Getting a lesson in Ground Speed Management with New Holland tractors was my second one during Operation Blue Force out on a farm near Bakersfield, CA. Our classroom teacher is Vic Constable. After the lesson I got into a T9 4-wheel drive tractor with track units pulling a massive field “Optimizer” to put that lesson in action. My driver, Ryan, …
Escape Cold – Attend NAMA Conf. in Florida
Tired of winter? Tired of snow? How about a Fresh Perspective in the Florida Sunshine? That’s what you’ll get if you come on down to my home state in April. The 2014 Agri-Marketing Conference is shaping up to be huge! In fact, our hotel room block is FULL. The NAMA staff is negotiating for some overflow already and we’re hoping …
Charles Eastin Award to be Presented at Ag Day
National Ag Day activities keep growing. This year the Agriculture Council of America is presenting the Charles Eastin Award to Lindsay McQueen, Union/Jackson County, IL Farm Bureaus. This award used to be presented by the National Farm City Council. ACA took over the assets and most of the programs of NFCC last year. The Eastin Award honors an individual who …
Smart Stories from New Holland
We’ve probably all heard the phrase, “New Holland Smart,” in the company’s marketing campaigns the past few years. Now New Holland has taken the concept a step further with a new campaign that kicked off last month called, “Smart Stories.” I spoke to Mark Hooper, Director of Marketing for New Holland North America, during last week’s Operation Blue Force Train …
A Sad Goodbye to Joe Watson
I am shocked and saddened by the abrupt passing of Joe Watson. He is one of many agricultural journalists Cindy and I have come to know and love around the world through our participation in IFAJ. This is a photo of yours truly with Joe during the closing banquet at last year’s IFAJ Congress in Argentina. Joe was dressed in …
In Class with New Holland Operation Blue Force
Last week I shared my experience in the tractor cab learning about New Holland’s Auto Command CVT Transmission. Before we got in the field though we were in class with Nick Graham. The Auto Command transmission gives the operator precise speed control. You can even set it to .1 MPH! I did that when I was out in the field. …
The Wild Radish Song
I like radishes. But like some folks in Australia, not the wild kind. A parody of the Gotye hit “Somebody I used to know” by agronomic consultant Bill Long, who farms on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia as well as consults to a number of farmers in the region. This is a farmer’s lament on attempts to control wild …
Cultivate & Connect with AgChat
Calling all aspiring agvocates. The 2014 AgChat Foundation, Cultivate and Connect Conference will be held in Austin, TX, on August 21-22. It has been said that everything is bigger in Texas. The AgChat Foundation’s 2014 Cultivate & Connect conference to be held at the Radisson Hotel & Suites in beautiful downtown Austin, Texas, August 21-22, 2014, will be no exception. …
New Holland Auto Command Lesson
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 …
iCropTrak Releases Rapid Scouting Enhancements
Mobile precision technology continues to evolve. iCropTrak just announced the release of Rapid Scouting Enhancements in Version 4.1 of their award-winning iOS Mobile Farm Management app iCropTrak. This comprehensive update for farmers and scouting professionals offers Rapid Observation and Action Item “one-tap” data entry aimed at easier, faster and more efficient use of your time in the field. The image …