Making Sense of Precision Ag’s Alphabet Soup

Melissa Sandfort

Insights WeeklyPrecision farming tools are designed to simplify things for growers, and yet the terminology used in precision farming isn’t always so simple. But have no fear. The following definitions will guide you through the mysterious twists and terms found in the world of GPS (Psst … that stands for Global Positioning System).

GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System is a navigation system with global coverage. GNSS is a method of improving the navigation system’s attributes, such as accuracy, reliability and availability through the integration of external information into the calculation. GNSS 1 consists of GPS, GLONASS, WAAS, SBAS and EGNOS.

GPS: The Global Positioning System is a U.S.-owned utility that provides position, navigation and timing. There are three segments – space, control and user. The space segment consists of the satellites in space, the control segment consists of the people who manage and maintain the space segment and the user segment are those of us who use GPS. GPS is what allows us to map fields and auto-steer equipment.

GLONASS: Global Navigation Satellite System is the Russian-owned utility equivalent to GPS. This system can be used in the U.S. if your receiver is set up to receive GLONASS signal.

WAAS: Wide Area Augmentation System is a supplement to GPS created with the goal of improving accuracy, integrity and availability of GPS correction in the U.S.

EGNOS: European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service is the European version of WAAS.
SBAS: Satellite Based Augmentation System is a system that supports wide-area or regional supplementation through the use of additional satellites broadcast messages.

Base Station: The base station is a receiver and transmitter that is stationary. It receives GPS information, corrects and then transmits the corrected information to the rover.

Rover: We refer to the moving equipment as the rover. For example a tractor with receiver would be referred to as the rover.

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Ag Leader, Agribusiness

Farm Foundation Leads Talk on Trade

John Davis

farmfoundationlogo3As the United States and the European Union open negotiations on trade, our friends at Farm Foundation will be hosting a forum on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The session, next Wednesday, July 17th at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., will focus on food and ag issues, especially tariffs, tariff-rated quotas and non-tariff barriers across multiple sectors.

Moderating the discussions will be J.B. Penn of Deere & Company, a Trustee of Farm Foundation, a member of the Board of IPC and a former USDA under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Presenting perspectives on TTIP will be:

Sue Taylor of Leprino Foods Company, discussing dairy industry priorities.
Matt O’Mara of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, discussing his industry’s vision of trans-Atlantic trade.
William Kerr of the University of Saskatchewan, who will outline the approaches of the United States and European Union to geographical indications (GI), the practice of using a name to imply specific qualities related to the product’s geographic origin.
Craig Thorn of DTB Associates, LLP, will discuss U.S. industry views of GI.
David Biltchik, consultant to the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma, will discuss the European objectives for GI.

After short presentations by each of the speakers, the floor will be opened for discussion.

The session is free, and if you can’t attend in person, you can view the webinar here. Registration information is also available through that website.

Farm Foundation, International, Trade

CTIC Tour Fosters EPA Watershed Understanding

Chuck Zimmerman

Denise Keehner & Jason WellerTalk about some inter-agency friendliness. Here’s EPA’s Denise Keehner, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds and Acting Chief Jason Weller, USDA-NRCS. They were attending the CTIC Conservation in Action Tour and met after luncheon remarks by Denise.

I spoke with Denise after her remarks and on the subject of inter-agency cooperation she says it is the best she’s ever seen it. She says it feels real good to get outside the beltway and she’s “so impressed with what’s going on in these communities with these farmers, the producers who are implementing conservation practices that are really problem solving and taking some risks in the process.” She says she has learned so much on the tour and that statement validates one of the reasons CTIC holds these tours and invites such a wide variety of attendees that includes governmental regulators.

I asked her about concerns farmers have about regulations coming out of Washington, DC from agencies like EPA. She says, “I think EPA really does recognize, particularly with the nutrient related issue, the non-point source issue, that the best problem solving is going to occur locally and in collaboration and cooperation with state agencies.”

You can listen to my interview with Denise here: Interview with Denise Keehner

You can also listen to Denise’s remarks here: Remarks from Denise Keehner

2013 Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Conservation, CTIC, Environment

Groups Discouraged With Passage of Partisan Farm Bill

Joanna Schroeder

Agricultural groups are discouraged with the passage today of the U.S. House of Representatives’  H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (FARRM). The bill slid through with a tight margin of 216 to 208 after more than six hours of debate today and did not include food stamp authorization or nutrition programs, which the House says it will address as separate issues.

