AgWired » New Holland

The New Holland Field Smart Blog

Chuck — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:44:57 +0000

New Holland has a new blog called Field Smart. It’s part of the New Holland Field Smart campaign.

At New Holland we’re dedicated to continuing this tradition, and we’ve launched our Field Smart campaign to celebrate not only our approach to delivering new innovations to the marketplace, but the farmers that put this technology to use.

To learn more about the project, Cindy interviewed John Elliott, New Holland, Director, Marketing NAR. That’s the feature of this week’s program. ZimmComm is providing content creation assistance to New Holland for this project.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: The New Holland Field Smart Blog

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong and Monsanto, Roundup Ready Plus, for their support.

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

SmartTrax Boost New Holland Tractor Productivity

Cindy — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:11:39 +0000

The New Holland T9 Series Tractors with SmartTrax have been getting a lot of attention at farm machinery shows since last fall and High Horsepower Tractor Marketing Manager Sean Dorosz says there are good reasons for that.

“SmartTrax tracks boost the productivity and pulling efficiency of our T9 Series tractors,” Sean said at the recent New Holland media event, where journalists had a chance to test drive one of these bad boys. “Producers using this track option will increase traction and reduce soil compaction and slippage, which translates into less surface damage and a smoother ride.”

Sean says there are two types of SmartTrax modules available – High Idler and Standard. The track modules can be used on the tractor for spring planting and then installed on the combine for fall harvest. The simple installation allows you to go from wheels to tracks in less than a day – and then back again.

The first of the SmartTrax equipped tractors are starting to arrive at dealerships and Doug Roquet with SS Equipment in the Pacific Northwest says they had the first T9 SmartTrax machine available to the public and have been getting great response from farmers in the region.

“The 4-track system provides greater ground contact than tires or 2-track systems. This results in the best overall tractor balance, better traction, reduced slippage and reduced compaction,” Doug says. “In addition, the SmartTrax system from New Holland is built with advantages over other 4-track machines with thicker belts, heavier duty idler & bogey wheels with 50% thicker rubber and larger bearings, much larger drive wheels providing contact with 11 to 13 drive lugs verses 2 to 3 lugs on competitive models, and long track life for use on multiple generations of tractors.”

Take a look at some video Doug shot recently on a farm in southeast Washington.

New Holland MegaCutter at Mega Media Event

Cindy — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:14:47 +0000

One of the new offerings from New Holland featured at last week’s Mega Media event was the MegaCutter™.

We already heard about this new mounted triple disc mower-conditioner when it debuted at the National Farm Machinery Show in February, but we got another look last week in more detail with the help of New Holland Hay and Forage Segment Marketing Manager Mike Cornman.

Mike says the MegaCutter was designed for the professional customer looking for more capacity and more productivity. “It will provide 30 foot width of cut at one time with a T7 or T8 series New Holland tractor equipped with a front three point hitch and PTO,” he said. “We have a good customer base with our self-propelled forage harvesters and this is the type of machine that those customers are looking at.”

New Holland is holding a “Ready to Roll” sales event happening right now through June 30. The event includes various incentives for all of New Holland’s hay and forage products. “In addition, there’s also a demonstration program that many of our dealers participate in,” Mike adds. “It’s an opportunity for new customers to try a mid-range tractor, round baler, or a disc mower conditioner on their farm as part of their buying decision.”

Listen to my interview with Mike here and watch a very short video clip with him below:
Mike Cornman Interview

New Holland Media Event album

Driving a New Holland Combine

Cindy — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:24:36 +0000

My personal thrill at the New Holland Mega Media event this week was test driving a CR8080 combine. Never drove anything like it before and it was so easy!

You may not realize it, but New Holland is kind of a big deal in combines. “New Holland was the first company to launch a rotary combine in the market,” Combine Market Manager Nigel Mackenzie told us. “That was back in 1975 with the TR70. That combine was built and designed in Nebraska and the latest evolution, the CR models, are still built there.”

