GROWMARK Makes Major Donation for Ag Literacy

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Education, Growmark

fps-13-166-editedAt the 2013 Farm Progress Show on Tuesday, GROWMARK announced a major donation of $70,000 to the Illinois Ag in the Classroom programs.

The funding will go to support IAA Foundation’s grassroot efforts to aid Agriculture Literacy Coalitions across the state of Illinois. These programs reach over 500,000 students in both rural and urban areas.

GROWMARK is a regional cooperative providing agriculture-related products and services, as well as grain marketing in more than 40 states and Ontario, Canada. GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated member cooperatives. More information is available at www.growmark.com

Here you can listen to the complete press conference announcing the donation. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps-13-growmark-press-conference.mp3″ text=”Growmark Press Conference”]

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

BASF Keeps the Media Cool at Farm Progress Show

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, BASF, Farm Progress Show

fps13-patEven though it is 90-plus degrees and dry at the Farm Progress Show this year, the media has cool and comfortable working environment in the new air-conditioned media tent, thanks to our friends at BASF. This is the first year that BASF has sponsored the media tent and Pat Morrow says they really wanted to upgrade to make it a first class working place for the agricultural media who bring the important information to farmers and ranchers every day. “When the media tent opportunity came up it took me about 32 seconds to say ‘yes, we really want to do that’ because we really enjoy working with the ag media…we feel they’re part of our family,” Pat said. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps13-basf-pat.mp3″ text=”Interview with Pat Morrow, BASF”]

fps13-teamSpeaking of family, here is your ZimmComm team standing in front of the BASF Media Tent.

This is our biggest team ever at any event! That’s me, Cindy Z, on the left. Next is Leah Guffey, brand new to the team after a four year hiatus from the ag reporting business. Chuck is in the middle, flanked by his all female team members. Our new fall intern Kristyn Stidham is to Chuck’s right and next to her is our darling expectant mother Jamie Johansen. All of us are busy taking photos, doing interviews and shooting video at the show to bring it home to you.

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

Ag Leader Goes to AgFiniti and Beyond

Cindy ZimmermanAg Leader, Audio, technology

fps13-agleader-2Ag Leader Technology‘s biggest announcement at Farm Progress Show this week is wireless connectivity in the cab with their new cloud-based platform, AgFiniti®.

Users can simply connect the Ag Leader Wi-Fi Adapter to the Ag Leader® Integra or Versa™ display to access a wireless internet network in the cab through any mobile hotspot of their choice, such as a smartphone, dedicated hotspot or a tablet.

Watch below as Ag Leader’s David Wilson demonstrates just how simple it is to get to AgFiniti and beyond!

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

AgLeader On Site at Farm Progress Show

Cindy ZimmermanAg Leader, Audio, Farm Progress Show

ImageAg Leader Technology is on site at the 2013 Farm Progress Show highlighting their latest and greatest technologies for the upcoming spring planting season. New equipment being talked about in the AgLeader Technology tent include the AgFiniti data management system and all-new Compass display.

Russ Morman is with Ag Leader Technology and he tells us that it’s a hands-on demonstration where you can not only learn about their latest ideas, but also see how they would work on your farm and field. He did mention to stop by and see them for an ice cold bottle of water to help battle the heat and humidity. Stop by their booth 518 on the show grounds to see the latest that AgLeader has to offer. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps-13-agleader-moreman.mp3″ text=”Interview with Russ Morman”]

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

2013 Farm Progress Show Underway

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farm Progress Show

2013 Farm Progress ShowThe 2013 Farm Progress Show is underway in Decatur, Illinois and it is a hot one this year – both in terms of temperature and attendance.

Don Tourte, V.P. of Sales for Farm Progress America, says there’s a record number of exhibitors (70 new ones this year) requiring them to add a new street. Every major manufacturer is showcasing their newest products and technology and the streets are filled with farmers from all over the world.[wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps-13-tourte.mp3″ text=”Interview with Don Tourte”]

Show Manager Matt Jungmann, Show Manager says there’s lots going on at the show this week, but one thing not going on is field demonstrations, thanks to the cooler temperatures experienced earlier this summer. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps-13-jungmann.mp3″ text=”Interview with Matt Jungmann”]

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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

Data Management Dilemma

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Data Collection, Farmers, John Deere, Software, technology

There is a data management dilemma facing modern farmers who are collecting and using increasing amounts of digital data to run their operations and precision agriculture extension specialist Dr. John Fulton with Auburn University says addressing data management is a key issue for production agriculture. “Getting data off the machine automatically is the number one barrier that farmers say is keeping them from moving forward in data management,” said Dr. Fulton during a session at last week’s John Deere Product Intro for the media.

jd-intro-fultonFulton says bigger machines have led to more data. “There’s more to it than guidance systems, it’s rate control, variable rate, section control – all that technology’s built-in,” he said. “But how big is not really the question, it’s the processing that’s really limiting us” and that will need to be addressed on the software level. “Getting it down to where it’s organized, where I can view it, simply bring it up when I’m on the road,” he said. “The key to success is being able to visualize the data.

