The Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Talia GoesNew Holland, ZimmPoll

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Will the sequester monster impact you personally?”

Our poll results: Fifty-two percent said No it will not impact you. Twenty-one percent said Yes, Major Impact, seventeen percent said Yes, Minor Impact, and ten percent said I Don’t Know. So most of you do not expect to be affected by the sequester monster. Wonder what all the fuss was about.

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Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Have you recently purchased a gun?” The Second Amendment states that you have the “right to keep and bear arms.” Do you practice that right? Has all the talk about new gun laws stimulated you to go out an purchase that gun you’ve been wanting? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

Strip-Till Systems Provide Key Benefits for Corn

Talia GoesCorn, Dupont Pioneer, Tillage

EMH_News_Release_Header3ad95522Strip-Till Systems Provide Key Benefits for Corn
Evidence has shown that strip-till systems combine many of the best aspects of no-till and conventional tillage systems. The advantages of strip-till are generally most pronounced for corn following corn, where strip-till can help improve seedbed uniformity and reduce plant-to-plant variability compared to no-till.

Benefits Over No-Till Systems
Strip tillage encourages more favorable soil temperature, moisture and aeration conditions for germinating seeds and seedling plants. This can translate to improved crop establishment and early season performance. Strip-till also offers the opportunity to place fertilizers directly into the root zone, away from crop residues that could otherwise intercept or immobilize nutrients.

Benefits Over Conventional Tillage Systems
Strip-till can provide conservation and efficiency benefits over conventional tillage practices. By leaving the interrow untilled, crop residues are retained on the soil surface providing increased erosion resistance and organic inputs. Strip-till can also reduce field passes and input costs compared to conventional tillage.

Tips for Successful Strip-Till
To successfully implement strip-till into your operation, it is important to consider field selection, tillage timing, and strip placement. Guidance systems and strip-till units with parallel linkage help ensure accurate seed placement and consistent depth control. It may take a season or two to become skilled at staying on the strips—so give it time and stick with it.

Balance GT Press Conference

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Bayer CropScience, Commodity Classic, MS Technologies, Soybeans

MS Technologies Press ConferenceWe published the announcement of the new Balance Gt soybean varieties that will available in 2015 just prior to the recent Commodity Classic in Kissimmee, FL. After that announcement MS Technologies and Bayer CropScience held a press conference for ag media to discuss the product launch and new name.

On the stage are Lauren August, MS Technologies Brand Manager, and Eric Peters, Bayer CropScience Soybean Herbicide Product Manager. These new soybean varieties are giving farmers more choices.

When growing Balance GT soybeans, growers will have the flexibility to use both glyphosate and isoxaflutole during burndown, pre- or post-emergence to achieve broad spectrum weed control of both grasses and broadleaf weeds. Rotating crops, herbicide modes of action and herbicide tolerant traits are good stewardship practices, and three of the best ways growers can achieve effective weed resistance management.

Listen to the MS Technologies press conference to learn more here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/classic-13-ms-tech-presser.mp3″ text=”MS Technologies Press Conference”]

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Dupont Pioneer Introduces Field360 Services

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Dupont Pioneer

Pioneer Press ConferenceDupont Pioneer held a news conference at the recent Commodity Classic to introduce a new set of services.

The focus of the press conference was the new Pioneer Field360 services. These new services are meant to help farmers increase productivity and profitability by providing more control of field-by-field data without having to become a technical expert.

Pioneer Field360The Pioneer Field360 Services include agronomic decision support tools which are ready for this growing season. They include Pioneer Field360 Notes which streamlines and organizes field-by-field agronomic information among the farmer and Dupont Pioneer agronomists and sales professionals. It is mobile access ready by being compatible with iPad, iPhone and Android devices. There’s also a Plantability App to scan seed tags to indicate suggested planter settings.

Also coming later this season will be Pioneer Field360 Select which is a mobile subscription service. Like the others this service is mobile device compatible.

Listen to the Dupont Pioneer press conference to learn more here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/classic-13-pioneer-presser.mp3″ text=”Dupont Pioneer Press Conference”]

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Converting from AFS/PFS to SMS Software

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyPrecision ag software … it’s necessary but can be, at times, daunting and confusing. There’s so much data growers need to compile and store from year to year, and data has really become a necessity versus a “perk” because it brings all of the information together in one place where growers can pencil out and see the value from the information and map out where their highest ROI potential lies.

CNH to SMS Conversion_v2

Luke James, Ag Leader SMS software sales manager, says Ag Leader now has the capabilities to convert current CNH users over to the Ag Leader SMS software system. Listen as he explains why data software is important to any grower’s operation.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/03/JamesConversion1.mp3″ text=”Listen to James explain”]

ImportToSMSGraphicGrowers are accustomed to the CNH system and will be happy to know that converting is only a matter of a few button clicks. It’s the same software, same interface, and same technical support that comes along with it, just a different logo. Listen to James as he explains more about conversion benefits.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/03/JamesConversion2.mp3″ text=”Listen to James explain”]

Read more about converting to SMS software here and to begin the process, call Ag Leader’s tech support at 515-232-5363 ext. 1 or email smsunlocks@agleader.com.

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.

Trimble Connects Farms, Regardless of Brand

Jamie JohansenAudio, Commodity Classic, technology, Trimble

classic-13-jamie-172-editedTechnology allows farmers to do what they do and do it well. Commodity Classic is the place to share what’s new in the technology world and Trimble was there to do just that.