The CR Combine was actually voted “Machine of the Year” last year at Agritechnica. “A lot of new features introduced on the model year 12 machines, primarily driven by greater fuel efficiency and emissions regulations,” Nigel says. “It was really great to be recognized by a group of journalists in Agritechnica for what we’ve done.”

One of the coolest features that I experienced driving the combine was the IntelliView IV color touchscreen display that monitors all combine functions and allows you to see a wide variety of performance information at a glance from up to three camera inputs, with direct USB connectivity for data collection.

Nigel says New Holland has six rotary combine models and three conventional models – he tells us all about it in this interview – Nigel Mackenzie Interview

New Holland Media Event album

Watch me drive the combine – thinking of switching careers to become a custom harvester!!! Well, actually I did run over a cone – but it was my first time. Thanks to Lucas Sjostrom of Hoard’s Dairyman for shooting the video and photos for me.

New Holland Mega Media Event

Cindy — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:50:09 +0000

New Holland wants everyone to know that they are rejuvenated and back in the game for agriculture.

Not that they ever left the game, they’ve just been flying a bit under the radar for awhile and now New Holland North American VP Abe Hughes says they really want to get out and show they industry what they’ve got. “We’ve been so successful at our turnaround and our rejuvenation these last two years that we thought it was high time that we invite the media over to hear our story and give you a little insight as to our future,” Abe said.

The media day started on Wednesday with a trip down memory lane to the original brick building in New Holland, Pennsylvania where the company was started in 1895 by Abram Zimmerman, a Mennonite blacksmith who invented the freeze proof engine. Not sure if we’re related, but I am not only married to a Zimmerman, my mother’s maiden name was Zimmerman, so you never know!

We traveled just a short distance down the road by Amish buggy to the modern New Holland North American headquarters, a nice transition from the past to the present. Abe gave us a good overview of the company history and where they are today, with a stable management team and strong earnings to show for it. “I’m happy to say that New Holland North America was part of the success of our earnings release today,” he said. “We made $1.11 a share, which is well above the period last year and also well above what the analysts were predicting. We’re definitely pulling our weight and there’s much more to come!”

And there’s also much more to come on the New Holland Mega Media Event, including some media equipment test drives! I’m excited!

Check out the photos in the New Holland Media Event album and listen to my interview with Abe below:
Abe Hughes Interview

Ethanol on Stage at New Holland Club Blue

Chuck — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:42:36 +0000

During the 2012 Commodity Classic New Holland held a “Club Blue” event at the Grand Ole Opry for their dealers to discuss their new national marketing campaign. It was also a time to talk about partnerships with industry related organizations and that included Growth Energy, another AgWired supporter. On hand to talk to the attendees was Tom Buis, CEO, Growth Energy. He was introduced by Abe Hughes, VP, New Holland North America. Abe spoke to how important the ethanol industry is to New Holland. As he put it, “Ethanol’s success means our success.”

Tom proceeded to discuss the current state of the ethanol industry and the challenges facing the industry, especially on the regulatory front. He also talked about American Ethanol and the current NASCAR promotional program. New Holland is also a supporter of NASCAR and you’ll often see blue machines working at various tracks around the country.

Listen to Tom’s comments here: Tom Buis at Club Blue

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

New Holland Announces Major National Campaign

Chuck — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:00:53 +0000

New Holland has some big news and Abe Hughes, VP, New Holland North America, says it is their marketing development fund campaign which kicks off now. It’s a national advertising campaign in collaboration with New Holland dealers. As he puts it, “It’s a campaign to show that blue is back.” Abe is in the cab of a New Holland T9 Series SmartTrax tractor. I thought the New Holland exhibit was smaller this year until I realized that it’s the big machines on the floor, including this one, that just sort of dwarf everything else. Learn more about what this new campaign means to New Holland and its dealers and customers in my interview with Abe.

