Ag Leader Intellislope® Demonstration Video

Leah GuffeyAg Leader, sustainability, technology, Video, water

Water management has become increasingly important for farming operations in the Midwest and tiling is a key component to effective water management practices.

agleader-waterIntellislope® from Ag Leader is a way for the grower to efficiently work through the field and place their own tiling system. In addition, SoilMax offers a “Gold Digger” plow to run behind your machine and adjust on the fly to help bury your own tile without having to hire an outside resource.

I took a tractor ride in the cab during Ag Leader Technology’s Tech Meets Dirt Road Tour across Illinois recently. Check out my video with Joe Klaus explaining the ease of use for the operator and how the plow works with AgLeader’s Intellislope® works with their Gold Digger plow.

If you are in Illinois, there are still two more opportunities this week to take part in the tour:
July 8th – 10-98 Industrial Park Rd Benton, IL 62812
July 10th – 1368 County Rd 11 Thomasboro, IL 61878

AgLeader Technology Meets Dirt photo album

Sygenta’s Resistance Fighter of the Year

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Award, Syngenta

Screen Shot 2014-07-07 at 10.59.52 AMSyngenta is accepting applications through Sept. 15, 2014 for the Resistance Fighter of the Year Leadership Program at www.resistancefighter.com. In its sixth year, the program is open to dedicated advisors who are passionate about helping growers manage resistance.

“In the past, the Resistance Fighter of the Year Leadership Program focused solely on herbicide resistance management – but we recognize that growers must also think about potential resistance to other pests as well,” said Melissa Lord, Syngenta Communications Lead. “This year, we’ve expanded the program to include those advisors who have made significant efforts to help growers manage resistance to fungicides, insecticides and nematicides as well.”

County extension agents, consultants and other agronomists who have successfully implemented resistance management practices with producers in their area are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. Program applicants should have an in-depth understanding of one or more types of resistance and work proactively to ensure grower success by implementing good stewardship practices and reducing the impact of resistant weeds, insects, diseases and nematodes.

“As a county extension agent, being recognized as an expert in weed resistance management has positively impacted my career,” said Jeremy Kichler, 2009 Resistance Fighter of the Year winner. “I would tell a peer interested in applying for the Resistance Fighter of the Year Leadership Program that it’s a great opportunity to travel, learn, and interact with and develop networking opportunities with other experts in the industry. It will give you a great opportunity to advance and enrich your career.”

Replant Flooded Land to Prevent Erosion

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Conservation, environment, erosion, seed, Soil

Screen Shot 2014-07-07 at 10.42.26 AMDon’t wait to develop a restoration plan for land devastated by recent floods. Quick action can prevent erosion and maintain soil health, said Matt Fenske, vice president of Business Development for Millborn Seeds, a quarter century old grass seed company located in Brookings and North Sioux City, S.D.

“I know it’s an overwhelming mess today, but if nothing is done to repair and replant this summer, soil biology will disappear and there will be nothing to stop further erosion,” said Fenske, who vividly recalls working with his team of specialists to restore land following 2011 flood events.

He goes on to explain that living plants are essential to soil health. “They maintain soil biology, prevent compaction, enhance water infiltration and keep weeds at bay.”

Waiting until next spring to replant and repair flood damaged ground is not a good option as it puts top soil at risk.

Fenske is among a team of grass seed specialists who work to provide restoration tools and intelligent grass seed solutions for all projects. He outlines a few options below:

Parks, Lawns and Roadways: Once the soil dries out, if the land is replanted in August or early September there is still time for turf to establish before winter.

This is also an opportunity to replant a grass seed mixture that is better suited for the land’s growing conditions or to meet a new landscaping goal; such as introducing a variety that requires less water or mowing.

Farmland: Quick growing forages or cover crops are a good solution. Along with the benefits of maintaining soil health, weed and erosion control; varieties can be selected to fix nitrogen, increase water infiltration and alleviate compaction.

USDA Invests in Red River Basin Conservation Effort

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Conservation, Farm Bill, NRCS, USDA

usda-logoAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson announced targeted conservation funding of up to $50 million over the next five years in the Red River of the North Basin to minimize flooding, boost soil health, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat in the watershed.

“The Red River Basin is a mosaic of farmlands, grasslands, forests, and wetlands with a unique set of conservation challenges. This Farm Bill funding will help us work with local partners to implement water retention projects to help reduce flooding and mitigate the damage repeated flooding creates,” Vilsack said. “Along with better protection from flooding, these conservation efforts can help provide improved farming and ranching opportunities, cleaner water, and homes for a variety of wildlife. This will help boost the region’s economy in a number of areas, including in agriculture, hunting and fishing, and other outdoor recreation.”

