Live From the National Farm Machinery Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff NalleyThis show has been interesting from the media standpoint since we don’t really have a common location to work from. Usually all of us media types can work side by side in relative peace and quiet away from the crowds. This afternoon I did a walk around and found some of my media buddies working in various places.

Jeff Nalley, Cromwell Ag Radio Network, was set up to broadcast in the opposite side of the complex from where I’ve been the last day or so. Did I ever mention how big this show is?

Like me, Jeff could really benefit from some sort of media room and there’s a lot of good reasons for that. It looks like Jeff is handling working out in the open pretty well though. He said he was in the middle of a live broadcast when a show visitor came up and stuck his hand out to Jeff to shake but put it right in front of his computer screen from which he was reading. Jeff’s a pro though and I’m sure never missed a beat.

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

John Deere, Media, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

Most Posts Coming Later

Chuck Zimmerman

It seems like a much busier day today here at the National Farm Machinery Show judging by the degree of difficulty in walking around and through the crowds. Internet access is a bigger issue today since even my Sprint card is working much slower. It has taken me an hour and a half to do what normally takes about 20 minutes. So, I’m running out of time to post right now. I’ll probably do most of my posting after dinner tonight from my room again. I’ve got a number of interviews and pictures ready to go but the upload time is painful. We’ll keep this in mind for next year!

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

Green Mean Pulling Machine

Chuck Zimmerman

Up 'n' AtomI don’t know if you’ve had the chance to experience a tractor pull, much less one that’s indoors. One of the interesting aspects of it is the fact that the exhaust has to be routed through a tube called the “pipe.” They claimed that this was a new and improved pipe but right before I left it broke and let’s just say it’s a good thing they have a great air movement system in the arena. So here’s what these things look and sound like. This tractor is called Up ‘n’ Atom.

Listen to the sound of one of these screaming machines (23 sec): nfms-07-pull.mp3

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta, Video

Kicking Off The Tractor Pull

Chuck Zimmerman

Ron CowmanGetting back to the National Farm Machinery Championship Tractor Pull, which is sponsored by Syngenta . . . The opening ceremony included remarks from Ron Cowman, Syngenta area sales representative (pictured on the right). I hope I have his name spelled right.

Ron made a few remarks with the announcer on the track. He got to talk about what they have on display in their booth and shortly afterward the tractor pull was underway.

Listen to Ron’s remarks (2 min): nfms-07-calvin.mp3

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

Championship Tractor Pull By Syngenta

Chuck Zimmerman

Tractor Pull ArenaI thought I would go to tonight’s tractor pull competition for just a little while and wound up staying way longer than I intended. This is my first indoor tractor pull. Thank goodness and Syngenta for that considering how cold it is outside.

The National Farm Machinery Championship Tractor Pull has been sponsored by Syngenta for a long time. I interviewed Chris Weed about the relationship and what it means to Syngenta. He says it gives the company a great opportunity to interact with customers, especially combined with their booth in the show.

Listen to my interview with Chris here (3 min): nfms-07-weed.mp3

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

Precison Farming By John Deere

Chuck Zimmerman

Chrystal SchuckIf precision farming is the new revolution in agriculture then John Deere has it on display here so growers can get their hands on it. Chrystal Schuck works in the Ag Management Solutions area of John Deere. This is a division in John Deere that uses gps receivers and on-display mapping to reduce costs to growers and allow them to keep records from year to year.

She was working the booth today showing the multiple displays they have set up. I interviewed Chrystal who reviews several of the new technologies they’re offering like Swath Control Pro for sprayers which will soon be available for planters which will further increase field productivity. Chrystal says this is very important to farmer’s bottom line.

Listen to my interview with Chrystal here (4 min): nfms-07-schuck.mp3

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

ARC, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

Syngenta Gives Agrisure Assurance

Chuck Zimmerman

RIP Black CutwormI don’t think Syngenta held a eulogy for the dead black cutworms in their corn planter but the RIP signs are a nice touch.

Each sign is placed where there’s a dead pest and it’s part of the Syngenta Agrisure trait planter display.

I spoke with Trait Support Manager Jody Foutch about the Agrisure division of Syngenta during the show today.

RIP Black CutwormHe says that Syngenta received approval on several new stacked traits of which some are on display here through the planter demonstration and some aren’t. One of those new stacked traits contains corn borer and rootworm control and Liberty tolerance all in one.

Jody says that Agrisure brings growers risk management assurances that come in the bag.

Listen to my interview with Jody here (4 min): nfms-07-foutch.mp3

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

NFMS Online Photo Album

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere Booth BoysI’m taking lots of pictures here at the National Farm Machinery Show and of course they’re in an online photo album. I’m sure I’ll get a wide variety by the time I’m done and I’ll add new ones each day. These boys posed in the John Deere booth for me this afternoon.

You can find the photo album here: National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

Farm Shows, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

John Deere Booth Overview

Chuck Zimmerman

Barry NelsonThe first person I saw when I wandered over to the John Deere booth here at the National Farm Machinery Show was Barry Nelson (pictured on the right). Barry gave me an overview of the exhibit in an interview after he got done helping this customer.

He says that John Deere has about 50 people on hand to answer questions and assist farmers who are here to see the latest offerings. Barry says this is one of the best shows in the country. And one of the best things about it this time of year is being inside and heated which obviously worked well today since it appeared that traffic was brisk throughout the day.

Barry talks about the big equipment on display here and points out the precision guidance systems they have attached to them. He says that is one of the greatest revolutions going on in agriculture right now and farmers get hands on experience with the technology here at the show.

Listen to my interview with Barry here (4 min): nfms-07-nelson.mp3

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

Syngenta Booth Tour

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta Planter BoxesI mentioned the Syngenta planter boxes that Mack Estes tends in his greenhouse prior to the show here in Louisville. Today growers got to look them over and see the comparison results of different Syngenta products on corn, soybeans, tobacco and wheat.

The person who knows all about it is Sarah Gehant who devotes a lot of her time to this project. I interviewed Sarah and we did a walking tour in which she describes every box and what you’ll see. I’ve split the interview up so that you can listen to a short version or get the whole tour. If you’re interested in what Syngenta is doing and what farmers will find here then please listen in.

Here’s a short version of the interview in which Sarah talks about the booth and what goes into putting it together each year, specifically these very large planter boxes. She calls this the biggest plot tour in the country since over 100,000 people are expected to walk through.

Listen to my interview with Sarah here (4 min): nfms-07-gehant-interview.mp3

If you’d like to hear the whole tour I think you’ll find it fascinating. Sarah knows all about every product and you can hear that knowledge and her passion for the project in this audio tour (17 min): nfms-07-gehant.mp3

Post Update: To complement Sarah’s audio tour I did a walking tour today so you can see what she’s talking about.

AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
is being sponsored by: Syngenta AgriEdge Soybeans and John Deere

Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta, Video