Listen to my interview with Abe here: Interview with Abe Hughes

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Commodity Classic Media Reception

Chuck — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:43:31 +0000

Not only does New Holland sponsor the media room here at Commodity Classic but they also sponsored a reception for the media again this year. Here’s John Elliott, New Holland, Director, Marketing NAR, welcoming the media and thanking them for their work. John is wearing a yellow daffodil because yesterday was the feast day of St. David in Wales, his home country and the daffodil is the national flower of Wales. As St. David would say, “Do the little things.”

Also in attendance were the leadership from each of the participating commodity groups for the show.

The media reception is a relaxing way for all of us to wind down for a while without feeling the need to turn on recorders and go “one the record.” It’s great seeing so many friends in the ag communications business.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

New Holland Rustler Winner

Chuck — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:58:46 +0000

His was the first name called and his name is Paul Casper, South Dakota. Paul was the winner of a brand new New Holland Rustler this afternoon at the close of today’s trade show session at Commodity Classic. A big crowd was on hand to see the drawing.

Here’s a picture of Paul receiving the key to his New Holland Rustler from Abe Hughes, VP, New Holland North America. Announcing today’s drawing once again was Mike Adams, Host, AgriTalk.

Paul is a soybean grower and is currently the President of the South Dakota Soybean Association. He was in the American Soybean Association booth when his name was called and he had 30 seconds to make it to the New Holland booth. It was not a short walk and he came running and made it in time. He told me he’s got a lot of good uses for this vehicle on his farm.

Listen to my interview with Paul here: New Holland Rustler Winner

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Commodity Classic Preview From NCGA President

Cindy — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:30:57 +0000

Getting to the Commodity Classic in Nashville a day early to attend the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum, I was happy to find National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois available to do some pre-convention interviews.

Garry is looking forward to a great, big Classic this year – with registration already at a record level. “We have 5,400 people showing up for this – the largest by almost 25% that we’ve ever had,” Garry told me. And that’s just pre-registration! Actual numbers will increase this week with on-site registrations.

Garry says NCGA will be setting policy this week at the meeting and among the main issues will be recommendations for a 2012 Farm Bill, assuming there is one this year. “We have adopted the Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management program that has been put forth by Senators Brown, Thune, Durbin and Dick Lugar. Hopefully, we’re going to move that policy forward because that makes the most sense to us,” Garry said.

Other issues of concern to corn growers include maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) and protecting against government over-regulation.

Listen to or download my interview with Garry here: Garry Niemeyer Interview

The Commodity Classic – which is the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producer organizations – officially kicks off on Thursday. Our coverage this year is once again sponsored by our good friends at BASF and New Holland.

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

New Holland TS6 Series Tractor

Chuck — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:16:47 +0000

Lean and mean is how New Holland is describing their new all purpose TS6 Series tractors. These tractors are made in Mexico. I spoke with Thierry Mahe, General Manager at the production facility. He says they’ve had a limited release of these tractors and based on the success of that launch they’ve now ramped up production for a full launch.

The four TS6 models range from 90- to 115-PTO horsepower: two models are equipped with 4-cylinder engines and two models feature 6-cylinder engines. All four models are available with either 2WD or 4WD, and with a flat-deck ROPS operator station or an all-weather cab.

TS6 tractors are available with a choice of three rugged transmissions: an 8F x 8R synchronized transmission with mechanical shuttle, an 8F x 8R synchronized transmission with hydraulic shuttle and a 16F x 8R DualPowerTM transmission with hydraulic shuttle. The DualPower transmission has an underdrive for each forward gear to provide more torque at the push of a button. An optional 4-speed creeper range is available for all transmissions.

Listen to my interview with Thierry: Interview with Thierry Mahe

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

New Holland T6 Series Tractor

Chuck — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:00:08 +0000

The new T6 and TS6 Series Tractors from New Holland were getting a lot of attention at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. Andy Reinert says “We’re really bringing back an old friend.” He’s referring to the Ford 10 series but this model has been fully updated. He says their theme is, “Reliable, Rugged, Simple.”

New Holland’s new mid-range T6 Series tractors deliver outstanding power, performance and fuel efficiency with Tier 4a emissions-compliant engines that feature New Holland’s exclusive ECOBlueTM technology. Six models, from 90- to 120-PTO hp, are available with a range of standard to premium features with a combination of transmission, hydraulic and cab packages to suit the operation and preferences of a wide array of farming and utility operations.

Listen to my interview with Andy: Interview with Andy Reinert

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

The New Holland MegaCutter

Chuck — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:03:32 +0000

It kind of sounds like a Transformers character, MegaCutter. Actually, it’s one of the new products from New Holland that was on the display floor at the National Farm Machinery Show. Pictured in front of the unit is Jordan Milewski, Marketing Specialist, Hay & Forage Brand Marketing for New Holland. I spoke to him about this new addition to the product portfolio.

New Holland’s new MegaCutter mounted triple disc mower-conditioners offer big haymaking capacity by cutting a triple-wide swath that nearly doubles the cutting width of a traditional 16-foot self-propelled mower-conditioner or windrower.

The Megacutter is actually a three-machine cutting system: with the 11′ 5′ cutting width of the MegaCutter 512 front-mounted disc mower-conditioner combined with the MegaCutter 530 twin rear-mounted disc mower-conditioner, producers can take down 29′ 6′ with each pass. The V-tine flail conditioning system provides a range of conditioning intensities appropriate for a wide variety of crops, from delicate legume crops to the most robust grass hays.

Jordan says the the MegaCutter is the next big thing with the most acres per hour of mowing. The machine is ideally suited to the dairy producer who’s putting up hay for silage.

Listen to my interview with Jordan: Interview with Jordan Milewski

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

New Holland Club Blue

Chuck — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:28:49 +0000

New Holland customers and dealers got invited to Club Blue during the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. This first ever event was held at the Brown & Williamson Club at Papa John’s Cardinals Stadium.

After the hustle and bustle of a day on the show floor, this was a quiet oasis to relax in a very “blue” atmosphere. New Holland product experts were on hand to answer questions. Attendees also came away with some nice t-shirts and of course there were door prizes too.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

New Holland Receives 2012 FinOvation Awards

Chuck — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:49:52 +0000

Farm Industry News presented their annual FinOvation Awards last night at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. Our sponsor, New Holland, received two awards. Pictured is New Holland Cash Crop Marketing Manager Ed Barry and Jodie Wehrspann, Farm Industry News Senior Editor.

New Holland received an award for their Guardian self-propelled sprayers that are manufactured by Miller-St. Nazianz. The company also received an award for their Super Boom Skid-steer Loader which was introduced last year here at the show.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

New Holland Has A Lot of New

Chuck — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:31:22 +0000

There is a lot new at New Holland and it’s on display at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. I visited with John Elliott, New Holland, Director, Marketing NAR, to get the aerial view of all the new products. When I saw John last at the Farm Progress Show New Holland was becoming much more customer segmented with three distinct segments, RCMU which is residential, commercial, municipal units, the dairy/livestock units and the cash crop segment. John says that on the show floor today there are product launches in all three areas.

The new products list includes:

Listen to my interview with John to learn more about all the new products being introduced by New Holland: Interview with John Elliott

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

New Holland Jay Leno Boomer Tractor Sells For $535,000

Chuck — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:21:44 +0000

Tonight on Speed Channel, Jay Leno and his former New Holland Boomer Tractor took a last ride at the Barret-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. The tractor has been working in his garage for years and became known as Lil Tug since it was used to pull his vehicles around among other chores.

He drove the tractor onto the auction stage before getting behind the microphone.

On hand representing New Holland was Executive Vice President, Abe Hughes. In an effort to get the bidding up Abe added a brand new New Holland Rustler to the winner of Lil Tug.

All the proceeds from the auction of the tractor are going to support the Fisher House Foundation which helps military families. Jay really helped work on the crowd and as you’ll hear from the audio clip, he did a great job. BTW. The tractor was just recently signed by President George W. Bush who is a big supporter of the Fisher House.

