Playing AgRacer From Fastline

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Chuck

Creating your own game app is a surefire way to reach a younger audience! That’s part of the idea behind Fastline’s AgRacer game app. This young guy was sure having fun playing in the Fastline booth at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show.

However, as I hung around the booth for a while there were show goers of all ages playing the game on iPads. They all seemed to be enjoying the experience too. I have the game on my iPhone and Droid Razr and will play just as soon as I get a chance so I can report back on my experience. Meanwhile, here’s a video clip of the young guy in action, getting a little help in the process.

AgRacer can be download in the Itunes Store and the Android Market for $.99.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

Musical Animals

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Chuck

Kurt Floyd is attracting all kinds of attention with his wooden noise making creations here at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. Kurt said to me, “Welcome to the swamp” and if you watch the video clip below you’ll understand why.

At this show he’s got crickets, pigs and frogs and you can hear what they sound like in our interview. He carves them out of imported teakwood and they sound like what they look like if you stroke them with a wooden stick. He says he got started with them to “appease my grand kids and make my kids mad.” He started making them as a joke but it turned into a business!

Listen to my interview with Kurt to learn more about his creations: Interview with Kurt Floyd

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

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Cindy

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

Fastline’s AgRacer Off to the Races

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Chuck

Fastline Publications unveiled AgRacer at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. This game app is available for the iPhone/touch/iPad and Android devices.

AgRacer takes the fun of racing and introduces farm equipment and lets you compete for prizes every month. Choose from 7 vehicles to race and earn points by winning and driving the biggest vehicles that help generate the most points to climb the leader board.

Racers can use 3 different camera angles to race and after you win check out your position on the leader board. Watch your score move up and down as you compete with family and friends locally and all over the world. The top racers will have a chance to win prizes valued over $1000 monthly. Tim Hess Fastline’s President states “AgRacer was developed to help expose more people to our great agricultural market and allow people of all ages have fun with farm equipment in a whole new way.”

I interviewed Tim Hess this morning. He says Fastline has been working on the game for almost a year as a way to expand their brand into a younger market. It allows the player to have a fun experience while also having a chance to win some prizes. The game is here live on the iPad in the Fastline booth. There are also some sponsorship opportunities available in the game. After talking with Tim, I had to add mobile games as a choice in our current ZimmPoll on the next “big thing” in ag communications and social media.

Listen to my interview with Tim to learn more about AgRacer: Interview with Tim Hess

AgRacer can be download in the Itunes Store and the Android Market for $.99. Upgrades and updates are planned to further expand the game after the initial launch. Join the Pit crew and stay up to date on new releases at agracer.com. AgRacer… The race is on.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Outlook

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Chuck

The 2012 National Farm Machinery Show is off to a fast start this year. I spoke with Corinne Fetter, Director of Expositions, to get a preview of this year’s show. Corinne is pictured being interviewed on AgriTalk this morning.

Corinne says they had a waiting list for the 47th annual show with some companies still trying to get in as of yesterday! This show is the biggest one held in the facility and brings in over $21.5 million to the local community. She says many people make the show part of their vacation. They can get some “work” out of the way during the day and relax and enjoy the tractor pull in the evening.

Interview with Corinne Fetter

We’re collecting photos from this year’s show here: 2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

47th National Farm Machinery Show and 44th Championship Tractor Pull

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Chuck

It’s time for the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. Cindy and I are headed that way today and will be tweeting with the show hashtag, #NFMS12. Here’s a little information for you.

Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012

Show Hours: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily (Eastern Standard Time)

Location: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209

Admission: NFMS admission is free; parking is $8.00
CTP ticket prices range from $35-$45

All CTP seats are reserved. Tickets are subject to availability. All prices include a facility fee.
Tickets are sold at the Freedom Hall Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Attendance: The 2011 combined National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull attendance was 302,424.

Exhibit Space: Eight interconnected exhibit halls totaling more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor exhibit space and containing more than 850 agricultural displays.

National Farm Machinery Show App

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Chuck

Going to the National Farm Machinery Show? We are and we’ll have the new NFMS App on our iPhones!

The first-ever mobile app, called “NFMS ’12,” for the National Farm Machinery Show is now available for free on smartphones (iPhone, Android and Blackberry) and features an interactive exhibitor map and listings, seminars and speakers, Championship Tractor Pull schedules, and Louisville area information to plan your trip to the largest indoor farm show in America.

