Dupont Pioneer Press Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Dupont Pioneer held a news conference at the recent Commodity Classic to introduce a new set of services. The focus of the press conference was the new Pioneer Field360 services. These new services are meant to help farmers increase productivity and profitability by providing more control of field-by-field data without having to become a technical expert. The Pioneer Field360 Services …

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Pioneer, Precision Agriculture

Protecting Wheat in 2013

Jamie Johansen

BASF brought out all the stops when it came to educating attendees at this year’s Commodity Classic. Whether growers had questions about herbicides, fungicides or simply wanted to hear the latest research, experts were on hand to give answers. I chatted with Dr. Brianne Reeves, Technical Marketing Specialist with the BASF’s Plant Health Fungicide group. Wheat was the main topic …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Wheat

Getting Educated About Nozzles

Jamie Johansen

The ever-changing world of technology can be a little overwhelming and since farming is full of technology, it is very understandable that growers across the country could use some extra education. BASF listened to growers when they admitted that they didn’t always feel comfortable with the new technology and partnered with Bob Wolf to bring them On Target Application Academy. …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Education

BASF Spotlights Science Behind Successful Growers

Cindy Zimmerman

BASF Ag Products spotlighted a couple of very successful and innovative farmers during the Science Behind event prior to Commodity Classic this year. One of them is pretty familiar to us all but the other is a newer face on the farming scene. The new kid on the block is Randy Dowdy of Georgia who just got into the farming …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, Farming, Soybean

Swanson Russell at 50 Years Old

Chuck Zimmerman

2012 was a good year for Swanson Russell. The agency turned 50 and for the first time surpassed $100 million in capitalized billings. Capitalized billings are an industry standard used by agencies as a uniform means of comparing agencies that offer a variety of services. “In our industry, becoming a $100 million agency is a significant milestone,” said Dave Hansen, …

Agencies, Audio, Commodity Classic, ZimmCast

XL Solutions at Raven Industries

Jamie Johansen

Experts in Raven Industries’ applied sciences division have been busy bringing new and innovative technologies to the door step of growers across the country. The 2013 Commodity Classic was the place to display these new products and Raven Industries was there to do so. I spoke with Paul Welbig who oversees a lot of the product management issues at Raven. …

Audio, Commodity Classic, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Monsanto Xtend’s Products for Growers

Jamie Johansen

The team at Monsanto is excited to start talking about their new line of products called Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System. Their goal is to help maximize yield potential and weed control through effective and economical weed management. During the recent Commodity Classic, Chuck talked with Michelle Vigna, a Monsanto representative, about the product’s features and when growers can take …

Audio, Commodity Classic

Precise Disk Drills from New Holland

Chuck Zimmerman

Just how important is it to plant seeds precisely as you’d like to? Very important. That’s why New Holland has come out with a new series of disk drills. Whether seeding into summerfallow or stubble, New Holland’s new P2000 Series disk drills slice through crop residue to ensure precise, uniform seed placement with very low soil disturbance. Both the new …

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Equipment, New Holland, Precision Agriculture, Seed

ASTA Seed Treatment Guide

Chuck Zimmerman

A guide to seed treatment stewardship is a new project by the American Seed Trade Association along with a collaboration of seed companies, researchers and organizations like CropLife America, National Corn Growers Association and Farm Bureau. Growers will soon find “The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship” online. I spoke with Andy Lavigne, ASTA President/CEO, during Commodity Classic about this project …

Ag Day, ASTA, Audio, Commodity Classic, Farming, Seed

Soybean Farmers Set Policy Course

Cindy Zimmerman

Voting delegates of the American Soybean Association (ASA) set policy regarding a comprehensive long-term farm bill, as well as additional critical soybean industry priorities, such as exports and trade, transportation and biotechnology, during its annual meeting at the 2013 Commodity Classic last week. “The resolutions process is a great reminder that ASA’s policies come directly from the ground up,” said …

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic