Precision Ag Bytes 9/6

AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

  • The American Soybean Association is seeking applications for the next Conservation Legacy Award.  This program honors soybean producers using environmentally friendly and profitable management practices on their farms.
  • The new Cat S41 smartphone is replacing the Cat S40 for users who put their mobile phones under stress.  The Cat phone offers an exceptional battery capability, rugged credentials, and great display technologies.
  • The EPA has granted registration to Dow AgroSciences‘s newest herbicide, Elevore.  It is labeled for burndown use on corn, cotton, and soybeans.
  • Dupont has released a new, extended residual control herbicide for ALS-, PPO- and/or glyphosate resistant weeds like waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and other pigweed specicies.  EverpreX mixes easily with other herbicides to offer residual control of an even greater variety of weeds.
  • AGCO Senior Vice President, Eric Hansotia, has published an open letter regarding the purchase of Precision Planting from The Climate Corporation.

 

Illinois Farmers Reach Out With GROWMARK 4R4U

Chuck ZimmermanAgWired Precision, Audio, Conservation, Farm Progress Show, Growmark, Nutrient Management

Illinois farmer Jack McCormick uses social media platforms to share information about projects that can fit into the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy with other farmers and the general public. The effort is part of the Illinois 4R4U program, launched in October 2016. The collaboration between GROWMARK and county Farm Bureaus in Illinois includes trials on cover crops, nitrogen and manure management.

“Sometimes farmers may be looking for a new practice but aren’t sure how to get started. If we can give them some examples in these pilot projects, other farmers can take those ideas and run with it,” says McCormick, who serves on the GROWMARK board of directors. “Plus, giving the general public an idea of the good things we are doing in agriculture. There are a lot of good things that go on every day, but we’re not very good at telling our story.”

McCormick and other farmers in Randolph County use Facebook Live to share short videos about agricultural topics, with thousands of views so far.

Learn more in Cindy’s interview with Jack McCormick from last week’s Farm Progress Show: Interview with Jack McCormick, Illinois farmer

2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Deere 0 Series Baler & Accumulator = Efficiency

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, Forage, Hay, John Deere

John Deere’s 0 Series Round Balers are the first North American-built round baler precutters with the industry’s first 5-foot precutter baler. The eight models that comprise the new series build upon the popular 9 Series Balers and include several new features that improve hay pickup and overall baling speed and productivity in the field.

During the recent Farm Progress Show, I spoke with Glenn Padgett, Sr. Marketing Rep, John Deere, to take me through the big machine and all its capabilities. “Now we will give our producers the ability to size crop between two and three-inch pieces as they put it into their bale. It’s also going to allow them to eliminate a tough grinding process. Now when they feed their hay, it will reduce mixing time by 75-80% and give cow more palatability at the bale ring,” Padgett said.

In addition, John Deere introduced two models of round bale accumulators to give customers the ability to carry up to two round bales behind the baler while making a third bale in the chamber. The new John Deere A520R and A420R Plus2 Accumulators are fully integrated into the design of the balers and can be used with 6-foot diameter John Deere 7, 8, 9 and 0 Series Round Balers.

Listen to my complete interview with Glenn here:Interview with Glenn Padgett, John Deere

View John Deere photos here: John Deere at #FPS17 Photo Album

View all our photos from FPS here: 2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

USFRA CEO Urges Agriculture to Stand as One

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, USFRA

As the nation’s largest outdoor farm show was getting underway last week bringing thousands of agriculture industry people together in Decatur, Illinois, US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) CEO Randy Krotz sent out an op-ed urging American agriculture to stand together against the threats facing farming and ranching.

“There are times when we in agriculture may not be understanding how serious the threat is.” Krotz said.  “Agriculture has a great story that we haven’t necessary told real well. The message that I want everyone to understand is that agriculture needs to stand together.”

Programs like USFRA need funding to be effective- to get the message into social media or pop culture spaces.  It’s important to keep the programs working together, rather than funding new, splintered groups every time something different comes along.

USFRA has been putting in the effort to share the message in many ways.  They produce 360 degree farm videos, push the concept of the SMART farm, and work through the program Straight Talk to converse with food companies. The movie “Food Evolution” looks at both side of the food story and inserts good science and USFRA is bringing that film to 30 non-agriculture colleges and universities this year.  They also host Food Dialogues– a balanced approach to issues like the conversation happening this Wednesday in Nebraska that will focus on GMOs.

Audio file: Interview with Randy Krotz, USFRA

2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Dow-DuPont is Done Deal

Agribusiness, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Dow AgroScience, Dupont

The “merger of equals” between The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) and E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (“DuPont”) became official on Friday, now operating as a holding company under the name “DowDuPont™” with three divisions – Agriculture, Materials Science and Specialty Products. Moving forward, DowDuPont intends to separate the divisions to stand within their own legal entities by the end of 2018.

The intended companies include a “leading Agriculture Company that brings together the strengths of DuPont Pioneer, DuPont Crop Protection and Dow AgroSciences to better serve growers around the world with a superior portfolio of solutions, greater choice and competitive price for value.”

The combined capabilities and highly productive innovation engine will enable the intended Agriculture Company to bring a broader suite of products to the market faster, so it can be an even better partner to growers, delivering innovation and helping them to increase their productivity and profitability. The intended Agriculture Company will be headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, with global business centers in Johnston, Iowa, and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Northey and Two More Nominated for USDA Posts

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, USDA

Three more nominations for key posts at USDA were made Friday as Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue remains the only Trump nominee approved in the department.

“I’m hoping that the Senate can move very quickly on the ones before them when they get back,” said Perdue during a stop at Farm Progress Show last week. “I need some help and I hope we get it sooner rather than later.”

On Friday, President Trump announced Gregory Ibach as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP), Bill Northey as Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), and Stephen Vaden as USDA’s General Counsel. They join the previous three nominees announced in July – Steve Censky for Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretaries Ted McKinney for Trade and Foreign Affairs, and Sam Clovis for Research, Education, and Economics.

Audio file: Perdue comments on need for Senate confirmations

It was reported in May that Northey would be nominated for the newly created Farm Production and Conservation mission area to oversee FSA, RMA, and NRCS.

During an interview at Farm Progress Show two days before he was officially nominated, Northey said he hoped the Senate approval process will move forward soon. “It’s been a slow process,” said Northey. “Hopefully there will be three more here pretty soon.”

Northey is a farmer from Spirit Lake, Iowa who has served as Iowa ag secretary for three terms and is a former president of the National Corn Growers Association. Greg Ibach has been Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture since 2005, and Vaden has been serving as Acting General Counsel at USDA since March.

Audio file: Northey comments on need for Senate confirmations

2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Rice for Today and the Future

Ag Group, AgWired Precision, Audio, Rice

Dr. Chrisitan De Guzman spoke to attendees of the Missouri Rice Council Rice Field Day about varieties in the trial plots at Southeast Missouri State University, answering their questions about his research.

“I believe they are looking for which varieties are most suitable to them because most of our resourceful research here- they try to evaluate it and see if it is applicable to their farms,” De Guzman told Jamie. “So I believe for my specialization, which is is rice breeding, it more about which varieties are preforming best here in our region.”

De Guzman also spoke about the future of rice breeding, noting that he looks forward to having technologies that allow for more DNA markers. Being able to look at a plant’s gene sequence and understanding how it will preform in the field without the need to plant it will really reduce time and expenses to bring new varieties to market. The computational part of managing data is another aspect he sees playing a large role in the future.

To learn more about which varieties grew well in Dr. De Guzman’s trials, listen to Jamie’s full interview here: Interview with Dr. Christian De Guzman, Southeast Missouri State University

View and download photos from the event here: Missouri Rice Field Day Photo Album

SaveSave

Credenz Soybeans Launch New Varieties for 2018

AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Farm Progress Show, Soybean

Soybean growers visiting the Farm Progress Show this week got the news that Bayer is introducing 15 new Credenz® variety options to fight against key agronomic issues in 2018.

The new Credenz® varieties include LibertyLink® traits and feature Bayer smart genetics. In addition, six new Balance® GT varieties have been developed for maturity groups 2.1 to 4.1. Upon approval, the Balance® GT system will give growers the flexibility to use Balance Bean herbicide for burndown or pre-emergence applications. Growers will have access to additional powerful solutions that continue to maximize performance, boost profit potential and increase yield efficiency.

At the show, we got more details Marc Hoobler, soybean seed product manager for the Credenz brand, in this interview. Interview with Marc Hoobler, Bayer

2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

GROWMARK Leading in Nutrient Loss Reduction

AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, FS System, Growmark

Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey talks with GROWMARK CEO Jim Spradlin (L) and chairman John Reifsteck

GROWMARK and the FS System have been leaders in the state of Illinois when it comes to helping farmers adopt best management practices to reduce nutrient losses, contributing to the success of the state’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. At the Farm Progress Show this week, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey visited the GROWMARK FS tent to learn what he can adopt in his state.

Northey is particularly interested in growing adoption of cover crops. “For a farmer to go out there and spend a significant amount of money to start cover crops, you’ve got to figure out how it’s going to work,” he said.

Ben Nuelle with Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network and I had a chance to talk with Northey about that and various other topics.

audio file: Interview with IA Ag Secretary Bill Northey

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial Report was released this week at the Farm Progress Show, describing actions taken during the last two years to reduce nutrient losses and influence positive changes in nutrient loads over time. GROWMARK chairman and Champaign, Illinois farmer John Reifsteck says they have been very involved with making sure farmers do the right thing in their fields. “We’ve been using the science-based approach, the 4R program is really the cornerstone of what we are implementing,” he said.

audio file: Interview with GROWMARK chairman/president John Reifsteck

View and download photos from the event here: 2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

House Ag Committee at #FPS17

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Bill, Farm Policy, Farm Progress Show, Government

LtoR: Reps. Glenn Thompson, Mike Bost, Mike Conaway, Darin LaHood, Collin Peterson, Cheri Bustos, Rodney Davis

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX), Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) and members of the committee hosted a farm bill listening session at the Farm Progress Show Thursday in Decatur, Illinois. It was the fifth such session the committee has held so far.

“This was a terrific listening session that will benefit us as we write the next farm bill,” said Chairman Conaway at a press conference following the session.

“Today’s listening session was a continuation of the Agriculture Committee’s efforts to hear directly from the varied interests, across all regions of the country, who are impacted by the farm bill,” said Ranking Member Peterson.

Others who took part in the listening session were Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, and Illinois Representatives Mike Bost, Darin LaHood, Cheri Bustos, and Rodney Davis.

House Ag Committee presser

View and download photos from the event here: 2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience