iPad mini Impressions

Chuck Zimmerman

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 …

Apps, Technology

2012 Global Farmer Roundtable at WFP

Cindy Zimmerman

This year’s Global Farmer Roundtable at the World Food Prize hosted another great group of producers from around the world. Participants at this event included 17 producers from Canada, Honduras, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Swaziland, United Kingdom, Uruguay, US, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This annual roundtable is organized by Truth About Trade & Technology (TATT), a nonprofit advocacy …

Audio, Biotech, Farming, International, Technology, World Food Prize

Monsanto’s Robb Fraley Talks Technology at WFP

Cindy Zimmerman

Biotechnology and precision agriculture technology are twin advancements in farming that are working together to help increase productivity to feed the world. Monsanto‘s executive vice president and chief technology officer Dr. Robert Fraley addressed the topic of game changing innovations that are shaping the future of green technology during the 2012 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue last week in Des …

Audio, Biotech, Elanco, Precision Agriculture, Technology, Tractor, World Food Prize

PowerSuite Nominated for Technology Award

Melissa Sandfort

PowerSuite for Retailers is the first and only cloud-based sales and customer management tool designed specifically for U.S. Ag retailers. XS’ PowerSuite application was one of 11 products recently nominated for the ARA/AgGateway Technology Award. The winner will be featured during the ARA Annual Conference & Expo in November and will receive $1,000 to a charity of choice. The contest …

Agribusiness, Technology

It’s an iPhone World

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do you plan to buy an iPhone 5?” Our poll results: 20% said yes, upgrade my old iPhone; 4% said yes, get first iPhone; 24% said no, I’m Android; 32% said no, keep old iPhone; and 21% said they don’t want a smartphone. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Have …

Technology, ZimmPoll

Monsanto Previews FieldScripts

Cindy Zimmerman

On the eve of the 2012 Farm Progress Show, the media was invited to Monsanto’s Huxley, Iowa facility for a sneak preview of FieldScripts, the company’s first product from the Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) platform. Monsanto IFS commercial lead John Raines says FieldScripts will deliver two things for farmers. “A variable rate corn hybrid prescription in that field, as well …

Audio, Corn, Farming, Technology

Minimum Tillage Changes Due to Drought

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ” What tillage practice changes will you make due to drought?” Our poll results: Thirty-one percent said No change, continue conventional till; 35% said No change, continue conservation till; 15% said Will start conservation till (no-till, strip-till, other) on part of crop; and 19% said Will start conservation till (no-till, strip-till, other) on all …

Technology, ZimmPoll

Mobile Technology the Future of Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

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 …

Agribusiness, Apps, Farming, Technology

Ag Leader Technology Celebrating Twenty Years

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s an inspirational story about a man with an idea and a willingness to work hard to create a company that would not only help farmers but also support his family. He’s Al Myers, founder of Ag Leader Technology. I had the opportunity and pleasure to sit down with Al at the company’s headquarters in Ames, IA. We had a …

Ag Leader, Agribusiness, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology, ZimmCast

Raven Offers Solutions for Farmers Worldwide

Cindy Zimmerman

Raven Industries is helping farmers all over the world be more productive and efficient with precision agriculture solutions. At this week’s Raven Innovation Summit, I talked with Karl Erichsen of Effective Farming Solutions in Middleburg, South Africa who has been a distributor for 12 years. Karl says precision farming is very important in South Africa because of the wide variety …

Audio, International, Precision Agriculture, Technology