Precision.AgWired Podcast: Why technology is a good thing

Meghan GrebnerFarmers, livestock, Precision Pays Podcast, technology, USFRA

pp-podcastBig farms or small farms?  Does using technology in agriculture mean its bad?  These are just some of the questions consumers are trying to find answers to when it comes to agriculture and food production.

During the recent Food Dialogues event in Boston, there were a lot of different types of farming operations represented – but the one common theme that came from the farmer panelist was that all types of agriculture are needed to continue to feed and fuel the world.

In this Precision.AgWired.com Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology, we’ll find out why using technology in agriculture is okay and how the industry is working to help consumers understand that.

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The Precision.AgWired.com Podcast is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology.

Payments for CSP Ready Following Shutdown Delay

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Conservation, USDA

usda-logoFarmers waiting for their Conservation Security or Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) payments should receive them in the coming days. The shutdown of the federal government delayed some of the $907 million in payments from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to CSP participants who have enrolled millions of acres to improve the overall conservation performance of their operations.

The payments are part of a financial assistance program for producers who are already established conservation stewards and are implementing additional conservation activities for higher, farm-level benefits on their property. This work leads to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and enhanced wildlife habitat, while also supporting rural economies.

Funding for other Farm Bill programs expired Sept. 30, including the Conservation Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program, Wetland Reserve Program, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative and Healthy Forests Reserve Program. NRCS is not accepting applications for these programs at this time.

Practice with Farming Simulator

Chuck ZimmermanGadgets

Farming SimulatorThere’s a new farming “game” coming to a Playstation or Xbox near you just in time for your holiday shopping.

Farming Simulator invites you to the fun yet demanding world of a modern day farmer. Take on all the challenges of farming life, including animal husbandry (breed cows, chicken, and sheep), planting and harvesting crops, and managing the sales of your bounty! It’s up to you to create your own farm in a huge open world which includes an all-new American environment. As your career progresses, you will control over 100 farming vehicles and machines, faithfully recreated from the biggest names in the industry (Case IH, Deutz-Fahr, Lamborghini, Grimme, etc.), with all new vehicles exclusive to Farming Simulator on consoles!

With an engaging experience, a large open world, and a huge fleet of vehicles, Farming Simulator invites you aboard the largest farming simulation ever created!

Farming Simulator will be available digitally and in stores on PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360® on November 19, 2013.

Farming Simulator was released in Europe and Asia first with much success.

AGree’s Video on Food and Agriculture Systems

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Video

AGree seeks to identify the most critical issues facing the global food and agriculture system and through a collaborative process that challenges leaders from diverse communities, build consensus around solutions. This short animated video describes AGree’s origins, principles and plans for a food and agriculture system that meets future demand for food while conserving and enhancing water, soil, and habitat; improving nutrition and public health; and strengthening farms and communities to improve livelihoods.

Pre-harvest Calibrations, During Harvest!

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyFarmers across the Midwest are in the thick of corn harvest right now, but still keep in mind that there are some pre-harvest calibrations that you should run. Even if you don’t think you need to recalibrate everything on the combine, it is a good idea to check to make sure everything is functioning properly.

The first calibration you need to do is the temperature calibration. The yield monitor needs an accurate temperature in order to calculate moisture accurately. It is a good idea to leave the combine parked in the shade for an hour or so before doing calibration, or do it first thing in the morning. It is best to have the combine the same temperature as the air around it.

The next calibration you need to do is the vibration calibration. For this calibration, the combine header needs to be attached. The vibration calibration teaches the yield monitor the difference between grain hitting the impact plate and the vibrations of the combine going through the impact plate. You will need to do this calibration for each crop type.

Calibrating the header stop height is next. You will need to teach the yield monitor the maximum and the minimum header heights, and then you will set a height at which the area logging on the yield monitor will turn off. When you pick your head up at the end of the pass, the yield monitor will quit logging area and keep your yield more accurate. You will need to do this calibration for each crop type.

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Mobile Grain Trading by CHS

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Apps

CHS Grain Trading AppCHS, Inc. just announced a new app for mobile grain trading agnerds. This sounds pretty handy. So here’s another app tool for your device and speaking of devices, there are lots more new ones to choose from like the new iPads announced by Apple this week!

