Construction & Agriculture Together at New Holland

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 399Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. This is episode #399! That’s a lot of interviews with leaders of the industry to share with you. Cindy and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

New Holland RustlerIn this week’s program we’re going to delve into the integration of the construction side of New Holland’s business with the agriculture side. To do this I visited with Mark Hooper, New Holland Director of Marketing. As you’ll hear him say in the program, this is about much more than marketing. It is every aspect of the business for each industry segment. Many farmers use construction industry type products and when you get to the construction and landscape industry there are companies who use equipment that falls into the agriculture area. So these two product lines just go together. Mark says there is still a lot of work to do on this integration process that includes working with the company dealer network and even creating new dealer contracts.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: New Holland Agriculture/Construction Integration

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong and Monsanto, Roundup Ready Plus, for their support.

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland, ZimmCast

Senate Passes Farm Bill – Again

Cindy Zimmerman

senateBy a vote of 66 to 27, the full Senate passed its version of a 2013 Farm Bill Monday evening, much to the relief of agricultural interests.

“America’s farmers greatly appreciate the leadership and bipartisan efforts by the Senate to complete their work on the farm bill,” said National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson. “We also recognize the efforts put forth to address regional concerns to ensure all areas of the country are adequately represented in the final language.”

“We appreciate the Senate’s decision to protect and strengthen the federal crop insurance program and not reduce its funding, as well as the approval of a commodity program that provides farmers varied safety net options,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman. “This approach to farm policy will encourage farmers to follow market signals rather than basing planting decisions on anticipation of government farm benefits. Most importantly, the program will be viable because the Senate stood firm on a budget savings level of $24 billion.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Scott George of Wyoming says while there is not a livestock title, the bill incorporates priorities important to the cattle industry such as conservation and research. “We are also pleased that disaster assistance programs are included in this legislation which is a positive step toward providing a strong safety net for our producers,” said George.

Suffice it to say everybody is pretty happy about it, except maybe Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) who was one of the 27 who voted against the bill. The full House is expected to take up its version of a farm bill next week.

AFBF, Farm Bill, NCBA, NCGA

Farm Bill Attention Turns to the House

Cindy Zimmerman

The Senate passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 by a vote of 66 to 27 on Monday evening, putting even more pressure on the House of Representatives to complete its work to get a bill to conference and passed by the end of summer. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), a member of the House agriculture committee, is hopeful.

hartzler“Certainly that should be the goal,” says Rep. Hartzler. “I know the leadership of the House Ag and I think the Senate Ag Committee as well want to see this done and wrapped up by August, so we’re certainly going to try.”

Rep. Hartzler says the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) of 2013 is a good bill that deserves to pass so she is cautiously optimistic it will once it gets to the floor next week. “But there are going to be a lot of amendments and there is going to be a lot of discussion,” she said. “There’s a lot of controversial aspects to the bill among several members.”

Those controversial issues include food assistance, the dairy program and the sugar program. Even though it is not part of the Senate bill, Hartzler is hopeful that her amendment repealing the catfish inspection program will survive in conference. “It’s a perfect example of wasteful, duplicative government spending and we can’t afford that nowadays,” she said.

Listen to or download interview with Rep. Hartzler: Interview with Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)

Audio, Farm Bill

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • DuPont Pioneer is bringing the next generation of powerful Web-based field management tools to growers with the introduction of Pioneer Field360 Select software.
  • IRON Solutions launched its enhanced and redesigned IRONSearch.com site, with streamlined features that allow buyers and sellers of agricultural and industrial equipment to connect and close deals faster than ever before.
  • The National Pork Board has approved $450,000 in Checkoff funds to help speed research into finding answers to Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus threat facing the domestic pork industry.
  • Purdue Extension’s 2013 Weed Day, June 28th at the Throckmorton Purdue Agricultural Center, will give participants a firsthand look at the effects of different herbicides on various field crops.
Zimfo Bytes

USFRA Wins National PR Award

Cindy Zimmerman

sabre-awardsThe U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance recently earned a place next to big names like Kimberly Clark, GE, Proctor & Gamble, and General Motors by capturing one of the public relations industry’s most prestigious awards – the Gold Sabre. USFRA won the award for its digital campaign “From East to West and Everywhere In Between, America’s Farmers and Ranchers are Leading the Food Dialogues”

“USFRA’s long-term, consumer-facing movement is centered on reaching online consumers who are searching for answers and shaping opinions about food and food production,” said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “Our results show the organization is making a great impact, but we still have significant opportunity ahead of us.”

USFRATo date, the USFRA Facebook page has more than 208,000 likes. The Food Dialogues.com website has received more than one million unique visitors and notably The Food DialoguesSM events have consistently trended on Twitter.

The world’s largest awards competition for the public relations industry, the SABRE Awards celebrate PR campaigns that demonstrate the highest levels of creativity, integrity and effectiveness. Big congrats to the USFRA and agency Ketchum for this prestigious honor!

Ag Groups, Public Relations, USFRA

NAFB Exec Suffers Heart Attack – Updated

Cindy Zimmerman

*Important UPDATE 2:30 pm Central*

He is reported to be doing well, but prayers are requested for National Association of Farm Broadcasting Executive Director Tom Brand who suffered a “serious heart attack” yesterday, according to the NAFB office.

NAFB president Mark Oppold informed the membership of the organization by email that Tom is doing fine and is at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. “Tom will have a heart catheter procedure today to determine the extent of damage to the heart, and a future treatment plan,” Mark says. “Doctors are highly certain there is blockage, and if that is the case, are hopeful the balloon procedure is all that will be necessary. Depending on damage, open heart surgery is certainly a possibility.”

