DirectCommand™ For Direct Control

Laura McNamara

It’s precision farming with point-blank control. Ag Leader Technology Inc. is now offering DirectCommand™ for strip-till applicators. The manufacturer of precision farming equipment says the system meets all strip-till application needs through direct oversight for granular and liquid products. DirectCommand™ for strip-till applicators monitors bin level and fan speed sensors, maintains accurate application rate by controlling servo or PWM hydraulic …

Farming, Technology

The Weather Is Wacky

Chuck Zimmerman

I suppose things could be worse than a little water standing in your field. However, an active bunch of storm systems has certainly made it wet around the midwest. This is a field near my house. When I flew in to St. Louis yesterday some of the nearby fields looked like lakes. I’ve got one project pending since the conditions …

Farming

Earth Day Comments From The President

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s an excerpt from President Bush’s comments on Earth Day. As we observe the 38th Earth Day this Sunday, we celebrate the rich blessings of our Nation’s natural resources, and we renew our commitment to protecting our environment so we leave our children and grandchildren a flourishing land. By encouraging cooperative conservation, innovation, and new technologies, my Administration has compiled …

Farming

A Nice Day in the Field

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s what I saw a lot of returning from my weekend retreat near Herman, MO. The weather has improved a lot from the extremely cold spring we’ve been having. It was very windy this afternoon and the dust was flying. Judging from all the stories you can find on Google right now the cold and wet spring has created havoc …

Farming

Growing Goodness Online Community

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s a new website/community called Growing Goodness or the Farmers Market Channel. It looks like supporters of Farm Aid are behind it since when you open the site you get a Farm Aid YouTube video clip. If you’re looking for a good example of an online community you might want to check it out. There are a number of links …

Ag Groups, Farming

Farmers Online In Web Forums

Chuck Zimmerman

I know I just did a post on this but I’ve had enough people emailing me links to this AP story that I thought I’d post it again. I think that since it’s starting to show up in numerous websites more people are finding it. Like on CNN. My main takeaway from this story is still the fact that farmers …

Farming, Internet

Agricultural Production Displays

Chuck Zimmerman

Big GardenSome of the best looking vegetables I’ve ever seen are growing indoors here in one of the main agriculture buildings. I wish my garden looked like this. But I guess it would if I had a guy in overalls (there were a lot them) manually grooming and treating each plant every day. This building looks like a collaboration of many companies and you could essentially follow agricultural production through the whole chain from field to plate since you had crops, animals, processing and even a small grocery store set up to show how the consumer where their food actually comes from.

Farm Shows, Farming, Food, IFAJ, International

Industrial Hemp Farms?

Chuck Zimmerman

Vote HempThe first image that came to my mind when I saw this was of a very relaxed and happy farmer harvesting his crop while listening to some cool tunes on his iPhone. I wonder if it’s going to happen. I wonder how you would market this crop and where. I wonder a lot of things sometimes.

Farming, hemp