During the event I spoke with Southern Region Distribution Manager for Trimble, Brad Rouse. He pointed out that Trimble’s early technology was in steering, but has evolved into much more. The message they still share with growers is they can interface with any vehicle, regardless of brand and make them more efficient.

“Connected Farm is our big push right now to allow the grower to move data to machine, back to the office. Whether it be from any kind of field application, such as variable rate planting or prescription maps. So, to be able to wirelessly move that data around from machine to office is our focus right now.”

Many growers who passed through the Trimble booth wanted to know how their software would work with equipment they currently had on their farms and what the biggest advantage would be.

“The big advantage is to reduce the inputs, which is very expensive today and impacts the bottom line in a positive way.”

Listen to my interview with Brad here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/classic-13-trimble-brad-rouse.mp3″ text=”Interview with Brad Rouse”]

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album



Syngenta Enhances Grower Experience

Talia GoesSyngenta

syngentaSyngenta announced a new approach within its dealer channel that focuses on growing and strengthening its network of Seed Advisors. Syngenta Seed Advisors combine their knowledge of local farming conditions with strong agronomy skills to help growers maximize returns using the broad portfolio of Syngenta products.

To optimize this experience for growers, Syngenta will rebrand the existing Garst and Golden Harvest corn seed brands and will launch a revised Golden Harvest brand – with a refreshed look and identity – as the single corn seed brand starting with the 2014 season.

A new logo and numbering system for Golden Harvest hybrids will be in place for summer 2013 trials and the 2014 planting season. It provides simple and transparent identification of relative maturities, and incorporates elements of the former Garst numbering system for existing hybrids, while also aligning with many of the newer Golden Harvest hybrids. Syngenta will provide an easy-to-use conversion tool for growers who have planted Garst and Golden Harvest corn to match new brand numbers with the former ones.

Syngenta soybeans will continue to be marketed and sold by Syngenta Seed Advisors and ag retailers under the NK brand, and NK corn hybrids will continue to be sold through ag retailers. In addition, Syngenta Seed Advisors will continue to sell alfalfa, sugarbeats, sunflowers and wheat seed.

New CAST Report Examines Nurtrient Use

Talia GoesConservation, environment, Research

castResearch, planning and implementation of the proper use of nutrients could shape food production and yields in the years ahead. A new paper from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology examines the process shaping the current nutrient situation and the resulting requirements as world food production evolves during the next 40 years.

Two of the authors of the report, Food, Fuel and Plant Nutrient Use in the Future, will discuss their findings at a 3 p.m. briefing on Monday, March 18. This briefing will be in the State Room of the DoubleTree Hotel, 1515 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. There is no charge to attend and registration is not required.

Future food, fiber and fuel demands will not be met by expanding cropland area, according to the report. Continued advances in nutrient use efficiency will moderate increased nutrient demand. With growing populations, dwindling arable land, and greater demand for biofuels, the world cannot count on an expansion of harvested area to meet food demands. Genetics will be needed to improve crop productivity, promote soil conservation and management, and maximize nutrient efficiency.

XL Solutions at Raven Industries

Jamie JohansenAudio, Commodity Classic, computers, Raven

classic-13-jamie-176-editedExperts in Raven Industries’ applied sciences division have been busy bringing new and innovative technologies to the door step of growers across the country.

The 2013 Commodity Classic was the place to display these new products and Raven Industries was there to do so. I spoke with Paul Welbig who oversees a lot of the product management issues at Raven. Looking into the future he shared how their goal is to continue to enhance products that save farmers time and money. Slingshot is one of those data management systems that can improve efficiencies on the farm.

“An innovation of technology has been a key point to a lot of growers here. There operations are dependent upon the various technologies that are available out there and we try to integrate those technologies together to eliminate the complexities and provide them a faster ROI because they are integrated into their solutions.”

“Some of the new stuff that we are really talking to producers about here is a couple of different things. We have what we call out Envizio Pro XL, which is a field computing device. Envizio Pro has been around a little while…[Envizio Pro XL] does basically what it says, an extra large screen so people can see it a lot easier.”

Listen to my interview with Paul here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/classic-13-raven-paul-welbig.mp3″ text=”Interview with Paul Welbig”]

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album



Aerial Precision Ag Helicopters

Chuck ZimmermanAerial Application, Aerial Imagery, Ag Connect Expo, Agribusiness, Audio, Video

Aerial Precision AgHelicopters are just plain cool, especially if you can operate them by remote control. The Aerial Precision Ag booth at AG CONNECT Expo sold out of their new Multi Ready to Fly units! Using mini hand controlled helicopters for precision ag field imaging work got a lot of attention. These four rotor units were also being demonstrated right on the floor.

I visited with Halee Janes, Aerial Precison Ag, a sister company to Cirrus Rotors, to learn more about these new units they were demonstrating. In the video below you can watch Halee explaining the new units and a short demonstration of them.

Halee says the ag industry can really benefit from aerial imagery for things like checking storm damage, crop production, water damage and getting that information very quickly. The footage from the included camera is stored on an SD card which you would remove and plug in to your computer. The starter kits on sale at the show include everything a farmer needs in a box. Included are a Hero GoPro 3 camera with an SD card that holds about an hour of footage. She says you can quickly get an aerial look at 60 acres, as in just a few minutes. These units can withstand about a 10-15 mph wind, travel up to 2 miles and as high as 400 feet. The batteries included give you about 16 minutes of flight time with wind and heat being the main variables. The units are also pretty customizable as long as you consider the weight.

You can listen to my interview with Halee here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/agconnect/agconnect-13-aerial-precision-janes.mp3″ text=”Interview with Halee Janes”]