USDA’s NRCS will focus a number of existing conservation program tools to work with local water districts and other local partners to support water retention projects and other conservation efforts in the 25 million-acre Red River watershed in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Red River of the North Basin is highly prone to flooding and other challenges, and repeated flooding has created unique challenges for maintaining soil and water health in the region. This new effort will provide more support and additional flexibility for regional conservation stakeholders.

The NRCS conservation programs include:
– Environmental Quality Incentives Program: Assistance to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, or improved or created wildlife habitat.
– Conservation Stewardship Program: Assistance to maintain and improve existing conservation systems, adopt additional conservation activities, and take conservation performance to the next level.
– Agricultural Conservation Easements Program: Assistance to help conserve, enhance, and protect farm, ranch, and forest lands and wetlands, and their related benefits. For wetland easements on acreage owned by Indian tribes, 30-year contracts are available.

Applications for these programs are accepted at local USDA service centers on a continuous basis. To learn about technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or local USDA service center.

Get the InfoAg App Now

Chuck ZimmermanApps, InfoAg

InfoAg AppIf you’re an agnerd and planning to attend the 2014 InfoAg Conference in July add the InfoAg App to your mobile device. The conference is only a few weeks from now and a reason to get the app before you go is so you can create your own “program” of workshops and presentations that you want to attend.

The app is available for iOS and Android. It includes program information, including biographies on the speakers. There is an exhibition map and way to mark the ones that are your top priority.

We’ll be on the scene again this year so keep your eye on Precision.AgWired.com for all the latest news in the world of precision agriculture. InfoAg takes place July 29-31 in St. Louis.

On a similar note, we will also have coverage of the 12th International Conference on Precision Agriculture taking place the week before in Sacramento, CA.

Propane Council Says Prepare Early for Fall Drying

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Grain, propane

PERCThe Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging farmers to plan ahead for harvest season and upgrade their grain dryers with new, fuel-efficient propane models with a $5,000 incentive through the 2014 Propane Farm Incentive Program.

Many farmers in the upper Midwest and Northeast faced delayed planting this spring due to cool, wet weather, ice on the Great Lakes, and cold soil temperatures due to snow cover.

“Last year, a cool, wet spring delayed planting and shortened the growing season, and the result was record-high drying needs,” said Mark Leitman, PERC director of marketing and business development. “Farmers can prepare for harvest by speaking with their propane dealers this summer about their estimated energy needs. We also recommend upgrading older drying systems with new, fuel-efficient propane models.”

Nearly nine out of 10 farmers dry grain using propane-powered equipment. New dryers by GSI Group and Mathews Co. offer advanced, energy-efficient designs that can save producers money and give them greater market flexibility. According to Leitman, an advanced grain drying system is a wise investment that can directly impact a farmer’s ROI.

“The newest dryers from GSI Group and Mathews Co. are 30 percent and sometimes even up to 50 percent more efficient than older models. This translates to huge fuel savings for farmers and gives them even greater control over harvest and marketing decisions,” Leitman said.

Producers can earn up to $5,000 on select grain dryer models through the 2014 PERC Propane Farm Incentive Program in exchange for collecting and reporting post-harvest performance data.

Models eligible for the Propane Farm Incentive Program include the GSI X-Stream series, Mathews Co. Trilogy series, and, new in 2014, the Mathews Co. 10-foot tower dryer series. PERC co-funded technology development and testing with GSI and Mathews on each of the qualifying dryers.

Farmers can apply for the Propane Farm Incentive Program through the end of 2014. The PERC program has already awarded more than $169,000 in incentives to program participants in 23 states.

Many Still in the Heat of Hay

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Where are you in #hay14?”

It looks like farmers across the United States are all at different stages with this year’s hay crop. On our farm we started out with a bang. But were soon falling behind due to rain. No one is complaining about the rain though. I think I can easily speak for all involved in agriculture that we are very glad to be getting these early summer showers. Good luck to all those still in the heat of #hay14.

Our poll results:

  • Done – 25%
  • Right on schedule – 12.5%
  • Behind due to rain – 62.5%
  • Behind due to equipment – 0%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What will be on your Independence Day grill?”

