New Holland Auto Command Lesson

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Chuck

My first lesson during the New Holland Operation Blue Force field training event was in a T7 210 Auto Command CVT transmission tractor. My teacher was Luke Zerby. He says this tractor is perfect for hay and forage work. Luke talked me through the control stick which is mounted on a Sidewinder II comfy armrest. The controls allow you to preset three different speeds to switch between easily. There is also an Integrated Control Panel which allows for even more pre-set options and finer tuning those settings. This allows you to maximize engine efficiency.

The Auto Command™ Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) makes it easy to find the perfect speed for each job because your choice of speeds is infinite. You accelerate from zero to maximum speed smoothly, without multiple steps. And, with no clutching, the shuttle shifting is the smoothest you’ll find, making the Auto Command transmission ideal for loader work.

Ride along with me via ZimmGlass to learn more about what this feature offers:

I’ve got lots of photos from this week’s event for your viewing/sharing pleasure: New Holland Operation Blue Force Photo Album

2014 Bayer Sustainability Award

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Kristin Liska

bayer-aif14-award During the ninth annual Ag Issues Forum last week, Bryan Boll of Minnesota was the recipient of the 2014 Bayer Young Farmer Sustainability Award. Bryan believes the key to sustainability is to look at your operation individually and see areas in which you can improve.

I interviewed Bryan about the award and what sustainability means to him. Interview with Bryan Boll, Bayer 2014 sustainability award winner

Bryan is the fourth recipient of this award. Pictured with him here are 2013 winner Jeremy Jack of Mississippi on the left, and the CEO and president of Bayer CropScience LP, Jim Blome.

Jeremy also participated on a panel during the Ag Issues Forum on how today’s farmer CEO are re-shaping modern agriculture. He believes “sustainability has got to be the action plan” for every farmer in the future. Interview with Jeremy Jack, Bayer 2013 sustainability award winner

Below is a video that introduces Bryan and what he does on his operation.

2014 Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum Photos

FMC Shares Cotton Products to Growers

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Chuck

While in the FMC exhibit at the recent Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Chuck spoke with Don Johnson and Rusty Mitchell about some new products cotton growers can take advantage of.

Rusty shared how proud they are of their newest cotton harvest aid for cotton growers.

“We have Display, our cotton defoliation product, that we launched year. We had very good success with it.” “Very low-rate. Less warehouse space for our customers to stock product compared to competitive products out there in the marketplace.”

FMC is also offering an online web series call The Minute and hosted by Jake Turner. The series will cover growing topics, crops and other agricultural issues. They are also incorporating a Watch and Win Sweepstakes. Account holders who view the online episodes will automatically be entered to win the grand prize – a dream vacation of their choice from one of six destinations. Five first-place winners will receive $500 airfare vouchers and 20 additional winners will receive digital cameras. The sweepstakes entry period ends May 30, 2014. Winners are selected at random and will be notified in June. Sweepstakes rules and regulations are posted online at www.news.FMCMinute.com.

“It gives producers the opportunity to learn about the products we have available now. Help them with their production practices and at the same time a great opportunity to register and win some great prizes.”

Don added the importance of FMC’s presence at the event and how much they enjoy getting the chance to meet and greet their customers.

“This show gives us the opportunity for the growers, dealers, customers and distributors to come in and see what’s new and what our company brings to the market. We always say that a bad show is when the weather is great and they are out there in the field. We always hope for a little rain so it drives them to the show and we can stand here all day and visit with our customers when they come through.”

You can listen to my interview with Rusty & Don here: Interview with Rusty Mitchell & Don Johnson

2014 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

2014 FMC Stand and Be Heard Contest

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Leah Guffey

FMC says “We’re Investing in farming’s future℠ with our new Anthem® and Anthem® ATZ herbicides and $25,000 in college scholarships as prizes in the 2014 Stand & Be Heard Anthem Singing Contest.”

Last year’s winner – Noelle Goodson, a freshman at Cornerstone University – was on stage singing the National Anthem opening the general session at the 2014 Commodity Classic where Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed more than 7,000 attendees. She said it was a privilege and an honor to be able to perform for such a large crowd of people. Noelle says her time with the National FFA Choir helped her prepare for the future.

Applications for the 2014 “Stand and Be Heard Contest” are now being accepted. To learn more about entering the contest go to www.fmccrop.com/contest.

Listen to my interview with Noelle here: 2013 FMC Anthem Winner, Noelle Goodson

Listen to Noelle sing the National Anthem here: Noelle Goodson sings at Commodity Classic General Session

2014 Commodity Classic Photos

BASF Spotlights Future of Farming

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Cindy

Over 7,000 people had the opportunity to visit the BASF Crop Protection USA booth at the Commodity Classic to learn more about the future of farming – by video and through the eyes of children.

The newest video from BASF, featuring fun facts about how far the industry has progressed and how we must advance in order to meet the needs of future generations, was on a movie screen size display. Behind it was a wall displaying creative pictures artwork from children across the country of how they see the future of farming.

BASF asked children what they thought farming would look like in 50 or 100 years and got dozens of creative, innovative and colorful concepts that were on display in the booth. The winning submission, by 11-year-old Moise Dougherty of Minnesota, was chosen on Saturday morning.

See more photos here:
BASF at the 2014 Commodity Classic Photos

Watch the new BASF video here:

BASF at the 2014 Commodity Classic Photos

BIVI Dances the Night Away with Time Machine

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Joanna

Attendees of the Boehringer Ingelheim (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar danced the night away at the new Dallas Cowboys football stadium last night. Treated to great food, fun games, cheerleaders, a football player and great music, the crowd “Scored with BIVI in the Big D.”

BIVI’s guests were able to take photos with former Dallas Cowboy player Chad Hennings, who happens to be a Midwestern boy from Iowa. They also had fun testing their skills on an obstacle course, as well as were able to rate their throwing ability with several beanbag and football-themed games.

In addition, the crowd had fun dancing to the stylings of Time Machine. A special call-out to Jorge and Norton whose moves are featured in this video.

Check out the BIVI guest adventures in the BIVI Big D Swine Health Seminar photo album.

Farm & Gin Show Puppy Giveaway 2-Time Winner

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Chuck

What are the chances that you would win a puppy drawing two years in a row? That’s what happened to Louanna Garrett, Seneasha Farms, Goodman, Miss., yesterday here at the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show. She’s pictured with Jimmy McMahan, Sur-Shot Retrievers, Covington, Tenn. and his partner.

I interviewed Louanna and Jimmy afterward. I also met and interviewed a previous winner who saw a young boy crying because he didn’t win. This compassionate man gave his winning puppy to the boy and has stayed in touch with the family since then.

You can listen to my interview with Louanna Garrett here: Interview with Louanna Garrett

You can listen to my interview with Jimmy McMahan here: Interview with Jimmy McMahon

You can listen to my interview with past puppy winner here: Interview with Past Puppy Winner

2014 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

ZimmGlass Through the Classic Trade Show

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Chuck

ZimmGlass did a little walk through the Commodity Classic Trade show on the way to the New Holland exhibit. If you wonder what it’s like to walk around with Glass on your face, here’s an example. You’ll notice some interesting looks I got, some interactions and distractions and how much fun it can be. I know you want one, right?

So, the ZimmGlass Project is in full swing. I’ve ordered new frames and my lens prescription is being put in them right now. I ordered transitions so I can wear them out in the field this spring and summer.

I’ve met some great people walking around with ZimmGlass on. I’m now at the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis and I had conversations with about a half dozen people just wandering around the show, including Jerry “The King” Lawler. He’s coming up in a video interview soon.

Walk along with me at the Classic Trade Show:

2014 Commodity Classic Photos

New Holland Disk Drills

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Kristin Liska

New Holland is expanding – their disk drill size that is. New Holland disk drills are now available in 50- and 60- foot widths. This allows farmers to become more productive and get the seed in the ground.

At the Commodity Classic, Chuck talked with New Holland’s Jason Hardy about the different disk drills and how they benefit the farmer. Learn more in the video below.

2014 Commodity Classic Photos

New Holland Classic Giveaway

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Kristin Liska

This year at the Commodity Classic, New Holland continued the tradition of giving away a piece of farm equipment. A lucky Classic attendee was able to walk away with a Workmaster 35.

This year, numerous people were around the New Holland booth to listen if they would become the lucky winners, and a couple of names were called before Byron Gearhart of Ohio won, since you had to be present to win. You can see how excited and shocked he was to win his new Workmaster 35 from New Holland equipment in the video below. You can also see adorable little Brody from Kentucky who was this year’s drawing assistant.

Listen to the interview with Byron here and watch it below: Interview with New Holland Workmaster Winner

2014 Commodity Classic Photos

2014 Commodity Classic Ribbon Cutting

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Chuck

The 2014 Commodity Classic ribbon has been cut and the trade show is open for business. The media had some quiet time with exhibitors prior to the general opening which is always nice for us to get some interviews completed.

So the ZimmComm team will be on the floor in sessions and the trade show over the next couple days. I have to move on to the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis this afternoon. So I’ll be seeing you from there.

2014 Commodity Classic Photos

Syngenta Answers Grower Questions at NFMS

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Jamie

Those who walked through the dynamic Syngenta booth during the National Farm Machinery Show were not disappointed. Producers were able to ask questions and get first-hand advice from Syngenta reps while taking in all the sights.