Rep ScottHowever, during the debates, several legislators noted that the point of the farm bill is to feed Americans and this bill in fact does not achieve this goal. “What we have here is not a farm bill,” said Rep. David Scott, (D-GA). “You tell me how in the world we can have a farm bill and separate food and nutrition out from it. The American people don’t get that. When you think of farms and you think of agriculture, you mean to tell me it ain’t about food?”

Bob Stallman, the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation reacted with the statement that the organization looks forward to moving ahead with fundamental farm policy legislation. “While we don’t yet know what the next steps will be, we will be working with both sides of the aisle and both chambers of Congress to ensure passage of a new five-year farm bill.”

Stallman added, “While we were hopeful the farm bill would not be split, nor permanent law repealed, we will now focus our efforts on working with lawmakers to deliver a farm bill to the president’s desk for his signature by September.”

Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) stood in opposition to the bill – one that he began debates on in 2010. He noted that one reason was the move to split the nutrition and food stamps program from the bill. “It jeopardizes changes of the bill ever becoming law, and I think repealing permanent law all but ensures we’ll never write a farm bill again in this House.”

Collin is not alone in his opposition and pointed out that last week, 532 diverse organizations came out in opposition to the split. Read More

Farm Bill, NCGA

Welcome to CTIC Community 4 Conservation

Chuck Zimmerman

Dave GustafsonCommunity 4 Conservation is the theme of this year’s Conservation Technology Information Center tour that just completed. To provide an overview of what the 2013 Conservation in Action Tour would cover I spoke with CTIC Board Chair, Dave Gustafson, Monsanto. Here’s Dave getting things started at our first stop of the day.

Dave says about this year’s tour, “It’s going to be a chance for us to highlight the work of CTIC in the Indian Creek Watershed here in Livingston County, Illinois where we have a number of farmers who have demonstrated great new management practices intended to conserve soil and preserve water quality” The Indian Creek Watershed project started in 2010 and CTIC hopes it will be renewed for another three years to continue the work that has been started. Dave says it is all about people coming together as a community to help improve water quality and to make sure the best possible practices are being employed across the watershed.

You can listen to my interview with Dave here: Interview with Dave Gustafson

2013 Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Conservation, CTIC

John Deere Introduces FlexFuel Mower

Cindy Zimmerman

John Deere has introduced a brand new riding mower that can run on up to 85% percent ethanol blended fuel.

jd-flexfuel-mowerThe mower is a new Flex Fuel model of John Deere’s popular line of ZTrak mowers. The new, industry exclusive, Z925M Flex Fuel gives landscape contractors and customers with large acreage to mow a new alternative fuel option for their fleets.

“As we see E85 blends take off there is going to be a need in the market for this type of machine,” said Steve Wilhelmi, John Deere tactical marketing manager. “In addition, it just helps our alternative fuels platform” which includes electronic fuel-injected engines and biodiesel kits for diesel machines. Just another way to support the farmers who grow the crops that produce those biofuels.

The new Flex Fuel model is part of the M Series of ZTrak commercial mowers, designed for customers seeking productivity and efficiency. With a 24.6 hp* electronic fuel injected engine, the Z925M Flex Fuel can run on any blend of ethanol-mixed fuel, up to E85, and it has a top speed of 10 mph. Offered in 54- and 60-inch widths, it comes equipped with a 7-Iron™ deck, for maximum durability.

Enhancing operator comfort, the new model offers the option of an isolation seat or a fully-adjustable, suspension seat. For easy cleanup on the jobsite, an optional, integrated material collection system provides a Dump-From-Seat option for enhanced ease of use. Finally, the Z925M Flex Fuel comes with a class-leading 3-year/1200 hour warranty.

Like the rest of the ZTrak lineup, the new Z925M Flex Fuel is an eligible purchase within the GreenFleetTM Loyalty Rewards program. The industry-exclusive loyalty program from John Deere is designed to help customers manage their equipment more easily and cost-effectively.

While the product is designed for commercial use, Steve says it can fit a variety of customer needs. “There are going to be some large property owners that are interested in this machine, and certainly some residential customers that could be interested,” says Steve.

