Communicating with the National Association of Wheat Growers

Chuck Zimmerman

This week’s ZimmCast continues my series visiting with farm organization Directors of Communications. At the Farm Progress Show I sat down with Caitlin Eannello, National Association of Wheat Growers, to talk about her career choice and what the challenges of the job are. Caitlin does not have a farm background but does have a passion to help farmers and a …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Progress Show, NAWG, Wheat, ZimmCast

GROWMARK Committed to Nutrient Management

Carrie Muehling

Nutrient management was a focus of the GROWMARK-FS System exhibit at the 2017 Farm Progress Show in Decatur. The regional cooperative has spearheaded a number of initiatives to help farmers learn more about nutrient management strategies and to assist them in executing those practices on their farms. “The main thing we do when we’re working with customers is trying to …

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK, Nutrient Management, Sustainability

John Deere 5R Series Utility Tractor – Power & Versatility

Jamie Johansen

Offering tractors from 90 to 125 engine hp, the John Deere 5R series tractors were on display at the 2017 Farm Progress Show. Attendees saw first-hand the advanced technology to the utility tractor provides, meeting many farming demands. John Doyle, product marketing manager, took us through key product specs and the ideal customer of this new product offering. “The 5R …

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, Forage, Hay, John Deere, Livestock

GROWMARK Eyes Priorities for New Farm Bill

Carrie Muehling

GROWMARK Executive Director for Corporate and Government Relations Chuck Spencer heard some clear messages at a farm bill listening session during the 2017 Farm Progress Show in Decatur. Spencer says agricultural producers in the Midwest have strong opinions about the need for crop insurance and how to improve current options. Farmers shared the desire for a strong safety net, hoping …

Agribusiness, Farm Bill, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK

Soil Health Partnership Simulates Rain at FPS17

Carrie Muehling

The weather was perfect at the 2017 Farm Progress Show but it was raining in the Soil Health Partnership exhibit. The highlight of the exhibit was a rainfall simulator, demonstrating the effects of rainfall on different types of management practices. The eye catching display provided an opportunity for the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership to promote different aspects of soil management …

AgWired Precision, Audio, Conservation, Farm Progress Show, Soil Health Partnership

Achieve Your Personal Best Yields with Bayer’s Delaro™

Jamie Johansen

Bayer understands the need for chemistry that covers a broad range of environmental conditions. They also know the best way to do that is with a product that has two modes of action focused on advanced formulas with unique movement the entire growing season. We spoke with Bayer’s Dr. Randy Myers during the 2017 Farm Progress Show who provided us …

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Corn, Crop Science, Farm Progress Show, Fungicide, Soybean

John Deere Expands 9RX Tractor Lineup

Carrie Muehling

John Deere launched the new 9RX Narrow Track Tractor at the 2017 Farm Progress Show. The tractor is available in 420, 470 or 520 horsepower, with 18- or 24-inch wide belt tracks. Farmers looking to work within a track spacing of 88 or 120 inches can do that with these tractors, says Tiffany Turner, John Deere product marketing manager for …

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, John Deere, Tractor

John Deere 2025R Compact Tractor Gets Complete Overhaul

Jamie Johansen

The completely redesigned John Deere 2025R Compact Utility Tractor has a Final Tier 4-compliant diesel engine providing customers with an easy-to-use, versatile machine designed to tackle a variety of jobs. Jon Schebler, product manager for the 2025R series, took us through the specs of the redesigned tractor at the 2017 Farm Progress Show. “When we think of this kind of …

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, John Deere, Livestock

Bayer Campaign Focuses on Rural Health

Carrie Muehling

Bayer is partnering with American Heart Association to encourage wellness in rural communities. Statistics show 600,000 people die annually from heart disease, and about 20 percent of those people live in rural America. People in rural communities also have a 50 percent higher likelihood of having preventable heart disease. In 2017, for every bag of LibertyLink soybean seed purchased, Bayer …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Science, Farm Progress Show

FMC Offers Freedom Pass Program

Chuck Zimmerman

FMC has introduced a new program for Very Independent Purchasers called the FMC Freedom Pass. Farmers are pretty independent and want freedom of choices as much as possible. According to Mike Harper, industry relations manager for FMC Agricultural Solutions in the U.S. and Canada, the company is giving them that opportunity. I visited with Mike in the Illinois Soybean Association …

Agribusiness, Audio, Crop Protection, Farm Progress Show, FMC