The AgChat Foundation has a new President after the board meeting held during the 2013 National Agvocacy Conference. He’s Jeff VanderWerff, Michigan farmer. I spoke to him during the conference and with our keynote speaker. Jeff told me that the organization is in great shape as it continues its mission of “Empowering farmers and ranchers to connect communities through social …
John Deere Wireless Data Transfer
As more farmer are using new technology in precision agriculture, they are gathering increasing amounts of machine and production data. With that comes the need for moving, storing, and utilizing that data more efficiently between people and devices. To help farmers, John Deere is introducing Wireless Data Transfer to enable the wireless transmission of data between the GreenStar™ 3 2630 …
New John Deere 7R and 8R Series Tractors
John Deere is rolling out five new 7R Tractor models from 210 to 290 engine horsepower for 2014. Jarrod McGinnis, division marketing manager for John Deere, says the new FT4 engine and the transmission options help the 7R Series Tractors offer greater productivity and value to customers. “These new machines are more fluid efficient and offer increased horsepower for exceptional …
Marketing to Producers of All Generations
The 2013 NAMA Boot Camp kicked off last week in Kansas City with the popular producer panel. The coveted voice of Max Armstrong, Penton/Farm Progress, moderated the panelist of Missouri and Kansas farmers. Communicating with producers effectively is a key element when it comes to staying profitable in this industry. Jarrod Bowser, Kansas; Brad Bray, Missouri and Calvin Pearson, Kansas, …
Monsanto Glyphosate Infographic
Here is the second in Monsanto’s infographic series for the 2013 growing season. The topic addressed in this one is “Glyphosate Attributes,” which illustrates how the chemistry may be used as the foundation for Diversified Weed Management Practices (DWMPs) for increased weed control. Click here or on the graphic for the full size version.
BASF and the Southern Acre
To paraphrase Spiderman, with great research dollars comes great responsibility – something that the Crop Protection division of BASF, The Chemical Company, takes very seriously. “Our division is one of many divisions of BASF and one of the smaller divisions, but we have continuously gotten the highest amount of R&D dollars for our work,” says Ulf Groeger, BASF Crop Protection …
Visiting BASF at RTP
I was so excited this week to be able to visit the U.S. headquarters of BASF Ag Products in Research Triangle Park, NC for the first time. The occasion was the BASF Southern Media Symposium, which also coincided with the Southern Weed Science Society‘s annual contest for college students majoring in weed science, hosted by BASF this year. I learned …
Historical Ag Data Online
If you want to amaze friend and family or just have some stimulating cocktail party icebreakers, check out the fun facts you can find in 77 years of historical data now available online from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Here are a few examples: U.S. egg exports skyrocketed from 5 million dozen in 1940 to 153 million dozen in …
AgriVisor Helps Market Grain to Maximize Profitability
Grain marketing in today’s world means diversification and minimizing risk to maximize profitability, and AgriVisor helps farmers do just that. Account manager Cory Winstead says there are several ways they work with farmers. “We work directly with brokerage services and then since 1973 AgriVisor has been putting out general advice with recommendations,” he said. They also work with elevators, offering …
Panera Portraying Farmers as Lazy?
I’m echoing Dairy Carrie’s comment that Panera Bread has lost another customer. She explains things much better than I can. This is the story of another company thinking they must portray their product as healthy while at the same time insinuating that other products are not. I have no doubt that there are Panera customers who want products like antibiotic …