The 4th of July typically equals family and friends gathering for a barbecue and barbecue’s equals meat. The choices for your grill are limitless. Will you be having the traditional meal of hamburgers and hot dogs? Or will you be showing off your culinary genius and serving Venison Osso Buco, Beer Grilled Chops or Thai Grilled Shrimp?

Spray & Never Look Back with New Holland’s Guardian

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Crop Protection, Equipment, Machinery, New Holland, Spraying

new_guardian_sf.400fNew Holland introduces new Tier 4B Guardian™ front-boom sprayer models including the highest-capacity sprayer in the business, the SP.400F. In addtition to a revolutionary front-boom design, this model features industry-leading horsepower, combined with the available 1,600 US/gallon tank and 120-foot boom options to cover more acres faster than ever.

“With the boom in front, you get the best visibility without looking over your shoulder. You can spray and never look back,” says Sheldon Gerspacher, Crop Production Equipment Segment Leader. “Nozzles are located behind the front boom, providing complete, unrestricted view of every nozzle. Operating a front-mount sprayer reduces operator stress, which increases productivity and maximizes acres covered. In short, these sprayers allow producers to do more with every minute of their time.”

Industry-leading horsepower, ground clearance, ride and radius plus 1,600 US/gallon tank and 120-foot boom options
Producers can now choose from four front-boom Guardian sprayer models with two chassis sizes. The sprayers are now powered by Cummins engines (rated at 300, 320 or 380 horsepower) with SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology to comply with Tier 4B emissions standards.

All Guardian sprayers feature four-wheel hydrostatic drive as standard equipment. For those who prefer it, a four-wheel crab steering option is available for maneuvering on side hills and reducing wheel track crop damage. Both configurations feature an industry-leading tight turning radius for maneuvering in tight spaces and providing effortless headland turns.

There is no need to add duals to the rear axle on this sprayer. A balanced 50/50 weight distribution disperses weight equally to all four tires for maximum traction and flotation. With industry-leading boom height and the six-foot ground clearance, Guardian sprayers have the ability to get into the field throughout the growing season, which is especially vital for late season corn applications.

The unique hydraulic suspension, which provides excellent stability and the smoothest ride in the industry, improves spraying accuracy while further increasing operator comfort. The four-wheel independent suspension is hydraulically controlled and allows for a suspension travel on each wheel of 20 inches to handle the toughest ground conditions. This also ensures better boom stability and superior traction no matter what the terrain.

– The smart way to spray: ‘never look back’
– Industry-leading horsepower, ground clearance, ride and turning radius
– 1,600 US/gallon tank and 120-foot boom options
– New engine: meets Tier 4B emissions standards
– Cab design and electronics: premium operator comfort

Updates on BASF Headline AMP and Priaxor

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, BASF, Crop Protection, Fungicides

basf-brianneAt the recent BASF Media Summit, Technical Marketing Specialist Brianne Reeves gave an update on in-furrow and foliar applications of BASF fungicides, including Headline AMP on corn and Priaxor on soybeans.

We usually think of Headline AMP being used on field corn, but Brianne told us about a trial done in Belle Glade, Florida on sweet corn for control of Northern corn leaf blight. “That trial has been run for five years and for five years running Headline AMP has won in that trial in disease control and with yield for marketable crates of sweet corn that go to market,” she said.

Brianne says Priaxor was just approved for use in soybeans in April of this year and she discussed how using it in-furrow to start, followed up by a foliar application “will help protect that soybean plant in the beginning when it’s just getting out of the ground and at those reproductive stages when yield is really being set.”

Listen to my interview with Brianne here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/basf/basf-media-14-reeves.mp3″ text=”Interview with Brianne Reeves, BASF”]

2014 BASF Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Farm Foundation Offering “Soil Renaissance” Forum

John DavisAg Group, Soil

farmfoundationlogo3The greatest treasure for any farmer is not buried in the soil… it IS the soil. With that in mind and knowing that healthy soils are key to a vibrant agriculture, clean water and air, and provide a home to microorganisms that play a fundamental role in all ecosystems, the Farm Foundation and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is offering a new, free seminar, titled, “The Soil Renaissance,” on July 16, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EDT at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

William Buckner, President and CEO of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, will moderate the Forum. Panelists will include:

Wayne Honeycutt, Deputy Chief for Science and Technology, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Jimmy Kinder, Oklahoma farmer,
John Larson, Executive Director, National Association of Conservation Districts, and
Klaas Martens, New York state farmer, invited.

You can attend in person or for those people unable to attend, a live audiocast of this free forum will be provided. Just click here for more information and to register.