Results from GROWMARK Annual Meeting

Jamie Johansen

growmarklogoLast week GROWMARK held their Annual Meeting to discuss the year-end financial results and carry out other business for the cooperative. Business units produced record sales for the 2013 fiscal year, which ended August 31.

I spoke with CEO of GROWMARK, Jeff Solberg, and he reported estimated sales of $10.3 billion for fiscal year 2013. Pretax income is estimated at $220 million, which signifies one of the best years in company history. An estimated $135 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member cooperatives and farmer-owners.

“We began this year coming off a severe drought, but the strength of the FS System pulled us through to a very good 2013 fiscal year. Our business is built around our mission to improve the long-term profitability of our member owners. Our sales will allow us to return significant patronage to our owners. We remain committed to their success and to the unity of our cooperative system.”

Dr. Michael Cook, executive director of the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership at the University of Missouri, was awarded the “Friend of GROWMARK” award. The award recognizes outstanding leadership and commitment to agriculture and the GROWMARK System.

New leadership among the GROWMARK community was also announced. John Reifsteck was elected chairman of the GROWMARK Board of Directors. He replaced retiring Dan Kelley. John has served on the board since 1993 and was one of two vice chairmen. Rick Nelson and Chet Esther were elected the new vice chairmen and Bob Phelps was elected Secretary.

Listen to my interview with Jeff here: Interview with Jeff Solberg

Audio, Cooperatives, GROWMARK

Maximizing Yields With FieldScripts

Jamie Johansen

monsanto-media-fps-13-66-editedMaximizing field yield is the goal of every grower, but is easier said than done. However, Monsanto’s FieldScripts program might be the answer. During the 2013 Farm Progress Show, Monsanto invited the media out to field to discuss the new opportunity and talk with FieldScripts Ground Breaker Growers.

Dale Sorensen, Integrated Farming Systems Field Research Lead, shared with the group the basics of what FieldScripts can offer in terms of precise seed placement and seeding rates. And how genetic and environmental components come into play.

“In 2013 we had our ground breakers program for FieldScripts. We had 150 growers from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. Those 150 growers had three to five fields on average. They basically shared the field boundaries, prior yield history and soil test results. And then we developed what we call out FieldScripts Management Zones and created a variable rate seeding zone within that field with the genetics that the dealer and grower had chosen.”

Listen to my interview with Dale here: Interview with Dale Sorensen

GRAINCO FS dealer, John Walsh, was also on hand to share his insights from the dealer perspective. John went through the steps to become FieldScripts certified to add specific value to his customers.

“It’s not a dealership certification. Each individual gets certified. My main job is with the seed portion and this was going to differentiate us from a lot of other seed dealers. You can buy that same bag of seed at several different places. We try every year to come up with something to add value to our dealership.”

Listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Walsh

I also took the opportunity to talk with one of John’s growers, Doug and Justin Durdan. The father and son team farm about 100 miles from the Farm Progress Show location and shared why they jumped at the chance to increase yields with this new technology.

“We always just try and stay on top of new technologies and we thought that this was a good avenue for use to stay ahead.”

“The biggest benefit is putting the proper plants in the proper areas. We really felt we were over populating our lighter soil, which we were. Now we feel we can get a better averaged yield.”

Listen to my interview with Doug & Justin here: Interview with Doug & Justin Durdan

Check out photos from the event here: 2013 Monsanto Ground Breakers Media Event Photo Album

Audio, Farming, Seed

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

Melissa Sandfort

flowersAunt Jeanette writes this week:

We had grandchildren visiting us this summer for a while. In fact, all four of them were able to spend some time together and we had a wonderful time!

As we were driving into our garage after delivering the two older grandchildren to their parents, this Peter, Paul, and Mary song (from the 60s!) popped into my head. About the only signs of living things are the plants on our deck, and they were gone. If you have been reading my posts, you know we have had terrible storms here in Edgar, Neb., this summer. Our crops and gardens have pretty much been wiped out by heat, lack of rain, high winds and hail.

