Ag Leader Launches New Insights Magazine

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyAg Leader Technology announces the launch of Insights magazine, a new precision farming publication produced by the Ag Leader team. The debut issue of the quar¬terly magazine reached a circulation of more than 20,000 readers this month, primarily targeting growers and precision farming industry professionals who are looking to get more out of their precision farming tools and to learn about the latest technologies.

Lori Costello, Ag Leader Marketing Communications Manager, says the transition to using precision agriculture can take time. Online articles are very time-sensitive and may expire, but the magazine provides information in a way that can be accessed at the grower’s convenience. [wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/02/Costello1a.mp3″ text=”Listen to Costello explain”]

Content of the magazine includes wisdom from renowned agronomists, showcasing how precision farm¬ing technology can and will be used to overcome new challenges caused by changing weather patterns and growing conditions. Profiles of growers explore the innovative ways precision farming technology is being used around the country to reduce waste, increase yields and bolster profits. Additional content takes readers behind the scenes of Ag Leader, where they will learn how to get more value from Ag Leader products and learn about the benefits and features of new precision farming tools coming soon.

Costello says the magazine contains more than just Ag Leader product announcements – it is a tool to help growers understand how precision ag fits into their business model. [wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/02/Costello1b.mp3″ text=”Listen to Costello explain”]

Those interested in signing up for a free subscription to Insights magazine are encouraged to visit: www.agleader.com/subscription. The Ag Leader team will be on the constant lookout for interesting story angles, profile subjects and precision farming information, so please email your story tips to Info@agleader.com, subject line: Insights Tip.

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.

Commodity Classic Shatters Records

Cindy ZimmermanCommodity Classic, Corn

The 2012 Commodity Classic was a major record-breaker.

Final attendance at the event surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees, up 25 percent increase from last year’s record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families represented over half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending.

“We broke records in every category,” said Commodity Classic Co-chair Martin Barbre. “However, the most exciting number was beating last year’s record of first-time attendees by 48 percent. It’s very gratifying to see that Commodity Classic’s appeal continues to grow.”

This year’s show also experienced the highest number of exhibitors ever. The 963-booth trade show was sold out with a waiting list ready to take advantage of cancellations. There was also a record number of media attending the event – 156 total, compared to the previous record of 145 last time it was in Nashville in 2008.

Commodity Classic is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers. Next year, the event will be held February 28 to March 2 in Kissimmee, Fla.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

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

The Great PrecisionAg Give-Away Winners!

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Commodity Classic, General, Raven

This year’s PrecisionAg Give-Away winners were selected at the 2012 Commodity Classic.

Integra from Ag Leader: winner was Bob Metz
DGPS subscriptions from OmniSTAR: winners were Linda Wolfert and Dennis Clarke
Cruizer II from Raven: winner was Darin Anderson
Summit & Stratus With Field PC from SST Software: Cal Dalton

Congratulations to all!

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

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

Our Food System Is Not Broken

Chuck ZimmermanZimmPoll

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is our food system broken?” Not according to you with 63% saying no and only 37% saying yes. During the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum held prior to the Commodity Classic, one of our speakers was Gawain Kripke, Oxfam America. He told us “our food system is broken.” I think the statement was made out of frustration that we produce more food than we can eat in this country and a huge amount goes to waste. Since we don’t have a system to get waste food to those who need it they seem to believe the food system is broken. I think it’s a provocative statement and would love your thoughts.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is maintaining the Renewable Fuels Standard more important to agriculture than the farm bill?” The statement was made during a recent meeting I attended that the Renewable Fuels Standard was more important to agriculture than the Farm Bill. What do you think?

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

Vilsack Announces CRP Initiative at Commodity Classic

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Commodity Classic, Farm Bill, USDA

Before heading back to Washington for a White House conservation conference last Friday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Nashville speaking to corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers and announcing the opportunity for them to enroll a total of 1 million acres of land in a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) initiative to preserve grasslands and wetlands.

“By focusing 1 million acres of CRP on grasslands and wetlands, this initiative will have enormous benefits for farmers, sportsmen, and all Americans,” said Vilsack. “CRP is one of our nation’s most valuable and vital conservation efforts, ensuring cleaner air and water, preventing soil erosion, and enhancing economic opportunity in rural America by supporting recreation and tourism. With high crop prices, this approach to target our most sensitive lands is essential if we want to maintain the substantial benefits of CRP while ensuring that productive farm lands continue to produce the food and fiber Americans and the world needs.”

Vilsack highlighted the announcement later in the days at the Interior Department during the White House Growing America’s Outdoor Heritage and Economy conference, which emphasized the link between conservation and strong local economies through tourism, outdoor recreation, and healthy lands, waters and wildlife.

The secretary discussed a variety of issues during his address at the 2012 Commodity Classic, including some tough talk for lawmakers on getting a new Farm Bill done. “As Congress works on this farm bill, the country needs them to have the political courage and spine to work on immigration reform and get that done and get it done now,” Vilsack said, noting that even if Congress thinks it’s a tough time to do it, “that’s not what America does. We don’t make excuses, we solve problems and we expect our leaders to do that.”

Listen to or download Visack’s address here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/cc12-vilsack.mp3″ text=”Secretary Tom Vilsack at Commodity Classic”]

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

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

Farm Bill Priorities Discussed at Commodity Classic

Cindy ZimmermanAg Group, Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Soybeans, wheat

The biggest topic of discussion at the 2012 Commodity Classic last week was the farm bill – what should be in it and whether we will even see one this year.

It was the main question that the presidents of the four farm organizations that participate in Classic answered during their time on stage during the general session with emcee Mark Mayfield. It was also the subject of a joint press release issued during the convention by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), American Soybean Association (ASA), National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and National Sorghum Producers (NSP) expressing the unanimous opinion that their farmers want to see a 2012 Farm Bill in 2012.


“Commodity Classic provides our organizations an opportunity to come together to discuss important policy issues facing our industry. As Congress continues work on the next farm bill, our organizations agree that an affordable crop insurance program is our No. 1 priority. We also stand ready to work with House and Senate Ag Committee leaders to create farm programs that provide risk-management tools to growers when they are facing a loss beyond their control.

“We urge Congress to pass a new farm bill this year to provide the level of certainty in America that a short-term extension cannot.The nation is currently facing record high federal deficits and this requires difficult decisions. We stand ready to do our part to develop more efficient farm policy that will be responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive.

“Our organizations represent more than 70 percent of all crop acres in the United States. Agriculture is a bright spot in our nation’s economy, sustainably meeting the expanding demands to provide food, feed, fuel and fiber to the world. We are pleased to see the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have produced such an aggressive schedule and we thank them for their efforts.”

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Listen to or download audio from each organization’s president below:

[wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/commodity-classic-12-niemeyer.mp3″ text=”Comments from NCGA President Gary Niemeyer of Auburn, IL”] [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/commodity-classic-12-wellman.mp3″ text=”Comments from ASA president Steve Wellman of Syracuse, NE”] [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/commodity-classic-12-swanson.mp3″ text=”Comments from NSP president Terry Swanson of Walsh, CO”] [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/commodity-classic-12-hurst.mp3″ text=”Comments from NAWG president Wayne Hurst of Burley, ID”] Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by John Deere

Applicator Training Promoted at Commodity Classic

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Commodity Classic, Equipment, Spraying, Video

During the 2012 Commodity Classic, BASF Crop Protection introduced the On Target Application Academy, a partnership with application technology specialist Dr. Bob Wolf, retired Professor Emeritus of Kansas State University, to help growers get the most out of their pesticides by using best application practices.

Dr. Wolf says the program focuses on research and education of applicators to “maximize control of weeds and minimize spray drift.”

One of the educational tools he uses is a spray table that is designed to allow applicators to actually see the differences between spray nozzles, the droplet size and drift produced. “I encourage them to put water in their sprayer on a day when they’re not busy, turn the sprayer on, get out and walk along and do some comparisons,” he said.

On Target Application Academies will be held throughout 2012 at industry and state events. Sessions will be about two hours long and cover a number of topics including best practices for self applications, nozzle selection, adjuvants, calibration, sprayer set up, equipment clean out, and more. More information on dates and locations will be available from BASF representatives and on the BASF website.

Listen to or download an interview with Bob Wolf here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/basf/cc12-basf-wolf.mp3″ text=”Dr. Bob Wolf”]

Watch Dr. Wolf’s demonstration of the spray table during the BASF “Science Behind” event held in conjunction with Commodity Classic in Nashville:

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album
2012 BASF Science Behind Photo Album

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

More Planting in 2012

Chuck ZimmermanZimmPoll

In our latest ZimmPoll we asked, “What will be planted this year?” It’s that time and everyone seems to have their own idea about what it will be. 45% of respondents said More of both, 32% said More corn less soybeans and 12% each said More soybeans less corn and Less of both. USDA is estimating corn acreage will be higher this year and the highest since 1944 with soybean acres nearly the same as last year. What do you think?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is our food system broken?” During the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum one of our speakers was Gawain Kripke, Oxfam America. He told us “our food system is broken.” I think the statement was made out of frustration that we produce more food than we can eat in this country and a huge amount goes to waste. Since we don’t have a system to get waste food to those who need it they seem to believe the food system is broken. I think it’s a provocative statement and would love your thoughts.

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

John Deere Final Tier 4/Stage IV Engine

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Equipment, John Deere

During the 2012 Commodity Classic, John Deere unveiled its final stage Tier 4 solution, the John Deere Integrated Emissions Control System. The company held a press conference to make the announcement. You can listen to or download the audio from that press conference below. To give us an overview of the final solution we heard from Geoff Stigler, Manager, Worldwide Marketing. Geoff runs through the steps leading up to this final one. The image below is the John Deere PowerTech™ PSS 9.0L Final Tier 4/Stage IV engine (engine w/after treatment).



Final Tier 4/Stage IV regulations for off-highway diesel engines begin as early as 2013 for engines 55 kW (74 hp) and below. Regulatory dates for engines 56 kW (75 hp) and above will be implemented in stages starting in 2014 and 2015, and require particulate matter (PM) levels established by Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations to be maintained while requiring an additional 80 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) from previous regulations.

“At John Deere, we continue to offer the right combination of technologies at the right time to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations and customer needs,” said John Piasecki, director of worldwide marketing, sales and customer support for John Deere Power Systems. “Exhaustive research and testing determined that an application-specific SCR system that is well integrated with our proven Interim Tier 4/Stage III B engine platform will be the best solution to achieve Final Tier 4/Stage IV emissions compliance while delivering the power, performance, ease of operation, fluid efficiency, reliability and economical operating cost that our customers expect from John Deere.”

Consisting of an exhaust filter and SCR aftertreatment components that are optimized and fully integrated, the Integrated Emissions Control system will allow John Deere engines to utilize less diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) than alternative Interim Tier 4/Stage III B SCR technology solutions. Lower DEF consumption means DEF tank size can be smaller — minimizing the impact on vehicle applications, extending DEF filter service intervals and reducing operator involvement. Monitored and controlled by proprietary electronics within John Deere’s enhanced engine control unit (ECU), the Integrated Emissions Control system also provides outstanding fluid efficiency without sacrificing overall performance.

For more information on John Deere’s Final Tier 4/Stage IV engine technology, check our web site at www.JohnDeere.com/tier4.

Listen to or download the press conference here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/john-deere/commodity-classic-12-jd-press.mp3″ text=”John Deere Tier 4 Press Conference”]

You can find photos from this year’s Commodity Classic here: 2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

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

Ag Leader Acquires Water Management Products and Technologies

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly, Video

To integrate water management into its expanding precision farming portfolio, Ag Leader has acquired Soil-Max, manufacturer of the market-leading Gold Digger tile plow, and the assets of Gradient, Inc., a related company which revolutionized the control of tile plows with the Intellislope GPS-based control system. These products allow growers and tiling contractors to solve water management challenges very cost effectively by greatly reducing the technical knowledge, labor and time required to install tile.

The acquisition allows Ag Leader to establish a significant footprint into the fast-growing precision water management market, and will serve as a base for developing additional products for other water management tasks such as land leveling, waterway grading, ditching and levee building.

Soil-Max will operate as an independent subsidiary of Ag Leader under the Soil-Max name, continuing to manufacture Gold Digger tile plows from its current locations in Brazil, Ind. and Sioux Falls, S.D. It will maintain its current dealer distribution system – which will be enhanced by the addition of select Ag Leader dealers.

The Intellislope control system will be transitioned to operate on Ag Leader displays in 2012. Intellislope will continue to be available from Soil-Max on Gold Digger plows, and will be available from either Soil-Max or Ag Leader for use on other brands of tile plows.

Ag Leader’s market-leading SMS desktop software will be enhanced to include water management design and documentation functions.

Find out more about the acquisition in this video:

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.