So, Lil Tug finally sold for $535,000! Awesome price and all for a good cause. You can hear a portion of the sale here: Auctioning Jay Leno's Lil Tug

This sale kind of brings closure to a long standing New Holland project I had the opportunity to be involved in at the start when I met Jay in his garage back in 2007.

New Holland Tractor Goes to Charity Auction Signed by President Bush

Chuck — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:56:10 +0000

Jay Leno’s Lil Tug going to auction with President George W. Bush’s signature on it! Here’s a photo of the sighing on his ranch from his Facebook page.

Talk show host Jay Leno used it in his famous Garage. Former President George W. Bush put his signature on it. And this Saturday, January 21, it will go on the auction block as part of New Holland Agriculture’s “True Blue Salute” program in support of veterans.

‘Lil Tug, the New Holland Boomer™ tractor that’s been working hard in Jay Leno’s Garage the past five years, will be auctioned off at the famed Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ, on Saturday evening – with all proceeds going to the Fisher House Foundation, best known for its network of homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers where families can stay while their loved ones are receiving treatment.

The auction will be broadcast live on SPEED TV, with the ‘Lil Tug scheduled to go on the block Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time (8:30 p.m. CT/9:30 p.m. EST).

The tractor auction marks the culmination of New Holland’s “True Blue Salute” program, which launched on Veterans Day in November and continues through Saturday – offering U.S. veterans and military personnel a $300 discount on the purchase of New Holland Boomer™ compact tractor models 30, 35, 40 or 50 purchased in North America. New Holland is also donating $100 to the Fisher House Foundation for every Boomer compact tractor sold in North America during the discount period.

In the days leading up to the auction, ‘Lil Tug (as Leno’s crew nicknamed the tractor) has been getting publicity in a variety of places, including:

On the Fisher House website and the Barrrett-Jackson Auction website, click on Charity Lots tab)

On President Bush’s Facebook page

In USA Today

On the Fox News O’Reilly Factor, where host Bill O’Reilly, a Fisher House supporter, promoted the auction and showed a video clip of the tractor at work in the Jay Leno Garage.

New Holland Announces Boomer 555 Contest Winners

Chuck — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:50:56 +0000

New Holland has announced the eight regional winners of their Boomer 555 Contest. This was a great promotion and we congratulate the winners. Lots of interesting and well done photo, video and written entries were submitted. These winners will enjoy the use of a Boomer tractor protected by the “industry-leading Boomer Guard-5 Warranty” for the next five years!

Daniel Del Vicario, Merrimack, NH

Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation (WI), Apollo Beach, FL

Joe Caffee, Geneva, IN

Melissa Horejsi, Webster, MN

Duncan Smith, Mtn. Grove, MO

Standing Stone Brewing Co., Ashland, OR

KR Equestrian, Schomberg, ON

Tristen Crooks, Weyburn, SK

Final Days of New Holland Boomer 555 Contest

Chuck — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:27:02 +0000

The final day for entries in the New Holland Boomer 555 Contest is this Wednesday. You can find the entry form here.

This social media driven promotion has exceeded all expectations for results which have mainly been measured by number of entries as well as other social media interaction.

Entries can be in the form of a written essay, photo or video explaining what you’d do with a new Boomer tractor with front end loader if you won one. Here’s an example of a recent video entry.

New Holland Announces Discount/Contribution Initiative

Chuck — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:27:02 +0000

The New Holland Boomer Tractor that has put in time at Jay Leno’s Garage is now going to the auction block to raise funds for a good cause. Nicknamed “Lil Tug,” by the crew at Jay’s Garage, the tractor made an appearance at the NAFB Convention before starting a tour that ends at auction in January. At the same time, New Holland announced a discount/contribution initiative to coincide with the fundraising effort with the tractor auction. Pictured is Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America, with Lil Tug.

New Holland and Jay Leno have spearheaded the program that will see the ‘Lil Tug auctioned for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 21, 2012.

