Eco Agro Appoints New Leadership

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Nutrient Management

ecoEco Agro Resources LLC announced the appointment of Andrew Semple as CEO and Member of Board, based in Sarasota Florida. Semple brings over 25 years of knowledge and experience within the fertilizer industry and recently from his past responsibilities as the Vice President of International Sales with Agrotain International and Koch Agronomic Services.

“We’re excited to have Andrew join and lead our team,” states Ray Perkins, Chief Management Officer of Eco Agro Resources. “Andrew’s proven track record to lead an enhanced efficiency fertilizers team is exactly what we need to take us to the next level at Eco Agro Resources. Andrew’s experience and relationships in over 70 Countries globally will be a huge asset to help us grow our N-YIELD, N-BOUND and additional efficient fertilizer technologies.”

They have also appointed Norm Davy as Executive Vice President – Global Sales and Marketing based in Minneapolis, MN. Davy brings over 25 years of knowledge and experience within the Agriculture industry and most recently from his past responsibilities as the Senior Vice President with GEOSYS™, a Land O’ Lakes™ company.

“We’re excited to have Norm join our team,” states Andrew Semple, CEO and member of the Board of Eco Agro Resources.” “Further, I’m personally thrilled to reunite with Norm from our past days working together at Agrotain International when Norm served as a leader in the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers market.

Eco Agro Resources is a USA based nutrient efficiency company dedicated to the development and commercialization of technologies to help farmers grow crops more efficiently. With offices located in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, Minnesota, China and Brazil, Eco Agro Resources is providing innovative and quality products to the agricultural nutrient market, with focus on an economic, agronomic and responsible approach.

FAA Expected to Miss Drone Deadline

Cindy ZimmermanGovernment, UAV

uav-agThe commercial use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) may continue to be delayed as a new report finds the Federal Aviation Administration is unlikely to meet the September 2015 deadline set by Congress for integrating commercial drones into U.S. airspace.

The report by the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Transportation concludes that it remains “unclear” when or if FAA can meet its goals, noting that the “delays are due to unresolved technological, regulatory, and privacy issues.”

“This is no big surprise, they’ve missed deadlines since 2008,” said Idaho farmer and precision agriculture specialist Robert Blair on a Facebook post yesterday. “The bigger issue for UAVs, agriculture, and farmers is that the FAA is wanting to shut people like me down from flying my own crops. I can fly my garden, over my house, and over my scab ground but I can’t fly over my fields because I sell my crops. That would also go for my pasture and garden if I sell things. I wonder if they would stop me flying over my home because I could have a yard sale or trade in a vehicle or piece of equipment. Our government is way to overreaching especially regarding personal property and freedoms.”

This will likely be a big topic at two agricultural UAV events being held next week. The Delta AgTech Symposium: Advancing UAVs in Agriculture will be held July 7-8 at Agricenter International in Memphis and the Precision Aerial Ag Show will be July 9-10 at Progress City USA in Decatur, Ill.

Marrone Bio Opens Michigan Facility

Cindy Zimmermanbioproducts, biotechnology, Government, USDA

Marrone Bio Innovations Ribbon CuttingMarrone Bio Innovations, a leading global provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products, celebrated the official opening of its Marrone Michigan Manufacturing (M3) facility Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

“We know how to grow things and make things, so it’s no surprise that MBI chose to invest right here in Michigan,” said Stabenow, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. “It’s exciting to be back at MBI and see new biobased products being manufactured that are supporting new jobs, helping our farmers and protecting our Great Lakes.”

USDA Administrator Rural Business-Cooperative Service Lillian Salerno highlighted the approval of a $10 million loan guarantee to support the M3 expansion in Bangor, Michigan. “Bio-manufacturing facilities like the M3 plant opening we are celebrating today are instrumental to bringing high-quality, good-paying jobs to rural communities,” said Salerno.

MBI CEO, Dr. Pamela Marrone, thanked Stabenow, USDA, state and local officials for helping to make the M3 plant a reality. “With today’s official opening of M3, Southwest Michigan is positioned at the forefront of a growing global movement to firmly establish biologically based technologies as the foundation in agriculture, turf, ornamental and water treatment markets,” Marrone added.

[wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/marrone/marrone-bio-ribbon-cutting.mp3″ text=”Marrone Michigan Manufacturing Ribbon Cutting Ceremony”]

New Holland’s All-New CR Combine Harvester Series

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Equipment, Harvesting, Machinery, New Holland

Screen Shot 2014-07-01 at 9.12.49 AMNew Holland’s CR Series combines raise harvesting to a whole new level: up to 15% more productivity, grain crackage as low as 0.2%, and the ultimate comfort cab. The brand new Harvest Suite™ Ultra cab is larger and offers more glass than previous models. The six model series is topped by the CR10.90 Elevation, the most powerful CR model ever, and the highest capacity in the industry that delivers outstanding performance.

