Category Archives: FMC

FMC Stand Up and Be Heard Anthem Contest

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How would you like a chance to sing the National Anthem on national tv? It’s possible if you win the FMC “Stand Up and Be Heard Anthem Contest.”

We’re investing in farming’s future with our new Anthem™ herbicide (coming soon—EPA registration pending) and $25,000 in college scholarships as prizes in our Anthem Singing Contest.

Beginning soon, enter by submitting a video of you singing the National Anthem. Videos will be posted online for popular voting to determine four finalists. The four finalists will be interviewed and their performances recorded for airing on national TV. Online voting will determine the grand prize winner.

Students must be a member of a national ag-related student organization such as FFA, 4-H or student NAMA to enter.

At Commodity Classic I visited with Rick Ekins, Anthem Brand Manager, to learn more about the contest. Students should be able to submit entries “very soon” according to the contest web page. The entry deadline is Jun 15. Online voting will begin in July and run through August 17. Four finalists will be selected from a new round of online voting. The grand prize winner will be announced October 24. Finalists receive $5,000 and the grand prize winner receives $10,000.

Listen to my interview with Rick here and learn more about Anthem too: Interview with Rick Ekins

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

FMC Waiting on Registration for Anthem Herbicide

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Like waiting on ketchup to come out of the bottle, FMC Corporation is eagerly anticipating the registration of new pre-plant, pre-emergence and early post Anthem herbicide.

“The label is pending for sometime in the fall of 2012 or into 2013,” FMC Technical Service Representative Joe Reed told me during an interview at the National Farm Machinery Show last week. “As weed resistance becomes a bigger and bigger issue, this is probably the newest of any of the chemistries coming out in herbicides.”

Joe says what is unique about Anthem is that it can be used on both corn and soybeans. “What dovetails nicely with that is the chemistry and its mode of action is very effective on these herbicide-resistant weeds like tall waterhemp, palmer amaranth, mare’s tail, what have you,” he says. They will also have an atrazine formulation of the herbicide called Anthem ATZ that will only be used for corn.

We had a little preview of how Anthem works during the FMC Summer Plot Tour last July.

Listen to or download my interview with Joe from NFMS here: Interview with Joe Reed, FMC

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland

Media Appreciate FMC Support at NFMS

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For about 40 of the National Farm Machinery Show‘s 46 year history, there was no place for the media to work or relax. But, thanks to FMC Corporation, we do now.

“Being involved in this communications business in agriculture for so many years, we really felt like we could help with this and the National Farm Machinery folks wanted to do that, so we were the first sponsor and so far the only one,” said FMC Strategic Communications Manager Paul Redhage, pictured here with Chuck.

And the media sincerely appreciates the high speed internet access, snacks, and quiet place to work, visit and conduct interviews.

During my interview with Paul in the official NFMS media room, we also talked about FMC’s Cadet® Convoy, which traveled throughout the nation’s corn and soybean growing region last year gathering videos of grower testimonials and experiences with Cadet herbicide. “Those were all posted on cadetconvoy.com this past year and we had an incentive for folks to go on-line and view those and sign up that they looked at them,” Paul said. Kelly Kliner, of Langdon, ND was the grand prize winner of a $5,000 Cabela’s gift card in the Cadet® Convoy sweepstakes.

Paul says they are continuing the Cadet® Convoy this year with a yet-to-be announced incentive.

Listen to or download my interview with Paul here: Interview with Paul Redhage

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland

FMC Captures Patent for Capture® LFR® Insecticide

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Just in time for the National Farm Machinery Show this week, FMC Corporation received a U.S. Patent for its Capture® LFR® insecticide formulation.

The patent is called “Insecticidal Compositions Suitable for Use in Preparation of Insecticidal Liquid Fertilizers” and refers to Capture LFR insecticide formulated to directly mix with liquid fertilizers and water, providing optimum compatibility. The “LFR” part stands for Liquid Fertilizer Ready.

I found out more about it during the NFMS from FMC Senior Technical Sales Manager Brent Neuberger. “We’ve designed a formulation that mixes very nicely with liquid fertilizers,” he told me. “So we’re feeding the roots and we’re also protecting the roots from many soil insects.”

Brent says Capture LFR is an ideal tank-mix partner for liquid pop-up fertilizers, as it stays mixed to provide even distribution through various spray systems. “So we’re able to control secondary pests – wireworms, grubs, seed corn maggots – and we’re also able to control corn root worm,” he said.

A video illustrating Capture LFR ready-mixing advantages over other liquid fertilizers is available online.

Listen to or download my interview with Brent here: Interview with Brent Neuberger

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland

FMC Offers Soybean Practices & Weed Management Training

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FMC Corporation is helping to educate growers, retailers and crop consultants on soybean best production practices and weed management strategies through its CropPro University: Authority® Herbicide Training Module.

The set of three online training modules available through March 16, giving participants the chance to receive one continuing education unit (CEU) credit upon completion.

“CropPro University is actually an on-line training event that we’ve had for a couple of years now and we’ve expanded that to our soybean management practices for 2012,” said Matt Foster, product manager for FMC Agricultural Products. “To date, we have about 2500 retailers and growers have actually gone on-line to complete the first two modules.” Matt says they are spreading the word about the “cheapest CEU you can earn” this week at the National Farm Machinery Show.

The training provides an in-depth look at the value of weed management, including the benefits of preemergence herbicides and the Authority line of products. “There are four different brands and we’ve got one to fit any soil type or weed spectrum anywhere in the country,” he says. The place to find out more about the CropPro University and FMC Authority® on-line visit www.FMCAuthority.com.

Listen to or download my interview with Matt here: Interview with Matt Foster

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland

Preparing For 2012 Cotton Season With FMC

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During the Beltwide Cotton Conferences I visited with Gerald Simmons, FMC Southern Business Manager, about some best management practices and things to consider when preparing for this year’s crop. He says the business has changed, especially technology, but that growers should also consider some of those “old” options they have. FMC has a broad portfolio now for cotton that growers can look to.

Like me, Gerald observed how many young farmers were in attendance here at the event and found that gratifying. As he put it, “We need youth, we need some new people coming along to farm.”

Listen in to my interview with Gerald here: Interview with Gerald Simmons

2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

FMC Makes Winners At Beltwide

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During the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences FMC held a daily drawing for a $250 Home Depot Gift Card.

The first winner Mickey Weeks and he is from Cameron, SC. Mickey (right) receives his prize from Stu Throop, FMC.

The second day winner is Barry Evans of Kress, TX.

Barry receives his prize from Amie Dunn, Marketing Intelligence and Communications Manager at FMC.

Growers who stopped by the FMC booth had a chance to sign up and win the $250 Home Depot gift card. Additionally, there will be a drawing at the end of the year for a $2500 Home Depot gift card and these winners and everyone else who entered are also entered into that drawing.

2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

FMC On Display

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During the Beltwide Cotton Conferences there’s a program track called “New Developments From Industry.” Our sponsor, FMC, conducted two of those sessions, including one by Craig Heim on a product they expect registration on later this year. Now that’s new!

Craig says they anticipate the new product will have the trade name Display which is a combination of two PPO herbicides. He says this will be a very low use rate product providing superior defoliation performance. He says cotton growers should keep their eye on FMC mid year when they hope to receive registration.

Listen in to my interview with Craig here: Interview with Craig Heim

2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

The Beltwide FMC Team

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Here’s the FMC team ready for the start of the trade show at the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. I really appreciate their support and making my coverage of this year’s event possible. To find out what cotton growers will find when they visit with FMC I spoke with Stu Throop, Product Manager.

Stu says that FMC has “placed a tremendous emphasis on bringing new innovative solutions to the industry” and is featuring some of those here at Beltwide. Two of those products are Athena and Mustang Max. Growers who stop by the booth can enter a drawing to win one of two $250 gift cards at Home Depot and also be entered to win a grand prize later this year of $2,500.

You can listen to my interview with Stu here and learn more about what’s new at FMC: Interview with Stu Throop

2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

Increasing Corn Yield In 2012

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Maximizing corn yields in 2012 was the theme of information shared during the NAFB Trade Talk this year by FMC. I visited with Gail Stratman (not pictured), FMC Midwest Technical Lead to find out what’s new with FMC. He says that as demand for corn continues to grow worldwide, farmers are trying to eke out every bushel they can from their crop. He provides some thoughts for how to achieve this using FMC products.

Listen to my interview with Gail to learn more about how FMC products can help increase corn yields here: Interview with Gail Stratman

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

FMC Looking Ahead to 2012 For Anthem

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At the Ag Media Summit I stopped by the FMC booth in InfoExpo to find out what’s new. On hand was Matt Foster.

Matt says they’re very excited to be launching Anthem herbicide in 2012. That’s a grass and broadleaf pre-emerge for both corn and soybeans that has both pre and post activity.

I was out on field tour duty with FMC recently. You can learn more about Anthem and how it has been performing in trials from the York, NE event.

You can listen to my conversation with Matt here: Matt Foster Interview

2011 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by BASF and AgHaven

FMC Field Tour A Two Way Value

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To get a wrap-up perspective on the FMC Summer Plot Tour I spoke with Tom Becker. Tom is a Retail Market Manager for FMC.

Tom wanted tour participants to leave viewing FMC as a partner in their business, especially since they’re branching out more and more in the herbicide business with new products like Anthem. As part of their outreach effort to ag retailers he says FMC set up this series of plot tour stops to showcase the performance of these new products. Seeing it “live” in the field is the best product demo I can think of. Tom says participants have asked good questions and in fact the plots were set up to anticipate and answer many of those questions. He says the field tour has a two way value, customers learn what’s new with FMC while FMC learns more about what their customers want.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: Tom Becker Interview

During lunch at the York, NE tour stop FMC held a drawing for a 40″ flat screen tv. Congrats to Dustin Chrisman, Ag Choice Sales Mgr. from McCool Junction for being the lucky winner!

FMC Summer Plot Tour – York, NE

An Authority On FMC Authority

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Sam Lockhart, FMC Technical Sales Manager (pictured on right), is one of the teachers on the company’s Summer Plot Tour taking place this week. I visited with Sam after the activities in York, NE. He works a northern territory that has had a lot of moisture, in fact too much. That presents some challenges. Farmers have struggled to get weed control products out. Some have had to do aerial application. But those who were able to get early applications of the FMC Authority line of products have seen much cleaner fields.

Some of the questions Sam has received from retailer participants deal with weed resistance and how to control these weeds early on. He say they want to know how to “switch out the modes of action they’re using from doing the same old thing they’ve been doing for years which has worked until the last couple years here – Roundup, Roundup, Roundup. How do I break that up?” The answer he says is the FMC Authority line and their new product that will be out soon, Anthem.

You can listen to my interview with Sam here: Sam Lockhart Interview

Sam was also out in the test plot and one of our presenters showing us how well a combination program of Authority and Anthem has performed as you can see in this video:

FMC Summer Plot Tour – York, NE

Retailer Perspective On FMC Summer Plot Tour

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A large group of retailers attended the FMC Summer Plot Tour in York, NE. They were there to learn what’s new from FMC and have the opportunity to see test results and interact with FMC product managers. We divided up into three groups and rotated field stations. To get a perspective of what these folks were learning I spoke with three of them.

First up is Jim Jensen, Andale Farmers Coop. He made a point of saying how little rain they get down in Kansas. The area we were in for the tour has received a significant amount of rain by comparison. In fact, we had some overnight before our tour. Jim says that Anthem looks really good on tough weeds. He thinks he’s really going to like it in combination with Authority. He deals with both corn and soybeans. Seeing the products in real world tests is very helpful for him.

