2012 Alltech International Symposium Photo Album

2012 Alltech International Symposium Photo Album

“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.

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

Speaking of the American Feed Industry Association being a founding member/organization/supporter of the AAA, here’s Sarah Novak, Vice President, Membership & Public Relations at AFIA, receiving a 25 years of support award from AAA Chairman Chris Ashworth. During our Stakeholders Summit reception last night all the long time supporters of the AAA were recognized and photos are in the online photo album.

2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit Photo Album

Thanks to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and United Soybean Board for their sponsorship of our coverage of this year’s Summit.

“Social media has allowed us to continue to enhance our traditional recruiting efforts,” says University Relations Manager Ashley McClintock. “We utilize Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to connect with individuals who may not have met otherwise and it allows us to stay in touch when we’re not on campus.”

Ashley says they also use social media to inform students about career fairs and other events. “We’ve also handed out cards that show the event so students can partake in conversation and even win prizes,” she said.

The 12-week GROWMARK internship program allows students to get hands-on experience in various areas. “This is a win-win for the students and GROWMARK as it allows the students an opportunity to clarify their career goals and gives us a chance to see if they could have a successful career with the company,” Ashley says. The 53rd annual GROWMARK internship program will kick off May 20 with 51 students representing 21 universities across North America, working in a number of different areas.

Listen to my interview with Ashley here: GROWMARK's Ashley McClintock

Another social media tool GROWMARK uses to recruit is YouTube. Take a look at the video below about the internship program.

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.

In case you didn’t make it to Chef Ray’s breakfast you can still learn a little etiquette from him.

2012 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

You may also be able to figure out who some other people are in the video performance I recorded at Thursday night’s Howl at the Moon event. There are also some photos in our online photo album since it has finally been updated.

2012 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Here’s a little info about Ray:

I’m Ray. Work? Not really into it. But, I do own the Kaiser Roll Diner. And, I’m the resident chef @ the 2012 NAMA Pancake Breakfast..after the AFTER party (Brownfield’s shindig). Midnight. 4/19. Be there. Don’t make me come after you.

Contact farmersfight2012@yahoo.com for more information.

Follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Those interested in more information about how they can contribute to the “Meet America’s Farmers” YouTube channel can contact Mark Crouser at Mark.Crouser@foodintegrity.org.

I picked out one of the videos on the channel that features our good friend, Andrew McCrea. Here’s what he says about farming.

The best thing about being a farmer: Being around family, bringing kids with you in the combine or tractor and giving them rides on the horse, and living in the country. It’s hard work, but a good living.

So what do you think about this effort?

Farmers will be able to use the new product in combination with other herbicides and agronomic practices, under a weed control system enabled by dicamba-tolerant crops currently in development.

“Farmers fighting against herbicide resistance have an important new tool in Engenia which, field research shows, will offer excellent weed control and crop safety, as well as low-volatility characteristics for improved on-target application,” said Paul Rea, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection, BASF.

A registration decision by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Engenia is anticipated in a parallel time frame with commercialization of a dicamba-tolerant soybean system.
Commercialization of the dicamba-tolerant system for soybeans is expected in the U.S. mid-decade, with cotton, corn and canola to follow. (Read more from BASF)

We had a chance to see how Engenia works at the 2012 Commodity Classic, with the help of BASF ag biologist Chad Brommer, who explained how the product is researched and tested in the lab. We shot a little video of Chad doing some show-and-tell, which you can see below.

The two minute animated video details the continuing efforts by HSUS to control America’s egg farmers that began with California’s Proposition 2 campaign in 2008 and have now reached Congress with H.R. 3798. The video explores the impact these proposals by HSUS will have on the economy and the food supply.

Operated by South Central FS, the Fast Stop General Store has something for everyone, according to store manager Bryan Dahnke. “We’ve tried to make this a destination for people, because they can get gas anywhere, they can get a candy bar anywhere, you can’t Illinois homegrown products anywhere,” Bryan told me when we stopped by the store on a GROWMARK media tour last week.

It is definitely a destination stop. Over 100 locally produced products line the front wall of the store including jellies, jams, salsa, noodles, and candles, with more in the freezer like the Matoon, Illinois trademarked Fluffy Burgers and other local meats. In the feed section you can get food for every animal from dogs and cats, to hogs and cattle, to rabbits and llamas. Along the back wall is the garage door display. “As part of South Central, we own Altamont Overhead Garage Doors, and that’s a good business for us,” Bryan said. In addition, they have grain handling and diesel truck facilities in the back of the store.