The mobile app will include frequent updates right up to the opening day of the show. “NFMS ’12″ also will provide digital information from exhibitors, text alerts, product updates and instant connectivity, all in the palm of your hand. Text alerts and mobile updates on what’s happening during the show are also features.

“In addition to the product-packed NFMS Show Guide, the mobile app will contain all the information needed to plan your visit and also help make your days at the National Farm Machinery Show very full and productive,” says Allen Barkve, general manager of Farm Industry News.

Social media will also be incorporated into the app to connect attendees (hashtag: #nfms12). To find additional information about the show, connect with National Farm Machinery Show by following it on Facebook and on Twitter @nfmslouisville.

The free application can be downloaded by searching “NFMS ’12″ in the Apple Store, Android Market and BlackBerry’s App World or by clicking here.

RTK Now Available For Raven Cruizer

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Chuck

Raven Slingshot Our AgWired iPhone App (soon to be Android too), Raven Industries, was on location at the National Farm Machinery Show. I visited with Paul Welbig to find out what’s new.

It looks like what’s new is an addition to their Cruizer product. This year farmers will have RTK available with the system. With this capability you can do high accuracy steering. He says the price point makes it very attractive. It also ties into their Slingshot system. It adds more precision to an already simple system.

You can listen to my interview with Paul here: Paul Welbig Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

John Deere Active Command Steering

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Chuck

Matt Arnold Active Command Steering was one of the new things getting a lot of attention at the National Farm Machinery Show. These young guys were working on one of the simulators that were set up so attendees could get a real sense of how it works.

I spoke with Matt Arnold, Senior Marketing Representative, about the new product. He says it’s an option on the Model Year 2011 8R Series tractors. It’s a smart steering system that’s speed compensated. It adjusts the lock to lock ratio of the steering wheel as well as the effort. You can hear Matt explain how it works in my interview with him.

By the way there’s an 8R Active Command Steering Game waiting for you to try out. You can find it with this link.

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

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Kentucky Corn Growers Ready To Plant

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Chuck

Adam Andrews, Kentucky Corn Growers Association Director of Programs (right), says they were at the National Farm Machinery Show to talk to members and also to resolve issues with friends throughout the industry. The show provides them a good opportunity to interact with a lot of members. He says the American Ethanol show car opened a lot of eyes about the level of involvement they have in promoting the use of the renewable fuel. They had a drawing for tickets to an upcoming race in Kentucky.

Looking ahead he says growers are excited about the new season since they had an early harvest last year. That gave them time to get caught up on a lot of projects on the farm. He says that within in the next three weeks Kentucky growers will be planting.

You can listen to my interview with Adam here: Adam Andrews Interview

Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr or visit their blog.

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

New Holland PowerStar Utility Tractors

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Chuck

I didn’t get to go to the World Ag Expo to see these tractors unveiled but they were on display at the National Farm Machinery Show. They are the New Holland PowerStar Series Utility Tractors. To learn about them I spoke with Brad Moore, North American Mid-Range Tractor Segment Leader.

Brad says customers really designed these tractors by giving feedback in a series of customer clinics and “virtual reality” applications. The virtual reality allowed for a lot of models that could be tested with customers without using real steel.

PowerStar tractors will be available in both cab and ROPS versions. The entire three-model line (75 hp – 100 hp) will provide outstanding maneuverability, unparalleled comfort and excellent fuel efficiency for part-time farmers as well as livestock, dairy and other operators who are looking for a highly versatile tractor.

You can listen to my interview with Brad here: Brad Moore Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

FMC Exerts Some Authority

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Chuck

FMC at NFMS FMC has just announced an addition to the Authority line and at the National Farm Machinery Show I learned more about it from Darrin Kert.

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.

Darrin says that pre-emerge foundation programs is very important for farmers to consider when they want to maximize the value of every acre. He says that early weed pressure can reduce soybean yield and pre-emerge control can help add bushels to final yield. He also mentions Cadet as a good post-emerge product that growers can consider as well.

You can listen to my interview with Darrin here: Darrin Kert Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

New Holland Precision

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Chuck

There was a lot of precision ag on display at this year’s National Farm Machinery Show. Bruce Ristau, Precision Farming Sales Mgr., New Holland, took time to tell me what the company is doing in this sector.

Bruce says their displays are the high point of the latest products they’re showcasing at winter shows like NFMS. New Holland works closely with Trimble on precision products. Bruce says New Holland is now doing more company branding though, like on the new FM 750 Display. He says that farmers visiting the show can come by for a personal walk through.

