Purina Launches Cool Cow App

CoolCow Mobile App_Store Graphic_114x114The Cool Cow mobile app puts the tools dairy producers need to monitor and address heat stress at their fingertips. Research shows that cows can begin to show the effects of heat stress at a Temperature Humidity Index or THI of 68. Reproduction can be impacted at a THI of 55.[1]

Heat stress and an associated 10 percent to 35 percent milk production loss[2] may cost a dairy producer $1.60 to $5.60 per cow per day.[3] These losses can continue to mount when reductions in reproductive performance and increased days open are added into the equation.

The mobile app features an easy to use heat stress calculator for inputting the current temperature and humidity readings. The temperature and humidity is then translated into a THI reading that shows the severity of heat stress, ranging from mild to extreme risk; providing dairy producers insight on the current conditions inside their barn. In addition to the heat stress calculator, the mobile app offers tips on mitigating heat stress from management to nutrition.

The Cool Cow mobile app is available to download for Android phones at: http://bit.ly/AndriodCoolCow and for iPhones at: http://bit.ly/iPhoneCoolCow.

Smartphone Apps to Manage Herd Records

Who would have thought just a few years ago that seeing farmers in the field managing information with their phones would be common place? As this video clip from Certified Angus Beef shows, mobile devices are embraced by farmers and besides helping save them time they are also helping their consumer customers have more confidence in the food they produce.

Barb Downey operates a commercial and registered Angus herd in Kansas. An active mobile technology user, she shares her experience on how these tools can provide more convenient opportunities for beef producers to manage herd records. This video news is provided by Certified Angus Beef LLC and the American Angus Association. Visit www.CABpartners.com or www.angus.org for more information.

Red River Farm Network App

Red River Farm Network AppThere’s now an app to get your Red River Farm Network.

The RRFN app delivers the power of the Red River Farm Network agriculture journalism team to your fingertips. Farm news, weather, market analysis, agronomy information and the latest RRFN broadcast is now available anytime, anywhere.

“At the Red River Farm Network, we’re reporting agriculture’s business,” said Mike Hergert, president, RRFN, “Our new smartphone app complements the information available on our 17 radio partners.”

DuPont Pioneer is the title sponsor for this innovative tool. With a simple click, the resources of DuPont Pioneer are available to growers on the RRFN app.

The features of the RRFN app include the latest radio broadcast and news headlines. World Weather, Inc. ag meteorologist Drew Lerner, who provides agriculture forecasts on the Red River Farm Network, will be featured on this app. In addition, agronomic information and commentary from leading market analysts will be found on the RRFN app.

The Red River Farm Network app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or from Google Play.

Farm Podcasting Tool

iRig Recorder AndroidYou know I’m flexible on my mobile platforms when I can share an Android app story. Here’s one worth noting. The iRig Recording app is now available for the Android platform. I’m not sure it will become my favorite recording app but I’ll be giving it a try on my Samsung Galaxy Note II.

iRig Recorder for Android is here, and it’s destined to become your favorite audio recording app on your phone or tablet. Designed for ease of use and packed with real-world useful features, iRig Recorder is a simple yet powerful recording and audio-processing app that works with Android compatible IK accessories like the iRig MIC, iRig MIC Cast and iRig PRE as well as other compatible input devices.

A Field Recorder Always in Your Pocket

Use iRig Recorder to capture interviews, performances, band rehearsals, lectures, podcasts, creative spurts of genius, viral audio snippets and more. Recording time is limited only by your device memory. Once you’ve made your recordings, iRig Recorder automatically stores them by date and automatically adds geolocation information so you can easily find them.

iRig Recorder isn’t just a “capture” app. It’s a complete audio production and polishing tool for creating broadcast quality audio. It allows you to quickly and easily trim and crop your recordings via the waveform editor, automatically adjust and normalize volume levels, remove background noise, add dynamics adjustment and polish, then share your brilliance with the world.

