Pinnacle Announces Investment in Meridian Ag

Jamie Johansen

Pinnacle Agriculture Holdings, LLC announces its investment in a new Midwestern wholesale business, Meridian Agriculture Distribution. Pinnacle is pleased to announce that Tom Hart, a veteran in the agriculture wholesale business with over 30 years of experience, will lead the development and day-to-day operation of the brand. “I am excited about the process of building Meridian. When retailers see the …

Agribusiness

Ag Retailers Having Fun

Chuck Zimmerman

Ag Retailers having fun and raising money for the ARAPAC! That was the action last night at the Agricultural Retailers Association Convention & Expo. Once again this year, Chad “Cracker” Johnson, was the auctioneer who did a masterful job managing the auction. By the way, Chad is a Gator Grad! That’s important to know. 2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo …

Ag Groups, ARA

Ag Retailers Public Policy Update

Cindy Zimmerman

Transportation issues are at the top of the list of public policy concerns for ag retailers meeting in New Orleans this week. “We plan to make it a priority going into the new Congress,” said Agricultural Retailers Association senior VP for public policy Richard Gupton who updated the membership this morning. “Senator Thune is going to be the new chairman …

Agribusiness, ARA, Audio, Fertilizer

NRCS Official Discusses Programs at NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

Soils, climate change, pollinators, and the 2014 Farm Bill conservation programs were among the topics addressed at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention by James Tillman, southeast regional conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Tillman says NRCS has been very active in protecting pollinators, and honeybees in particular. “NRCS is working with five states – South Dakota, …

Audio, Conservation, NAFB, pollinators, USDA

Alta Seeds Expands Sorghum Product Line

Jamie Johansen

Alta Seeds, the U.S. brand for exclusive genetics and forage and grain sorghum hybrids from Advanta, was present during NAFB’s Trade Talk in Kansas City, MO. Barry Lubbers is with Alta Seeds and shared more about the sorghum industry and the new products we will see from them in the coming year in an interview with Chuck. “In the sorghum …

Agribusiness, Audio, Forage, NAFB, Seed, sorghum

How Should Congress Handle Tax Breaks?

Jamie Johansen

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What’s your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?” I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with plates piled high of your favorites. I know I am still stuffed. It looks like our Zimmpollers prefer sweet potatoes, but only slightly. We did have quite an array of Others including oysters and some Pinot Noir. Here are …

ZimmPoll

Kinze Adds Features to Autonomous Harvest System

Cindy Zimmerman

The world’s first large-scale, truly autonomous row-crop solution is about ready to hit the fields with more added features. Iowa-based Kinze® Manufacturing, Inc. just completed field-testing of its system that will also include new features this year, such as the ability to run multiple combines and autonomous carts in the field simultaneously. The autonomous system automatically chooses from the multiple …

Equipment, Harvest

John Deere Opens Tractor and Engine Museum

Cindy Zimmerman

The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Iowa officially opened its doors to the public this week with a focus on engaging visitors in the history of tractor and engine design and manufacturing. “Tractors and engines have been and continue to be important to John Deere’s success,” said Dawn Hendershot, Project Manager. “We are pleased to share the …

Equipment, John Deere, Tractor

John Deere Picks McCormick Company for Marketing

Cindy Zimmerman

John Deere today announced the selection of McCormick Company as its marketing agency for John Deere agricultural equipment media and creative projects, and John Deere Financial’s agribusiness market. The relationship will be managed from McCormick’s Kansas City and Des Moines offices. “It’s a sincere privilege for our company to have the opportunity to work alongside the teams at John Deere …

Advertising, Agencies, Agribusiness, John Deere

NSP & USCP Announce New Hires

Jamie Johansen

National Sorghum Producers and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program announced the hiring of two employees to its national headquarters in Lubbock, Texas, and the hiring of one southeast regional director. “We are excited to welcome these talented new individuals to team sorghum,” said NSP and USCP CEO Tim Lust. “Each are uniquely qualified individuals that will be an asset to …

Ag Groups, sorghum