Planter Down Force Monitor and Control from Ag Leader

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Audio, Insights Weekly, National Farm Machinery Show, Planting, Video

**UPDATED with audio and video from National Farm Machinery Show**

Insights WeeklyAg Leader Technology is excited to announce the INTEGRA™ display will soon feature planter down force monitor and control capability, allowing the display to monitor and adjust down force based on field and soil conditions. Planting seed at the optimum row unit down force is an important factor in good crop germination, and ultimately, yield.

The heart of the system is a hydraulic down force actuator (as compared to other pneumatic airbag systems), engineered by Dawn Equipment. The actuator is the fastest on the market, allowing the INTEGRA display to make quick row unit down force adjustments.

Ag Leader was giving growers a preview of the new system at the National Farm Machinery Show this week, where we spoke with Russ Morman about when it will be available, how it works, and the benefits for growers. “The adjustments we’re going to be able to make to our down pressure will be a lot quicker than the other systems on the market and this being a metal system rather than an air bag it won’t have the risk of puncturing,” said Russ.

Listen to Russ explain the new system here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nfms/nfms12-agleader-integra.mp3″ text=”Interview with Russ Morman”]

Watch Russ do a little video demo at NFMS here:

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album
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New from New Holland at NFMS

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Displays, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

There’s a lot new products from New Holland on display at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. We visited with John Elliott, New Holland Director of Marketing NAR, to get a bird’s eye view of it all. John says there are product launches at NFMS in all New Holland segments – residential, commercial, municipal units, the dairy/livestock units and the cash crop segment.

The new products list includes:

Listen to an interview with John to learn more about all the new products being introduced by New Holland: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nfms/nfms-12-elliott.mp3″ text=”Interview with John Elliott”]

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology

Take a Tour of Ag Leader at NFMS

Cindy ZimmermanAg Leader, National Farm Machinery Show, technology, Video

The Ag Leader Technology exhibit at the National Farm Machinery Show has been hopping this week. Among the attractions for farmers:

The coming-soon INTEGRA™ display with planter down force monitor and control capability (pictured here); the popular “best bang for your buck” VERSA display; SMS Mobile; and OptRx crop sensor

I took a little tour around the Ag Leader booth with Russ Morman to share with those who didn’t make it to the show this year – or if you need some additional motivation to make it to the show before the end at 6:00 pm on Saturday.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology

Weather is Tops for Determining Corn Yield

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Corn, Farmers, FS Green Plan Solution, Growmark

University of Illinois Professor of Plant Physiology Dr. Fred Below is always excited to point out to growers how seven factors work together for high yield corn – weather, nitrogen, hybrid, previous crop, plant population, tillage and growth regulators.

Dr. Below talked about his seven wonders of corn yield research at both the Iowa and Illinois Pursuit of Maximum Yields (POMY) events organized by FS Green Plan Solutions. He says of the seven factors, only one is really beyond the control of growers. “The largest factor affecting corn yield is obviously the weather,” he said, adding that his research has assigned a value of 70+ the impact of weather on bushels per acre.

On the other hand, Below says good fertilizer nitrogen management can have almost as much impact as weather and it’s the one that farmers have the most control over. “70 bushels is the current average for getting it just right,” he said.

For much of the Corn Belt, 2011 was one of those bad years for weather, but we still saw some good yields. “The weather worked against us in 2011 and we were geared up to grow 300 bushels right out of the ground. It looked pretty good,” he said. “If our management had not made yield by the third week of June, we were pretty well done.” Still, over at his research plots in Illinois, Below says they managed to get better yields with high tech management. “Even under those poor conditions, by managing from the very beginning and planning for high yields, we managed to eke out an extra 26 bushels in a bad year,” he said.

Dr. Below has been researching how to get higher corn yields for a couple of years now and even has a website about the “7 Wonders of Corn” and this coming year is will be doing some complementary research on soybeans. With no nitrogen component to soybeans, there will only be six wonders for soybean success.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Below here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/growmark/pomy-12-below.mp3″ text=”Dr. Fred Below Interview”]

FCC Blocks LightSquared

Cindy ZimmermanGPS

The controversial plan for a wireless broadband/satellite network that could have disrupted GPS use may finally be a dead deal.

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.” NTIA said the latest round of testing showed there is “no practical way to mitigate the potential interference at this time.”

As a result, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is revoking the conditional waiver which was granted last year and required LightSquared prove the interference problems could be fixed before moving forward.

The Coalition to Save Our GPS is pleased with the move. “The FCC has acted appropriately by declaring that its non-interference condition has not been satisfied and that LightSquared will not be permitted to move forward with its proposal to build a nationwide high-powered terrestrial network in the mobile satellite band,” says a coalition statement. “The Coalition stands ready to work with the NTIA and the FCC to address the important policy issues relating to longer term use of satellite spectrum and reduction of potential interference to maximize the efficient use of all satellite spectrum.“

The coalition is made up of a wide variety of industries and companies – from agriculture and airlines to contracting and transportation. Agricultural interests involved include Ag Leader Technology, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, GROWMARK, John Deere, National Agricultural Aviation Association and New Holland, among others.

The National Corn Growers Association has been monitoring this issue closely on behalf of its farmer members who rely on GPS technology for crop production.

“The announcement is a welcome one for our organization,” NCGA President Garry Niemeyer said. “Expanded internet access is important to our members but not when it compromises the use of high-precision GPS equipment.”

Despite the ruling, LightSquared officials remain committed to finding a solution to interference problems. “This was not a decision based on science or technology but was a politically motivated decision fueled by special interest groups in the GPS and telecom industry,” said LightSquared backer Philip Falcone in a statement. “There are solutions to this problem that can and will address the needs of the GPS community.”

Introducing Vermeer™ Net and Rebel™ Net

Melissa SandfortCompany Announcement

Vermeer Corporation introduces the newest partner in its forage product line with Vermeer brand netwrap – Vermeer™ Net, available for 4’ and 5’ balers, and Rebel™ net, designed for Vermeer Rebel® Series Balers. Featuring superior net strength for ultimate bale protection, Vermeer brand netwrap is produced in a unique green, black and white color scheme for easy identification of the Vermeer quality.

Vermeer brand netwrap is produced with heavy-duty HDPE for a stronger tape than standard netwrap, and both Vermeer Net and Rebel Net offer optimum net spread to cover square shouldered bales with little net stretch, improving bale appearance. Vermeer Net and Rebel Net offer convenient features to help producers improve efficiency. Handgrips on the Vermeer Net packaging provide for easier handling, and the smaller roll length and weight of the Rebel Net makes loading and unloading easier.

Vermeer Net is offered in a variety of lengths and is suitable for most round balers in today’s marketplace. Visit your local Vermeer dealer for more details.

Fastline AgRacer App Unveiled at NFMS

Cindy ZimmermanApps, Audio, General, National Farm Machinery Show

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls – start your engines. Fastline AgRacer is on track to be the next big farm-themed game.

Fastline Publications unveiled AgRacer at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. This game app is available for the iPhone/touch/iPad and Android devices for just 99 cents.

AgRacer combines the fun of racing with farm equipment and the thrill of competing for prizes every month. Choose from seven vehicles to race and earn points by winning and driving the biggest vehicles that help generate the most points to climb the leader board.

Racers can use three different camera angles to race and a leader board keeps track of racer positions. Scores move up and down as racerws compete with family and friends locally and all over the world. The top racers will have the chance to win prizes valued over $1,000 each month. “AgRacer was developed to help expose more people to our great agricultural market and allow people of all ages have fun with farm equipment in a whole new way,” said Fastline president Tim Hess.

Chuck interviewed Tim Hess this morning at NFMS. Tim says Fastline has been working on the game for almost a year as a way to expand their brand into a younger market. The game is here live on the iPad in the Fastline booth. As an extra incentive, Fastline is offering a dollar to everyone who downloads the 99 cent app at NFMS.

Listen to the interview with Tim to learn more about AgRacer: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nfms/nfms-12-hess.mp3″ text=”Interview with Tim Hess”]

AgRacer can be download in the Itunes Store and the Android Market for $.99. Upgrades and updates are planned to further expand the game after the initial launch. Join the Pit crew and stay up to date on new releases at agracer.com. AgRacer… The race is on.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology

National Farm Machinery is Really Big Show

Cindy ZimmermanAg Leader, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show

The 47th annual National Farm Machinery Show is bigger and better than ever, according to Corinne Fetter, Director of Expositions for the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville. Corinne is pictured here AgriTalk host Mike Adams during a break in the live broadcast of the show Wednesday.

Corinne says they had a waiting list for the 47th annual show with some companies still trying to get in as of yesterday! This show is the biggest one held in the facility and brings in over $21.5 million to the local community. She says many people make the show part of their vacation. They can get some “work” out of the way during the day and relax and enjoy the tractor pull in the evening.

Listen to or download Chuck’s interview with Corinne here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nfms/nfms-12-fetter.mp3″ text=”Interview with Corinne Fetter”]

We’re collecting photos from this year’s show here: 2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology

Growers Relate Pursuit of Max Yields Experience

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farmers, Fertilizer, FS Green Plan Solution, Growmark

Growers want to hear what other growers have to say, so the grower panel was most popular at the two FS Green Plan Solutions Pursuit of Maximum Yields (POMY) events in Iowa and Illinois over the last two weeks. The growers on the panel were Phillip Hartke (left) and Steve Sondgeroth, both from Illinois.

Phil is a crop and livestock producer from Teutopolis who got involved in pursuing maximum yields at the start of the program about three years ago. “Historically, we’ve tried different things as they come down the pike through the FS System, so we were more than glad to participate,” Phil said, noting that his interest was piqued when his crop specialist talked to him about multiple applications of nitrogen. “We were already applying nitrogen in the fall then we came back in the spring and applied with a little anhydrous,” he said. “We went with two more applications of nitrogen, one with our chemicals and then another time with urea with Agrotain in it. So we did four applications of nitrogen and I think that’s been key to feeding that plant as it grows.”

That has helped him get a 189.5 bushel five-year average yield, about 35 bushels an acre better than the county average. “We’re in livestock so 65-70% of the corn we raise goes to the hog operation and with the extra yield that gives me more to sell in the market,” Phil says. “I like to have that cash flow.”

Listen to my interview with Phil here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/growmark/pomy-il-phil.MP3″ text=”Phillip Hartke Interview”]

Steve Sondgeroth grows corn and soybeans in Vero County Illinois and 2011 was the first year he participated in the Pursuit of Maximum Yield program, specifically on his soybean crop. For him, it was all about removing stress. “Pursuit of maximum yield means just that and I just pulled out all the stops,” he said. “I think I hit the home run this year. My soybeans averaged 82.4 bushels an acre.”

Steve says some of the things he did were a little outside the box. “I have not inoculated soybeans since I was a little boy, but this year I did,” he said. “I wanted to make sure we had plenty of rhizobia bacteria to increase the nitrogen fixing.”

What really excites Steve about the POMY program is how it allows farmers to share practices that work with each other. “It’s most unusual in the sense that there is real openness and willingness to share ideas,” he said. “There’s not too many businesses that I know of where you actually share the information that is most vital to your operation.”

Listen to my interview with Steve here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/growmark/pomy-il-steve.MP3″ text=”Steve Sondgeroth Interview”]


Photos from Illinois Pursuit of Maximum Yields Event

Photos from Iowa Pursuit of Maximum Yields Event

Expecting Higher Farm Equipment Sales This Year

Chuck ZimmermanZimmPoll

Just in time for the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show, our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you think farm equipment sales will do this year compared to last?” Things are looking bright for exhibitors here since 48% said Higher. However, 34% said Lower and 18% said Same. I think that’s a positive outlook. What do you think?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What’s the next “big” thing in ag comm/social media?” I posed this question last week and got quite a few responses. Here’s your chance to weigh in on the subject. If you have a different choice please feel free to leave a comment.

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