Chuck spoke with Matt Wells, a Syngenta Sale Representative in the central/eastern region of Kentucky, about what growers are asking and what advice they are giving.

Matt said they have had a lot of questions about resistance. Growers want to know what they can do to avoid herbicide resistance on their farms.

“At the same time they are looking at commodity prices and how they have changed over the last year. How are we going to make everything work? Let’s keep our fields clean, increase our yields and take advantage of going into 2014.”

In Matt’s territory he shared that they are introducing a few new soybean varieties for growers to take advantage of. There are also some new corn varieties that he is very excited about along with new technologies Syngenta is looking at doing some testing on in the coming year.

You can listen to the interview with Matt here: Interview with Matt Wells

National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness Needs More Young People

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Chuck

Bringing new talent into an industry like agriculture and specifically a company like Bayer CropScience was a key theme that Inci Dannenberg wanted to discuss with ag media attending the 2014 Ag Issues Forum. I got to chat with her on my ZimmGlass. She is doing an interview with another ag journalist attending the Ag Issues Forum here in San Antonio.

Inci says that there is a big need for more young scientists in the ag field to help companies like Bayer continue to bring innovation to the field in the future. What is troubling her is seeing a decrease in the U.S. of students interested in science, technology, engineering and math. She says we need more of that to be competitive globally.

Learn more about how Bayer CropScience is encouraging new talent to come into the industry in my conversation with Inci.

2014 Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum Photos

GSI Highlights Products at NFMS

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Jamie

GSI was one of the many agricultural equipment companies that took advantage of the National Farm Machinery Show’s trade show to market their products. Chuck met up with GSI’s Gary Woodruff to find out more about what they have to offer.

“GSI has been in the business since about 1971. We started out as a grain bin company and over the years grown acquiring other companies. Adding material handling, adding grain dryers, top drys and other equipment. We grew as a private company. We then since went through another type of ownership and recently in December of 2012 we were purchased by AGCO. We are very happy to be one of the AGCO companies.”

Gary shares with Chuck their not so new product, yet still very popular, the Watchdog. A device that allows you to pull up the exact screen that’s on the dryer as along as it has internet capabilities. GSI customers love this because their is no learning curve. It also allows the operator to make any safe changes remotely. All this is done through an IP address and personal password.

“Two or three years ago the early adopters loved this. The biggest issue we had was a lot farms did not have local area networks. We were using cell phone modems. The thing we have noticed in the last 18 months is a much higher percentage of farms have a local network or have web technology. In the last 18 months the usage of this product has increased dramatically.”

To learn more about this and other GSI products, visit your local GSI dealer. Watchdog can be used on any of their Vision Portable Dryers Systems or our Vision Tower Systems. Gary suggests using the dealer finder on their website to find one in your area.

You can listen to the interview with Gary here: Interview with Gary Woodruff

National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture

Raven Rakes in Awards for Precision Technology

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Jamie

Tim Heins heads up the product management team for Raven and Chuck caught up with him at the trade show during the National Farm Machinery Show.

“At the ASABE Award Show, in conjunction with the farm show, we won four AE50 Awards. We won them for SmarTrax™ MD, OmniRow® Multi-Hybrid Planter Control System and our Viper 4 Field Computer.”

As an independent precision ag provider, Raven was the only company that won that many awards. Tim shared how exciting it is to be winning awards along side big names in the farm equipment industry.

Raven’s OmniRow® Multi-Hybrid Planter technology also was awarded the FinOvation Award presented by Farm Industry News for a collaboration with South Dakota State University and Pioneer Seeds.

“We have been doing variable rate technology for years now and when you talk about that it’s hard for producers to really understand variable rate. What do I need to do? How and when do I do it? When you talk about changing hybrids it’s something that is more intuitive and they understand their fields. To growers and producers, multi-hybrid more than variable rate, they get.”

You can listen to the interview with Tim here: Interview with Tim Heins

National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture

New Holland Smart Tier 4B Tractor

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Chuck

At the recent Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY Chuck spoke with New Holland’s Gary Wojcik, Segment Marketing Manager for large horsepower tractors. He shared some insights into their Tier 4B Solutions series launch later this year.

“What we are looking at here is the highest horsepower row-crop tractor we offer,” Gary said. “This is our latest Tier 4B Solution. This is the final of the Tier 4 and this product has won an AE50 award for the Tier 4B Solution. In comparison to other company’s we have a distinct advantage in the fact that we stick with the solution we had before, which was an after treatment. We are the only company that can do that.”

Gary goes on to explain how this transition benefits their customers ability to move from tractor to tractor seamlessly. Fluid efficiencies between Tier 4A & B are better then before as well. Both of these are part of the ECOBlue™ Hi-eSCR technology, which maintains efficiency and productivity for products over 120hp.