Bryan says the general store concept has worked very well for them. “From year one to year two, we increased about 30-35% in inside sales and about 30% in fuel and this year we’re still running about another 15% on fuel sales and another 35% on inside sales,” he said.

Listen to an interview with Bryan here and watch a video of the store below: Interview with Bryan Dahnke

The National Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by: CHS Inc., The Council for Agricultural Science & Technology, Farm Progress Companies, High Plains Journal, National Association of Farm Broadcasting, National Agri-Marketing Association, Country Living Association and McCormick Company. I’m sure another contest will be announced soon so start thinking about what you would like to say now!

Listen to Miriam read her essay here: Miriam Martin Winning Ag Day Essay

You can watch the winning video essay by Diane Gress, Shreve, Ohio, here:

Both winners received $1,000. Miriam also received the trip to Washington, DC where we recognized her at the banquet last week.

2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

To integrate water management into its expanding precision farming portfolio, Ag Leader has acquired Soil-Max, manufacturer of the market-leading Gold Digger tile plow, and the assets of Gradient, Inc., a related company which revolutionized the control of tile plows with the Intellislope GPS-based control system. These products allow growers and tiling contractors to solve water management challenges very cost effectively by greatly reducing the technical knowledge, labor and time required to install tile.

The acquisition will serve as a base for developing additional products for other water management tasks such as land leveling, waterway grading, ditching and levee building. “This is a great opportunity for Ag Leader to make a bold step into an increasingly important part of the precision farming industry,” said Al Myers, founder and President of Ag Leader Technology. “Water management is a very important part of any precision farming plan. Gold Digger tile plows and the Intellislope control system have been the market-leading products in this segment for many years and we’re thrilled to add these products to our product line.”

Find out more about the acquisition from Al Myers in this video press release:

BTW. Session emcee Mark Mayfield remarked afterward that the farm reporter is not supposed to be funnier than the comedian. Watch the video to see why.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Everyone got herded into a very large and empty basement level ballroom in the area near the trade show. I had to risk the hotel staff wrath to go get my computer out of the media room so I could get this posted. Unfortunately, they said this will probably happen again this evening. We’ve got that to look forward to. Now it’s reception time!

You can hear the warning here: Gaylord Opryland Commodity Classic Tornado Warning

It looks like we have a lot of Midwesterners here as you’ll see in the video clip from the trade show floor. We’re kind of used to this sort of thing.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Paul Rea, Vice President of U.S. Crop Protection for BASF, says Jerry passed away suddenly just a few weeks ago. “It was a real loss and everyone was looking for a way we could remember his service so what better way than to award a memorial scholarship in his name,” said Paul.

Listen to or download Paul talking about BASF’s commitment to the future of agriculture and the new scholarship: BASF VP U.S. Crop Protection Paul Rea

BASF has funded the Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship for up to $5,000 per year the next three years. Applications for the scholarship program will be accepted through the end of 2012, with the first recipients to be announced at next year’s Commodity Classic.

This year, for the fifth consecutive year, BASF partnered with the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to present another six students with scholarships.

Recipients of the $1,000 NCGA scholarships, pictured here with Paul Rea and NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, are (left to right): Andy Chamra, a junior at Iowa State University pursuing agricultural business; Denise Beam, a sophomore at Pennsylvania State University pursuing a degree in animal sciences with an agricultural business management minor; Gracie Weinzierl, a sophomore at Illinois State University majoring in agricultural education in addition to crop and soil science; Andrew Perry, a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying agricultural economics and plant science; and Bethany Olson, a junior at Iowa State University specializing in agricultural business and international agriculture.

Melissa Schenck of Boston, Kentucky – pictured here with Paul and ASA president Steve Wellman – was chosen as the 2012-2013 ASA SOY scholarship recipient. Schenck, a senior at Nelson County High School, will pursue a degree in agriculture communications at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, beginning this fall.

Melissa says she plans to go to Murray State University and major in ag communications or ag business. “Getting a scholarship from ASA and BASF means that college is going to be easier to pay for,” she said. “This scholarship has taken a load off my shoulders” and her parents too! She’s never been to Commodity Classic before and is really enjoying it.

