Register for AgGateway Annual Conference

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Events

AgGateway_LogoRegistration is now open for AgGateway’s 2013 Annual Meeting and Conference, “Collaboration for eConnectivity – Ensuring Success for the Future”, to be held November 11-14 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Fla.

AgGateway’s eighth annual conference is expected to draw record attendance again this year, as hundreds of business and IT professionals from across the ag industry meet to discuss ongoing successes in implementing eBusiness between agricultural trading partners. Attendance at the conference has doubled in the past three years. AgGateway currently has more than 180 member companies working collaboratively on eBusiness projects within nine major ag industry segments.

Register by October 2 to take advantage of early bird registration discounts, as well as the chance to win a free upgrade to a suite at the Renaissance Vinoy. A discounted hotel rate of $169 per night is available at the Vinoy until October 9.

DuPont Sees Big Potential in Argentina Farmers

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Dupont Pioneer, General, International

ifaj13-dupontThe country manager for DuPont in Argentina addressed the IFAJ 2013 Congress during the last day of activities for the event and he talked about the importance of the country for his company.

“DuPont is a science company and we want to produce solutions for some of the biggest challenges in the world and one of those is feeding the world,” said Juan Vaquer, DuPont Argentina. “Argentina is a country that can produce food for ten times its population. It has 40 million people, it produces food for 400 million people. So we believe that the combination of DuPont Pioneer science and Argentina’s capabilities can be a good combination for providing a solution for the food challenge.”

Juan added that some of the challenges in doing business with Argentina, such as volatility for example, are actually advantages. “Our growers are very agile in adapting new technologies,” he said. “It’s pure Darwinism, survival of the fittest.” [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/ifaj/ifaj13-dupont-juan.mp3″ text=”Interview with Juan Vaquer, DuPont Argentina”]

Listen to Juan’s address to IFAJ here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/ifaj/ifaj13-dupont-speech.mp3″ text=”Juan Vaquer, DuPont Argentina, speech to IFAJ13″]
2013 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

New John Deere Liquid Fertilizer Applicator

Leah GuffeyAudio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, Fertilizer, John Deere, Nutrient Management

On display at the Farm Progress Show in the John Deere exhibit was the new 2014 2510L Liquid Fertilizer Applicator, making sidedressing easier.  

_DSC2085“Precision nutrient application technology has grown in importance as our customers continue to address environmental concerns while improving fertilizer use efficiency for the plant,” says Travis Harrison, product specialist from John Deere. “The 2510L enables customers to maximize crop yields through more accurate and timely liquid fertilizer placement.”

This latest model is available in two different models with vertical folds that are 30- and 40-foot with a side fold widths up to 66 feet.  There are 18 spacing and control options and Deere is offering one of the largest tank options, up to 2,400 gallons.

Listen to Travis explain here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps-13-johndeere-harrison.mp3″ text=”Interview with Travis Harrison”]

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album
 

Ag Leader Hydraulic Down Force at FPS

Cindy ZimmermanAg Leader, Farm Progress Show, Planting, technology, Video

fps13-agleader-chadThe Ag Leader Technology Hydraulic Down Force system display was very popular among farmers visiting the 2013 Farm Progress Show.

Chad Huedepohl gave us a demonstration of how the system is able to adjust pressure instantaneously based on field topography and soil conditions.

Watch and see –

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Growmark, Ag Leader and John Deere

Ag-MAC Grain Moisture Tester Now Available

Talia GoesAgribusiness

30100_AG-MACAgraTronix, known as the leader in hand held moisture testers has introduced the Ag-MAC grain moisture tester with test weight.

The non-compaction Ag-MAC unit features a direct readout for 20 different grains without pre-weighing, at the touch of a button. Within seconds, the unit provides the moisture level and test weight. The unit also features a backlit LCD display, no-spill technology with a patented swiper arm and a heavy-duty carrying case with strap. “ Farmers want accuracy and reliability and we continue to bring this to our products at an affordable price” says Vice President of Sales Deidra Roberts.

The Ag-MAC makes software and grain scale updates easy with our USB port. By connecting the tester to the internet with the USB Cord, you can get the latest version of the software and grain scales. No need to enter any data or codes, unlike the competition.

AG-MAC has a moisture range of 6% – 45%, depending on the grain tested, with a temperature range of 40 ° – 113 ° F (5 ° – 45 °C). The repeatability and accuracy is +/- 0.3% in normal moisture range for stored grain with a display resolution of 0.1% moisture.

Conservation Work Minimizes Nutrient Runoff

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Conservation, USDA

usda-logoAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report that shows farmers have significantly reduced the loss of sediment and nutrients from farm fields through voluntary conservation work in the lower Mississippi River basin. Secretary Vilsack highlighted the value of conservation programs to these efforts, and called on Congress to pass a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that would enable USDA to continue supporting conservation work on farms and ranches.

The report, released by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), marks the completion of a watershed-wide assessment of conservation efforts in the Mississippi River watershed. Its findings demonstrate that conservation work, like controlling erosion and managing nutrients, has reduced the edge-of-field losses of sediment by 35 percent, nitrogen by 21 percent and phosphorous by 52 percent.

While the report shows the positive impacts of conservation, it also signals the need for additional conservation work. The most critical conservation concern in the region is controlling runoff of surface water and better management of nutrients, meaning the appropriate rate, form, timing and method of application for nitrogen and phosphorous.

Model simulations show that an increase in cover crops will have a significant impact on reducing edge-of-field losses of sediment and nutrients and improve water quality.

The information in the report will help further develop NRCS’ work in the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative and Gulf of Mexico Initiative, aimed at helping producers improve water quality, restore wetlands and sustain agricultural profitability.

Download a fact sheet, a summary or the full report. Learn more about USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project.

Managing for Delayed Corn Crop Development

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Dupont Pioneer, Harvesting

pioneerCorn planting was delayed until early to mid-June in areas across the Corn Belt. As a result, corn pollination occurred two to three weeks later than normal, and crop maturity is lagging by a similar time span. This presents the question as to whether freezing temperatures could occur before crop maturity.

Although detrimental, the first freeze may have limited yield and grain quality consequences in most cases according to DuPont Pioneer agronomists. Often a first frost will be light enough to affect only corn leaves, allowing the plant to continue to fill grain from stalk carbohydrate reserves. A worst-case scenario would be a hard freeze of 32 degrees or lower for several hours. If this occurs prior to crop maturity, it could bring a more abrupt end to corn development and, consequently, result in possible yield and test weight reductions and slower grain drydown. To estimate percent yield loss, you will need to determine the ear development stage at the time of freeze.

Rather than looking at GDUs now, breaking a few ears and looking for the location of the milk line once it begins to progress downward will give you a good determination of maturity. The milk line is the line separating the starchy area from the milky endosperm. It moves down from the crown of the kernel, at about 1/4 of the length of the kernel per week, to where it attaches to the cob. An ear with most kernels at half milk line will be about two weeks from black layer.

You may find that you will have wet or immature corn in October, making your decision on when to start combining difficult. Experience gained during several years of late harvest suggests that excessive delay may not be a good idea for the following reasons:

  • A delayed start means a delayed finish, resulting in less time available for harvest as well as fertilization and tillage.
  • Limited fall tillage and fertilization may reduce options for crop rotation next spring.
  • Drying corn with ambient temperatures in the 20’s requires more energy than drying corn with ambient temperatures in the 40’s.
  • Heightened safety concerns and potential for increased damage to machinery when working with frozen soils and snow or ice-covered roads.

Argentina is Big on No Till

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, International, Planting, Tillage

The latest available data for the United States shows about 35-40% of cropland is no till, but in Argentina it’s 80% and growing.

ifaj13-notillThe Argentinean No Till Farmers Association – Aapresid – was created in 1989 with the goal of helping farmers in the country adopt no-tillage practices on their farming operations and Martin Descalzo Souto with the organization says it caught on quickly for several reasons.

“It was a very important saving of fuel so it was economically important for the farmer, and they also have an important saving of water,” he said during a tour last week conducted as part of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) 2013 Congress in Argentina. Souto adds there are some areas of the country that can only be planted without tillage.

Aapresid is now taking no-till to the next level by providing a certification program for farmers who keep records of their practices and use crop rotation to reduce chemical use and improve soil. “We are looking at it not just as a practice but as a process,” said Souto.[wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/ifaj/ifaj13-no-till.mp3″ text=”Interview with Martin Descalzo Souto, Argentinean No Till Farmers Association”]

2013 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Cast Your Vote in FMC Singing Contest

Cindy ZimmermanFMC

fmc-finalistsFour agricultural students will win scholarship prizes in this year’s FMC “Stand & Be Heard Anthem Singing Contest.” Alexandra Carpenter, Noelle Goodson, Hayley Hall and Alexander Raun (pictured here with FMC’s Paul Redhage) were recently selected by a panel of judges and then traveled to Nashville to take part in a professional Music City recording experience.

FMC Anthem Stand and Be Heard“The quality of this year’s finalists illustrates the great future for agriculture. From across the nation, we had a number of excellent students participate and the finalists exemplify the best of the best,” said Tim Thompson, FMC Agricultural Solutions North America product manager.

The finalists’ updated performances are posted on www.FMCcrop.com/contest and the final round of online voting will run through September 15 to determine a grand prize winner. The finalist who receives the most votes will win a $10,000 scholarship. The three remaining finalists will receive $5,000 scholarships. Winners will be announced on Sept. 18.

FMC Corporation continues to invest in farming’s future by bringing innovative crop protection products to the industry, including two new herbicides, Anthem® and Anthem® ATZ. For more information on FMC crop protection products, please visit www.FMCcrop.com.

Taking the Guesswork out of Planning a Tile System

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyThe recently announced SMS Water Management Module from Ag Leader boasts a variety of features to help take the guesswork out of planning a tile system. So what are some of the new enhancements?
• Use the new Tile Plan Editor features to create ideal field tiling plans without the difficulty of manual calculations.
• Easily validate that tile runs are sized appropriately to meet drainage capacities.
• Export premade tile plans to field display for efficient in-field installation.
• Share tile plans with others using mapping programs like Google Earth.
• Edit, move and expand existing tile runs to create an update tile plan.
• Create the best field tile plan by comparing multiple installation plans for cost and drainage efficiency.

Aaron Friedlein, Certified Crop Advisor and Ag Leader product manager, explains the basics of field drainage tile and why it is helpful for growers.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/09/AF1.mp3″ text=”Listen to Friedlein explain”]

Friedlein gives us an overview of the new enhancements and capabilities.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/09/AF2.mp3″ text=”Listen to Friedlein explain”]

The Water Management Module is an add-on to the SMS Advanced software; all of the new features will be available with the v13 update coming later this fall.

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