Precision Pays Podcast: Protecting your grain

Meghan GrebnerCorn, Precision Pays Podcast, Soybeans, technology

pp-podcastWhen I think about the importance of using technology in agriculture today, the systems used for planting, harvesting, and even crop scouting are some of the first things that come to mind.  But what about after you’ve planted and harvested that crop and you have it stored on your farm?

In this Precision Pays Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology, we’ll take a closer look at the technology farmers have available to them to monitor their grain more easily.

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You can subscribe to the Precision Pays Podcast here.

The Precision Pays Podcast is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology.

USDA Prepares Farmers for New Farm Bill Programs

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Farm Bill, USDA

USDA_logo_svgAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is awarding $6 million to universities and cooperative state extension services to develop online decision tools and other materials and train experts to educate producers about several key farm bill programs. The new Web tools will help farmers and ranchers determine what participation in programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will mean for their businesses.

The University of Illinois (lead for the National Coalition for Producer Education [NCPE]), along with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri and the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M (co-leads for the National Association of Agricultural and Food Policy [NAAFP]), will receive a total of $3 million to develop the new online tools and train state-based extension agents who can in turn help educate farmers.

“Helping farmers and ranchers understand new Farm Bill programs and what the programs mean for their families is one of USDA’s top priorities,” said Vilsack. “With the resources we’re providing, university experts will help ensure farmers and ranchers are highly educated as they make critical decisions about new programs that impact their livelihoods. The new tools that will be developed will empower farmers and ranchers to select the plan that best fits their unique needs.”

The new resources will help farmers and ranchers make an educated choice between the new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. Using the new online tools, producers will be able to use data unique to their specific farming operations combined with factors like the geographical diversity of crops, soils, weather and climates across the country to test a variety of financial scenarios before officially signing up for the new program options later this year. Once a producer enrolls in the ARC or PLC program, he or she must remain in the program through the 2018 crop year. New tools will be provided for other programs as well.

USDA will also award $3 million to state cooperative extension services—a nationwide network of experts based at land-grant universities—for outreach and education on the new Farm Bill programs. Funds will be used to conduct public education outreach meetings where producers can speak with local extension agents and Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff. Outreach meetings will begin late this summer to help farmers and ranchers understand the new programs and their options.

Crop Scouting – Using All Your Precision Ag Data

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyThe evolution of precision ag has impacted how growers and ag professionals accomplish many tasks. We’ve seen in-field crop scouting evolve from a notepad and pencil, to a GPS enabled tablet/mobile device to simply record crop and pest observations. Is it adequate for you to just document observations? Want to precisely navigate to each hybrid planted? Want to navigate to particular treatment zones? Need to navigate to an area that you’ve been struggling with in previous years?

Being able to reference valuable precision ag data from multiple field operations and years is critical to know where and how to scout. This reference information, along with recorded observations, will help you better comprehend the right management decisions to maximize your operations profitability.

Luke James, Ag Leader Software Sales Manager, says growers can record all their scouting observations, crop growth status, etc., then use those records to write a targeted prescription or have it to reference at a later date.

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James also says it’s real-time data referencing.

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James explains how SMS Mobile will save growers time, help them be more efficient, and add money to your bottom line.

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The SMS Mobile Software provides you with the flexibility of displaying multiple reference maps at once while crop scouting. SMS desktop software users can export nearly everything in their software, including data from different brands of equipment to SMS Mobile for in-field viewing.

Interested in learning more about SMS Mobile? Please visit our website to learn more, sign up for a free introduction to SMS Mobile webinar, download a free trial version of SMS Mobile or contact us at 515-232-5363 or SMSsupport@agleader.com or reach out to a local Ag Leader Dealer.

Become a fan of Ag Leader on Facebook today, and get the latest precision ag videos on the YouTube channel. For more information about Ag Leader products and services, or to visit the blog site, go to www.agleader.com.

Do You Think Organic & GMO Crops Can Co-exist?

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What features of MyNewHolland.com do you like?”

It’s been just over a month since the launch of New Holland North America’s MyNewHolland.com, an online destination for all things New Holland and open to all farmers. The ability to keep up with equipment inventory seems to be a highlight for those who have taken advantage of this opportunity. Whether you own New Holland equipment, used to own or would like to own, or who just want to join the farming conversation, it’s free and easy to sign up. Over 500 people from all over North America have already joined for a variety of reasons, including the spotlight discussion on growing crops for biofuels.

Our poll results:

  • My Equipment – my equip inventory – 18%
  • Precision Land Management – 6%
  • Configurator – configure your equipment – 6%
  • Calendar – 6%
  • Spotlight Discussion – 12%
  • Dealer locator – 12%
  • Links to other New Holland info – 6%
  • I have created a login – 6%
  • I have not created a login – 23%
  • Other – 5%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Can organic & GMO crops co-exist?”

A recent ban on the cultivation of genetically engineered crops has passed in two Oregon counties. This is one of many issues that puts farmer vs. farmer. Should it be the landowner’s choice or should these decisions be made at the ballot box? In this week’s ZimmPoll we want to know if you think organic and GMO crops can co-exist?

REGALIA® Rx Biofungicide for Use in Row Crops

Jamie JohansenUncategorized

Logo_RegaliaRX_wTag_RGB.fw_Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., a leading global provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products formally introduces REGALIA® Rx, an advanced, broad-spectrum biofungicide that improves plant health and increases yield potential. REGALIA® Rx is registered for use in corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, and other row crops.

Adding just one pint of REGALIA Rx to an existing fungicide program improved overall plant health and yields. Applications to both corn and soybeans produced plants with more extensive root systems, larger, fuller ears of corn, bigger and greener soybean plants and overall better yields. Similar yield response and plant health improvements were demonstrated in rice, wheat and barley trials during the same timeframe.

“The average yield increase across the REGALIA Rx trials-university and on-farm-was six bushels/acre in corn and two bushels/acre in soybeans compared to the standard fungicide program,” states Dr. Tim Johnson, Global Product Development Director for Marrone Bio Innovations.

“Adding REGALIA Rx to the fungicide program earlier in the season gives crops the optimum performance potential and benefit. In corn, our studies show that one pint of REGALIA Rx applied at the V4 and V8 stages of growth boosted yields significantly more than later season applications at V8 and VT,” explains Dr. Johnson.

The active ingredient in REGALIA Rx, which is derived from a plant extract, triggers plants’ natural defense systems to help protect against disease, improve plant health, combat fungal and bacterial diseases and boost yield potential.

It is the only commercially available fungicide with a FRAC code of P5 so it adds another mode of action to a fungicide program, which improves overall disease control and plant health. Widely recommended as a foliar application, REGALIA Rx is also labeled for use as an effective soil treatment against soil-borne plant diseases.

IFBF Members Urge Support of Conservation Programs

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Conservation, Farm Bureau, Soil, water

IFBFvertcolorIowa Farm Bureau members urge Governor Branstad to sign legislation authorizing additional one-time investments approved by lawmakers this year, including appropriations to the Water Quality Initiative, Soil Conservation Cost-Share Program, and the Ag Drainage Well Closure Program. A commitment to these important conservation programs will leverage private funds and are ideal areas to invest in Iowa’s water quality and soil conservation so improvements can continue to be achieved.

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest grassroots farm organization, requests Governor Branstad’s continued leadership and support advancing Iowa’s water quality and soil conservation efforts as farmers across the state implement new production practices and technologies to continually improve their conservation efforts.

In addition to improving water quality and soil conservation, these one-time investments are vital to expedite conservation work. Historically, these programs are not adequately funded, and in recent years, high farmer participation has created a backlog of unfunded projects. Use of the legislature’s one-time conservation funding will allow the implementation of new conservation measures on hundreds of farms around the state while facilitating continued improvement in water quality and soil health.

IFBF commends Governor Branstad for his leadership in advancing Iowa’s water quality and soil conservation efforts, and urges the state to continue to partner with farmers in advancing their conservation efforts.

Syngenta’s New Acuron Herbicide Brand Signature

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Herbicides, Syngenta, Weed control

Screen Shot 2014-05-29 at 9.26.18 AMAs Acuron™ corn herbicide (SYN-A197) from Syngenta moves toward expected EPA registration for the 2015 growing season, the unveiling of the brand signature is the latest milestone in the herbicide’s development.

Within the Acuron signature, four inverted triangles adjoin to create a star. Each triangle represents the herbicide’s four active ingredients, including new bicyclopyrone. Syngenta developed the star icon to communicate the high-performance control Acuron has delivered in over 600 trials across the U.S.

“As weed resistance expands, growers need more robust pre-emerge residual herbicides with multiple modes of action to control tough weeds, and Acuron will fit nicely,” said Gordon Vail, Ph.D., technical product lead, Syngenta. “This product will take large-seeded broadleaf weed control to the next level, while still providing the same excellent performance on small-seeded broadleaf weeds that farmers have come to expect from Syngenta corn herbicides.”