Listen to or download an interview with Melissa here: ASA-BASF Scholarship Winner Melissa Schenck

See video of all scholarship winners here:

2012 BASF Science Behind Photo Album

We’ve started uploading photos which you can find at the link below and will be adding to them periodically. Please feel free to use and share.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Pictured here are the eight secretaries who took part in a panel at the forum last Thursday moderated by current Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Top row are Clayton Yeutter (1989-1991), Dan Glickman (1995-2001), Mike Espy (1993-1994), and John Block (1981-1986); bottom row are Senator Mike Johanns (2005-2008), Vilsack, Ann Veneman (2001-2005), and Ed Schafer (2008-2009). The only living agriculture secretary not present was Bob Bergland who served under Jimmy Carter from 1977-1981. But all were included in a USDA video shown at the event “Secretaries of Agriculture – 30 Leaders, 150 Years.”

“Nine Secretaries of Agriculture, representing 35 years of service, in one place at the same time was an incredible opportunity to learn about USDA’s contributions to the strength and health of this nation with an eye for the impact the department can have in the future,” said Vilsack. “As we reflect on the department’s 150 years, this historic gathering will help us guide how we transform USDA into a more modern and efficient service provider.”

Watch the USDA video below:

President Lincoln established USDA because he recognized the potential of America’s farmers and ranchers to provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the world. Throughout 2012, USDA will recognize important events, such as President Lincoln’s signing of an Act to establish the Department of Agriculture on May, 15, 1862 and the July signing of the Morrill Act to establish public land grant universities.

See more photos of Secretaries Day at the USDA on the agency’s Flickr photo album.

Here’s a couple of stories the USDA’s Rod Bain had on the newsline from the event:
Historic Gathering
Future of Agriculture

Post Update: Thanks to all who tuned in to our live broadcast. Here is the recording (started couple moments late). I’m adding the full audio for you to listen to shortly.

Listen to opening remarks from Chuck Woodside, RFA Chairman: Chuck Woodside Opening Remarks

Listen to State of Industry from Bob Dinneen with introduction by Chuck Woodside: Bob Dinneen State of Industry Address

The full text of the speech as prepared for delivery can be read here (pdf).

Check out our conference photos: 2012 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

We’ll be posting some more stories and interviews over the coming days so check back to see what’s new! Remember that you can easily keep up with AgWired on your smartphone with the free AgWired App.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

The heart of the system is a hydraulic down force actuator (as compared to other pneumatic airbag systems), engineered by Dawn Equipment. The actuator is the fastest on the market, allowing the INTEGRA display to make quick row unit down force adjustments, according to Sales Representative Russ Morman. “The adjustments we’re going to be able to make to our down pressure will be a lot quicker than the other systems on the market and this being a metal system rather than an air bag it won’t have the risk of puncturing,” said Russ about the system that will be available to growers in 2013.

Listen to Russ explain about the new system here: Interview with Russ Morman

Watch Russ do a little video demo at NFMS here:

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

I spoke with Paul Sr. just prior to his entry into the exhibit hall and he says the bike was a tough one to build. He says it’s not a speed demon but it won’t break down, “It’s just made to go.” The bike has affectionately been named Susie, btw.

Listen to my interview with Paul Sr. here: Interview with Paul Sr.

Listen to Paul Sr. describe the biodiesel bike here: Paul Sr. Remarks

Here’s video of Paul, Sr. driving into the exhibit hall.

Remember that you can follow what the Twitterverse is saying about the conference using the hashtag #NBB12.

2012 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

His poetic composition for the cattle industry was on the timely topic of dust – and anyone aware of the bureaucratic battle over the regulation of “particulate matter” will enjoy Tom’s “It’s Only Dust.”

Listen to the audio here and watch the video below: NAFB President Tom Steever - Dust

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

The need for more training of meat-counter employees became evident after Merck Animal Health conducted a series of consumer panels that revealed consumers identify the staff behind the counter as experts. “The consumer that goes to the retail store today still sees the person behind the counter in a white coat as the butcher and they expect them to have vast knowledge of the beef products they’re selling,” said Kyle Pfieffer with Merck Animal Health, who notes that the need for training was quickly confirmed during retailer discussions.

The Better Beef Sales program includes six video segments and takes about two hours total to complete. To learn more about the Better Beef Sales retail education program, visit www.beefretail.org.

Listen to Kyle’s comments, along with Melissa Tessitore and Trevor Amen of NCBA as they introduce “Better Beef Sales” on Wednesday at the Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville: Better Beef Sales Introduction

Watch a YouTube video about the program below:

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album