2014 ICPA Abstracts Due

Talia GoesAgribusiness

ispaThe International Society of Precision Agricutlure invites you to submit abstracts online for the various 2014 conference topics due November 30th, 2013. Abstracts will be reviewed for suitability based on scientific content and clarity. Abstracts meeting these criteria will be accepted for presentation as either oral or poster presentations at the conference. Abstracts should be a minimum of 400 words and are limited to no more than 800 words. Authors of accepted abstracts will be entitled to present their research at the Conference after payment of registration fees. They will also be entitled to submit full papers (more details later) for the Conference Proceedings in February of 2014. Conference Proceedings will be available at the conference.

The 12th International Conference on Precision Agriculture (ICPA) will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, California, USA from July 20th to July 23rd, 2014.

John Deere Rolls Out New Tractors for 2014

Leah GuffeyAudio, John Deere, NAFB

With the new year will come newly redesigned John Deere tractors for 2014 that offer updates that farmers will really appreciate.

_DSC2637Jarrod McGinnis, division manager of the 7 and 8 series tractors with John Deere, was talking about the new tractors during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) meeting last week in Kansas City. You might recall that Jarrod gave us a preview of the new rides back in August.

McGinnis says the tractors meet the final tier 4 emissions standards, but farmers are likely to most appreciate the creature comforts such as a new command center. To help eliminate fatigue in the cab, refrigerators are available as an option, extra swivel in the seat to take a look behind and see how things are tracking, and the new laminated glass makes for a quieter ride. The new 8R line has much bigger tires, Jarrod tells me that this is so there is more power to the ground.

You can listen to my interview with Jarrod here [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-13-johndeere-mcginnis.mp3″ text=”Interview with Jarrod McGinnis, John Deere”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

FMC Update from NAFB

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, FMC, NAFB

Smart phones, iPads, and social media platforms are changing the way agribusiness companies like
FMC Agricultural Solutions are able to reach their audiences.

nafb13-fmc-paul1FMC has had great success with two different promotions that have a social media aspect to them. One is FMC’s on-line video series “Authority Minute” which will expand its focus to become simply “The FMC Minute” in December, according to FMC Strategic Communications Manager Paul Redhage. “We’ve had such great response, several thousands of growers and retailers, that have participated in that digital video series,” he said. The videos will now be expanded to include corn and soybeans, weeds and insects, and other important farm management topics as well.

Paul says the fun part of it is that farmers get a chance to win stuff at the same time they are getting new information. “Each episode we’ll pick out five $100 gift card winners and there will be sweepstakes for trips or generators or hunting supplies,” he said, adding that they will likely expand the Minute to include other crops and geographies in the future.

FMC has also had great success with the Anthem Singing Contest, which has a social media aspect to it as well with on-line voting. “We ended up having like 90,000 on-line votes for that program,” said Paul of the contest which they took to the National FFA Convention last month. Paul says they brought in a sound booth to allow FFA members to “get a head start” on prepping for the 2014 contest. “We had over 400 students do that!” Paul said. “So the kids really responded enthusiastically.” Next year will be the third year for the contest and he expects it to be bigger than ever. “Students simply have to record themselves on their iPhones or whatever singing the national anthem and then upload it to FMCCrop.com/contest” starting March 1 for a chance at $25,000 in college scholarships.

Listen to my interview with Paul here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-fmc-paul.mp3″ text=”Interview with Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Hick Chick Chat with MachineryLink

Leah GuffeyAudio, Equipment, Harvesting, Hick Chick Chat

IMG_3503Welcome to the very first installment of the Hick Chick Chat, with me, Leah Guffey, @the_hickchick. We plan for this to be a regular feature here on Precision.AgWired.com to chat about precision technology and equipment on the farm.

_DSC2641During 2013 NAFB Annual Convention, I chatted with Justin Miller from MachineryLink. They do something a little different, they rent combines to growers to harvest the crop they have produced throughout the year.  Justin tells me how this works for them and how the concept came about, which is really to be more cost effective and help the bottom line of the producer.

