12th International Conference on Precision Agriculture

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Events

ICPA_brochure_2014The 12th International Conference on Precision Agriculture (ICPA) will be held July 20-23, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, CA. ICPA is the premier scientific conference on precision agriculture. Conference sponsors include: E & J Gallo Wineries, Monsanto, DupontPioneer, and Springer.

“We selected the top research papers from around the world for the conference. With session chairs in precision water management, precision horticulture, unmanned aerial vehicles, precision conservation, precision livestock, remote sensing, and data standards, the oral program reflects the diversity of our members’ interests,” said Dr. John Stafford, President of ISPA.

The program also features talks on practical applications of the latest technology in crop and livestock production. Through the support of the major sponsors, the conference will feature a track for practitioners in addition to the five tracks on precision ag research.

For international and domestic visitors to the area the conference has partnered with the University of California-Davis to organize a post-conference tour for Wednesday afternoon after the closing session. The tour will feature area stops on UAVs, high-tech tomato production, precision irrigation, and imaging systems in wine grape production. Other options for exploring the area are available, too.

Ag Leader Reports on Seasonal Progress

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights Weekly Spring field operations are well underway and Ag Leader’s Technical Support department is buzzing! agleader2

Any given business day, over 40 members of the Support department are here to help advance the usability of our comprehensive lineup of precision agriculture products. From 7am to 7pm Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 12pm to 4pm on Sundays during the spring planting season, we’re here for you!

Technical Support Seasonal Schedule

And judging by this map showing percentage of corn crop planted, we’ll still have plenty of opportunities to speak with you yet this planting season!
agleader3

Happy Farming!

“Corn Planting Map.” Ag Web. Farm Journal, Inc. 12 May 2014. Web. 12 May 2014

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.

Register Early for UAV Technology Symposium

Jamie JohansenAerial Application, Aerial Imagery, Agribusiness, Aviation, UAV

Delta_AgTech_color_croppedThe early registration discount expires in just a few days for the Delta AgTech Symposium: Advancing UAVs in Agriculture, to be held July 7-8, 2014, at Agricenter International in Memphis. Those who register by Thursday, May 15, will receive a 5% discount on registration fees, and the discount also applies to sponsorship and exhibitor packages.

Entira, Inc., an agricultural marketing and management firm, with support from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), is organizing the two-day conference that will showcase the on-farm uses of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Delta AgTech Symposium will bring together crop consultants, agronomists, farmers, and the businesses who serve them, along with UAV manufacturers and researchers, to collectively explore how this technology can be integrated into farming practices. The two-day event will include UAV technology and flight demonstrations, speakers, and a trade show for organizations to share their knowledge and solutions. In addition, there will be a panel discussion on matching end-user needs to technologies.

“Agriculture is expected to be the predominant user of these specialized aircraft when the FAA finalizes regulations for commercial use. Now is the time for agribusinesses and farmers to learn more and consider the important role this technology will play on farms in the near future,” says Mike Karst, Entira senior partner.

A schedule of demonstrations and presentations, a listing of sponsors, as well as registration information is available on the Delta AgTech Symposium website. Companies interested in sponsorship or exhibit details should contact Kelli Polatty at kpolatty@entira.net.

AgStudio Adds DTN/The Progressive Farmer

Cindy ZimmermanMapShots, technology

In the continuing quest for providing the best services for customers, MapShots has hit another bull’s eye, announcing an agreement with DTN/The Progressive Farmer that will bring historical and daily weather information to AgStudio users.

AGStudioAgStudio users will be able to utilize the data interpolation from a large network of weather stations, including those positioned on growers’ farms, which provide accurate, local information as well as environmental conditions in other regions. AgStudio users will have access, to daily estimated growing degree days, precipitation, evapotranspiration and crop heating units for their fields. These additions give growers more tools to increase efficiency and farm profits.

MapShots, Inc. is a developer and provider of industry leading software for agricultural data management dedicated to bringing the very best user-friendly data management solutions to agriculture.

For more information, contact Tim Taylor, Key Account Manager, at 215-378-7771, or visit us at Mapshots.com or call (866) 886-7616. For information and to subscribe to DTN/The Progressive Farmer services, visit dtnprogressivefarmer.com.

Deadliest Catch Hick Chick Chat

Leah GuffeyAudio, Farm Progress Show, Harvesting, Hick Chick Chat

11326519286_c9a07ae0bf_oDuring the Farm Progress Show last year I had a chance to catch up with Deadliest Catch’s Edgar Hansen off the Northwestern. We discussed a bit about how fishing is a little like farming. It’s completely weather dependent, equipment failures in the mix and while they may not be planting they sure are cultivating their crop every year. Farmers are stewards of the land, like fisherman are stewards at sea.

Image-4Deadliest Catch is back on Discovery celebrating it’s 10th season. As I was catching up on the first few episodes that I had missed this season and learning about how the government shutdown had affected the fishing, I thought back to how it affected harvest here in the Midwest with USDA shutting down and dealing with many of the same struggles. It may seem like a while ago now, but as I’m watching the show I’m reminded of the hot August day at in Decatur and talking with the deck boss about the boat and the upcoming season.

[wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/podcast/hickchickchat-14-deadliest-catch.mp3″ text=”Hick Chick Chat with Edgar Hansen, Deadliest Catch”]

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The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is climate change impacting agriculture?”

Typically our ZimmPoll’s don’t have a landslide winner like this one. It is clear the majority of those who took this week’s poll believe that climate change has a strong impact on agriculture. To read more about the climate change assessment released by the White House last week, check out this recent AgWired post, EPA Chief Discusses Climate Change Report.

