Starting to Work with Glass

Chuck ZimmermanGadgets, Glass, technology

Google Glass at ZimmCommLike a story out of the future, except that it is now, comes The ZimmGlass Project. At least that’s what I’m calling it for now. What is it? We’re going to find out together over a period of time in which I experiment with Google Glass! Glass is basically a computer you wear on your face but that’s just just the short description. With its functionalities it is much more and that’s what I’ll be experimenting with.

I am one of the newest members of the Glass Explorers Program. Like Bruce Rasa, I want to find ways that this gamer changer technology can be incorporated into agricultural applications that will improve efficiencies and help farmer and company bottom lines. I’m looking for companies that may want to work on a test project that would include using Glass as part of an existing application or to develop a new one. You can be sure I’ll find a way to incorporate the device into online agricultural and social media.

This will serve as the first in a series of posts on my use of Glass and I welcome feedback and ideas you may have.

If you’d like to see the unboxing photos you can find them here: ZimmGlass Project – The Unboxing Photos

BASF Invests in IT Farming Tools

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, BASF, John Deere, technology

BASFBASF has announced plans to expand its services and initiatives for growers and agricultural professionals worldwide through a significant investment in the development of new IT tools.

The new integrated tools will be designed to help growers make agronomic decisions, manage their business operations and better connect to the global agricultural community. As part of this investment, BASF is establishing strategic partnerships with agricultural service and data providers, with particular focus areas in data management, predictive analytics and information processing.

basf-deereBASF will be working with John Deere to jointly develop a suite of integrated precision farming and farm management solutions for improved execution in the field.

“BASF and John Deere are two leading suppliers in the agricultural business sector and have many years of experience in managing agricultural data,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “The real value comes from helping growers to interpret this data so they can make more precise and efficient decisions about their crops and operations.”

As part of the agreement, BASF will offer a new service for field scouting and agronomic decision support. John Deere will provide a new application for sprayer setup as well as integration of field data via its collaborative farm management portal ‘MyJohnDeere.com’, which will enable growers to better manage their farm operations.

“By integrating BASF’s agronomic expertise with field-proven John Deere application expertise, we will provide a comprehensive management platform that will be open to other partners as well,” said Christoph Wigger, John Deere Vice President Sales & Marketing Region 2. “Instead of combining existing tools, we will concentrate our research and development efforts on those innovative solutions that intuitively address growers’ needs across the entire crop production value chain.”

The goal is to launch the first joint integrated tools by the end of 2014 in key agricultural markets with additional markets to follow.

Listen to an interview here with Nevin McDougall, BASF Senior Vice President Crop Protection North America, where he explains more about these new developments. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/basf/basf-announcements-nevin.mp3″ text=”Interview with Nevin McDougall, BASF”]

AFBF Annual Convention Around the Corner

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Audio, Farm Bureau

afbf-maceThe 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention is right around the corner in San Antonio, TX. January 12-15 marks the organizations 95th convention and the event is expected to attract 6,000 farmers and ranchers from across the country.

Cindy caught up with AFBF’s Mace Thornton, Director of Communications, during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Convention where he shared more about the event and how the organization shares their message with grassroots members nationwide.

“This is the culmination of our annual grassroots policy development process. We take a lot of pride at Farm Bureau with the positions we have that all start at the county level with individual farmers. Those policy positions make their way up to the state level and then those with national implications make it to our meeting. It really is amazing that farmers with all types of farms, all areas of the country can come together and agree on policy positions.”

Austin, TX based western swing band, Asleep at the Wheel, will perform during the event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see Josh Turner and James Wesley in concert as well. For more information on the convention visit AFBF website.

Mace also shared how Farm Bureau is staying on the cutting edge of communications. This includes providing members with information that they can take and build their own personal stories with to help educate and share with others.