The Samsung Galaxy Phablet is Fabulous

AgWired App on Galaxy Note IIIt’s a phone. It’s a small tablet. It’s a phablet. Actually, it’s the Samsung GALAXY Note II seen here sporting the AgWired App (Got it on your device yet?). I know my Android buddies are wondering about me now. Saying nice thing about an Android device. But I do have an open mind!

After enjoying a Droid Razr as my backup phone and hotspot for a while I’ve upgraded to one of these bad boys. We’re talking serious agvocating tool. It’s not going to replace my iPhone 5 which is number one in my gadget arsenal but I’m having fun with it so far. The screen is huge and beautiful. I’ve set up and tested the hotspot once and it works great. I’ve got it on Verizon and with their backup app it was as simple as moving my sim card and turning the device on to get things started with all my apps, contacts, etc. showing up. Of course I have had to re-populate my home screens but that’s simple.

Galaxy Note IIThe battery life on this thing seems excellent so far. I have used it off and on for almost three days (very little phone calling) and haven’t had to charge it yet. That is a good thing. I’m also a fan of the hidden pull out S Pen that comes with the device. I like using a stylus and this reminds me of ones I used to use on the old Palm Pilot. Remember them?

So, that’s just a quick look at a device you might consider for your ag applications work. However, as you’ll see in the ad below, there’s still the iPad mini that takes current top honors as my favorite in the tablet arena. We like it so much that we’re giving one away to one lucky farmer on our Precision Pays website. In fact, the contest is open for several more weeks so enter now!

Commodity Classic Launches App

comm-classic-appThe 18th Annual Commodity Classic has launched their first-ever mobile app for this year’s event in Kissimmee, Fl. The app will allow attendees to access information, receive messages and engage in social media from their smart phones and tablets. You can even make your own schedules, take notes, lookup session and event times and navigate with maps.

Visit www.commondityclassic.com/app to download it now or check out the App Store on your mobile device and search Commodity Classic. I just did and can’t wait to attend my first ever Commodity Classic. And the best part about it is it’s free!

In less than two weeks, soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum growers will be traveling to the far Southeast from across the county to take in the sights of Kissimmee, Fl. Producers will be educated about important agricultural issues, enlightened by new product rollouts and entertained by all the events coordinators have planned.

“The innovation you’ll witness and information you’ll gather at Commodity Classic will absolutely change the way you farm,” said Commodity Classic co-Chair Bob Worth. “Agriculture faces new challenges every year, and Commodity Classic’s educational sessions and opportunities to speak with other growers and industry leaders will arm attendees with the tools they need to overcome these challenges and increase the profitability of their farming operation.”

The 2013 Commodity Classic takes place February 28-March 2 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center and the Orlando World Center Marriott in Kissimmee, Fla., and is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.

One Goal App For Poultry Industry

ippe-13-221-editedNo one can argue that technology makes things easier and for poultry veterinarians and nutritionists, Novus International has a new app, called One Goal, to do just that.

At last week’s International Production & Processing Expo, Dr. Marco Quiroz, poultry veterinarian for Novus, shared how the app can revolutionize how information is gathered in the field allowing vets and nutritionists to establish and monitor preventive medicine and nutritional programs for their clients.

This app for mobile devices is a portable and convenient health assessment tool. It creates a database for the clinical history of a poultry company and can be used in every field visit to monitor bird health. The One Goal platform is currently running in the United States, but spreading worldwide.

Marco was on hand during the expo to answer questions and give personal demos for attendees. In the following interview he shared how this new technology can save vets time and energy and responses from those who already have it in their hand.

Check out my complete interview with Marco: Interview with Marco Quiroz

You can find photos from the event here:International Production & Processing Expo Photo Album

Sponsored by Novus International Inc

FarmLogs Obtains Seed Funding

FarmlogsMore mobile farm applications are coming. This one from FarmLogs.

FarmLogs, the Michigan startup and Y Combinator alum that helps farmers digitally manage their farm to increase profitability, today announced that it has closed a $1 million seed funding round co-led by Huron River Ventures and Hyde Park Venture Partners. Hyde Park Angels, Silicon Badia Ventures, and First-Step Fund participated in the investment along with angel investors. The funding allows FarmLogs to expand its team and to further develop its mobile applications in time for the 2013 planting season.
Launching almost exactly a year ago, the farm management software company has quickly helped modernize farming by bringing critical farm data online. FarmLogs replaces paper record keeping with simple, easy-to-use software that is accessible via smartphone or web browser. With FarmLogs, growers can plan, manage and analyze their farm’s operations in order to increase yield and profitability. The tool allows farmers to quickly forecast and measure profits, track expenses, and more efficiently schedule operations.

“We built a product that my family and other farmers were asking for. Our customers around the world tell us that they could never go back to the old way,” said Jesse Vollmar, CEO and co-founder of FarmLogs. “We are on a mission to create world-changing innovation in agriculture. This funding allows us to accelerate our growth to help even more farmers take advantage of modern technology.”

FarmLogs helps row crop farmers (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc.) save time and gain total visibility into all aspects of the farm in one place. A dashboard gives users a daily snapshot of a farm’s performance, access to maps, calendars, weather conditions, market prices and relevant news. Field activities such as planting, fertilizing, and harvesting can be quickly logged in the web browser, or right from the field using the GPS enabled mobile app. Users can then drill down into their farm’s performance to learn from previous results and use that information to make smarter, more efficient farming decisions.

Appy New Year from AgWired

Appy New Year from ZimmCommAppy New Year from the ZimmComm Team here on AgWired.

We’re betting that many of you now have a new smartphone or tablet. So whether it’s an iPad of any version or an Android you can get your AgWired on it most easily via the AgWired App! Within the app you’ll also find the news feeds from our other ZimmComm News Network websites, DomesticFuel.com; PrecisionPays.com and WorldDairyDiary.com. You’ll also find our main Twitter feeds and the feed from our YouTube and Flickr accounts.

Best of all it’s Free!

So click here to find out where you can get the AgWired App and have an Appy New Year.

Asgrow 4P System and agSeedSelect

During the 2012 NAFB Convention I spoke with Dan Kurdys, Asgrow Brand Manager. In a challenging year he says they had great harvest results with a greater than four bushel advantage over their competition. He attributes that to their “diverse germplasm pool, Genuity Roundup Ready trait and defensive and agronomic traits that are available to purchase.” Dan says they’ve developed the Asgrow 4P System, Plan, Plant, Protect and Perform, to give growers an edge in the soybean growing process.

Looking ahead to 2013 farmers can find the right Asgrow seed by using their agSeedSelect tool. This is available for your mobile device, either Apple iOS or Android.

No need to search through hundreds of pages to find the right seed for your field. agSeedSelect lets you create, store, email and print a seed guide tailored to your specific geography and crops. Featuring videos by our agronomists, the app provides detailed information on top products from Asgrow, DEKALB and Deltapine.

You can listen to my interview with Dan here: Interview with Dan Kurdys

AgWired App Android Update

Hey AgWired Android owning fans. The AgWired App has been updated for the latest versions of Android.

I’ve got in on my Motorola Droid Razr and it works just fine. Do you have it yet. Join the thousands of others who can retrieve not only AgWired news at the touch of a button but also news from DomesticFuel.com, PrecisionPays.com and WorldDairyDiary.com. You can also follow us on Twitter within the app too.

Here’s where you can get the app now (or update your device). AgWired App Android

iPad mini Impressions

I have been using my iPad mini for about four days now. Just thought I’d share a few thoughts since I’ve been getting emails and messages from people wondering which iPad they should buy this holiday season. My advice includes taking a serious look at the mini. Here’s mine in my hand displaying the AgWired App at full screen.

The first impression I had of the new iPad mini is of course the size. It’s more like a paperback book than a large hardback. It is lighter and that makes extended reading or browsing much easier on your hands and arms. I have no problem with the smaller screen. I got the wifi only version since I have two phones that can make a hotspot. Why have another plan?

The mini uses the same lightning connector as the iPhone 5 so now I have two cables! I was going to buy an extra one until I realized the iPad mini comes with one.

Battery life on the mini has been impressive. I’m not doing a bench test review here but after using the device over several days I had only used a fraction of the battery that my (now old) iPad would have for the same amount of use.