Our poll results:

  • Definitely – 64%
  • Not at all – 7%
  • Maybe, but not man made – 13%
  • Nothing we can do about it – 8%
  • No idea- 4%
  • Other – 4%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is the best way to market to millennials?”

Last week Chuck covered Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Stakeholders Summit themed with “Cracking the Millennial Code.” Marketing to the millennial generation is key, yet may need to be a little different then marketing tactics in the past. What do you feel is the best way to market to millennials?

Pre-registration for NCGA CUTC 2014 Ends Soon

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Corn, Events, NCGA

cutclogoPre-registration for the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) ends May 25. The event takes place June 2-4 in Louisville, KY. CUTC will feature the cutting-edge technologies and new uses that continually improve and dynamically change the corn industry with a focus on wet and dry milling.

“As the conference approaches, it is exciting to see the number of people planning to attend and join in discussions that will lead our industry forward,” said NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Chair Tom Mueller. “CUTC is a must-attend event for many because it stands at the forefront of technology, fostering innovative ideas and the important networking connections necessary to move the industry forward.”

The conference session topics will address genetics, biotechnology, and grain quality. There will be additional sessions covering new technologies and products from wet and dry processing, enzyme technology, and products from biorefineries. Attendees can also expect to hear presentations on new starch uses, resistant starch and nutrition, biopolymers and higher valued products such as nutraceuticals.

Site of Action Key to Herbicide Success

Cindy ZimmermanBASF, Herbicides, Weed control

bryan-youngWeed control today is more complex and difficult than before so BASF reminds growers this season that a key element to combating resistance is the herbicide site of action.

There’s a difference between site of action and mode of action. Basically, site of action is “where” and mode of action is “how.”

“The site of action is the location in the plant where the herbicide has its primary effect,” says Bryan Young, Ph.D., Associate Professor of weed science, Purdue University. “Typically, the target is an enzyme used in carrying out a process like amino acid production or photosynthesis. The herbicide targets that enzyme and stops the process.”

basf-chad“Because it is the key to a herbicide’s effectiveness, we recommend using a variety of effective sites of action,” adds Chad Brommer, Biologist, Herbicides at BASF. “Utilizing different sites of action is like having multiple tools in your weed control tool belt.”

There are about two dozen sites of action registered today for commercial products. About half of those are available in the United States. Because of the limited number of available sites of action and the spread of weed resistance, it’s important to use overlapping effective sites of action to reduce selection pressure on any single site of action and mitigate the development of further resistant populations.

Learn more here from BASF.

First FAA-Mandated Test Site in North Dakota

Jamie JohansenAerial Application, Aerial Imagery, Agribusiness, technology, UAV

auvsiThis week, North Dakota aerospace and aviation leaders are in Orlando, Fla. for the AUVSI Unmanned Systems North America 2014 conference. The delegation will be at the show to discuss how the nation’s first operational unmanned aerial systems (UAS) test site is advancing research and supporting businesses in this growing industry.

“Not only does North Dakota have the long-term UAS operational history with experience, programs and resources, but it is now leading the industry as the FAA’s first mandated test site,” said Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley who also serves as chairman of the Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority.

Just this month, the FAA granted the North Dakota Department of Commerce a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) to begin using a Draganflyer X4ES small UAS at its Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta was in North Dakota to make the announcement.

“The precision agriculture industry represents a significant growth opportunity for the UAS-industry with estimates that 25 million acres of farmland will be using UAS by the end of this year,” said Robert Becklund, executive director of the Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site. “With 89 percent of the state composed of farmland, this was a natural fit for our capabilities.”

The University of North Dakota was the first university to offer a degree program in unmanned aviation in 2009 and is working in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to create a curriculum that will incorporate the state-of-the-art UAS Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS) simulator.

North Dakota has invested over $19 million to advance UAS research and development and is collaborating with organization statewide In addition, the state’s Research ND program matches up to $300,000 in research dollars to organizations and companies involved in UAS research.

USDA Predicts Record Crops

Cindy ZimmermanCorn, Soybeans, USDA

usda-logoThe U.S. Department of Agriculture released its initial assessment of the nation’s crops for the coming year on Friday, calling for a record season based on the March 31 Prospective Plantings report.

Corn production is projected at 13.9 billion bushels, up slightly from the 2013/14 record with higher expected yields more than offsetting the year-to-year reduction in planted area. The corn yield is projected at 165.3 bushels per acre, up 6.5 bushels from 2013/14, based on a weather adjusted yield trend model and assuming normal mid-May planting progress and summer weather.

Soybean production is projected at a record 3.635 billion bushels, up 346 million from the 2013 crop on record yields and harvested area. Yield is projected at a trend level of 45.2 bushels per acre, up 1.9 bushels from 2013.

Farm organizations welcomed the news but sounded a note of caution.

“America’s corn farmers continuously strive to improve and, in 2014, they certainly will make their achievements evident should these projections be realized,” said National Corn Growers Association Chairwoman Pam Johnson. “As farmers, we take great pride in our work and feel that the projections recognize our efforts. Yet, our optimism is tinged caution as we have all seen conditions change quickly and a crop shift course in a few short weeks.”

“Farmers are still out there facing the reality of unpredictable weather as they work to get their crops in the ground, favorable weather during the growing season and then cooperative weather again at harvest time,” added American Farm Bureau Federation crops economist Todd Davis. “There’s still a long way to go before the crops are in the bin.”