AgGateway Invites Companies to Join Connectivity Project

Talia GoesAgribusiness

AgGateway_LogoAgGateway has launched a new eBusiness project that will streamline the crop protection supply chain in Canada, increasing efficiencies and reducing the cost of doing business among agri-businesses. The Crop Protection Canada Connectivity (CPCC) Project expands on a proven approach already in use in the U.S. crop protection industry – thanks to previous collaborative work by AgGateway companies.

The deadline for committing to join the project is January 15, 2014. A kick-off meeting will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 11-13, 2014.

“We plan to have the first steps in the project completed by May 2014,” said Byrne-Moumdjian.

This includes the review of the standards, business rules, mapping tool and business process.

Companies interested in joining the CPCC Project should contact AgGateway Enabling Services Director Marilyn Hunter as soon as possible at Marilyn.Hunter@AgGateway.org.

XSAg.com Announces Upcoming Name Change

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Internet

XSAgFarmtrade LLC, announced that it will be changing the XSAg.com name to Farmtrade.com in the Summer of 2014.

“We are excited to announce the new name for the first and only web based agricultural chemical exchange, Farmtrade.com,” says Jeff Stow, President of Farmtrade LLC.

“While we are proud of the XSAg name and its 14 year history, the business has evolved into much more than the XSAg name implies,” Stow continues. “We have become the premiere online destination for growers, dealers, distributors, and manufactures to connect and trade crop protection chemicals conveniently and securely. Our focus is on working with suppliers to increase sales by expanding their market reach for selling new inventory, and servicing buyers with lower delivered pricing, and locating scarce products nationwide.”

When Farmtrade LLC purchased the XSAg business in January of 2013, we were excited about our new direction. But, we did not predict this level of success in year one,” stated Stow. “We owe our success to our loyal customers as well as the new relationships we have developed with both channel members and growers. We are enthusiastic about continuing our growth in 2014 and beyond.”

BASF/NAAA Partnership Supports Future of Ag Pilots

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Agribusiness, BASF, Education, NAAA

2013-NAAA-BASF-Ag-Aviation-Scholarship-winnersThree up-and-coming agricultural pilots were awarded scholarships sponsored by BASF and the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) to help them turn their dreams of becoming professional agricultural pilots into reality.

Kole Pederson of Crookston, MN; Richard Conrad of Kiel, WI and Heidi Stoeppler of Bakersfield, CA were awarded the NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarships of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 during the 47th Annual NAAA Convention and Exposition in Reno, NV. To qualify for the Agricultural Aviation Scholarship, applicants have to be sponsored by an NAAA member operator.

The scholarships are part of a longstanding partnership between BASF and NAAA to support the futures of students pursuing careers in the aerial application industry. Each year, two budding pilot trainees are awarded a scholarship; however, this year, three deserving applicants were selected.

“These passionate aviation students exemplify what it means to work hard and follow your dreams,” said Gary Fellows, Ph.D., Technical Market Manager, BASF, and member of the National Agricultural Aviation Research & Education Foundation’s Professional Aerial Applicators’ Support System (NAAREF PAASS) Program Development Committee. “The scholarships offer the students an opportunity to pursue their goals and continue to move towards becoming invaluable members of the aerial application industry.”

Pederson attends University of Minnesota, pursuing a degree in aviation with an emphasis in agricultural aviation. He holds a private pilot certificate and tailwheel endorsement from the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation. Pederson was sponsored by Tom Rongen of AgriMAX LLC in Fisher, MN.

Conrad attends Fox Valley Technical College’s Aircraft Avionics program. He holds a private pilot certificate and tailwheel endorsement, as well as a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCAP) Commercial Applicator’s License. Dean Heimermann of Countryside Aviation LLC in Chilton, WI, sponsored him.

Stoeppler is training with the Bakersfield Flying Club as she builds time toward her private pilot certificate. She is sponsored by Jon Slikker of Vince Dusters in Bakersfield, CA.

Lincoln Gears Up for Farm Show

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Farmers

NEBRASKAWebBanner_2013The population of Lincoln, Nebraska will surge considerably next week as thousands of people from across the region swarm the state’s capital for the 2013 Nebraska Power Farming Show, where they will gawk at big iron and futuristic gadgets from the top agricultural companies in the world.

Growers and ranchers from states like Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas will rub shoulders with those from Nebraska at the Lancaster Event Center on December 10-12, as they flow between the booths of the 1,000-plus ag-related exhibitors who will be presenting at the nation’s second largest indoor farm show.

That one location is of course Lincoln. Those traveling from out of state won’t have any trouble finding the show once they arrive safely in town since the Lancaster Event Center is conveniently located right off of Interstate-80. Nearby visitors will find comfortable lodging, memorable dining experiences, and other fun activities for people of all ages. That is, of course, when they aren’t busy enjoying the excitement of the 2013 Nebraska Power Farming Show, where parking, admission and awesome ag sights are all free to the public.