Proceeds from the tractor auction will go to the Fisher House Foundation, best known for its network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment. The Foundation also ensures that families of service men and women wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan are not burdened with unnecessary expense during a time of crisis.

In grateful recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and their families, New Holland Agriculture announced today that effective on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 and continuing through January 21, 2012, it will offer U.S veterans and military personnel a $300 discount on the purchase of New Holland Boomer™ compact tractor models 30, 35, 40 and 50 purchased in North America. New Holland will also donate $100 to the Fisher House Foundation for every Boomer compact tractor sold in North America during the discount period.

“This discount and contribution program will further enhance the charitable efforts accomplished by the Fisher House Foundation,” said Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America. “Agriculture has always been one of the backbones of America and it is very fitting that our industry steps forward once again to contribute to not only the courageous members of the Armed Forces, but also to a great role being taken by the Fisher House Foundation.”

I spoke with Abe during the NAFB convention. You can hear more about the programs in our interview: Interview with Abe Hughes

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

Last Month of New Holland Boomer 555 Contest

Chuck — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:25:29 +0000

It’s the last month of the New Holland Boomer 555 Contest, a social media driven promotion. Entries have poured in from all over the United States and Canada. Contest entries can be in the form of a written essay, uploaded photo or link to a YouTube video. All forms of entries have been received. I’ve posted a video entry below as an example. ZimmComm has had the pleasure to work with New Holland on this project which includes a blog and associated social networking accounts.

Many thanks to Lana Bell from Killarney, Manitoba for her entry into the contest. Lana came up with lots of things she would do with a new Boomer tractor. As you’ll see in the video, she plans to let her husband on the tractor in year five of the lease, “maybe.”

So it’s not too late to get your entry in and let New Holland know what you would do with a new Boomer tractor. Just fill out the entry form which you can find right here.

What Would You Do With A New Boomer Tractor

Chuck — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:40:04 +0000

The weather has been a little up and down for opening day of the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Actually, the morning was pretty nice but after lunch the rain kind of set in.

I had a nice time this morning working with New Holland on behalf of their Boomer 555 Contest. I’m collecting some interviews for this social media campaign like this one with Joe Capps from Opelika, Alabama. He told me what he would do with a new Boomer tractor. The contest runs through the end of November so it’s not too late to get your entry in.

2011 Sunbelt Ag Expo Photo Album

Sunbelt Ag Expo coverage is sponsored by The New Holland Boomer 555 Contest.

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Kicks Off

Chuck — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:10:48 +0000

This morning Mike Wilson, President, International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) and editor, Farm Futures, kicked off the 2011 Canada Outdoor Farm Show. I’ve got video coming and will add as soon as it’s ready.

We had a ribbon cutting of a different kind. Mike cut the ribbon on a batch of balloons which then floated over the show. Mike made opening remarks to a crowd that gathered for the official opening ceremony. He introduced the visiting agricultural journalists to everyone and told the farmers not to be surprised if someone taps them on the shoulder and asks for an interview with an “accent!”

It’s a beautiful day out here and I’ve added a bunch of new photos to the photo album that include the new permanent building that was dedicated this morning for New Holland.

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by PIONEER Hi-Bred

New From New Holland

Chuck — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:21 +0000

During the New Holland press conference at last week’s Farm Progress Show we learned what’s new. Abe Hughes, New Holland Agriculture Sales & Marketing Vice President introduced three members of the team to talk about their market segments and products. We heard from Ed Barry, New Holland Cash Crop Marketing Manager; Mike Cornman, New Holland Hay and Forage Segment Marketing Manager and John Elliott, New Holland, Director, Marketing NAR. Some of the items they discussed include:

New SuperFlex draper head specifically designed to match the high capacity of New Holland CR Series Twin Rotor® and CX8000 Series Super-Conventional combines.

Special limited edition of New Holland’s FR9000 Series, which we’re producing in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary New Holland’s first self-propelled forage harvester.

Tier 4A engines with the addition of five new CR Series Twin Rotor® combines and three new CX8000 Series Super Conventional combines equipped with ECOBlue™ Selective Catalytic Reduction engine technology.