You can listen to my interview with Jim here: Jim Jensen Interview

Next, I spoke with Roland Martin, Pawnee County Coop. He says they’ve been applying FMC products for years. He says FMC products have helped them to have a “phenomenal business.” He was very impressed by what he saw and although he uses other products, is very excited to have some new options.

You can listen to my interview with Martin here: Roland Martin Interview

I also spoke with Jason Perdue, agronomist for a local aerial applicator. He says that it’s great to see new options in the market. With Anthem coming out soon, he says it will give them flexibility with both corn and soybeans especially where they have irregular fields.

You can listen to my interview with Jason here: Jason Perdue Interview

FMC Summer Plot Tour Photo Album

Anthem From FMC

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The Midwest Technical Lead for FMC Agricultural Products is Gail Stratman. He conducted one of our FMC Summer Plot Tour classes both inside and outside today. I sat down with him afterward to learn what’s new with FMC.

Gail says Anthem is what’s new. Anthem is a new pre-plant, pre-emergence and early post herbicide currently being developed by the company. The summer plot tour series features a wide variety of test plots using the new product. One of the key features according to Gail is the fact that it can be used on both corn and soybeans which provides outstanding crop safety. He describes it in comparison to other options as “it’s stronger and lasts longer.” It will also be very flexible for the control of both grasses and broadleaf weeds. It is hoped that the label will be approved early next year.

All of the tour test plots have had some very challenging conditions. Gail says they’ve seen very good control and residual under very dry conditions and staying power under wet conditions. They’ve also dealt with a wide range of weed and grass species. If growers have questions Gail suggests contacting their local Star Retailer since these are the folks who are attending this series of plot tours.

You can listen to my interview with Gail here: Gail Stratman Interview

You can also see Gail explain how Anthem has performed in test plots in this video of a portion of his presentation in the field:

FMC Summer Plot Tour Photo Album

Going To Class With FMC

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The FMC Summer Plot Tour is underway. We’re in class right now to learn what’s new. What’s really new is Anthem herbicide. FMC’s Gail Stratman is our teacher. I’ll be interviewing him later this morning after we get out in the field to see some of the test plot results.

I’ve got an online photo album started which you can find here: FMC Summer Plot Tour – York, NE

FMC Summer Plot Tour

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Hello from York, NE and the first of a series of summer plot tours by FMC. Today we’ll be learning what’s new with product names like Capture, Cadet, Anthem and Authority. Our day starts inside with several presentations before departing for the fields.

This is my first opportunity to work with FMC and I’m looking forward to learning more about what they’re doing. I’ll have photos and interviews coming up. It’s going to be a busy week on AgWired so I hope you’re ready. After we’re done today I’m moving on the Springfield, Il and the InfoAg Conference where Cindy and I tag team for a day before she leaves for a Wyffels field day later this week! We’re burning up the agriblogging highway and loving it.

One of the best ways to keep up with us besides right here on AgWired is to follow us on Twitter:

Cindy – @FarmPodcaster
AgWired – @AgWired
Me – @AgriBlogger

FMC Puts Authority XL on Display

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FMC Commodity ClassicHere’s what’s new from FMC. At the Commodity Classic I spoke with Matt Foster, FMC, about Authority XL which was just recently launched. This is the fourth brand in the Authority portfolio which he says is a nice fit in the “I-70 corridor.” We’re at planting time so hopefully weed management decisions have been made but it’s not too late to contact FMC about this new option.

FMC Corporation announces the introduction of Authority® XL herbicide, part of the Authority® herbicide line of products for soybeans. This new product offers best-in-class pre-emerge and burndown chemistries to control a broad spectrum of summer and winter annuals. When used as a spring pre-emergent herbicide, Authority XL gets fields off to a clean start by providing long-lasting residual control of troublesome summer annuals. Authority XL also helps growers get a head start on planting by controlling tough winter annuals after a fall application. Growers can improve their yield and crop quality with a timely application of Authority XL.

You can listen to my interview with Matt here: Interview with Matt Foster