This is just a first impression. I’m impressed! I love the size, the battery life and my travel bag is now lighter. I have no negative comments. Do you have one? What do you think? Please feel free to comment.

New ‘Extreme Beans’ App

Ever wonder whether it’s worth it to apply a fungicide? How about the most cost-effective seeding rate? The national soy checkoff has put that information in the palm of your hand.

A new app developed by the United Soybean Board includes two calculators that help farmers plan for their next crop. One helps users determine whether the yield benefits of various input combinations justify the costs. The other uses the main maturity rates for a farmer’s region, the cost of soybean seed and an estimated price of the soybeans at the time of sale to determine an optimal seeding rate based on a percentage of return.

The app also includes documents and videos that describe the research behind each tool.

The Extreme Beans app is available for Apple iPhone and Android-enabled smartphones and other devices. Farmers can easily find it in their device’s app store by simply searching by the title.

AgWired App Update

The AgWired App for iOS has been updated. Did you update yours? Or perhaps you don’t have our app for your device yet. You can find it in the Apple App Store as well as Google Play.

The AgWired App brings you all of the ZimmComm News Network content that includes AgWired as well as PrecisionPays.com, DomesticFuel.com and WorldDairyDiary.com. You can follow us on Twitter in the app and see our latest photos and videos.

This is our third update of our app to account for new devices like the iPhone 5 and we hope you’ll enjoy it. If you’re going to the NAFB convention this week, the AgWired App is a great way to keep up with our coverage. So regardless of your device (sorry Blackberry folks) get a free app that is simple and brings us to you whenever and wherever you are!

Apple iTunes Store
Google Play

New Products from Monsanto

During the recent Farm Progress Show Monsanto’s Crop Protection Marketing Lead, Steve Knodle (left), sat down with me to talk about what is new with Monsanto.

Steve says there are a number of new announcements from Monsanto this fall. One of them is Warrant Herbicide for pre-emerge use in soybeans and cotton for residual weed control. He says that it is very important for farmers to consider using a pre-emerge product.

Another announcement is the Monsanto Roundup Ready PLUS, Weed Manager PLUS mobile application. This is a tool for use in the field when making weed management decisions. You can find it in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Finally, Steve talked about Acceleron Seed Treatment that will offer a new generation fungicide for soybeans and cotton that will help avoid poor emergence and stand development due to fungal diseases.

Listen to my interview with Steve to learn more about what’s new with Monsanto here: Interview with Steve Knodle

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus

New Holland Weather App

Can’t get enough weather information? Then get this new app from New Holland. This new service was announced last week at the Farm Progress Show.

New Holland’s commitment to making farming easier for enhanced productivity is once again confirmed by the launch of the free ‘Farming weather forecast and services by New Holland Agriculture’ app which forms a key element of the overarching digital strategy. New Holland is the first in the agricultural sector to develop and launch such an application, which is distinct from the purely product based apps already on the market, and offers the increasing number of farmers and agribusinesses that use smart phone technology a comprehensive service.

The essential app for farmers: it provides professional forecasts dedicated to agriculture and important data such as evapotranspiration, degree days and almanac to compare current conditions with average of the same period. In one single place it also provides the most important news on farming and professional agriculture directly from the most authoritative sources. Also locate your nearest New Holland dealer and get driving directions to reach the dealership or contact New Holland for further information or requests

Get it in the iTunes Store or Google Play.

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus

Mobile Technology the Future of Agriculture

Float Mobile Learning has several new research papers available for purchase that deal with the use of mobile technology and agriculture. According to their infographic forty percent of farmers own a smartphone and ninety four percent own a mobile or smart phone. Of course we know it’s a lot and that’s why we went directly to an app so you can get AgWired easily on your iOS or Android device!

Here’s one of the papers currently available from Float Mobile Learning:

Future Uses of Mobile Technologies in Farming, Fishing and Forestry

The early and rapid growth of mAgriculture in developing areas of the world is due to the fact that in developing countries, mobile phones may be the only widespread computing and communications technology that is avail­able. In contrast to American agricultural publications, African and Asian newsletters and magazines have lots of stories about the use of mobile phones in agriculture all through the 2000s. This indicates that farmers in developed countries in North America, Australia, and Europe have lots to learn from the mobile computing experiences of farmers in developing countries.