Syngenta developed Acuron, which contains three modes of action, in response to the expanding problem of weed resistance and the resulting increase in demand for residual herbicide products with multiple modes of action. Acuron will be labeled to control more than 70 broadleaf weeds and annual grasses, including giant ragweed, common ragweed, marestail, kochia, Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, cocklebur, Russian thistle, sunflower and morningglory.

Growers and retailers will have a chance to see Acuron in 25–30 university trials and 15–20 Syngenta field trials this summer.

John Deere Alliance with Dawn Equipment Company

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Equipment, John Deere

john_deere_logo_3623John Deere has announced an alliance with Dawn Equipment Company, Inc. a manufacturer specializing in ground engaging tools and active control systems for planters. The alliance allows John Deere to sell and support Dawn hydraulic-controlled down-force systems, row cleaners, and closing wheels for planters.

Customers will also be able to purchase Dawn’s complete line of M Series closing wheels and other products through the John Deere dealer channel.

“We’re very excited about this alliance with John Deere,” says Joseph Bassett, president, Dawn Equipment Company. “Our line of planter attachments, ground engaging tools, and hydraulic control down force systems lead the industry in performance and will be even more customizable through this relationship with John Deere.”

Current offerings from Dawn will focus on retrofitting the current line of John Deere 1770, 1770NT, and DB Planters. These products will also be compatible with the recently introduced MaxEmerge™ 5 and ExactEmerge™ 1775 and 1775NT Planters.

“This is another example of how we’re offering producers additional solutions to help them maximize machinery performance and, ultimately, crop yields. Our industry-leading portfolio of planting solutions will deliver even more options in the future to improve planter performance,” says Aaron Wetzel, vice president of the global crop care platform.

NACD Welcomes Rollout of USDA’s RCPP

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Conservation, NRCS, USDA

logo-national-association-of-conservation-districts-colorThe National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) looks forward to supporting the USDA in the implementation of the new USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The new RCPP program will promote collaborative projects that improve soil quality, water quality/quantity, and wildlife habitat in a specific area.

The eight Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs) are: Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the Columbia, Colorado and Mississippi river basins, the Longleaf Pine Range, prairie grasslands and the California Bay Delta. Beyond these specific areas, there will be additional delivery opportunities at the state and national levels.

“Conservation districts have always supported a collaborative, locally-led approach to getting conservation implemented on the ground, and this new program falls right in line with this approach,” said NACD President Earl Garber. “Soil and Water Conservation Districts were established on the state and local level since the 1930s to partner in the delivery of federal funds based on local priorities. The RCPP program expands our opportunities to reach a higher level of commitment to conservation delivery on the working landscape in America.”

he RCPP program will encourage greater investment, leveraging of resources, and participation by the private business sectors, membership organizations, and state and local governments. NACD is encouraged by the accountability built into the RCPP, ensuring that work should be monitored throughout the contract period to accurately document, quantify and account for results.

NACD has been supportive of the RCPP throughout the Farm Bill process, and encouraged its inclusion in the final bill. In April, NACD joined with a coalition in sending a letter to NRCS Chief Weller outlining recommendations for the program. NACD also provided input on the APF in an April Listening Session with USDA.

KC Big Data Forum

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Agribusiness, Data, Events

Screen Shot 2014-05-27 at 9.36.17 PMJoin the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City on July 17 to learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural industry regarding big data. This forum will feature a number of national speakers touching on different aspects of this increasingly popular and important topic.

Bid data refers to the generation of enormous amounts of data due to new technologies for measurement, collection and storage. While producers have been collecting data on their farms for decades, this is taking it to the next level, and agricultural companies are developing more ways to gather that data than ever before.

Register here.

The program includes:
– Introduction, Mary Kay Thatcher, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau
– “Unmanned Aircraft: Big Data Takes Flight,” Mark Blanks, UAS Program Manager Applied Aviation Research Center, Kansas State University
– “Gathering Data and Helping Farmers Use It (John Deere FarmSight™),” Cory Reed, Sr. VP, Intelligent Solutions, John Deere; John Raines, Vice President, Integrated Farming Systems, The Climate Corporation & Monsanto; Bruce Rasa, CEO, TekWear LLC
– “Agribusiness Data Privacy Legal Issues: The Landscape, Emerging Issues and Risk Management,” Al Saikali, Co-Chair Data Security & Data Privacy Practice, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
– Technology on the Farm: Producers Perspective, Matt Danner, Templeton Family Farms; Nick Guetterman, Guetterman Bros. Farms; Brooks Hurst, Hurst Family Farms