“The new CR Series is the culmination of 40 years of Twin Rotor® technology,” stated Dan Valen, New Holland North America Cash Crop Equipment Segment Manager. “It offers the best of New Holland’s smart harvesting technologies: Twin Pitch rotors, Dynamic Feed Roll™, SmartTrax™ rubber tracks, Tier 4B ECOBlue™ Hi-eSCR engine technologies – all working together to allow producers to harvest in a new dimension. All this is coupled with the Harvest Suite Ultra cab that defines harvesting comfort. You couldn’t ask for more.”

The Dynamic Feed Roll on-the-go mechanical stone protection system further raises the CR’s massive capacity by feeding the rotors faster and more smoothly while removing stones with no stopping or hesitation. The new serrated blades on the roll are gentle on the crop, resulting in high-quality grain.

CR Series combines work seamlessly in tough crop conditions with the Twin Pitch rotors, which can raise productivity by up to 10% in damp conditions. Switching between small grain/corn configurations to harvest rice is easy. The redesigned adjustable rotor vanes require less power in high-volume crops and consistently deliver high capacity.

The SmartTrax™ rubber tracks, optional on all models, ensure excellent traction and low soil compaction while providing a silky smooth ride.

– Harvest in a new dimension: culmination of 40 years of Twin Rotor® technology
– Twin Rotor®, Dynamic Feed Roll™, Twin Pitch rotors, IntelliCruise, Opti-Fan™: proven unique technologies deliver more capacity than ever
– Massive power, vast grain tank, extensive autonomy: productivity reaches new heights, increasing by up to 15%
– Harvest Suite™ Ultra cab: designed for ultimate harvesting comfort
– CR10.90 Elevation (Tier 4B) is equipped with the Diesel Of The Year® 2014 Cursor 16 engine

Chuck spoke with New Holland’s Nigel Mackenzie, whose main role for the company is to market combines in North America. He shares how excited they are about their custom driven hew harvester series. He also discusses key elements of the Harvest Suite growers won’t be able to live without. [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/new-holland/new-holland-cr-combines-mackenzie-7-1-14.mp3″ text=”Interview with Nigel Mackenzie, New Holland”]

Read the complete release with all products specs here.

Hick Chick Chat Previews 2014 Farm Progress Show

Leah GuffeyAudio, Equipment, Events, Farm Progress Show, Hick Chick Chat, Machinery

11326519286_c9a07ae0bf_oThis week for the Hick Chick Chat we check in with Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress Show manager.

20956_1224331933495_89423_nWe’re a little over eight weeks away now from the 2014 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. Matt tells me that the corn is growing, the pavement is complete and they have added a concert to the show lineup this year, including country artist Jerrod Neimann.

Matt and I chat about the recent rains that have hit the area, the way the crop looks and what you can look forward to while visiting the show this year in Boone. Of course, the ZimmComm Team will be live and onsite for the 2014 Farm Progress Show. The dates are August 26 – 28, admission is $15 for adults and $8 for youngsters aged 13-17. Get more show information at FarmProgressShow.com.

[wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/podcast/hickchickchat-14-fps-jungmann.mp3″ text=”Hick Chick Chat with Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress Show”]

Join in the conversation on Twitter and on Facebook

Time Nitrogen Delivery to Key Plant Growth Stages

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Dupont Pioneer, Fertilizer, Nitrogen, Nutrient Management

Screen Shot 2014-07-01 at 12.58.00 PMNitrogen (N) is essential to plant growth and grain fill, making it critical for growers to monitor soil N levels at key points during the growing season. Wet conditions in May and June have raised concerns that Rescue applications of N may be needed as this essential nutrient can easily be lost from the soil by leaching or denitrification with excess rainfall.

Growers should be evaluating how much N remains in the soil and if it will be enough to meet crop needs. A quick response to N-deficiency stress is often required to minimize yield loss.

Soil tests are one way to gauge nitrogen levels prior to an in-season application. Optical sensors can also be mounted on fertilizer application equipment, enabling on-the-go N sensing, rate calculation and application all at once. Aerial imagery and chlorophyll meters are also good tools to evaluate crop N needs. Several research studies show that rescue N applications are effective at recovering yield — as late as three weeks after pollination.

If N is found to be lacking in the plants and soil, growers have several decisions to make, including:
– the type of N to apply
– application method
– timing
– volume of N needed
– need for a nitrification inhibitor

Pioneer agronomists estimate that farmers in the U.S. Corn Belt currently lose $50 to $60/acre as a result of nitrogen management inefficiencies — with much greater loses occurring in extreme climatic years. DuPont Pioneer will soon offer a Nitrogen Management Service in targeted corn production geographies. This advanced management solution will significantly narrow the nitrogen profit loss gap by giving farmers a new ability to plan, monitor and adapt nitrogen management practices to maximize profitability and improve environmental quality in the face of climatic uncertainty.

Verdesian Life Sciences Acquires SFP

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Fertilizer

verdesianVerdesian Life Sciences of Cary, North Carolina has announced the acquisition of Specialty Fertilizer Products (SFP), a Leawood, Kansas-based company focused on fertilizer efficiency products.