MachineryLink comes from the concept of sharing equipment to “reduce costs, free up capital and more effectively manage risk.”  Justin says MachineryLink continues to grow in popularity each year and even has growers calling as soon as they are done harvesting to secure their machine for the coming year.

Justin tells me they are there to provide a service, the same one they have since the late 1990s. Worried about getting equipment to your field for harvest? Never fear, Justin says they deliver, service and pick up the combines from each farm when they farmer needs it. 24/7 service is also part of the package deal as they meticulously inspect the combines before and after each drop off.

Find out more here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/hickchickchat-1-machinerylink.mp3″ text=”Hick Chick Chat with Machinery Link”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Commodity Groups Optimistic About Farm Bill

Cindy ZimmermanAFBF, Ag Group, Audio, Farm Bill, NCGA

nafb13-afbf-thatcherDespite reports that high hopes are fading for a farm bill yet this year, agriculture industry representatives at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting last week were cautiously optimistic that the end is yet in sight. “I think progress is being made and I’m still confident that we’re going to get something before the end of the year,” said Mary Kay Thatcher with the American Farm Bureau Federation. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-afbf-thatcher.mp3″ text=”Interview with Mary Kay Thatcher, AFBF”]

nafb13-nfu-johnson“Last year when I was here I predicted that by the end of the year we’d have a farm bill and I’m going to make that prediction again,” said National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-nfu-johnson.mp3″ text=”Interview with Roger Johnson, NFU”]

ncga-martinNational Corn Growers Association president Martin Barbre says they are still hopeful. “We’re pressing every day, working with our friends in Congress,” the Illinois grower said. “We got it to conference, that’s a step forward!” [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-ncga-barbre.mp3″ text=”Interview with Martin Barbre, NCGA”]

American Soybean Association board member Ray Gaesser of Iowa says they are also pleased to see some progress. “We’ve been working on the 2012 farm bill for more than three years,” he said. “But we are encouraged that it has at least come to conference.” [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-asa-gasser.mp3″ text=”Interview with Ray Gasser, ASA”]

The other ASA, the American Sugar Alliance, is watching the farm bill progress very carefully because it is so critical to their industry. “The farm bill is .. our one, two and three most important priorities that we deal with,” said chairman Ryan Weston. “We’ll just keep working with all the other farm organizations and members of Congress to try to get a farm bill done by the end of the year.” [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-sugar-weston.mp3″ text=”Interview with Ryan Weston, American Sugar Alliance”]

The National Sorghum Producers chairman J.B. Stewart of Oklahoma is hoping this process is finally coming to an end. “I think both sides of the aisle are definitely ready to get this behind them,” he said. “We certainly are.” [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-sorghum.mp3″ text=”Interview with J.B. Stewart and Tim Lust, NSP”]

National Association of Wheat Growers president Bing Von Bergen hopes the conference committee puts partisan politics aside. “When they’re in conference they need to reach across the table and say … let’s meet in the middle. And we believe that will happen.” [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-13-nawg-vonbergen.MP3″ text=”Interview with Bing Von Bergen, NAWG”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Classic Grows with AG CONNECT in 2016

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, FMC, NAFB

With corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum growers all part of the Commodity Classic, who thought it could get any bigger?

But it will definitely be bigger in 2016 when Classic joins forces with AG CONNECT expo to become what may well be the biggest farm show on Earth.

nafb13-aem-classic“2016 will be the opening salvo into a new bigger, better,” said 2014 Commodity Classic chair Rob Elliott of Illinois. “The synergy aspect of it could be fairly significant.”