We will all be keeping Tom, his wife Beth and their children in our prayers.

*UPDATE from Mark Oppold – Tests show that Tom has blockage in every artery of the heart, with 95 to 100% blockage. Bypass surgery is required. Tom was put on blood thinners at the time of admittance, and it is not safe to operate. Doctors tell the family it will be Friday at the earliest, and next Monday at the latest for the surgery.
In the meantime, the family has been overwhelmed by visitors, calls, etc. from the St. Joseph community. We understand the outpouring of love and concern for Tom, but would ask the NAFB family to refrain from calling the office or the Brand telephones. There is a lot for them to process at the moment. The NAFB office phone system was down for a time this morning, due to the high call volume.
Here is what we suggest, email Tom at his regular email address: tom@nafb.com. Susan (and only Susan) will see those emails, print them out, and take them to Tom to read.

Media, NAFB

Benefits of Mintrex Cu on Pigs & Mode of Action

Joanna Schroeder

Mintrex Cu (copper) has benefits on pigs and mode of action.

Yulin Ma NovusDr. Yulin Ma, who works on Novus International’s research and development team, gave a presentation during the 25th Anniversary of the World Pork Expo about seven trials pertaining to the company’s new product Mintrex Cu. Ma explained that when adding the product to premix, the copper sulfate helped the pig digest more of the feed. The product also showed that it reduces fecal excretion of copper, which is better for the environment, and improved carcass weight – where the real payback occurs says Ma.

Ma, whose excitement about the product was evident in his presentation, explained that Mintrex Cu has higher mineral digestibility than inorganic sources and thus helps improve immune function – a healthier pig means less antibiotics. The product also improves feed intake and performance. Ma says Mintrex Cu is really a triple threat and for farmers who understand the value of the product, the payback will be threefold.

Listen to my interview with Yulin Ma here and/or watch a video of his presentation below. Benefits of Mintrex Cu on Pigs & Mode of Action

Visit the 2013 World Pork Expo photo album.

AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim
Audio, Novus International, Pork, Research, Swine, Video, World Pork Expo

Hogtoberfeast Was a Feast

Joanna Schroeder

HogtoberfestOne of the most anticipated events during the World Pork Expo each year is the hog roast sponsored by Automated Production Systems. It seems each year the event gets bigger and this year was no exception. The theme “Hogtoberfeast” was celebrated in true German style from the decoration of the pig to the costumes and accents of those who participated in the Hogtoberfeast opening celebration.

There was singing and dancing and even audience participation. And then when that was over, the hog was carved and the feast began. And boy was it good! I caught some of the festivities on camera. I wonder what they will do next year? This will be a hard act to follow.

Visit the 2013 World Pork Expo photo album.

AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim
Pork, Swine, Video, World Pork Expo

New Holland Genesis T8 in Action

Chuck Zimmerman

Last week New Holland introduced the new Genesis T8 Series Tractor. I shot some video of it which I added to my interview with Gary Wojcik, Segment Marketing Manager for large horsepower tractors.

If you are familiar with the original Genesis tractor (picture in photo album of a restored model) or have a story to tell about them then New Holland wants to hear from you.

TELL US YOUR GENESIS™ STORY! GET A 20TH ANNIVERSARY POSTER.

We are collecting stories from owners of the original GENESIS tractor. Tell us how owning one of these revolutionary tractors changed the way you worked in the field.

As a thank you for your participation, all owners submitting a story will be sent a GENESIS 20th Anniversary commemorative poster. Select owners will have their stories featured on this site.

It’s our goal to find every original GENESIS tractor that is still in the field today. We look forward to hearing your story!

Agribusiness, Equipment, New Holland, Tractor, Video

The Infection Chain of Swine Diseases

Cindy Zimmerman

wpx13-bivi-payneWe first heard about the Infection Chain concept in managing swine disease from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) back in March at American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. We learned more about it during World Pork Expo.

“BI is very dedicated to understanding the diseases overall,” explained Swine Technical Manager Brian Payne. “We’ve done a great job with the PRRS infection chain, we’re in the middle of many studies with the mycoplasma infection chain, and we’re starting PCV2 infection chain studies.” Interview with BIVI's Brian Payne

wpx13-bivi-fanoDr. Eduardo Fano, BIVI’s technical manager for the Americas, talked about the importance of understanding the infection chain for mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, also referred to as M-hyo or MHP. “If you understand that the first link of the infection is the gilt, the second is the sow herd and the last one is what we see clinically in finishing, it’s easy to understand the links of the prevention chain that you can work,” he said. Interview with BIVI's Eduardo Fano

wpx13-bivi-baumertDr. Dave Baumert, staff veterinarian for Cargill Pork, provided a case study on his experience with how the infection chain works. “To me the infection chain refers to the movement of infectious disease down through the production flow,” he said. “As pigs are moved, infectious disease if it’s present will move with them.”

His case study involved the purchase of gilts just discovered to be positive for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. “We chose to keep those gilts because we thought they added some real value to our system,” said Dr. Baumert. “What we didn’t completely understand at the time was that when we kept those gilts we were also keeping the start of the mycoplasma disease chain.”

Ultimately, Dr. Baumert says the decision to keep those gilts which set off the infection chain in that herd was a costly one but they learned from it. Interview with Cargill Pork Staff Vet Dr. Dave Baumert

2013 World Pork Expo photo album.

Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine, World Pork Expo