Gary said that he thinks the education level has hit most of their customers. They understand that Tier 4 is here and what New Holland’s message is. Later this year you will be able to see more about New Holland’s Genesis T8 Series tractors and this summer customers you can look forward to seeing what New Holland has in store for 2015 and future years to come.

You can listen to the interview with Gary here: Interview with Gary Wojcik

National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture

New Holland Smart Hay & Forage Tools

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Chuck

Robert Hendrix is the rock star of New Holland hay and forage tools. I had fun letting him show off a couple of new products at the National Farm Machinery Show, the Discbine 313 mower-conditioner and Roll Belt 560 round baler. In the interview below he talks us through all the new features.

Discbine 313:

New Holland has taken the Discbine® mower-conditioner to a new level with two new center-pivot models. Combining both speed and performance, the new Discbine® 313 and Discbine® 316 feature increased durability, more efficient crop flow and smoother, more effective conditioning. The combination of larger cutting discs and a wider conditioning system leads to cleaner cutting, better crop flow and more consistent drying. Co-rotating disc modules have been removed on the Discbine 313 and reduced to one pair on the Discbine 316. This greatly reduces the crop convergence between the cutterbar and the conditioner.

Roll Belt 560:

The New Holland’s Roll-Belt™ 560 5′x 6′ round baler delivers two elements cattle producers ask for the most: higher baling capacity and better feeding ability in a wide range of crops and baling conditions. New Holland’s proven combination of rolls and belts gets hay rolling quickly for fast, reliable core starts and helps pack more hay into every bale for less outside storage losses.

You can listen to the interview with Robert here and learn more: Interview with Robert Hendrix

National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture

Championship Tractor Pull Brings in Best in Business

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Chuck

Mike Wilhite was a contestant in the recent Championship Tractor Pull during the 2014 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY. He drives Blue Blazes and visited with Chuck prior to the event.

Mike worked for Ford for 30 years. The the tradition didn’t start with him, his dad also worked for the company along with his two brothers. So, naturally they were drawn to New Holland’s blue. Mike is considered a local, living just 32 miles from Louisville.

“Outdoors we run a 300 foot track. In this indoor track we are confined to 240 feet. It’s an experience. You better have everything right. Your weight and gear selections right. There is a lot to it.”

A blockade of sand sits at the end of the short track incase any tractors have a little too much gas in them. Mike shared that they buried their tractor the first year they competed in the event.

Mike and his pulling team competed in about 18 hooks over the course of the season. They traveled as far as Wisconsin, down into Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama. He also expressed how great the fans were at pulls and how committed they were to the competitions.

“We’ve been messing with tractors all our lives. We always had hot rod cars and stuff like that. When my brother and I first started we bought a tractor out of New York, I guess that would have been about 20 years ago. And it has evolved into this here.”

You could tell that all the pullers were great friends and shared a family type atmosphere. But when they get to the track, it’s all business.

You can listen to the interview with Mike here: Interview with Mike Wilhite

National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture

John Deere ExactEmerge Planter Reveal at NFMS

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Cindy

In the ICYMI category from the National Farm Machinery Show last week was the big reveal of the new John Deere ExactEmerge™ planter.

“We’ve been able to design from the ground up a whole new technology,” said Aaron Wetzel, John Deere VP Global Crop Care. “Being able to provide to our customers unparalleled accuracy in the trench with great opportunity to enhance yield.”

Watch the video of the unveiling below and listen to an interview with Aaron here: Interview with Aaron Wetzel, John Deere

John Deere Planter at NFMS photos

Walk Along a New Holland CR8090 Combine

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Chuck

New combines and headers from New Holland were getting a lot of attention at the National Farm Machinery Show. I got Cole Sanford to take a few minutes and walk me through some of the new features on the CR8090 model combine and folding corn head that you see him standing next to in the photo.

Introducing NEW CR Series combines from New Holland. They continue the more than 35-year pure Twin Rotor® bloodline, offering superior multi-pass threshing and best-in-class grain and straw quality. You can also expect industry leading stone protection thanks to the new, Dynamic Stone ProtectionTM system and superior residue management flexibility with features like the new Opti-Spread™ system. Another thing you can always count on from New Holland? New innovations that increase your productivity and ROI.
DECREASE YOUR OPERATING COSTS

The new Tier 4A engines that power CR Series combines not only decrease emissions, they decrease your fuel bills. They feature New Holland’s ECOBlue™ SCR technology that turns cool, clean air into more power while using less fuel for up to 10% fuel savings. When combined with long, 600-hour service intervals, and high-efficiency features like the IntelliCruise™ feeding system and the new Dynamic Stone Protection™ system that allows you to harvest in extremely stony conditions without stopping, it’s clear new CR Series combines are designed to increase your profitability.

You can listen to my interview with Cole here or watch the video below: Interview with Cole Sanford