Wireless Portable Charging with QiPack

Chuck Zimmerman

What’s a QiPack? Funny you should ask. I just happen to have one and used it on the road last week. It’s pronounced Chee-Pack btw. Here’s how the company describes it. What is QiPack Introducing the best solution to charging on-the-go – QiPack, the wireless charging pad and battery backup all in one Universal Power Power your iPhone, Motorola Droid, …

Gadgets, Technology

InfoAg 2014 on Track in St. Louis

Leah Guffey

For the first time in its 14 year history, the InfoAg Conference is being held at the historic Union Station in St. Louis, instead of in Springfield, Illinois, and they have the largest number of attendees pre-registered and more registering on site. InfoAg continues to be the premier precision agriculture event for producers, consultants, and the crop production industry, featuring …

Agribusiness, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Welcome to the MapShots AgStudio Expo

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2014 InfoAg Expo kicks off tomorrow at St. Louis Union Station, but prior to that event, MapShots has brought in about 140 farmers and crop consultants for an AgStudio Expo today. “Little day session that goes through some of the aspects of AgStudio and that line of products from the farm version to the pro version,” said Clint Ingram …

Audio, data, Precision Agriculture, Technology

GROWMARK Picks AgIntegrated for Info Platform

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK has teamed up with AgIntegrated (AGI) for the development of FS Advanced Information Services (FS AIS), a suite of tools to “connect data, analysis, insight, and application into one complete user experience for advanced field optimization.” AgIntegrated is an independent provider of ag information management consulting and technologies based in Pennsylvania and President Duane Reese says they are excited …

Audio, data, GROWMARK, Technology

Ag Leader Focuses on Seed, Water, and Nutrient Management

Leah Guffey

The first Ag Leader Technology Tech Meets Dirt Road Tour around Illinois is now history now and it seems like it was a big success. I attended the event near Peoria and was able to chat with presenters in each of the main focus areas – seed, water, and nutrient management. Matt Cannon, a farmer from central Iowa, talked about …

Ag Leader, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Seed, Technology, Water

Well Cow – Bluetooth Connection to Your Cows

Chuck Zimmerman

We’re hearing a lot about health applications of mobile and wearable technology lately. The anticipated iWatch from Apple is expected to open some new doors into that technology. But that’s for humans. What about cows? Well a Scottish company is introducing a bluetooth way to monitor cow and herd health – The Well CowTM Bolus. Monitor the health of your …

Agribusiness, Dairy, Technology

ASTA Committee on Innovations and Policy

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Seed Trade Association has had a Biotechnology Committee for two decades, but as it is now the Innovations and Policy Committee. Pictured here from the ASTA annual meeting are immediate past committee chair Keith Newhouse with Winfield Solutions and current chair Mark Krieger of Dow AgroSciences who presided at the first meeting of the committee under the new …

ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Seed, Technology

Wearable Technology for Agriculture – Google Glass

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time to get a ZimmGlass update. Actually, this is more of a wearable technology update that includes Google Glass. My guest this week is Bruce Rasa, TekWear, LLC. You might have met Bruce at our booth during the Agri-Marketing Conference or on a program somewhere demonstrating Google Glass. Bruce has been using Glass longer than I have and in …

Agribusiness, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology, ZimmCast

Understanding Farmer Attitudes

Meghan Grebner

The Seed Leadership Program was held just before the start of the 131st Annual American Seed Trade Association Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.  During today’s Green Flag Session, Brent Gloy, Purdue University professor discussed the key themes from the 2013 Large Commercial Producer survey.  He says they survey helps both farmers and agribusinesses better understand where the commercial farm segment is going. …

Agribusiness, ASTA, data, Farming, Technology

ASTA Annual Meeting Kicks Off

Meghan Grebner

Industry leaders and seed experts are in Indianapolis this week for the 131st American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Meeting. ASTA CEO Andy Lavigne says much of the discussion this week will focus on innovation and technology in the seed industry. The meeting kicks off Thursday morning with Purdue University president Mitch Daniels.  Lavigne says Daniels will focus on innovation and that will set …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Biotech, Seed, Technology