AGCO is providing a great example of how to integrate social media and networking into their communications strategy and to learn more about what they’re doing I spoke with Sue Otten, Director, Corporate Communications & Brand Communications Worldwide. In our conversation we talk about why the company has invested in very active social communications channels. Sue says that it’s a great way to “learn” from their customers and target a new demographic too.
As you can see in this image from their homepage they’ve put the spotlight on their Facebook page where you can see photos and video from their participation in AG CONNECT Expo. They’re working consistently to create online content relevant to their products and their customers.
One of the recommendations Sue makes is to not be afraid to get started with social media. She says that there are some great consultants out there who can help you too. I’ll use this opportunity to make a little plug for Todd Lohenry with e1evation, Inc. who has worked with AGCO.
Thanks to new AgWired Sponsor, Novus International, for their support of the ZimmCast.
You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast below.
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AGCO’s Challenger brand is designed for professional producers, those who view farming as a business decision rather than a lifestyle decision. This year, Challenger had two new pieces of equipment on display during the AG CONNECT Expo including the MT600C and the MT595B. Both of these are prototypical equipment of what’s to come next explained Allison Bass with AGGO.
Last year the company launched the 600C with E3 technology and this technology has to do with fuel economy and emission reduction. Company expert Phil Jones told me that the E3 technology is important as the whole industry is approaching what’s known as Tier 4, which is emission reduction policy. Jones notes that meeting these requirements must be done in a smart way.
“Our path, we believe, is the most farmer friendly way. Farmers absolutely get why it matters, but are also concerned. Their concern is that in every step of the way, they have had to make trade-offs in terms of power, performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability as it relates to things done previously to achieve various tier standards in terms of emissions.” Jones continued, “We call this compliance without compromise.”
The E3 technology achieves emission reduction while also increasing fuel economy by 15 percent versus where the company and industry were in the past. Eventually the technology will expand beyond their tractor line into combines, other tractors and more.
Another product of great interest during the show was the prototype of the Big Biomass Baler. Dean Morrell spoke to me about this cutting-edge piece of equipment. It is designed to be able to take the corn cobs and leaves coming right out of the combine delivering it directly to the baler to make a 3 x 4 Big Bale.
This is a one-pass combine-baler system saving the farmer time and money. Morrell said they call the material it picks up MAWG – material other than grain — and it never touches the ground. Ultimately the bales can be delivered to cellulosic ethanol plants that will convert the MAWG to ethanol. This is exactly what Poet is doing in their Emmetsburg, Iowa plant and Morrell said their Big Biomass Baler was tested in 2009 in conjunction with the Poet plant. (The plant is expected to be operational in 2012.)
Biomass harvesting has been a challenge and Morrell said, “We feel we have the solution to the problem because we have something that they can pick up, move and transport very easily.”
The Big Biomass Baler is not yet available and Morrell stressed that they will keep testing it to ensure they concept can do what they say but should be to market within the next several years.
Listen to my interview with Allison, Phil and Dean below.
AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album
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A year ago would you have thought you’d see this proudly displayed in an agribusiness booth?
I didn’t think so. But AGCO is connecting socially with their customers as we found out at Tuesday evening’s Tweetup. So how about your company? Are you getting your social network in order?
If you follow the AG CONNECT Expo Twitter hashtag which is #agconnect then you’ll see how social things are. Check it out.
AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album
Attending today’s Agrievolution program is Martin Richenhagen, President/CEO, AGCO. I had the opportunity to talk with him about this new ag show – AG CONNECT Expo. AGCO is supporting the show in a big way.
Martin says says that although the U.S. is one of the biggest countries in farming, the biggest farm shows are in Europe and they wanted to change that by having the industry association (AEM) put on the show so that the money made goes back into the industry. He says this gives companies a real vested interest in the show. In fact, he says “we feel pretty much like shareholders.” He really likes what the AEM staff has done with the show.
AGCO has invited about 1,500 dealers and customers to the show and they’ll have some new equipment on display. The idea has been very well received according to initial feedback.
AGCO is also sponsoring the first ever AGCO/AEM/AgChat tweetup following tomorrow’s opening session/reception at approximately 6pm in the news media center which is located in room W221 of the convention center.
AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album
You can listen to or download my interview with Martin below:
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The readers of No-Till Farmer magazine voted on the products that performed best in their no-till operations in 2008 – and the “No-Till Product of the Year” winner is – Headline fungicide from BASF.
No-till products in 11 specific categories were also selected as the best of their field for 2008. Each of the products and their manufacturers were honored during an awards ceremony last week at the 17th annual National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis. Other winners were:
No-Till Equipment: Early Riser Planters, Case IH
Planter/Drill Attachments: Martin Row Cleaners, Martin Industries
Strip-Till Equipment: Blu-Jet StripTill System, Thurston Manufacturing
Spray Equipment: AGCO Spra-Coupe 7000 Series, AGCO
Residue Management: The Spreader, The Spreader Inc.