Listen to their presentations in the video:

2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland GROWMARK Trellis Growing Systems

QR Codes Add Mobile Info To Farm Shows

Chuck — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:33:52 +0000

See the funny looking black and white design in the picture? That’s a QR code. If your mobile device has a QR Code reader on it, just point it at that image and voila, you’ll be taken to the latest Boomer information on the web. It’s that simple. Got your device with you now? Give it a try. It even works right off your computer screen right now! I saw a lot of these around the Farm Progress Show last week.

You’ll notice that the picture also includes a New Holland Boomer. I can’t forget to mention the New Holland Boomer 555 Contest we’ve been helping promote. New Holland is giving away a five year lease on a new Boomer 30 with front end loader to eight regional winners. Here’s where you can enter. While at the Farm Progress Show I spoke with Abe Hughes, New Holland Agriculture Sales & Marketing Vice President about the contest.

Listen in to my conversation with Abe about the Boomer 555 Contest: Interview with Abe Hughes

2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland GROWMARK Trellis Growing Systems

Gene Hemphill Honored for 25 Years With FPS Media Tent

Chuck — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:48:59 +0000

There’s been a media tent at the Farm Progress Show for twenty five years and Gene Hemphill, New Holland Agriculture, has sponsored and supervised it for all of them. He gets everything set up and that includes early morning coffee and donuts. Whatever the ag media need, they know they just ask Gene.

Well today the Farm Progress Show officially honored Gene for his years of hard work, dedication and easy disposition no matter what challenge is presented. On stage in the media tent to present him with a plaque are (L-R) FPS Show Manager Matt Jungmann, Jeff Lapin, President, Farm Progress Companies and Don Tourte, Farm Progress director of sales and national events. After receiving his plaque Gene took the microphone to make a few remarks I think you’ll enjoy.

Here’s Gene’s comments after receiving his recognition: Gene Hemphill Remarks

2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland GROWMARK Trellis Growing Systems

New Holland New At Farm Progress Show

Chuck — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:19:49 +0000

On opening day of the Farm Progress Show our sponsor, New Holland Agriculture, held a press conference to talk about new products and projects. Abe Hughes, New Holland Agriculture Sales & Marketing Vice President, led things off. I’ve recorded the full presentation that includes additional New Holland representatives providing product area updates in addition to Abe’s comments for you which you can listen to or download below.

The press conference focused on several new product areas like:

. . . Tier 4A engines with the addition of five new CR Series Twin Rotor® combines and three new CX8000 Series Super Conventional combines equipped with ECOBlue™ Selective Catalytic Reduction engine technology.

. . . an industry-leading 5-year Boomer Guard5 limited warranty on all Boomer™ 30/35/40/50 deluxe compact tractors.

. . . anniversary edition of New Holland’s FR9000 Series self-propelled forage harvesters.

And much more.

Listen to or download the full press conference here. New Holland Press Conference

Here’s video of Abe’s comments at the press conference.

2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland GROWMARK Trellis Growing Systems

Jay Leno’s New Holland Boomer “Lil Tug” Going to Auction

Chuck — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:08:37 +0000

This here’s a story about a tractor called “Lil Tug.” Lil Tug is a New Holland Boomer that did duty in Jay Leno’s Garage for years. His story is about to enter a new chapter though since Jay has taken possession of a New Holland Boomer 8N! Lil Tug will be auctioned and the proceeds will go to the Fisher House Foundation. This photo is one I took in Jay’s Garage back in May of 2007. You can still listen to my interview with Jay. So let’s get back to the story (chapter 1), which was announced today at the Farm Progress Show.

You can listen to Abe Hughes, New Holland Agriculture Sales & Marketing Vice President, talk about the project during a press conference at the Farm Progress Show here: New Holland Press Conference Audio

It started four years ago when a little blue tractor rolled off of the New Holland assembly line in Dublin, Georgia, prepared to proudly face its future of doing the work it was built to accomplish. The little blue tractor knew it could faithfully carry out the smaller chores as it would watch the big muscle tractors leaving the machinery shed with the power needed to tackle those more demanding jobs in the fields that stretched to the horizons.

