Environmental Groups Sue over Nutrients

Cindy Zimmermanenvironment, Farmers, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management

A coalition of environmental groups has filed lawsuits in New York and Louisiana to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act to address nitrogen and phosphorous runoff in the Mississippi River basin.

The lawsuits allege that nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer run-off from farm fields adversely affects water quality in the Mississippi River basin and creates a “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the environmental legal firm of Faegre Baker Daniels, the implications of the lawsuits are significant for the agriculture industry and farmers, noting that the cost of complying with the nitrogen and phosphorous standards sought by environmental groups could be as high as $600 million per year nationwide.

Industry groups are considering intervening in the actions. Industry intervention in the Gulf Restoration Network case appears particularly likely because that action addresses the question whether EPA acted reasonably in rejecting a nationwide nitrogen and phosphorous standard in favor of EPA’s existing cooperative, state-by-state approach to nutrient management.

Precision Farming Increases Sustainability

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farmers, sustainability, Tillage

bayer ag issues forum 2012A grower sustainability panel took place during the recent Bayer CropScience 2012 Ag Issues Forum with the theme of “Hands in the Dirt: First-Hand Grower Experiences.”

Panel member Nancy Kavazanjian, a farmer from Wisconsin who grows corn, soybeans and wheat, talked about what the word “sustainability” meant to her. “When a farmer hears the word sustainable they kind of cringe,” she says. “It concerns them that they’re being forced to do something that they’re not already doing.” But she adds that most farmers are being sustainable since they are multi-generations on the farm and they have to be sustainable for that to happen. To become more sustainable Nancy says they use cover crops and precision ag to make sure they can strip-till and they definitely use new technology and that includes seed technology to get the best yields. The use of these technologies reduces the amount of inputs they have to use.

You can listen to an interview with Nancy from the Ag Issues Forum here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/bayer/bayer-ag-issues-12-nancy.mp3″ text=”Interview with Nancy Kavazanjian”]

2012 Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Warm Winter May Widen War on Weeds

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Growmark, Weed control

The weed resistance revolt is growing and conditions this year are ripe for a bigger battle than ever against those rebellious yield robbers.

“It’s been a really weird winter and we just really don’t know what to expect,” says GROWMARK Weed Science Technical Manager Barry Nash, noting that the lack of any significant freeze may increase the weed pressure faster this year. “As a result we fully expect to see weed germination of the summer annuals by the end of March.”

That includes waterhemp and Palmer Amaranth (pictured), which is on the increase in the Midwest. “So, it’s very critical that we get on these weeds and start a weed control program early by using a pre-plant herbicide as well as a post-emergence program later in the summer,” Barry said.

Those resistant pigweed species can produce “an absolutely crazy number” of 400,000-500,000 seeds per plant. “With that kind of seed production, it becomes a serious, serious weed especially when it becomes resistant to glyphosate,” he said, adding that giant ragweed is the other big concern.

The battle plan to fight these resistant weeds is multiple modes of action. “That includes not just different modes of action, but overlapping modes of action,” said Barry. “That makes resistance much less possible to happen.”

GROWMARK works with the various university specialists in the Midwest to find out the latest information in the war on weeds and pass that along to the farmers.

Listen to my interview with Barry Nash here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/growmark/gmk-barry-nash.mp3″ text=”Barry Nash Interview”]

UNL Looking For Extension Educator

Melissa SandfortCompany Announcement

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is now hiring a full-time, non-tenure leading, faculty position located in the Southeast Research and Extension Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This position will provide strong regional leadership for focused, comprehensive educational programs in Cropping Systems-Agricultural Technologies and Youth Development. This position offices in Fremont and serves the region.

Review of applications will begin on 4/20/2012. Position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found or search is closed. For a detailed job description, additional preferred qualifications and how to apply, click here and search for requisition #120225.

Contact Rick Koelsch at 402-472-3935 or rkoelsch1@unl.edu with questions about this position.

Dakota Micro Partners with Kinze

Melissa SandfortCompany Announcement

Dakota Micro is proud to announce a new factory install partnership with Kinze Manufacturing. Kinze Customers will now have the ability to purchase planters and grain carts with the AgCam camera as a factory installed option.

AgCam cameras have been engineered to withstand the harshest environments with ease and reliability. Featuring a completely waterproof housing, these cameras can be used in a variety of situations, producing excellent results, day or night. AgCam features a 3 year warranty, auto darkening lens, crimp resistant cables and infrared night vision.

Case-IH AFS and New Holland PFS Software Users Convert to Ag Leader SMS Software Today

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyAg Leader Technology is offering current Case-IH AFS and New Holland PFS desktop software users the opportunity to convert to Ag Leader SMS desktop software. CNH AFS/PFS users that choose to convert will be assured continued SMS software updates and industry leading support directly from Ag Leader. Ag Leader and SMS will continue to support the CNH file formats and changes that occur with new display firmware releases.

This conversion does NOT require a user to re-read their data. Users will be able to restore a backup from AFS/PFS into SMS or direct an SMS install to the location of their AFS/PFS data folder.

Luke James, software sales specialist for Ag Leader, says once users learn how to use a certain software, change can be hard. But this conversion is easy, seamless, and allows for continual updates. [wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/03/LukeSoftware1.mp3″ text=”Listen to James explain”]

James says the benefit to growers is that they can convert straight over to SMS right now and they don’t have to learn a new software. [wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/03/LukeSoftware2.mp3″ text=”Listen to James explain”]

To learn more and convert from CNH AFS/PFS to Ag Leader SMS, please contact the Ag Leader software support team at 515-232-5363 or SMSsupport@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.

Ag Groups Urge FCC to Withdraw LightSquared Waiver

Cindy ZimmermanAFBF, Corn, Government, GPS

In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), agricultural and farm equipment organizations urged the agency to withdraw the conditional waiver granted to LightSquared in 2011 and modify the company’s satellite license to prohibit the building of a ground-based network.

“We urge the FCC to adopt both proposals because of the overwhelming evidence that LightSquared’s proposed ground-based network would cause severe interference to virtually all uses of GPS,” the groups’ stated in a comment letter to the FCC. “High-precision GPS technology is vitally important to American agriculture, and would be gravely harmed by LightSquared’s plans.”

The letter was signed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugar Cane League, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Potato Council, National Sunflower Association, US Canola Association, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, and the USA Rice Federation.

The groups described the benefits of high precision GPS to American agriculture as “immense and diverse,” saying that, “By enabling farmers to make precise applications for planting, irrigation, and crop protection, GPS technology has been responsible for remarkable growth in productivity, farm income, and improved environmental sustainability.” The petition cited an economic study which showed that precision GPs increased 2007-2010 crop yields by about $20 billion per year, the equivalent of nearly 12 percent of total annual production.

Last month, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) determined this week that the LightSquared plan to build a nationwide 4G broadband network will indeed impact “both general/personal navigation and certified aviation GPS receivers.” As a result of that finding, the FCC was expected to revoked the conditional waiver which was granted last year.

The groups added that they remain strong supporters of expanded broadband access in rural America. “However, expanded broadband access cannot come at the expense of degraded access to high precision GPS for U.S. farmers.”

Farm Bill and RFS Very Important to Agriculture

Chuck ZimmermanZimmPoll

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard more important to agriculture than the farm bill?” The statement was made during a recent meeting I attended that the Renewable Fuel Standard was more important to agriculture than the Farm Bill. In a show of how important it is 38% each of respondents said Yes and Both are important. Only 24% said No. What do you think? Many people seem to think the RFS only benefits corn/soybean growers but they don’t take into account that all farmers receive benefit from lower fuel costs just like the general public.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is “Organic” food healthier than “Conventional” food?” During last night’s AgChat this topic received a fair amount of discussion. Even though there is a USDA Certified Organic program it appears that the term is not widely understood. I haven’t seen any evidence that the public in general really cares that much either and I’m sure that most would not want to pay more for food that has to conform to the certified standards. What do you think? Take our poll and/or comment. Thanks.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

Ag Day Activities in DC

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farm Bill, Government, USDA

The annual commemoration of the importance of agriculture is traditionally celebrated on the first day of spring to recognize the start of planting season, but the event in the nation’s capitol is held a little earlier in the month when Congress is in session so lawmakers can attend. This year the date was March 8 and the day in DC was packed full of activities, supported by agricultural organizations and attended by many.

Among those who attended was Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. During brief remarks, the Congressman talked about his desire to do what he can to support the effort to communicate the importance of agriculture to the general public and those who implement policies in the nation’s capitol. “People think that they know better than farmers how to do things. Most of them have no clue what they’re doing,” he said.

He says the farm bill process will begin in earnest over the next few weeks. “Our goal is to try and get this done by May or early June. It will not be easy, given the climate around here.” the congressman said. “We’re determined to work together and try to do what’s best for agriculture and for America.” He added that agriculture is “the only part of the economy is working.”

Listen to remarks from Congressman Peterson here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/agday/ag-day-12-peterson-1.mp3″ text=”Remarks from Congressman Collin Peterson”]

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Celebration of Agriculture Dinner for National Agriculture Day activities.

The secretary talked about the establishment of USDA by President Lincoln 150 years ago, noting that it had two major missions at the time – collection of information about crops and research. “The president established it as “the people’s department” and the idea was that this would be a forward-thinking, futuristic department, constantly looking for ways that we could be stronger agriculturally,” he said. “I wish President Lincoln and those that were in Congress could come back now and see what they created – see the extraordinary story of American agriculture.”

Listen to remarks from Secretary Vilsack here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/agday/ag-day-12-vilsack-2.mp3″ text=”Remarks from Secretary Vilsack”]

2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 National AgDay Activities is sponsored by the American Seed Trade Association

2012 Conservation in Action Tour in Mississippi

Cindy ZimmermanAGROTAIN, Audio, Conservation, CTIC

The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) has announced their 2012 Conservation in Action Tour and it’s going to be done “southern style” in the Mississippi Delta region.

CTIC Executive Director Karen Scanlon says they will host the event on May 31 near Tunica, Miss., which will include educational field visits, technology demonstrations and opportunities to speak directly with growers about their on-farm solutions to natural resources issues. “We’ll be meeting producers who are leading the way with water conservation, water quality protection and wildlife habitat management on their farms,” Scanlon said during an interview at Commodity Classic.

Scanlon says CTIC has partnered with Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management (Delta F.A.R.M.) to host the Conservation In Action Tour 2012. Delta F.A.R.M., an association of growers and landowners who strive to implement recognized agricultural practices that will conserve, restore and enhance the Northwest Mississippi environment, recently celebrated 1 million acres enrolled in its conservation programs. “We’ll be getting an academic perspective, a government perspective, a legislative perspective, as well as the producer perspective on some of these critical issues in the lower Mississippi River basin,” she said.

The Mississippi Delta is one of the largest contiguous coastal ecosystems in North America, boasting both ecological and economic value. The Delta hosts the United States’ largest fishery, by weight, and its port activity rivals those worldwide. The region also generates a significant portion of the United States’ energy and provides critical wildlife habitat.

On-line registration for the event is now open for anyone who would like to attend. Coverage of the event will be provided here on Precision.AgWired.com and on AgWired.com, thanks to support from both CTIC and AGROTAIN, just as we have the last two years.

Listen to an interview with Karen about the event here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/commodity-classic-12-scanlon.mp3″ text=”Interview with Karen Scanlon”]

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by John Deere