In other words, their present methods of using mobile agriculture have a good chance of being our future in North America.

According to the company news release “mobile agriculture, or mAgriculture, has existed in other parts of the world for more than a decade, but it has only recently started to flourish in North America.”

“The trend in North America is to larger farms, increasing automation, and striving for greater efficiencies,” said Float senior analyst Gary Woodill. “Mobile technologies will turn agriculture into more of an information business, as precision farming, geolocation data, and access to immediate market information, all become important. Consumers are also asking for more information about farming practices and the food that we eat, which can be gathered and sent via mobile devices.”

MAPPing… Mobile App’ing… MapShots’ Software

Conferences are always great for seeing the latest and greatest in equipment and software, and the International Conference on Precision Agriculture in Indianapolis, IN was certainly no exception. Making the rounds through the vendors’ displays, Chuck caught up with Tim Taylor from MapShots, who told him about the latest apps his company has to work with their precision agronomy software AgStudio, designed to capture various types of precision ag data.

“We’re releasing a web-based version of AgStudio, which provides access via the Internet to customers’ data, and then we have a mobile application platform announcement, which is primarily for field mapping and soil sampling applications and that allows for wireless work order and data exchange between the field and the AgStudio office application,” Taylor said, adding that they hope to have it out by the end of August.

He said they want these new applications to lessen the need for the manual transfer of data from a data device, such as a USB drive, to the hardware back in the office by providing that wireless, automatic transfer, saving a step or two for the producer. “It’s just a matter of time before we no longer have to deal with the data cards.”

The AgStudio mobile app right now is just for Apple products, but Taylor said they’re looking at expanding it into the Android market as well.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Tim here: Interview with Tim Taylor from MapShots

11th International Conference on Precision Agriculture Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the International Conference on Precision Agriculture is sponsored by John Deere

Mobile Farm Manager App From John Deere

How about managing your farm operation from your iPad or Iphone? John Deere plans to make that happen later this year. Tyler Hogrefe, seen here being interviewed by Ken Anderson, Brownfield Ag News, is a Product Manager for John Deere in their Intelligent Solutions Group. He was a presenter at their FarmSight Tech Summit. I spoke to him about John Deere Mobile Farm Manager.

Tyler says the need for more data is increasing and it is very useful in the office but also in the field. That’s why John Deere will be releasing the Mobile Farm Manager App later this year which will be integrated into the iPad and iPhone platform with future platforms planned. The cost of the app is yet to be determined and there are a number of applications that it will work with also still in the planning stages.

You can listen to my interview with Tyler here: Interview with Tyler Hogrefe

John Deere FarmSight Tech Summit Photo Album

Iowa Farmers Market App

Iowans now have a mobile way to locate a local farmers market thanks to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Listen to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey talk about it today: IA Sec. of Ag Bill Northey

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today unveiled the free Iowa Farmers Market app for smartphones that is designed to help Iowans access the more that 230 farmers markets serving Iowans across the state.

The app is available for both iPhones and Android phones and allows users to find the farmers market closest to them by using GPS location services or to search for specific farmers markets by city or zip code. Once they have located a market, the user can view the hours of the market, browse a list of vendors and see a phone number and email address of the market manager. App users can also leave reviews of the market and vendors and upload their photos to share with others.

“This app will make farmers markets easier to find and give visitors useful information as they plan their trip,” Northey said. “We are entering prime market season when sweet corn and many other fruits and vegetables will be available, so I hope Iowans take advantage and enjoy this fresh produce and use this app to help them locate a market.”

LA CALCULATRICE: calcul en ligne

The app is free to download and is available through Apple’s App store and Google Play by searching “Iowa Farmers Markets.” The app for android phones can also be found at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.utc.titaniumapns2, and the link for Apple devices is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ia-farmer-mkts/id501591188?ls=1&mt=8.