Dr. Fulton says farmers have told them in surveys that they need wireless data transfer that is automatic, simple and web-based, and they need local support to make it happen and he thinks the introduction of wireless data transfer for MyJohnDeere.com is an example of what is coming.

Listen to Dr. Fulton explain more here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/john-deere/jd-intro-13-fulton.mp3″ text=”Interview with Dr. John Fulton, Auburn University extension”]

John Deere Product Intro photo album

Go Wireless with MyJohnDeere.com

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, John Deere, technology, Video

jd-intro-screenAs more farmers are using new technology in precision agriculture, they are gathering increasing amounts of machine and production data. With that comes the need for moving, storing, and utilizing that data more efficiently between people and devices.

To help farmers, John Deere is introducing Wireless Data Transfer to enable the wireless transmission of data between the GreenStar™ 3 2630 display, MyJohnDeere.com, and the producer’s farm management information system.

jd-intro-kathyKathy Michael, product manager, John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group, says with the introduction of Wireless Data Transfer and data sharing on MyJohnDeere.com, overall data collection, transfer, and management will be much easier. “Wireless Data Transfer is really exciting for our growers. They’re eliminating the use of USB sticks to get that information to their machines and get that documentation data back from the field.”

Kathy says full introduction of the wireless data system will be coming in 2014 but farmers can get a preview at the fall farm shows, starting with Farm Progress Show next week. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/john-deere/jd-intro-13-wireless.mp3″ text=”Interview with John Deere’s Kathy Michael”]

Kathy gave a demo for dealers at the product intro event in Columbus this week, which you can watch here:

John Deere Product Intro photo album

Catch Ag Leader at Farm Progress Show!

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyThat’s right – the Farm Progress Show is just four short days away – are you ready? Amidst the hustle and bustle of trying to fit it all in a day or two, be sure to catch up with Ag Leader Technology at Booth 518.

Mike Olson, North America Sales Manager, says a team of about 20 Ag Leader experts (including tech support specialists) are heading out to the show on Sunday and will be on hand during the week to answer any questions growers might have about existing equipment or adding to their operation for the upcoming harvest season.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/08/MikeOlsonInterview.mp3″ text=”Listen to Olson explain”]

And of course, farm shows are a great way to learn about new product offerings. Olson says Ag Leader will be making some exciting product launch announcements from the show, but wouldn’t give us the specifics. Guess you’ll just have to stop by the booth and find out for yourself!

See you at the show.

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.

John Deere Updates 7R Tractors

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Equipment, Farmers, John Deere, Video

jd-intro-13-7RThey were just introduced in 2011, but John Deere found ways to give the popular 7R Series Tractors a makeover to bring on five new 7R models from 210 to 290 engine horsepower for 2014.

Jarrod McGinnis, division marketing manager for John Deere, says the new FT4 engine and the transmission options help the 7R Series Tractors offer greater productivity and value to customers.

jd-intro-13-jerrod“These new machines are more fluid efficient and offer increased horsepower for exceptional engine, hydraulic and PTO performance that many customers want in a highly versatile row-crop tractor.”

Besides that, they have some great new comfort and efficiency features, such as the roomy CommandView™ III cab that is quieter due to a laminated front windshield that dampens outside noise. The cab features an operator’s seat that swivels 40-degrees right for easier viewing of rear implements. Other options include the convenience of an in-cab refrigerator and LED lighting package that provides 40 percent greater illumination compared to HID lights.

Jerrod also talks about the similar new features for the more powerful 8R Series Tractors with FT4 engines in this interview: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/john-deere/jd-intro-13-jerrod.mp3″ text=”Interview with John Deere’s Jerrod McGinnis”]

You will be able to see the new 7R series at Farm Progress Show next week but for now take a ride John Deere manufacturing rep Mark Mohr to check out some of the new features of the 7R series tractors for 2014:

John Deere Product Intro photo album

John Deere Rolls Out New 8R Tractors

Cindy ZimmermanGeneral

jd-intro-13-8RThere’s nothing quite as glitzy and glamorous in the ag world as the roll out of new products by a company like John Deere.

The new product intro event in Columbus, Ohio brought dealers from around the country in waves over the past few weeks to see and learn about the latest for the 2014 season. Grabbing the headline spot in the big floor show was the new 8R Series Tractors with six new wheel and three new track models, all with Final Tier 4 engines ranging in horsepower from 245 to 370 and the latest technology to provide the utmost in power, comfort and performance for row-crop tractors in this class.

John Deere even provided a Virtual Reality introduction of the new 8R tractor that should be nominated for an Oscar for best special effects!

Check out photos from the event John Deere Product Intro photo album