I talked with Rob at the NAFB Trade Talk about the partnership for 2016, as well as what is in store for 2014 in San Antonio and a little bit about this season on his farm near Monmouth, Illinois. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-ncga-elliott.mp3″ text=”Interview with Rob Elliott, NCGA”]

Sara Mooney, AG CONNECT show director with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, says there are lots of details to work out in the next two years, but they are really excited. “The producers that attended AG CONNECT and our exhibitors and other stakeholders are really going to find that this combined event is really greater than its two parts alone,” she said. “More technology, more engagement with the whole ag community, more experts to talk to, more industry leaders – just more of that quality experience.”

Listen to my interview with Sara here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-aem-mooney.mp3″ text=”Interview with Sara Mooney, AEM”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Giving #FoodThanks for Thanksgiving

Talia GoesZimmPoll

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”How do you show food thanks?”

Our poll results:
· Thank a farmer in person – 32%
· Via social media – 26%
· Donating to a local food bank – 16%
· Nothing – 16%
· Invite people out to your farm – 5%
· Other – 5%

As our hearts and stomachs are full, we are wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving season. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is your opinion on the EPA lowering biofuels requirements?” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week released its proposed 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for the amount of renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline and diesel. The release has prompted a deluge of commentary from both sides of the biofuels issue. But what do you think – is it good for refiners and bad for ag and the economy? Let us know!

NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Entries

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Beef

espThe 24th annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) has officially opened its nomination season for 2014. Established in 1991 by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the program has recognized the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers for more than two decades. Regional and national award winners are honored for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitat while operating profitable cattle businesses.

Seven regional winners and one national winner are selected annually by a committee of representatives from universities, conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, and cattle producers. The nominees compete for regional awards based on their state of residency, and these seven regional winners then compete for the national award. Candidates are judged on management of water, wildlife, vegetation, soil, as well as the nominee’s leadership and the sustainability of his or her business as a whole.

Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business that raises or feeds cattle. Past nominees are eligible and encouraged to resubmit their application; previous winners may not reapply. Along with a completed application, the applicant must submit one nomination letter and three letters of recommendation highlighting the nominee’s leadership in conservation.

State Ag Directors Visit NAFB 2013

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Audio, Government, NAFB

_DSC2671 copyFive State Ag Directors took part in a panel discussion with farm broadcasters Friday in Kansas City at the 70th Annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention. 

California Secretary Karen Ross, Kansas Secretary Dale Rodman, Louisiana Commissioner Michael Strain, Nebraska Director Greg Ibach and North Dakota Commissioner Doug Goehring spent about an hour and a half discussing the differing issues that each of their states are facing and how they are working to combat individual challenges. In addition to what challenges they face together and how they are teaming up to solve them.

Host of AgriTalk, Mike Adams, moderated the discussion. Listen to or download all the comments of these state directors here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-13-stateagdirectors.mp3″ text=”State Ag Directors Panel Discussion”]

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Raven’s Commitment to Innovative Tech

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Audio, Equipment, NAFB, Raven

nafb-13-24-editedRaven Industries is always working on something. During the recent NAFB Convention’s Trade Talk, I met up with Raven’s Marketing and Business Development Manager, Ryan Molitor. He expressed Raven’s desire to continue to add new technologies to the precision marketplace as well as improve on their existing products.

“One of the things we really invest a lot in is training our dealers on not just supporting and servicing our equipment but helping them better educate growers on the benefits of precision ag technology. It’s pretty diverse from a technology standpoint. There is a lot of different technology out there. Growers and producers have a lot of diverse needs also. It is important to talk to them and understand their individual operations and where the technology can fit for them.”

Raven introduced many different technologies earlier this year. Ryan said the feedback they have received from their beta testers has been great. In my interview he discusses their direct injection technology, data management for ag retailers and producers and their multiple hybrid planter control. Their newest precision equipment to hit the marketplace is their yield monitoring system and Ryan shares what growers have said about it’s acute accuracy.

Listen to my complete interview with Ryan here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb-13-raven-molitor.mp3″ text=”Interview with Ryan Molitor”]

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album