Listen to Cindy’s complete interview with Mace here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-afbf-mace.mp3″ text=”Interview with Mace Thornton, ABFB Communications Director”]

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

2014 4R Advocate Award Winners

Talia GoesAgribusiness

tfiThe Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced the winners of the 2014 4R Advocate Awards. The 4R Advocate Award program, now in its third year, recognizes on-farm stewardship actions. Winners are selected based on their actions to protect the environment, boost profitability and benefit society through nutrient stewardship practices based on the 4Rs (using the right nutrient source, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place). Winners were nominated by their retail dealers who are also recognized with 4R awards. The 2014 winners are as follows:

· Clint Wortman of Jackson Wortman, LLC, in Quitman, Ga.; nominated by A.J. Radford of Crop Production Services in Moultrie, Ga.
· John Werries in Chapin, Ill.; nominated by Vern Bader of Bader Agricultural Services, Inc. in Meredosia, Ill.
· George Brand of Brand Dairy Farms in Waterloo, Ind.; nominated by Terry Bechman of The Andersons, Inc. in Waterloo, Ind.
· Dennis and Greg Iott of Iott Seed Farms, Inc. in Kalkaska, Mich.; nominated by Dale Dosenberry of Wilbur-Ellis in Edmore, Mich.
· Chris VonHolton of AgView FS in Walnut, Ill.; nominated by Malcolm Stambaugh of AgView FS in Walnut, Ill.

Current and past 4R Advocates serve as spokespersons providing outreach to peers and stakeholders on fertilizer best management practices. The 4R Advocates speak from experience and bring on-farm knowledge when engaging with others.

CropLife Foundation Seed Treatment Report

Cindy ZimmermanASTA, seed

CropLife FoundationCroplife Foundation has released a new report on “The Role of Seed Treatment in Modern U.S. Crop Production” which contains extensive information on the benefits of seed treatment for growers, consumers and the environment.

Among the findings of the report:

Seed treatments offer effective control against early-season pests and diseases, and reduce the need for additional rescue treatments or replanting.

Seed treatment protects and contributes value to a large proportion of seed that has been enhanced through agricultural technologies.

Crop protection products applied as seed treatments can reduce soil surface exposure by up to 90 percent compared to other application methods.

Through increased protection and greater crop yields, seed treatments helped contribute to nearly $80 billion worth of value to American corn growers in 2011.

Find out more details about the report here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/asta/seed-treatment-2.mp3″ text=”CropLife Foundation Press Conference”]

Cover Crop Seed Growth

Cindy ZimmermanASTA, Audio, Conservation, farm land, Nutrient Management

With cover crops becoming increasingly important for farmers to provide nutrients and protect against erosion, different varieties are being developed to address specific needs.

asta-risa-cssAt the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago last week, Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who is second vice chairman of ASTA, enlightened attendees about what they are doing to develop new cover crop seed. “Our company is very involved with cover crop research…working on sustainability issues for the soil and for the farmer,” she said. “Our mission is to provide novel solutions for growing concerns of the growers today.”

DeMasi says there are a number of different types of cover crops that are best for achieving specific goals, whether that is addressing soil erosion, soil compaction, water or nutrient management, wildlife habitat – or all of the above. One variety Grassland Oregon is particularly excited about is Balansa clover. “It provides a great amount of nitrogen,” said DeMasi. “It also creates very deep channels in the soil, so you get water availability when you want it and drainage when you don’t. It’s creating a lot of top growth so you get weed suppression. It also can create an environment of habitat for certain wildlife.”

ASTA is becoming more involved in the educational aspect of cover crops for all stakeholders, from policy makers in Washington to the farmers on the ground. Learn more in this interview: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/asta/css-13-demasi.mp3″ text=”Interview with Risa DeMasi, Grassland Oregon”]

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

2014 Iowa Power Farming Show Will Attract Hundreds

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Equipment, Farmers

iowa farming showIf you build it and put it on display at the Iowa Power Farming Show, over 20,000 people will come to see it. In January, over 750 ag-related companies will once again set up shop at the Iowa Events Center, where they will showcase their best and latest ag products and services to thousands of Midwest growers.

With over 1840 booths spread out across 7.0 acres of real estate on six floors in three different buildings, the Iowa Power Farming Show is the third largest indoor farm show in North America. Because it takes place in January, it’s the first big opportunity of the year for farm equipment manufacturers and agribusinesses to launch new products and services or offer sneak peeks at upcoming innovations.

“The location in central Iowa means growers in the heartland can see the next big things in agriculture without incurring heavy travel expenses,” said show director Tom Junge. “And the timing early in the year means companies can introduce new innovations directly to their target customers in the Midwest.”

The 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show takes place January 28-30 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. General admission is $6 and children under 14 are admitted free. The show owned and managed by the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, which represents over 400 agricultural and outdoor power equipment dealers throughout Iowa and Nebraska.

For complete show information and directions, visit www.iowapowershow.com.

Iowa Conservation Action Network Launches

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Conservation, Corn, Soybeans

iacanThe Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) have launched a unique private sector initiative to demonstrate technology-based conservation practice planning, called the Iowa Conservation Action Network (IACAN).

“What we currently use in the public sector for conservation technical assistance isn’t keeping up today,” said Roger Zylstra, a farmer from Central Iowa and the President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “We can do a better job and through technology, we can accelerate our adoption rate and have better farmer support of Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy.”

IACAN will offer subsidized conservation planning assistance to ICGA and ISA farmer members for a limited time in five priority watersheds: Floyd, Turkey, Middle Cedar, and East and West Nishnabotna. Members in these watersheds can call, email or attend meetings to get planning assistance for grassed waterways, wetlands, ponds, sediment basins and soil loss assessments.

“This project is a great opportunity for ISA and ICGA members in these watersheds to receive conservation planning assistance,” according to Brian Kemp, Iowa Soybean Association President and farmer from Sibley. “ISA is committed to helping Iowa farmers engage in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and this project is a great opportunity to test some cutting edge tools.”

The planning assistance relies on a suite of conservation practice planning software developed by Iowa-based small-business, Agren. The Agren software utilizes aerial imagery and high resolution elevation data to reduce the time to plan conservation practices from weeks to just minutes.

Chairman of Iowa LICA, Tim Recker said, “By combining resources, we have the capacity to make a significant and long-term impact on conservation delivery in Iowa. Furthermore, as representatives of farm and earth-moving businesses in Iowa, we aim to preserve the livelihoods of our member businesses.”

GROWMARK Announces Essay Contest Theme

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Growmark

growmarklogoThe theme for the 2014 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “Promoting Sustainability and Conservation of Natural Resources.” The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

This is the 21st year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives. This year, students will focus on three questions: What does sustainability mean? Why should farmers be concerned with conservation and sustainable practices? What role do cooperatives play in this effort?

Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Iowa FFA members is February 14. The postmarked entry deadline for Illinois and Wisconsin FFA members is March 14. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com (click on Our Commitments/Youth & Young Farmers/Essay Contest).

Each state’s winner earns a $500 award and the winner’s FFA chapter receives a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards.

Tips from Tech: Winterizing your Ag Leader Investments!

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyThe time has come to winterize your equipment from the fall months of harvesting, tillage and fall application. As the season comes to an end, it’s important to take care of your investments, whether it is harvested crops, machinery or your precision equipment. Here are some helpful hints from Ag Leader’s tech support team:

Harsh temperatures can lead to problems if the necessary precautions are not taken to keep your monitor in working order. Cleaning the touch screen of your display should be the first step you take in preparing for winter. When dust accumulates on the display it can cause damage to the touch screen. If you have a dirty screen, we recommend cleaning the screen by blowing the screen off using non-direct air. Also, you can use Windex or an electronic cleaner with a soft, non-abrasive cloth to wipe down the display screen. Most importantly, remember to never spray the screen directly with cleaner but instead spray the cloth used in your cleaning process. Finally, remove the display from the vehicle. The preferred place to store a display would be inside the house, in a dry location. A heated shop is also acceptable. Displays can be stored in a large Ziploc bag, or any other sealed container. We recommend this because it will keep unwanted moisture from causing damage to the display.

displayCustomers using yield monitoring systems, require a couple more steps before being completely ready for winter. Begin by cleaning out your EMU (Elevator Mount Unit) on your clean grain elevator. Pull out the two retaining pins located at the bottom of the EMU and thoroughly clean out the chamber inside remembering to check for any obstructions in front of the proximity switch.

Removing the flow sensor mounted at the top of the clean grain elevator and placing it in a sealable container is strongly recommended. The reason we suggest this step is due to a soft protective potting material used on the load cell of your flow sensor which can be easily damaged by rodents. Rodent damage happens to flow sensors more than you think, so don’t let them get to the flow sensor. You should also run through the cabling located on your combine as suggested earlier to identify any issues you may have.

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