Fertility: Agrotain, Agrotain International
Insect Protection: YieldGard VT Triple, Monsanto
Fungicides: Headline, BASF
Seed Treatment: Cruiser, Syngenta Seed Care
Precision Tools: RTK AutoSteer, AutoFarm
Weed Control: Roundup PowerMax, Monsanto
If you ask Joe Tebis, AGCO is the company to go to if you’re looking for products that offer leading variable rate applications. Now, Joe is the product manager for precision ag products for AGCO, so he might be a little biased. He says he’s particularly proud of AGCO’s Terragator and RoGator product lines.
These products are just some of the leading equipment that Joe says work seamlessly with precision agriculture. He adds that AGCO is committed to continually offering more products that evolve with precision technology, integrating the newest applications available on the market. Joe says that’s important because precision technology offers farmers more value. He says equipment that’s equipped with precision applications, such as auto steering, can save growers on fuel and fertilizer costs. The AGCO expert adds that his companies products are designed to fit the unique needs of farmers and can adjust to various farming strategies.
“We create the tools to allow them to implement their expertise,” Joe said.
I spoke with Joe about AGCO and the company’s role in precision farming. You can listen to my interview with Joe here:
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In a first for our new AgNewsWire service, Massey Ferguson announced their new 5400SA series of specialty tractors. As their release says, “Massey Ferguson’s new 5400SA tractors feature special cab styling for better maneuvering through mature fruit orchards, plus an advanced air filtration and pressurized cab air system that keeps interior air clean for the operator. ”
That’s a nice looking tractor and you can read the whole release as it’s posted for reporters on AgNewsWire. Thank you AGCO and Massey Ferguson!
In case you’ve wondered how those orange tractors are doing this week’s ZimmCast is an interview with Todd Stucke, General Marketing Manager, AGCO. I caught up to Todd at the recent NAFB convention.
I remember going to the first AGCO media event in Georgia. I actually drove a big Fendt. That was a fun event and I’m glad to hear that things are going well for the company. Todd talks about what’s new and why the brand is doing well.
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Actually their headline was that Challenger, Caterpillar and NASCAR Put . . . but my title space only has so much room.
Many companies do it. Gotta love those race cars and their fans. It’s a publicity machine! This time AGCO announces their sponsorship of a NASCAR race car in agreement with Bill Davis Racing. Pretty sweet looking machine, eh?
I wonder what the “metrics” are on this investment. How do you measure the value of the sponsorship? Is it just how many stories it generates? How many fans see it at a race or on tv? How about measuring how it impacts your target audience? A little customer research? Does sponsoring the car contribute to new sales for AGCO? Does it affect buying decisions? Inquiring minds want to know this kind of thing. Anyone have any research on the effectiveness of sponsoring race cars?
DULUTH, Ga.-Aug. 5, 2005–The Challenger(R) brand, which already graces a full line of quality tractors, combines and hay tools, will soon make its appearance in a whole new venue–on the NASCAR NEXTEL CUP racing circuit. Through an agreement with Bill Davis Racing, the Challenger brand is a new associate sponsor on the No. 22 Caterpillar(R) NASCAR race car, driven by Scott Wimmer, through the end of the 2006 racing season – and, in addition, is the primary sponsor on the No. 23 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP entry, driven by Johnny Benson, in the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway this October.
“We are pleased that Challenger has decided to join us as one of our sponsors for the 2005-2006 racing season,” says Bill Davis, team owner and president of Bill Davis Racing. “We approached them because we believe they have the same drive and ambition toward their goals as Bill Davis Racing has towards winning on the track.”
For more information contact Cheryl Thompson.
Here’s the latest in the AGCO series of Talking News Releases. Paul Haefner urges growers to consider how well sprayers will hold up to soybean rust applications before buying.
Check Ability of Sprayer to Handle Soybean Rust Challenges Before You Buy
DULUTH, GA – April 18, 2005 – As concerns mount about a possible fast-moving outbreak of Asian Soybean Rust, the market for new and used sprayers is heating up. Growers in the market for a sprayer should know the facts about spraying fungicides before buy, according to Paul Haefner (HAYF-ner), sales engineer for the Ag Chem, a division of AGCO.
You can download the full release here: AGCO Pre-Season Sprayer
For more information contact Lisa Sherman.
We have the latest installment from the AGCO series of Talking News Releases. Troy Schroeder lets farmers know how to get ahead of soybean rust.
Direct Injection Systems Can Help Get a Jump on Soybean Rust
DULUTH, GA – April 11, 2005 – Considering the uncertainty about Asian Soybean Rust this growing year – when and where it might hit, if at all – farmers and custom applicators may want to consider a direct injection system for their sprayer units to help them juggle a busier-than-normal spray schedule.
With the added pressure of potentially having to apply herbicides and fungicides in the same spray window, a direct injection system eliminates the downtime needed to rinse and clean tanks between jobs, according to Troy Schroeder (SHRAY-der) marketing manager for AGCO application equipment.
You can download the full release here: AGCO Direct Injection
For more information contact Lisa Sherman
It's time to thank our farmers and ranchers for all their hard work to feed us.