As we entered the garage, there were my plants, neatly lined up against the wall and protected from the elements. Now, you need to know some important background information. Every time there is a storm, Dan insists on putting all of my flowers inside. As the last storm was preparing to strike, I told him to just leave them on the deck because there wasn’t much time before the winds and hail hit. He did not listen to me and put them inside anyway – probably getting pounded with a few hailstones while moving them.

After Dan and I left to take grandkids home, the weather started looking rather nasty at our house. Our brother-in-law, Steve B., who works with us, must also appreciate the plants, because he moved them into the garage this time so nothing would happen to them.

I am so thankful I have people watching out for my plants and me! I guess I will try and keep this little corner of our world blooming a while longer.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Reasons for Attending Farm Shows

Talia Goes

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ” Why do you attend farm shows?”

Our poll results:

· To “window shop” new equipment 27%
· To ask questions about existing equipment 19%
· Other 19%
· To purchase new equipment 16%
· For the freebies 11%
· For the food 8%

Among the “other” responses were: For kids to learn about agriculture, networking and for new ideas. For exhibiting companies, trade shows seem to be time well spent according to our poll results.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question “How important is it to learn about farming in other countries?” The ZimmComm team is currently attending the 2013 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress, learning about agriculture in Argentina and networking with our colleagues from around the world. So what do you think – is it valuable for us to learn about ag outside our borders? Let us know!

ZimmPoll

Argentina Meat on the Grill

Chuck Zimmerman

Argentina Beef on GrillHere in Argentina they like to eat meat. I’ve learned a few things from grilling done gaucho style. This is one of the grills for our lunch yesterday on the livestock tour. It was excellent with all the trimmings that include what I’m now calling the official beverages of the Congress, Malbec and Quilmes. I really wasn’t expecting to eat good beef but it has mostly been flavorful and tender. These big leg on roasts over an open fire were excellent.

Cindy and I are still experiencing a lack of good wifi but we’ve been collecting lots of photos, videos and interviews to share. Most will probably have to wait until we get back stateside. This morning Cindy is covering activities at the Rosario Chamber of Commerce while I’m uploading photos back at the hotel and getting some other online work done.


2013 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 IFAJ Congress is sponsored by Novus International and Dupont Pioneer
Food, IFAJ, International, Meat

Monsanto’s Ground Breaker Growers

Jamie Johansen

monsanto-media-fps-13-27-editedMonsanto hosted a Ground Breakers Media Event right before the 2013 Farm Progress Show kicked off last week. Media gathered for dinner and then headed out into the field to see first hand the results from Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybean Ground Breakers.

Tony White is the Soybean Technology Development Manager for Monsanto. His main responsibilities are managing the trait with Roundup Xtend soybeans. At his station he hit on the highlights of their Roundup Xtend Crop System and on the application requirements. He also shed some light on the feed back they have received from the Ground Breaker Growers who have used this system in their own fields.

“This is really the first time we will come to market with a trait and chemistry package. So we will have Roundup Xtend which will be resistant to dicamba and we will also have chemistry we can spray over the top of that. This is really an important tool for growers who are battling weed resistance and who need tools in the tool box to help control weeds.”

Listen to my interview with Tony here: Interview with Tony White

monsanto-media-fps-13-45-editedDuring the event we also had the chance to hear from some of the Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Ground Breaker Growers. Jim Hild from Illiopolis, IL. farms just 25 miles from the Farm Progress Show location. He specializes in corn, soybeans and seed corn and has been very pleased with the results. Jim also shared how straight forward the application requirements are and how simple they are to follow.

“We sprayed the beans three to four weeks after planting wuth Roundup Xtend, which is a mixture of Roundup and dicamba. And cleaned up the weeds. I was very pleased. Probably two to three weeks of residual from that product. I’d like to use it on every acre, it’s a very good program.”

Listen to my interview with Jim here: Interview with Jim Hild

Check out photos from the event here: 2013 Monsanto Ground Breakers Media Event Photo Album

Audio, Crop Protection, Farm Progress Show, weed management

Herbicide Application Done Right

Jamie Johansen

fps-13-137-editedConsultant for BASF, Dr. Bob Wolf, spoke at the BASF press conference during last week’s Farm Progress Show. Their On Target Application Academy was the topic of discussion and how it’s three goals of increasing efficiency, minimizing off-target movement and safety are their focal point. Dr. Wolf also stressed the importance of the nozzle size, lowering the boom and labeling.

“Those are basic goals that any person applying a crop protection product should follow. There job is to and control the pests and they need to do that without drifting the product into an area that might cause damage. Either crop damage or damage to animals or people. With the size of farms people have today, they have a lot of acres to spray and they need to do it efficiently and they need to remember the safety aspects when working with crop chemicals.”

The On Target Application Academy is a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity that provides growers extensive hands-on training for better awareness of herbicide application.

Looking into 2014, both BASF and Dr. Wolf are looking to hold more workshops to increase the awareness of the correct and more efficient application process. For more information on an academy in your area click here.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Wolf here: Interview with Dr. Bob Wolf

Check out photos from the event here: 2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, BASF, Farm Progress Show

What’s New in Crop Production at Case IH

Jamie Johansen

fps-13-709-editedA stream of red was easy to spot walking the streets of the 2013 Farm Progress Show. Case IH made quite the impression on attendees during the recent event, where they launched a few new products in their crop production line.

The Marketing Manager for Crop Production Equipment, Rob Zemenchik, talked what’s new at Case IH and when growers can take them home.

“There are three machines we are featuring on the lot in the area of crop production that we are introducing. The Ecolo-Tiger 875 Mulch Ripper, new Precision Disk Drill 500T and the 5 Series Planter.”

fps-13-692-edited

An entire team of Case IH representatives were on hand to share information, answer questions and give advice on which equipment would fit different farming needs. Attendees also took advantage of the Case IH apparel shop located at the center of their endless exhibit.

Listen to my interview with Rob here: Interview with Rob Zemenchik

Check out photos from the event here: 2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, Case IH, Equipment, Farm Progress Show

Find Soil & Fertility Solutions at Calcium Products

Jamie Johansen

fps-13-725-editedExhibits large and small flooded the 2013 Farm Progress Show in Illinois last week. Calcium Products was one of those booths you could visit and quickly have all your soil and fertility questions answered.

After talking with Craig Dick, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Calcium Products, I learned why they come to the largest out-door farm show and how they are helping farmers improve yields and solve their fertilizer needs.

“Calcium Products is a 26 year-old company. We produce the countries purest, most efficient pelletized gypsum and lime products, SuperCal S04 and SuperCal 98G. And we distribute the products all across North America.”

Calcium Products has recently redesigned their website, www.calciumproducts.com. Now it is easier to find resources to help you optimize your soil and raise your bottom line. Find product information and custom calculators, agronomy research, stories of real results and much more.

Listen to my interview with Craig here: Interview with Craig Dick

Check out photos from the event here: 2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, Farm Progress Show, Fertilizer

Going Gaucho in Argentina

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ Congress GauchosThe IFAJ Congress attendees have moved from Buenos Aires to Rosario now. Today is a day of farm and city tours. I will be on a livestock tour while Cindy takes off for a grains farm tour.

Yesterday at our lunch stop we had a show put on by a group of gauchos. These cowboys could do rodeo with the best of them. Besides trying to stay on a bucking bronco they also had a race being pulled by a horse/rider while riding on a cow skin. We’ve got video but it will have to wait until we have time and better internet access. Speaking of which, we have lots of photos to share but those will have to wait as well.


2013 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 IFAJ Congress is sponsored by Novus International and Dupont Pioneer
IFAJ, International