You can listen to my interview with Bruce here: Bruce Ristau Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

John Deere Launches 1 Series Subcompact Utility Tractors

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Chuck

John Deere Subcompact 1 Series At the National Farm Machinery Show John Deere unveiled a new line of subcompact tractors – the 1 Series Subcompact Utility tractors. The media got a preview before the show opened one morning. You can see the presentation by Kevin Branstetter, John Deere Product Manager, in the video clip below. I also interviewed Kevin.

Kevin says their are two models, the 1023E and 1026R. He says they’re customer designed and will accept a full range of implements. One of those is a mid mount mower deck that allows the operator to drive over it and auto connect! Also important is an auxiliary power outlet so you can keep your mobile phone charged while you’re mowing or working. They’ll be available in John Deere dealers soon.

You can listen to my interview with Kevin here: Kevin Branstetter Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Serving Up Kentucky Aquaculture

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Chuck

Kentucky Aquaculture Some of the best food I ate in Louisville at the National Farm Machinery Show was cooked up in the food booth run by Ruth Ohlendorf. I was a repeat customer starting with catfish one day and rainbow trout on another. Mmm. Mmm.

Ruth says they cook around 2,000 pounds of catfish and 1,000 pounds of trout during the show. That’s a lot of fish. Her customers love it and she says she gets a lot of repeat business. Ruth is a good ambassador for the Kentucky Aquaculture Association.

You can listen to my interview with Ruth here: Ruth Ohlendorf Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

New Holland Explains Tier 4

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Chuck

New Holland Tier4 According to Sean Dorosz, New Holland, farmers are becoming increasingly aware of new Tier 4 standards. He told me that they are asking questions based on familiarity with the subject.

During the National Farm Machinery Show New Holland had a special location just to conduct Tier 4 tractor clinics and answer questions. Sean is conducting a session with some of them in the photo and you can hear him present following my interview with him.

You can listen to my interview with Sean that is followed by audio of him doing one of his presentations in the booth to a group of customers here: Sean Dorosz Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

Cheering For American Ethanol At National Farm Machinery Show

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Chuck

American Ethanol Car It’s time for American Ethanol to take the stage at the Daytona 500 this weekend! It will be NASCAR history as every car will be powered by Sunoco Green E15 – a blend of 15 percent American ethanol. This fuel change, which will become standard for all three NASCAR series this year, represents a shift in professional racing toward a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, domestic fuel source.

At the National Farm Machinery Show, the American Ethanol car was on display in the Kentucky Corn Growers booth. On hand to talk about the partnership was Dennis Duchene who works for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. He’s a NASCAR guy and as you’ll hear, a cheerleader for American corn growers.

You can listen to my interview with Dennis here: Dennis Duchene Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

AsgrowMobile.com

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Chuck

Asgrow Mobile.com With mobile apps on my mind, my attention was caught by a billboard in the Monsanto/Asgrow booth at the National Farm Machinery Show for AsgrowMobile.com. It’s not an app but a smartphone friendly website for growers to find the latest soybean information that includes a Rep/Dealer Locator, Seed Resource Guide, Yield Information and more.

I spoke with Kirby Bacon, Asgrow, who describes the new mobile web site: Kirby Bacon Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

New Holland Receives FinOvation Award

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Chuck

New Holland FinOvation Award During the National Farm Machinery Show Farm Industry News presented their 2011 FinOvation Awards at an evening banquet. Our sponsor, New Holland, won in the Tractors, High-horsepower, 4-wd category for their T9 Series Tractors. Seen with their award are Abe Hughes, VP Sales/Marketing, North America (left) and Sean Dorosz, Tractor Marketing Segment Manager.

I spoke with Abe earlier in the day at the New Holland exhibit. He says he has put together a leadership team and plan to rejuvenate the New Holland brand. Abe says there is a lot of buzz at the New Holland booth because of all the new products they’ve introduced recently, many of which are on display here at the show. He says that you should see that New Holland employees are “now speaking with a passion and an energy.” Looking ahead Abe says there is good news but some cautionary notes. On the good news side, commodity prices are up and global food demand is up. On the cautionary side though he says that raw material shortages are showing up. He encourages dealers and farmers to get their orders in as soon as possible

Enjoy his enthusiasm for the brand in our discussion.

You can listen to my interview with Abe here: Abe Hughes Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

Touring New Holland

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Chuck

Touring New Holland Booth I got a birds eye view of the New Holland exhibit at the National Farm Machinery Show. Mike Harvey and I did a video overview of what’s on display from the top of a New Holland CR9060 Combine! You can find all the technical specs for these combines here.