The free app allows easy access to CHS grain terminals, soybean processing plants and select service center bids. It enables producers to make, monitor and manage offers to sell corn, soybeans and wheat electronically. The app also provides market information with the ability to create and manage futures-only, basis-only and cash offers.

Offers through the CHS grain trading mobile app are monitored during futures market hours from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 7:45 a.m. Utilizing the CME Group electronic markets, the app also facilitates an automatic connection between grower-approved offers and CHS hedge orders. With patented e-Pit® services provided by Farmstech, the app can place a hedge order, receive confirmation of the fill, execute the cash purchase, and notify both buyer and seller in seconds.

The CHS Grain Trading mobile app is compatible with both Android™ and iPhone® devices. Download the free mobile app at the App Store™ or Google Play store. Follow the registration process to link to your CHS account and create a grain trading mobile account. Enhanced login and security features ensure information privacy.

Does Farm Size Matter?

Talia GoesZimmPoll

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”What is most important to you when buying food?” Given the economy, it’s only fitting that price won out in our poll, but also tied with whatever you’re hungry for. Guess it just depends on your mood!

Our poll results:
· Price – 29%
· Whatever I’m hungry for – 29%
· Organic – 14%
· Brand – 12%
· Other – 9%
· Special diet – 7%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Does farm size matter?” which was also the topic of the USFRA Food Dialogues in Boston this week. Increasingly, consumers are hearing they should be concerned about the size of farms, and may be making purchasing decisions without understanding how food is grown and raised on farms of any size. What do you think? Let us know!

Funds Provide Broadband in Unserved Rural Communities

Talia GoesAgribusiness, USDA

usda-logoAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced 14 awards for projects to bring broadband to unserved rural communities. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator John Padalino made the announcement on the Secretary’s behalf while addressing a regional meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in San Antonio.

USDA is providing $20.3 million in grants through the Community Connect Grant program.

For example, in Tennessee, Scott County Telephone Cooperative has been selected to receive a $2.6 million grant to build a network that will provide free broadband service to essential community facilities such as schools and libraries. The Cooperative also will establish a center where local residents will have access to free internet service for two years.

These are the first awards made under the Community Connect program’s new guidelines that now allow applicants to fund broadband infrastructure for more than one community, and raise the minimum required speed. Projects funded must deliver broadband at five megabits per second (Mbps).

New Website Soybeans.com

Talia GoesAgribusiness, General, Monsanto, Soybeans

footer-rounduplogoThe last U.S. patent covering the original Roundup Ready soybean trait expires in 2015. As U.S. farmers begin thinking about purchasing their soybean seed for 2014 planting, they have a new resource to answer their questions about the expiration of Monsanto’s original Roundup Ready soybean trait – soybeans.com.

“Even though the original Roundup Ready soybean trait is covered by a patent in the United States until the start of the 2015 planting season, we’re already getting questions from farmers about what they can and cannot do with Roundup Ready soybeans. Soybeans.com can help answer questions growers may have about patents as they pertain to planting and saving original Roundup Ready varieties, as well as the benefits of new seed. It’s a great resource for farmers as they plan for next year,” said Monsanto’s U.S. Oilseeds Product Management Lead Norm Sissons.

The site outlines Monsanto’s commitments regarding the original Roundup Ready trait patent expiration, explains the different patents and breeders’ rights typically covering soybean seed, and includes frequently asked questions and a decision tree on saving seed.

Farm Bill Future Topic of Farm Foundation Forum

John DavisAgribusiness, Farm Bill, Government

farmfoundationlogo3The farm bill is coming closer to becoming reality, as Congress is about to start the legislation’s Conference Committee. Our friends at Farm Foundation will take a look at how work is progressing on the bill and how the outcome may effect the nation’s food and agriculture system during its next free forum, Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST at the National Press Club, in Washington, D.C.

The Forum panel: Moderating the panel will be former Texas Congressman Charlie Stenholm. Five panelists will present perspectives on the legislation:

Joe Outlaw of Texas A&M University, will give an overview of farm bill policies.
Michael Dimock of Roots of Change, will address the impact of legislation on food systems and consumers.
Helen Jensen, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University, will examine issues surrounding the nutrition title of the legislation.
Jon Scholl of the University of Illinois and former president of American Farmland Trust, will discuss conservation programs.
Kip Tom of Tom Farms, will provide a producer perspective.

To participate in this free forum, sign up here.