

“The Fall River Rail Terminal is a game-changer is the industry,” says Bob Carlson, chief executive officer for Landmark Services Cooperative. “It is built to perform to be efficient and provide benefits in speed, space and markets to Midwest grain growers. True to its vision, the facility is lightning fast, efficient and steeped in technology and innovation.”

In addition to a nearly $6.575 million investment in the local community, the facility provides a local solution to feeding a growing world, through benefits in speed, space and markets.

Speed: With new technologies and a customized layout incorporated into the facility, grain haulers will be in and out in less than 10 minutes. A CompuWeigh system scans an RFID tag on each grain load when it enters the facility. Each load is then weighed and probed before being unloaded into one of three pits.

“This facility includes a streamlined, computerized system all based on speed,” says Doug Cropp, vice president grain for Landmark Services Cooperative. “We have capacity to receive about 40 semi-trucks per hour and then load 100 to 110 rail cars in eight hours or less. It’s all automated to get the farmer back into the field as quickly as possible.”

Space: The Fall River facility sits on 188 acres with capacity to hold up to 4.65 million bushels of grain and to market 15 to 25 million bushels of grain annually. Silo capacity is roughly 880,000 bushels, two covered ground piles can hold 1.5 million bushels and a steel bin holds an additional 737,000 bushels.

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Soil Health Partnership Field Days Move to Illinois

Jamie JohansenAg Group, erosion, Events, Soil

Screen Shot 2014-09-12 at 8.18.24 AMSoil Health Partnership field days resume their schedule of presentations and demonstrations on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Corn farmers David, Joe and Chase Brown will host area growers, soil health experts and neighbors on their farm near Decatur, Illinois.

The day’s agenda topics will include the benefits of soil health and advanced nutrient management, cover crop integration in corn systems, and new equipment for seeding cover crops. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT, regardless of weather conditions.

Registration will occur on-site and a continental breakfast and buffet lunch will be served to participants. The field day location is at 3965 Strawn Rd., on the northwest side of Decatur, Illinois.

Additional field days continue to be added to the schedule. For the most current listing of Soil Health Partnership field days and locations, visit soilhealthpartnership.org.

The mission of the Soil Health Partnership is to catalyze enhanced agricultural sustainability and productivity by demonstrating and communicating the economic and environmental benefits of improved soil health.

Farm Foundation Forum on WOTUS Set for Sept. 17

John DavisGovernment, water

farmfoundationlogo3As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes public comment on their proposed “Waters of the United States” or WOTUS regulations, Farm Foundation is offering a forum on the issue. Next Wednesday, Sept. 17th from 9 am-11 am at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Farm Foundation hosts a free forum on how the regulation would expand EPA and Corps authority and could impede land-use decisions and farming practices near the waters in question.

The perspective of the regulator will be presented by Tracy Mehan, with Gene Schmidt providing perspectives of farmers/landowners.

Mehan is currently the National Source Water Protection Coordinator for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. He is also an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law, a member of the Environmental Law Institute and a former assistant administrator for water at the EPA.

Schmidt is an Indiana grain farmer and past president of the National Association of Conservation Districts. In addition to his work at the national level, Schmidt is a member of the Board of the LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District, and has served in numerous leadership position in the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

More information and registration are available here. If you can’t attend in person, Farm Foundation will provide an audiocast of the event on its website.

What’s New with Bayer Stratego YLD

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Bayer CropScience, Crop Protection, Farm Progress Show

fps14-bayer-schwindtBayer CropScience’s Thorsten Schwindt and Randy Myers both work in the company’s fungicide department. They shared with us during the Farm Progress Show what was going on with Stratego YLD, how growers can utilize it to get greater return on investment and what we can see coming out of Bayer’s research and development labs when it comes to fungicides.

“Stratego YLD is our most important brand in corn and soybean. It is one of the biggest products being sold at tassel timing. What we are doing with the product is positioning it at an earlier application with the big advantage being you bring it out with a herbicide. What growers don’t always know is it is also great for soybeans too. In a year like this where the corn prices are down there is a lot more soybean acres and Stratego YLD has a must higher interest in getting a yield boost in your soybean and also protect it from disease,” stated Thorsten.

fps14-bayer-myersThorsten said that right now growers are concerned about getting a good return on investment. Because of many farmers’ economic state, they are hesitant to apply a fungicide. He said the message they try and share with growers is to look at the yield figures and see the return on investment when a fungicide is applied to a crop. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps14-bayer-schwindt.MP3″ text=”Interview with Thorsten Schwindt, Bayer CropScience”]

Randy goes on to explain why an earlier application of Stratego YLD can really give growers an upper hand. “There are two different things that you are dealing with. You are trying to protect the middle part of the plant from disease. A lot of those diseases survive in the residue in the soil. Another thing is protecting the stalk integrity. A lot of those diseases come in early and we want to keep pathogens out of the stalk.”

Randy also shares with Cindy examples using this past year’s growing season of where Stratego YLD has really paid off. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps14-bayer-myers.MP3″ text=”Interview with Randy Myers, Bayer CropScience”]

2014 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

USDA Increases Crop Estimate

Cindy ZimmermanCorn, Soybeans, USDA

usda-logoUSDA has increased its estimate of both the corn and soybean crops this month, building on already forecast record highs.

Corn production is forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, up 3 percent from both the August forecast and from 2013. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 171.7 bushels per acre, up 4.3 bushels from the August forecast and 12.9 bushels above the 2013 average. If realized, this will be the highest yield and production on record for the United States. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 83.8 million acres, unchanged from the August forecast but down 4 percent from 2013.

Soybean production is forecast at a record 3.91 billion bushels, up 3 percent from August and up 19 percent from last year. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average a record high 46.6 bushels per acre, up 1.2 bushels from last month and up 3.3 bushels from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at a record 84.1 million acres, unchanged from August but up 11 percent from last year.