Find out more in this interview with Steve: Interview with Steve Wilhelmi, John Deere

Agribusiness, Audio, Ethanol, John Deere

You Are What You Eat

Melissa Sandfort

shreddedwheatAunt Jeanette writes this week …

You’ve heard that expression, haven’t you? Well, if it holds true, our three sons grew up to be hay bales, augers and tractor tires!

Ha! I bet you thought you were eating plain cereal, right? Wrong. Those were actually hay bales you were eating. And instead of the regular spaghetti noodles, we had augers to go with that yummy spaghetti sauce for lunch. The next morning’s breakfast may have consisted partly of tractor tires.

These are only some of the funnier and more creative foods our three young sons ate while they were growing up. You’d never guess they grew up on a farm, would you? Between the three of them, believe me, we never lacked for entertainment, humor or excitement! They are all grown up now with homes or families of their own. And, oh, how I miss those mealtimes that brought out their creativity. Now I can only imagine what our grandchildren are eating!

The next time you eat Shredded Wheat, rotini, French Twirl donuts, or any other food, let your ‘inner farmer’ out. You will see (and eat) things you never imagined!

I think I will make an auger salad for lunch – and be reminded of those happy mealtimes…

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Upcoming AgBiz of Kansas City Meeting

Talia Goes

the abckc logo (2)The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will hold a July meeting on the 18th from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. The meeting will feature Brian Klippenstein, Protect the Harvest. Protect The Harvest was created to fight back and defend American families, farmers, hunters and animal owners from the growing threat posed by the radical animal rights movement. Brian will outline their mission to inform, protect, and respond regarding animal rights issues in agriculture.

The luncheon welcomes council members, guests, and those serving Kansas City’s agricultural industry this summer. Introducing Mr. Klippenstein will be Angie Stanland of the Cerner Corporation to discuss the advantages of choosing KC as a place to live and work.

To register click here.

Agribusiness, Events

Connecting Farmers, Advisors and Precision Data

Talia Goes

mycentralagFarmers looking to better leverage field data and expertise from their local advisor partners now have access to a new tool. Newly launched MyAgCentral is designed to bridge the gap between farmers and their trusted local advisors, allowing both to more easily exchange data and develop plans using a single online dashboard. The dashboard lets the farmer pull data from different sources so they can see their whole operation using one login and one tool.

The cloud-based system allows both the farmer and advisors to securely access and share field data, reports, recommendations, plans, maps, etc from any location using any web-enabled device. It is also the first independent system developed to specifically enhance the relationships between farmers, agri-retailers and local advisors.

MyAgCentral is a three-tiered system providing an increasing number of tools for ag retailers and their grower clients.
MyAgCentral ADVISE enhances and simplifies the delivery of precision ag services from the ag retailer to the farmer, providing information in a simple online dashboard.
MyAgCentral EXCHANGE connects ag retailers, farmers and precision farming technologies, allowing the farmer and his trusted partner to create a team of advisors, all with access to the information they need to help the grower make better decisions.
MyAgCentral PRODUCE provides enhanced monitoring and control of a farm operation, including irrigation, grain monitoring, telematics and GPS hardware. Growers have access to a virtual farm view with real time monitoring of equipment and fields as well as local markets, weather and news.

Agribusiness, Internet, Precision Agriculture

House Republican Talks Farm Bill & Budget

Cindy Zimmerman

hartzler-farmRep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) is a member of both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on the Budget, plus she’s a farmer, so her perspective on what’s happening right now to try and get a farm bill passed is important to hear. You may recall that we spoke with her just about one month ago, before the bill was defeated by the full House.

By late Wednesday, Hartzler said different options were still being considered. “I don’t know all of the options, but one certainly would be to go back and leave (the bill) as it came out of committee” that is, without the final controversial food stamp amendment that was the final straw for many Democrats.

As a lifelong Missouri farmer, Hartzler remains frustrated by the inability of the House to pass a farm bill and is willing to try splitting the bill to get it done. “I think there probably is some merit in trying to split the bill to get the votes of the almost 70 Republicans that voted no,” she said. “So, let’s try it.” The House is now expected to do just that sometime today, according to news reports out this morning.

The House has been focused this week on completing the spending bill for energy and water programs, which is requiring some difficult cuts. “Our goal is to balance the federal budget within ten years,” she said. “That means we have to be smarter in how we spend our dollars.”

Vicky covers lots more in this interview: Interview with Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)

Audio, Farm Bill