Record Number of Exhibitors at Agritechnica 2011

Cindy ZimmermanAgritechnica, Equipment

Agritechnica 2011 is underway in Hanover, Germany with more exhibitors than ever.

AgritechnicaMore than 2,700 exhibitors from 48 countries are at the huge international agricultural show, which is held every two years and organized by DLG – the German Agricultural Society.

The official total is 2,748 companies presenting a vast array of agricultural machinery and equipment – that’s up a whopping 17 percent compared with the last event in 2009. The largest number of exhibitors come from Italy with 322 companies, followed by the Netherlands with 112, France at 92, China at 82, Austria with 76, Turkey has 72, Denmark 59, and the USA with 54.

In addition to the record number of exhibitors, Dr. Reinhard Grandke, Chief Executive Officer of the DLG, says they also expect attendance to top 2009 with its roughly 350,000 visitors. “Agriculture is “in” throughout the world,” says Grandke. “World demand for agricultural commodities is increasing steadily. This development has led to new self-confidence throughout the agricultural sector.”

Agritechnica is also catering to the younger generation, with a separate information program addressing European young farmers and students featuring international panel discussions and job forums. Some 3500 are anticipated to attend the “Young Farmers Party” on Thursday evening.

Agritechnica 2011 runs through Saturday.

The Popper

Melissa SandfortAgricultural Anthropology

Our son is hooked on microwave popcorn. Or any kind of popcorn for that matter since we have an air popper, too. He knows when it’s movie night, it’s popcorn night. A 1:45 ‘bout in the microwave and he’s happy as can be.

This is a photo of an old-time popcorn popper. They used to put the kernels in with a little oil and pop it on a wood-fired kitchen stove. As you can see, this popper didn’t hold as much as a bag of popcorn does now-a-days, and it probably took longer than 1:45. If you really wanted popcorn, you had to work for it.

Being from Nebraska, I have to give a “shout out” because Nebraska can hang its hat on knowing that the state ranks first in acres of popcorn planted and total popcorn production with Indiana as a close second (which is a little-known agricultural fact about Nebraska).

I feel better knowing that by eating popcorn, I’m supporting Nebraska producers who grow it. Thank you!

Until our next history lesson …

AgLeader Supports Farm Broadcasters

Cindy ZimmermanAg Leader, Audio

Some companies have been sponsors and Trade Talk exhibitors at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention for years – even decades! – but this year was the first for AgLeader Technology, one of the nation’s leading precision farming technology innovators.

AgLeader’s Katie Monroe (center) says they were thrilled to join the companies and organizations who support the NAFB. “It’s a great opportunity to talk about our new products and how precision farming can help growers,” Katie said, noting that one of their main topics was AgLeader’s new Versa display which includes all of the most popular year-round precision tools in one small package.

AgLeader Technology also joined with Alltech to sponsor the NAFB Foundation Auction reception on Thursday night.

Listen to by interview with Katie here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb11-agleader.mp3″ text=”Katie Monroe with AgLeader”]

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

John Deere “CAN DO” It

Cindy ZimmermanJohn Deere, Video

John Deere is trying to build a combine out of cans.

We’re talking about 300,000 cans of food here to replicate a full-sized S-Series combine in a field. It would be a world record. Kind of like what America’s farmers do every year – set new records in feeding the world.

The John Deere Project ”CAN DO” combine sculpture and food donation program are designed to raise awareness of the essential role farmers and ranchers play in producing safe, healthy and abundant food for a growing world population, while supplying much needed food supplies to a local food bank during the holiday season. The more than 300,000 cans of food needed to complete the sculpture are donated by John Deere with delivery from Hy-Vee Food Stores. When completed, the sculpture will be 60 feet wide, 80 feet long and 16 feet tall and will weigh nearly 170 tons. The sculpture depicts John Deere’s new S-690 Combine, which is the world’s most powerful combine that can harvest more than 350 acres of grain a day.

Project “CAN DO” also gives consumers a chance to be a part of building the can sculpture by ‘virtually’ creating cans of food, explains Richard Williamson, art director for John Deere Ag and Turf. “Anyone interested in participating can go to the John Deere Facebook page www.facebook.com/johndeere to submit their name and a photograph, which will be wrapped around their virtual personalized food can as part of a virtual sculpture.”

Helping to design the combine sculpture is a team from the Chicago office of architectural firm, RTKL. John Deere employees and retirees will also volunteer to assist with the overall project. The combine can sculpture will be on display at the John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline, Ill., from mid-November to mid-December. All the canned food will be donated to the River Bend Foodbank when the sculpture is dismantled.

Find out more from John Deere.

Learn how this project came to be in this video:

Is the Ag Leader VERSA™ display right for me?

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Audio, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyAg Leader Technology, Inc. recently introduced the new VERSA™ display which features a large full-color 8.4-inch touchscreen and multiple language options. The new VERSA is a precision farming tool for farmers and growers who want year-round operation control, as well as integrated guidance and steering. Monitoring and application control is also included in the VERSA package.

We caught up with Lori Costello, Ag Leader marketing communications manager, at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting in Kansas City. She tells us more about what type of grower can benefit the most from using the VERSA display.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/11/Lori1.mp3″ text=”Listen to Costello explain”]

Costello says the VERSA is a good fit for growers with 500 acres or less.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/11/Lori2.mp3″ text=”Listen to Costello explain”]

Webster defines versatile as having many uses or applications and Costello says that’s the right description for the VERSA display. It fits every color, every vehicle and growers from those just entering the precision ag field to those who are more well-versed in the technology.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/11/Lori3.mp3″ text=”Listen to Costello explain”]

Taking a look at the relevancy and importance of precision ag as it relates to an ever-growing population here in the United States, Costello tells us that precision technology isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/11/Lori4.mp3″ text=”Listen to Costello explain”]

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.

Eat Better and Exercise More

Chuck ZimmermanZimmPoll

Our latest ZimmPoll seems to have hit a nerve judging by the number of responses. We asked, “What is the cause of obesity?” Eighty six percent said Bad eating/exercise habits! Only 8% said Over processed food, 4% said Genetics, 2% said Fast food restaurants and no one chose Lack of food regulation. Eating really is a personal choice as well as a necessity. Seems like personal responsibility trumps all else here. What do you think?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Which Republican Candidate for President is best for Ag?” There are a lot of them and we’ve listed the main contenders of the moment. What do you think? Feel free to add a comment here.

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

Now Available: Leica mojoXact and product features for the mojo3D and SteerDirect

Melissa SandfortGuidance, Leica Geosystems, RTK

Leica Geosystems released the Leica mojoXact, the new high accuracy upgrade option for the Leica mojo3D guidance display, as well as further features for the Leica mojo3D and Leica SteerDirect. The new features include an improved look and feel, better product usability, more accuracy options and an increased coverage of Leica SteerDirect vehicle support.

Leica mojoXact
The latest RTK upgrade option for the Leica mojo3D has been designed around accuracy and ease of use. It allows users to install the product in any orientation inside the tractor cab. Integration to the Leica mojo3D and configuration only takes a few minutes. The robust product comes with class leading GNSS and inertial positioning technology for continuous precision and offers additional steering solutions like Leica SteerDirect CAN, Steer Ready Kit (SRK) and Hydraulic for further improvements to accuracy. With a steering update rate at 20Hz, twice as fast as the industry standard, the Leica SteerDirect steering solution enables exceptional steering performance at all speeds.

Leica mojo3D
The guidance display has undertaken improvements to reform the look and feel of the menu and to further increase the usability. Users are now able to save and recall vehicle setups (valid for vehicles, implements and sections) and to replay any saved guidance pattern. Operating the Leica mojo3D with the Leica mojoXact and a hydraulic kit now offers stationary and reverse auto-steer engage for selected vehicle configurations. In addition network DGPS is now available providing an accuracy improvement where a corrected position is required.

Leica SteerDirect
Updates to the Leica SteerDirect hydraulic solution proceed with three more kits covering an additional range of vehicles.

For more information about Leica Geosystems agriculture products visit www.AgGuidance.com.

Farm Foundation Forum Focuses on Conservation Options

Cindy ZimmermanConservation

Conservation options for future farm policy will be the subject of a Farm Foundation® Forum coming up next Wednesday, November 9 at the National Press Club in Washington DC.

The Forum will include presentations from Iowa farmer Jim Andrew; David DeGennaro of the Environmental Working Group; Bruce Knight of Strategic Conservation Solutions; Georgia farmer Ronnie Lee; and Wyoming rancher Patrick O’Toole. After their brief presentations, the floor will be opened for discussion. The Forum will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the National Press Club.

Farm Foundation, NFP has been organizing public forums on a variety of topics since 2006 to engage all stakeholders in informed dialogue on food, agricultural and rural policies. Meeting participants examine current policies, explore and analyze alternative policy proposals, and give voice to new proposals.

Find out more here.

Ag Leader Announces VERSA™ Display

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyAg Leader Technology, Inc., is excited to introduce the latest innovation in precision farming – the new VERSA™ display. It features a large full-color 8.4-inch touchscreen and multiple language options. The new VERSA is a versatile precision farming tool for farmers and growers who want year-round operation control, as well as integrated guidance and steering. Monitoring and application control is also included in the VERSA package.

Click here to watch the tutorial video.

“The VERSA display was designed to be flexible enough to meet the unique needs of different operations,” says Matt Leinen, Product Manager. “The VERSA display’s ability to perform guidance and automated steering control makes it a smart investment for those looking for the versatility of a full-featured precision/guidance system. It’s also a great investment for experienced precision farming operators who need displays for additional vehicles or just want an easy-to-use input cost-saving solution.”

The key features of the VERSA display include compatibility with ISO 11783 (ISOBUS) Virtual Terminal Standard, built-in manual guidance, full-screen mapping, planter and application control, yield monitoring, real-time data logging and automated steering.

“As part of the full-screen mapping package, the VERSA display provides multiple map views allowing the operator to determine the level of detail needed to monitor applications. Implement-specific tabs can be minimized to view more mapping information, if desired,” Matt Leinen added.

The display also features four video camera inputs, providing operators a better view of equipment operation and safety. And like many other Ag Leader products, the VERSA display can be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle.

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.

Have you lost your marbles?

Melissa SandfortAgricultural Anthropology

Being in the business of agriculture public relations and communications, I get to attend numerous trade shows throughout the year and visit with producers across the country. It’s always gratifying to me to hear their stories, be able to share my story, and connect with those who raise the food my family eats.

My husband also likes it when I bring home new hats.

That said, I’ve seen every type of gimmick and give-away you can imagine…from key chains to coolers and koozies. But here’s one I’d never seen before – advertising marbles. Grandpa has jars full of Coke, Pepsi and John Deere marbles.

I’m not sure what purpose they serve other than to be a collectible. Maybe I should’ve been saving some of the trinkets I brought home from trade shows instead of letting my son play with them for a week or so and then tossing them in the trash. (Except the coolers and koozies, that is!)

Until our next history lesson …