Martin said that one of the differences for this show from last year was having a lot more visitors and he credits having other organizations holding their meetings at the same time with helping. He says the location was very desirable for exhibitors. They use the show to hold their own meetings with dealers and customers. He says they want the show to attract big growers who are looking to invest. He also makes a point about how the show is put on by a non-profit organization, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Martin also talks about the relationship with AgriTechnica, the largest European show, and says they have even invested in AG CONNECT Expo. Beginning now the two shows will run in off set years.

You can listen to my interview with Martin here: Interview With Martin Richenhagen

I have several more interviews to post from AG CONNECT Expo but am transitioning over to the AFBF Annual Meeting so I’ll see you from there. Our show photo album is now complete. I hope you enjoy them.

2011 AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Could Sue (right) and Jamy Johnson look happier over the fact that they’re now blogging for AGCO?

I’m Sue and we’re thrilled to launch AGCO’s blog. Agriculture is a strong community-oriented industry and a perfect fit for social media. Farmers are not competitive, but quick to help each other. I have early memories of lots of neighbors helping build our cattle shed. Today’s Facebook-YouTube-Blogger sites are becoming the modern-day equivalent of helping neighbors. Farmers visiting these sites help extend agriculture knowledge across the worldwide landscape, offering a helping hand of advice, information, pictures, comments, experiences to global neighbors.

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.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our a Subscribe page.

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

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

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:

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

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:

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!

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.

You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast here:

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also now find the ZimmCast on CoolCast Radio.

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.

For more information contact Cheryl Thompson.

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.

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