But, as fate would have it, the story didn’t quite turn out that way. Instead, the little blue tractor was placed on a truck and headed westward across the nation, past massive fields, over mountains, and finally taken off the truck outside of a large garage in Burbank, California. A short time later the little blue tractor was driven into the large garage and introduced to scores of vehicles of all ages, shapes and sizes — the likes of which it had never seen.
And so it was there, in the famous Jay Leno Garage, that the little blue tractor won over many friends during the following years as it dependably and gently pushed and pulled the other vehicles, guiding them to new locations within the garage whenever rearrangement was needed or vehicles needed servicing. The crew in the garage grew fond of the little blue tractor, which was especially excited when they carefully painted on the side of its shiny hood the name they had been calling it for months – The ‘Lil Tug! Life was good in the little blue tractor’s new home, the biodiesel fuel they fed it was great, and they even made certain that the ‘Lil Tug stayed shiny clean and presentable.

However, the day finally came when the ‘Lil Tug was to be retired when Jay Leno took possession this past May of a New Holland Boomer™ 8N, a limited edition tractor inspired by the legendary 8N tractor from the late 1940s. It was a beautiful tractor, but the ‘Lil Tug was worried about its own future — would it be lost, set aside, forgotten?

Instead, however, New Holland and Jay Leno are planning even bigger and more exciting events. The proudest and best days for the ‘Lil Tug are yet to happen. Soon it will glisten under the spotlights of a major auction from which its proceeds would be gifted to a charity that would bring honor to the legacy of the ‘Lil Tug.

In January of 2012, the ‘Lil Tug will sport an array of patriotic colors as it glistens under the spotlights of the prestigious and world renown Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Fisher House Foundation, best known for its network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers, will be the recipient of the auction proceeds.

New Holland Agriculture, the equipment company that initially loaned the tractor for work in the garage, was pleased with the outcome. “Our decision to auction the ‘Lil Tug was greeted with great enthusiasm right from the very beginning,” says Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America. “New Holland working together with Jay Leno, Barrett-Jackson and the Fisher House Foundation will be monumental,” adds Hughes. It’s going to be an exciting journey as we move forward toward the auction.”

Hughes, who met with Leno earlier this year, says New Holland is working closely with the Jay Leno team to make the ‘Lil Tug even more appealing as the auction approaches. “But we’re saving those surprises to be announced at a later date.”

In the meantime, the little blue tractor that came from humble beginnings in Georgia to become the ‘Lil Tug celebrity tractor is perhaps rehearsing its auction speech by repeating its mantra: “I Knew I Could! I Knew I Could! I Knew I Could!”

2011 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland GROWMARK Trellis Growing Systems

Honoring Gene Hemphill at Farm Progress Show

Chuck — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:08:37 +0000

This week the Farm Progress Show held a preview day for the media. Our good friend Gene Hemphill sent along a photo.

With Gene in command again this year, New Holland is sponsoring the media tent and our coverage of the show on AgWired. Cindy and I will be arriving on Monday and we’re there for the duration. You should start seeing content from the show by Monday evening. We’re looking forward to seeing many friends and clients. In fact we’ve got a record number of sponsors for our coverage of the show this year for both AgWired and Precision Pays. More on that later.

Getting back to Gene, the FPS took him by “surprise by unveiling a poster recognizing me for my 25 years of service to the Farm Progress Publications for my work with the media. I think there were a few young journalists in the audience that might not have been born then — or a least they looked at me with questioning eyes when I mentioned the 15 typewriters we had at the first media tent. LOL.”

Thanks to Mike Wilson of Illinois Prairie Farmer, a Farm Progress publication, for taking the photo of Gene with FPS Show Manager Matt Jungmann (left) and Don Tourte, Farm Progress director of sales and national events (right).