Former NRCS Chief on Conservation Program Future

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, Farm Bill, General, USDA

bruce-knightA former chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service says both the House and Senate farm bills are similar when it comes to reduced funding and consolidation of conservation programs. Bruce Knight, who served as NRCS chief in the Bush administration, gave a synopsis at a Farm Foundation forum on conservation last week.

“The largest difference is whether or not to link conservation compliance to the farm bill,” he said, but he notes that compliance already is linked to shallow loss and marketing loans in both bills.

Knight thinks consolidating conservation programs is a big positive and he believes linking compliance to crop insurance may also be positive in the long run. “That linkage to crop insurance is vitally important long term for being able to defend both crop insurance and farm programs and conservation benefits,” said Knight.

Listen to Knight’s comments here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-foundation/farm-foundation-knight.mp3″ text=”Former NRCS Chief Bruce Knight at Farm Foundation Forum”]

Ag Leader Opens New Distribution Center

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights Weekly In order to provide more space for order fulfillment and finished goods storage, Ag Leader Technology, Inc. announced that it has opened a new distribution center in Ames, Iowa. As Ag Leader’s product line continues to grow and the business expands into more overseas markets, the company has outgrown its current fulfillment facilities.

“In order to meet demand and deliver our line of products across the world,” explains Al Myers, president of Ag Leader Technology, “We have opened a new distribution center located just down the road from our corporate headquarters.”

6E8A7504 FINALAg Leader has continuously seen an increase in the volume of product moving through the company due to many factors, such as new product introductions, expanding market presence and increased sales.
“We’re very excited to have the extra space, as it will help us to serve our customers better,” says Myers.

The distribution center was designed with the same lean concepts used throughout Ag Leader’s manufacturing areas. This includes storing products with high runners close to the center of the fulfillment area, as well as minimizing the amount of lifting and moving of products throughout the shipping process.

“All of these changes minimize the time necessary to pick an order,” explains Chad Heuer, Operations Manager at Ag Leader, “And also allow Ag Leader to fill orders faster and with greater accuracy.

The transition to the new distribution center was completed without disrupting the flow of product to customers.

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.

CHS introduces XLR-rate

Leah GuffeyAudio, Fertilizer, NAFB

_DSC2634Maria Abbott is an agronomist with the crop nutrients division of CHS. She talks about XLR-rate which is a low salt starter fertilizer that has been on the market for just over a year.

“We think about 40% of the corn is actually put down with a starter fertilizer”

Maria says that boosting yields is the goal for XLR-rate and that it promotes early season growth in cold, wet soil. Growers are looking for the extra push to boost those yields come harvest time.

Listen to my complete interview with Maria here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-13-chs-abbott.mp3″ text=”Interview with Maria Abbott, CHS”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Year-End Equipment Purchases on Your List?

Talia GoesZimmPoll

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What are you thankful for?”

Our poll results:

· All of the above – 37%
· Friends and family – 15%
· Good health – 12%
· Freedom – 8%
· Affordable food – 8%
· Rewarding work – 7%
· Our great nation – 7%
· Other – 7%

There are so many things for us to be thankful for that it’s no wonder an “All of the above” would be the top choice. We hope your families had a wonderful holiday and are now preparing for the Christmas season with full hearts as well!

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you plan to make any year-end equipment purchases?” Is your farm expanding? Maybe it’s out with the old, in with the new? Maybe for tax purposes? Let us know!

Conservation Highlighted on World Soil Day

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Conservation, Government, International, Soil, Tillage

World Soil DayHey farmers. The NRCS and FAO are urging you to adopt soil conservation practices like no-till on this World Soil Day.

Here’s a message from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service on how important healthy soil is and how using conservation practices like no-till can help farmers take better care of their land.

When soil is heavily tilled, the stalks from the previous crop are chopped, and the top several inches of soil structure are disturbed. Conventional thought suggests this fluffing action allows for better seed placement, but Ray Archuleta, NRCS conservation agronomist, said that no-till systems, especially when combined with cover crops, are better – and lead to healthier, more drought-resistant soil.

Archuleta, who works at the agency’s East National Technology Center in Greensboro, N.C., said no-till has significant financial benefits for producers, too.

“No-tillage can save thousands of dollars every year in fuel, labor and equipment maintenance,” Archuleta said. “The key is to let the soil organisms do the work.”

Here’s a message from the FAO and the Global Soil Partnership.

GSI Acquires JSI

Leah GuffeyAudio, NAFB

nafb13-gsiWith a record corn crop going in the bin, more storage is needed and that’s where GSI comes in. Andrew Stednitz director of North America Dealer Sales for GSI had some exciting news for me while we were at NAFB Trade Talk last month. They have recently acquired JSI (Johnson Systems Inc.) which will bring them into the tower, catwalk, and superstructure business.

“Adding another company into the lineup with more of what our dealers and customers need is just going to be huge for us. We are looking for big, bright things in the future.”

Andrew says that dryers in the bins are running 24/7 during the long harvest. He added that they also have conditioners to add during the drying process for better results at the elevator by being able to start earlier and store grain.

Listen to my complete interview with Andrew here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-13-gsi.mp3″ text=”Interview with Andrew Stednitz, GSI”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album