Manage Residue When Planting Corn on Corn

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2008

I think growers appreciate hearing from other growers, even if they also sell Garst Seed. At the Commodity Classic Learning Center session on Maximizing Yield in Continuous Corn, north central Iowa grower Mike Missman talked about his experience with corn on corn.

When I spoke with him prior to his presentation he said that the first consideration would be Garst Agrisure traited corn. Of course he would say so. But he also suggests that managing residue is very important, especially wet fields that are easily compacted.

Listen to my interview with Mike here: cc-08-missman.mp3

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, New Holland, Seed

Media Room Sponsorships Vital

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2008

There were 145 media representatives covering Commodity Classic. Here’s some of them at the Sec. of Ag Schafer press conference. We all have significant needs for things like internet access, phone lines, work spaces, convenient food/beverages, privacy, a meeting place, secure room for equipment and help finding our way around. That’s why it is so important and appreciated to have companies like New Holland sponsor a media/press conference room at events like Commodity Classic.

To give you a perspective on how important this is I spoke to Pam Fretwell, WTAD and Past President of NAFB. She says that there just wouldn’t be the amount of stories going out if we didn’t have resources like the ones made possible by sponsors like New Holland.

Listen to Pam’s comments here: cc-08-fretwell-nh.mp3

I also spoke to Mike Wilson, Farm Futures and Senior Vice President of IFAJ. He says the sponsorship of the media room is very important since these events are getting so big and the resources offered really help us do our jobs. He also says that for the sponsoring company it really helps build strong relationships.

Listen to Mike’s comments here: cc-08-wilson.mp3

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2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Media, New Holland

Dr. Fred Below Says Use High Yielding Varieties

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2008

If you haven’t heard Dr. Fred Below, Professor of Plant Physiology, University of Illinois, speak then you’re missing something. He was part of a panel discussion on Maximizing Yield in Continuous Corn that filled the room. The Learning Center session was sponsored by Syngenta.

The first thing Dr. Below wanted growers to know is that they’ll take an approximate 10% yield penalty by doing corn on corn. He’s done a lot of work on how you go about mitigating that penalty. To do so he says you should utilize a high yielding hybrid and apply sufficient nitrogen. Of course it helps to have a little cooperation from the weather too since that’s the single biggest impact factor on yield. Another thing he suggests is planting more seed per acre since corn planted after corn often emerges poorly. For more information he recommends that growers contact their local extension offices where they’ll find a lot of information on this subject.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Below here: cc-08-below.mp3

You didn’t think I was done posting from Commodity Classic did you? Well I’m not. There’s still more to come.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
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2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, New Holland, Syngenta

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort March 3, 2008

U.S. exports of agricultural-related machinery totaled more than $8.2 billion dollars in 2007, an increase of more than 13 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. South America recorded the largest gains, followed by Africa and Europe.
The National Pork Board announces its partnership with Share Our Strength®, a national organization working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. The Pork Checkoff is proud to be the official protein sponsor of Share Our Strength’s 2008 Taste of the Nation® events in six cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New Orleans. The Pork Checkoff will support these events through media relations efforts and on-site participation showcasing trend-setting recipes and a variety of pork products.
South Dakota cattlemen proved their cattle production knowledge by capturing first place in the popular, “Who Wants to Be a CattleMaster®?” contest by Pfizer at the Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Feb. 6-9 in Reno, Nev. South Dakota producers answered a wide range of disease and animal health–related questions to earn the top prize of $5,000, which was presented to the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. Mississippi Cattleman’s Association finished second, earning $3,000 for their state association, and Montana Stockgrowers Association came in third to win $1,500. Winners were based on the highest average state score.

Zimfo Bytes

BASF Honors Corn Yield Contest Winners

Cindy Zimmerman March 3, 2008

BASF congratulated the country’s leading corn growers and their families for their leadership in embracing innovation at the National Corn Growers Association’s National Corn Yield Contest banquet at the 2008 Commodity Classic. Markus Heldt, head of the BASF North American crop protection division, joined NCGA president Ron Litterer to honor the winners.

Markus told the audience of almost 2,000 corn growers that BASF is working to help fill the information and innovation gap to help corn yields continue to break the yield barrier.

“How can it be possible for some growers to double the U.S. corn yield average?” he asked rhetorically, pointing to the national yield champions as examples of success. “At BASF, we believe that the gap is information and innovation, and we’re taking action to fill both those gaps by supporting education through scholarship programs and by building on our 143-year history of R&D investment, now totaling $450 million per year in crop protection.”

BASF has been a sponsor of NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest for more than 20 years.

Listen to my interview with Markus here:
markus.mp3

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Thanks to Ron Bolte of Stealth Productions for the banquet photos!

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, New Holland

Whitney’s Classic Comments

Chuck Zimmerman March 2, 2008

I didn’t get to spend any time with Whitney Wallace at Commodity Classic but I got to follow her via her Monsanto Student Blogger blog – Whitney’s Classic Comments. I’m happy to see Monsanto continuing the Future Ag Journalists Fellowship program we got started a couple years ago now. I know the experience that students like Whitney are getting will serve them well in their careers and provide them with skills that many companies today need, including the media. Here’s an excerpt from Whitney’s blog to give you an example of her writing.

After a short flight, we landed safely in Missouri. During our take-off, I saw some bright red, picturesque barns dotting the Tennessee countryside. It made me think about hard-working farmers across our nation. From seeing the opportunities this weekend, I know that Commodity Classic provides growers with excellent resources. Several of the producers I met said they come to the event to expand their knowledge of new technology, techniques, and products. With the outstanding programs, press conferences and trade show displays, I’d say…mission accomplished!

I’m glad she’s safely at home and I hope everyone has a safe journey. Cindy and I are part way at this point. She’s driving, I’m blogging.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
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2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Media Room

Chuck Zimmerman March 1, 2008

I think I’m the last one in the media room now. In fact, it closes in 20 minutes and they’re already tearing it down around me. Here’s Ned Arthur, Truffle Media Networks, hard at work earlier.

In case you’ve never seen these professionals in action Cindy shot a short video clip when things were very active. We had a record 145 media representatives here at Classic this year including some sort of “mainstream” media we don’t normally see.

Cindy took off to do some shopping a while ago and I’m ready for a break so I’m going to quit for now. However, you can expect to see and hear more from this year’s show right here on AgWired.

Thank you once again to Gene Hemphill, New Holland, for not only sponsoring AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic but the media room as well.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

BASF, Commodity Classic, Media, New Holland, Video

Manufacturers Support of Biodiesel

Chuck Zimmerman March 1, 2008

Ed Hegland is a farmer from Minnesota and currently serving as Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board. He stopped by the New Holland booth here at the Commodity Classic trade show where I got to talk to him about how equipment manufacturers are supporting biodiesel.

Ed says that as a farmer he’s excited to see companies like New Holland and others following their lead to step up and help promote the use of biodiesel, a farm product.

I asked him what other things these companies can do besides providing warranty support for 100% biodiesel. He says that education would be one thing. He thinks the manufacturers need to make sure that dealers and distributors get the right information on usage and handling of biodiesel so customers will learn it and to make sure that they stress quality.

Listen to my interview with Ed Hegland here: cc-08-hegland.mp3

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
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2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Biodiesel, Commodity Classic, New Holland, Soybean