According to Verdesian CEO J.J. Grow, joining forces with SFP will add more than 270 patent properties to the company’s portfolio. “SFP’s innovative fertilizer solutions are a natural fit with Verdesian’s expansive product offerings that increase grower yields and return on investment,” said Grow. “We are confident that the addition of SFP’s outstanding team, impressive product lineup and excellent reputation for service will be a great combination with Verdesian Life Sciences.”

sfp“We are excited to join Verdesian, which will enable us to take our business to the next level,” said SFP founder J. Larry Sanders, who has served as president and chief executive officer. “As part of Verdesian, we will be able to offer our revolutionary and environmentally beneficial fertilizer efficiency technology to more growers in more markets, and to bring the exciting products we have in our pipeline to market.”

Sanders has been named executive vice president of Polymer Technology and will report to Verdesian’s J.J. Grow who says there will be no immediate staffing changes except in the reporting structure at the senior management level.

Financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed. The current U.S. and international pricing, product distribution, programs and policies for all products offered by Verdesian Life Sciences, including the acquired SFP products, will remain in place through 2014.

Verdesian Life Sciences is a plant health and nutrition company with patented biological, nutritional, seed treatment and inoculant technologies that help specialty and row crop growers and turf management professionals maximize their nitrogen and phosphorus investments. Founded in 2012 to acquire and grow plant health product companies, Verdesian is based in Cary, N.C., with production and manufacturing facilities in Visalia, Calif., Pasco, Wash., and Kentland, Ind.

Read more here.

Expansion Plans for Bayer CropScience

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Research

bayer-cropscienceBayer CropScience is investing $29.6 million in the expansion of its North American and global Seeds headquarters in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina.

The company announced this week that the expansion includes the construction of a 29,500-square-foot greenhouse and state-of-the-art research facility for seed trait research, insect testing, nematode trait research, and plant disease research.

The RTP site has experienced significant operational growth in recent years. This expansion marks the beginning of the development of land acquired in Dec. 2012. Work on the greenhouse, or GH1, is scheduled to begin in the late summer of 2014, with completion scheduled for late 2015. GH1 is the second greenhouse constructed at Bayer CropScience’s North American and global Seeds headquarters in the past two years. The $20 million, 60,000-square-foot Greenhouse 5 was opened in July 2012 to support company sustainability and productivity efforts focused on soy, corn and other broadacre crop research.

“The construction of this greenhouse represents our continued commitment to RTP and to leaving a better world for the industries and communities we serve through advanced agriculture and bioscience research and development,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “Our new facility will allow our scientists and other researchers to discover innovative solutions to the world’s ever-changing agricultural issues, and will help us feed a growing planet in need of plentiful food sources grown without threat from dangerous insects and other pests.”

Read more here.

New Holland Launching 25 New Products in 2014

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Equipment, Machinery, New Holland

New-HollandFor well over a century, New Holland has been uncompromising in its dedication to equipping customers with product advancements, state-of-the-art technology, and smart solutions that enable them to work more productively, more efficiently and with more comfort.

In 2014, New Holland will introduce 25 new product innovations to the market, from award-winning, revolutionary engine technology meeting Tier 4B emissions requirements, to the latest advancements in harvesting technology and precision farming.

“New Holland is relentless in our pursuit of cutting-edge technology that meets current and future needs for smart customers who continue to improve their efficiency and productivity and are growing their operations for tomorrow,” says Mark Hooper, New Holland’s Marketing Director for North America.

The new CR Series Twin Rotor® combines and Guardian™ front-boom sprayers are currently debuting at Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina, Saskatchewan. New Holland’s all-new CR Series combines raise harvesting to a whole new dimension. Massive power, vast grain tank and proven unique technologies provide up to 15% more productivity, grain crackage as low as 0.2%, and the ultimate in comfort cab.New Holland’s new Tier 4B Guardian™ front-boom sprayer line includes the highest-capacity sprayer in the business to cover more acres faster then ever. Innovative, new hay and forage equipment, tractors, and light construction equipment will also be introduced in 2014.

“In this fast-changing world, New Holland customers understand that making the right choices with the right partner is how they stay ahead of the curve,” says Hooper. “We’re dedicated to providing our customers with continual product improvements because we share the same passion they have to be the best at what we do. Dedicated. Uncompromising. Smart. That’s New Holland.”

Precision Pays Podcast: Why biotechnology is the answer

Meghan GrebnerEducation, GMO, Precision Pays Podcast, sustainability, technology, World Food

pp-podcastGlobal food security is a huge concern.

But what is the answer to feeding that growing population?  During the American Seed Trade Association’s annual meeting in June, World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, professor of plant breeding at Purdue, told attendees that biotechnology is part of that solution to feeding a hungry world.

In this Precision Pays Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology, we’ll learn more about the role biotechnology plays in feeding a growing world population.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/PPP-0614.mp3″ text=”Precision Pays Podcast”]

You can subscribe to the Precision Pays Podcast here.

The Precision Pays Podcast is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology.