Versatility, Durability & Comfort from John Deere Gators

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John Deere hosted ag media during the 2017 Farm Progress Show to give us a chance to get behind the wheel of their new Gator utility vehicles, highlighting a redesigned cab, three-wide seating, and heating and A/C.

Designed for customers who need all-day comfort with off-road terrain capability in all seasons, John Deere introduced the new gas-powered Gator XUV835 and diesel-powered Gator XUV865 Utility Vehicles. Chuck spoke with Michael Prada, a John Deere product engineer, who is the man behind this redesigned cab.

“We listened to our customers and realized they wanted to have three passengers, so we made it wider. In addition, we have a full cab built by John Deere including the doors and windshield rear panel. It also has HVAC which is a big step forward. We took a lot of time to develop the ceiling of the vehicles to make sure the performance of the air conditioning and heat is best in class,” said Prada.

Listen here to get the full scoop: Interview with Michael Prada, John Deere

Deere also introduced the gas-powered Gator HPX615E and the diesel-powered Gator HPX815E models that offer four-wheel drive for improved terrain capability and superior payload, cargo capacity, towing and overall stability.

Jamie was able to test drive the fully-loaded gas-powered Gator XUV835 and was a big fan of the power steering, A/C and adjustable seats. Join her for the ride.

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

Satshot’s Platform Improves Farm Efficiencies

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Airbus Defense and Space is now providing high-resolution SPOT 6/7 satellite data as part of the Satshot platform. The imagery coveres a large portion of the corn and wheat belt of the United States and can be used for deep analysis of specific farmland to improve operations and efficiency.

SPOT 6/7 data provides 1.5 meter high resolution natural color and near infra-red information with daily collection opportunities making the data a valuable source for analysis and decision-making in the ag industry. The large swath and coverage capabilities of the twin satellites allow for mapping from a national level down to fragmented farmland parcels at a very competitive price point. This trade-off between resolution, coverage and revisit is key to monitor crop growth and needs more closely and make better informed decisions.

“We are thrilled to have a partner like Satshot, who is leveraging the SPOT 6/7 sensors for information collection in the US agriculture industry” said Francois Lombard, Head of the Intelligence Business Cluster at Airbus Defence and Space. “Disseminating imagery and data into the hands of our partners that can provide near real time solutions for farmers, agribusinesses and others will have a positive impact on food production and sustainability.”

Satshot President and founder, Lanny Faleide, says this level of quality and resolution is the first for the agriculture industry. Airbus and Satshot plan to continue the partnership and provide more imagery and data in the future.

Crop Water Use App Makes Farmers More Efficient

AgWired Precision, Apps, Audio, Irrigation

Matthew Rhine from the MU Fisher Delta Research Center presented information about a new app at the recent Missouri Rice Council annual Rice Field Day at the Rice Research Farm in Campbell, Missouri. The Crop Water Use app, available from CropWater.org, is helping growers make the best use of their irrigation systems.

“What we’ve done with the development of the Crop Water Use app is, we want to make it more efficient for farmers to irrigate each of their crops. So they can put each of their fields into the app, they can put in the soil type, the crop they’re using, planting date, rooting depth that they want to use and it’s going to essentially give us the soil/water balance for that particular field, so they can monitor what they’re loosing in evaporation, transportation, and what they’re putting back with irrigation. So it’s going to tell them exactly the day they’re going to trigger their irrigation for that crop,” Rhine explained.

The app takes into account water lost through evaporation, transpiration of the plant, and ground water. It factors in how much water the plant can use based on the growth stage of the crop and it triggers a signal for irrigation.

In addition, researchers are working to establish ideal root depth for various crops. Roots that grow longer can wait longer for water, but at what depth is the yield optimal? Trials last season suggested irrigation necessary to keep cotton roots near the 6 inch mark caused a loss of yield, while 18 inches may be too inefficient for rice.

Learn more about the Crop Water Use app and irrigation scheduling in Jamie’s full interview here: Interview with Matthew Rhine, MU Fisher Delta Research Center

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

Verdesian Life Sciences Introduces FlexConnect™

AgWired Precision, Farm Progress Show, seed, Verdesian, Video

Verdesian Life Sciences introduced FlexConnect™, the first closed transfer system for soybean inoculants, at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois this week.

Combined with a mixing port, FlexConnect enables applicators to handle and mix inoculants of any volume straight from the packaging, without transferring to a separate tank. This saves applicators time and money by minimizing the waste normally associated with inoculant mixing.

If a picture is worth 1000 words, here are 69,000 words worth of photos from the FlexConnect launch:
Verdesian FlexConnect Launch photo album

And a video must be worth at least a few pages, so watch and learn more about FlexConnect from Verdesian Life Sciences.

Secretary Sonny Visits Farm Progress Show

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It was a packed house for our Secretary of Agriculture as he was hosted by WGN and ADM during the 2017 Farm Progress Show. Sec. Sonny Perdue visted with ag and local media prior to taking the stage. Naturally, trade was a hot topic followed by Hurricane Harvey and an update from D.C.

Listen to or download the complete press gaggle here: Sec Sonny Talks w/ Media

Then the Secretary joined farm broadcasters Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong on the ADM stage to record a segment for this weekend’s episode of This Week in Agribusiness. Listen to their chat here: Orion & Max Chat w/ Sec Sonny

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

Field Day Highlights Row Rice Advantages

AgWired Precision, Audio, Rice

Row rice made quite an impact at the recent Missouri Rice Council Rice Field Day in Campbell, Missouri. Dr. Michael Aide, an agronomy and social scientist at Southeast Missouri State University says row rice is on the rise in terms of market acceptance, but it’s still not well known, even amongst attendees at the event.

“Row rice is a concept where we irrigate like we would for soybeans or cotton instead of ponding water six inches deep through the majority of the growing season,” Aide explains. And it’s all about water conservation. “If we can reduce the amount of water we are using on rice, we will then allow the aquifers to recharge more efficiently,” he adds.

In addition to better water usage, row rice also has the advantage of having extremely low levels of arsenic. Aide is quick to point out that even traditionally grown rice has perfectly safe levels of arsenic, but row rice is actually suitable for making baby food, according to USDA standards, and he hopes to bring Gerber back to Missouri with an increase in row rice production.

To learn more about the future of row rice, listen to Jamie’s full interview here: Interview with Dr. Michael Aide, Southeast Missouri State University

Missouri Rice Field Day Photo Album

Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Report

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, Farm Progress Show, Growmark, Nutrient Management, water

Illinois agriculture director Raymond Poe

The directors of the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency yesterday presented the state’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial Report at the Farm Progress Show.

This report describes actions taken in Illinois during the last two years to reduce nutrient losses and influence positive changes in nutrient loads over time.

Illinois’ Strategy is one of numerous other state strategies developed and implemented over the 31-state Mississippi River basin, intended to improve our nation’s water quality. Illinois’ Strategy provides a framework for reducing both point and non-point nutrient losses to improve our state’s overall water quality, as well as the quality of water leaving the state and making its way down the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico.

Listen to the press conference here:
[wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/fps17-illinois-water.mp3″ text=”Illinois Nutrient Management presser”]

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

Soybeans Hit the Road with Goodyear

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The United Soybean Board (USB) and Goodyear made an exciting announcement at the Farm Progress Show yesterday.  Together they are introducing the new Assurance Weather ready tire, made possible with soybean oil.

“The launch of new, innovative products to meet the ever increasing demands of our customers allows us to showcase our latest technology developments and that leads me to the reason for us being here today. In developing one of our latest material’s technologies we have crossed paths with the American farmer,” said Bob Wolosyznek, a Goodyear engineer. “I am proud to announce Goodyear’s successful application of soybean oil in commercially available passenger tires- a first in our industry.”

The process was a team effort with USB, Wolosynek confirms. Soybean oil has been on the company’s radar for many years, but it was the involvement of the soybean checkoff that brought the idea back to the front and helped push it over the finish line.

“The Soy checkoff is committed to looking at our crop as more than just bushels,” said USB chair, John Motter. “We’re considering the value of our soybeans and how we can get more back to the farm gate. We’re leading the way by meeting our end users needs with a sustainable, reliable crop that preforms in the ways they need it to. This tire is a clear example of how U.S. soybeans and your checkoff is doing just that.”

And while you may think choosing soybean oil is a matter of sustainability, it is that and so much more. Soybean oil actually improves flexibility of the tire at low temperatures, provides greater traction in both rain and snow, and mixes easily with the rubber compound- resulting in less energy for production. In the end, Wolosynek says, soybean oil met the challenge of their performance goal.

Learn more about Assurance Weather ready tires in the press release here:USB and Goodyear Press Release

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

Bayer and 4-H Launch Science Matters Collaboration

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Bayer and 4H alums celebrate Science Matters partnership

Opening day of the Farm Progress Show, Bayer and the National 4-H Council announced a new partnership for future innovators in science and technology to help feed a growing population. The nationwide collaboration, Science Matters, is designed to address the need for an enhanced STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workforce by planting a love of scientific exploration in young people around the nation.

Alumni of the youth organization within Bayer joined to celebrate the announcement. “The ability to reach out to youth across America and have a conversation about science and its connection to food and agriculture, there really is no better partner than 4H,” said 4H alum and Bayer North American Vice President of Communications Darren Wallis.

“In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people, and we are thrilled to join with a company like Bayer that also sees the potential when you equip youth with the skills and opportunities they need to be true leaders,” said Artis Stevens, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, National 4-H Council.

Learn more about the partnership in this interview with Wallis and Stevens:
Interview with Darren Wallis, Bayer and Artis Stevens, 4H

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

NCGA Officers at #FPS17

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LtoR – NCGA first VP elect Lynn Chrisp; President Wesley Spurlock; 1st VP Kevin Skunes

Officers of the National Corn Growers Association are busy at the 2017 Farm Progress Show this week.

I had a chance to chat with NCGA president Wesley Spurlock of Texas, first vice president Kevin Skunes from South Dakota, and 1st VP elect Lynn Chrisp first thing yesterday morning at show. We talked about a variety of topics, including crop conditions – with Wesley providing a Texas update, farm bill wish list, ethanol and the RFS, and more.

Audio file: Interview with NCGA Officers

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