Novus Goes Whole Hog for WPX

Cindy Zimmerman June 9, 2013

As has become the tradition at World Pork Expo, Novus International once again offered a whole, tender, juicy roasted hog for expo goers during the Thursday afternoon street party.

This year the Novus theme was “More Than A Mineral Happy Hour” in honor of Mintrex, the next-generation trace mineral that has its own official ingredient definition by the Association of American Feed Council Officials (AAFCO). Mintrex is no ordinary trace mineral, it’s BioOptimized, which means it is highly bioavailable to efficiently supply more mineral to the animal. For hog producers, Mintrex can help manage sow stress, balance seasonal peaks and valleys in production and support sow health and ultimately allow herds to reach their genetic potential. Just one of the many ways Novus goes whole hog for producers!

See more photos in the 2013 World Pork Expo photo album.

AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUS AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

National Pork Board Provides PEDV Research Funds

Cindy Zimmerman June 9, 2013

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) was a big topic of discussion at the World Pork Expo this past week and the National Pork Board announced the investment of $450,000 in Checkoff funds to help speed research into finding answers to this new disease threat facing the domestic pork industry. This amount, coupled with funds just approved by the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s research committee, brings the current total devoted to PEDV research to $527,000 from the two producer-based organizations.

Dr. Paul Sundberg, the Pork Checkoff’s vice president of science and technology, gave an update on the disease – which was first confirmed in the U.S. last month. “It’s changing everyday as we go,” he said. “We don’t have hard numbers because any number I give you would be out of date as soon as we walk out of here. What we know is that it’s primarily centered in the Midwest right now and we’re monitoring the distribution as we go to try to figure out how to help producers and veterinarians get on top of this.”

PEDV was first confirmed in Iowa, Indiana and Illinois but cases are being reported in several other states including Colorado, Oklahoma, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota. Dr. Sundberg notes that PEDV is not a new virus outside of the United States nor a regulatory/reportable disease, but rather a production-related disease that hits young pigs under three weeks of age particularly hard. Mortality rates have been high in pigs of this age, while older pigs that may get the virus typically recover.

“While PEDV may appear clinically to be the same as transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus with acute diarrhea, producers who suspect their herd may be infected should work with their herd veterinarian immediately if any TGE-like symptoms appear,” said Sundberg. “And, as always, they should maintain strict biosecurity protocols.”

The objectives of the Pork Board’s swine health committee, which will oversee the PEDV research, will be to get real answers about the spread and transmission of the disease, along with measures to detect, diagnose, prevent and control it.

Listen to Sunberg’s comments here: Dr. Paul Sundberg, National Pork Board

Visit the 2013 World Pork Expo photo album.

AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUS AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Audio, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Bug Eating Festival

Chuck Zimmerman June 9, 2013

Got bugs? Then go to the 6th Annual Bug Eating Festival.

It’s a zany experience, party and potluck where people come together to learn about, and experience, eating insects. Alan Davisson is the co-host for the evening. In between grilling up and passing around plates of freshly cooked bugs, Alan offers the lore of edibility, preparing, cooking, and eating insects.

I’m going to pass on this one. But in case you are interested it will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at Zilker Park in Austin, TX starting about 7:00 p.m. Oh, and bring your own bugs. It looks like this is put on by Marjory Wildcraft, Grow Your Own Groceries.

This will be a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bugs to share) party so start catching them early so we have lots! They can be stored in a bag in the freezer until the festival, but get an early start so we have a swarm.

This will also be a ‘normal’ potluck so bring a dish of ordinary food to share. Bring a dish large enough to feed 8 hungry people.

June Bugs are out now around the lights at night…. bag lots of them + freeze em.
Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids… keep them alive overnight so they get a chance to “purge” then freeze em.
Wasp nests… into a jar with the whole nest… NOTHING will be wasted.
Wolf Spiders… put on a headlamp and their eyes glow like green laser emeralds at night. They taste like chicken but they’ll eat each other so keep em separate.
Grubs… new on our menu this year… not for the faint of heart.
Mealworms…. Usually from the pet store but we wouldn’t want to miss em!
Scorpians – yum, yum, the best of the flavors – bring as many as you can. They show up yellow at night under a black light.

Bring any other insects you find and we will put Alan to the test to see if he knows the edibility of it. Last year, the kids brought a walking stick and munched it down. Ooossshh.

Farming, Food

Revitalizing New Holland Construction

Chuck Zimmerman June 7, 2013

I don’t know about you but I’ve been seeing a whole lot more of New Holland in the last couple years. And that includes outside of the work we’ve been doing with the company through their support of our coverage of industry events. The driving force is Abe Hughes, VP, North America, seen here talking with construction industry media representatives this week. Abe has not only been putting together a new team but has also undertaken the just announced integration of the construction equipment products with agriculture products.

In a strategic move designed to better serve the needs of compact tractor and light construction equipment customers, New Holland Construction marketing functions in North America have been integrated into New Holland Agriculture’s new Pro Work Tools marketing segment group.

The Pro Work Tools market segment encompasses farmers, landscapers, municipalities, construction companies, grounds maintenance contractors and others who use tractors as well as light construction equipment in their day-to-day business operations.

I spoke with Abe during this week’s New Holland Construction Media Event about this integration and what it means to the company, dealers and customers. Abe says it’s a lot more than just marketing.

Listen to my interview with Abe here: Interview with Abe Hughes

New Holland Construction Equipment Media Event Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland, Tractor, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes June 7, 2013

Kubota Tractor Corporation has announced the addition of the new Grand L60 Series to its lineup.
JCB announced plans to begin production of six-cylinder engines with the addition of the JCB Dieselmax 672 to its world-leading engine line-up.
A new endowment that has been established with the National FFA Foundation will allow thousands of future FFA members to attend the organization’s largest leadership development conference – free of charge.
Two regional TV spots and an instructional video for Zoetis garnered a total of three awards for broadcast and nonbroadcast production.

Zimfo Bytes

GIPSA: Farm Bill, Price Concerns Key Issues

Joanna Schroeder June 7, 2013

Larry Mitchell, USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA) administer, along with Deputy Administrator Susan Keith, spent the day at the 25th anniversary of the World Pork Expo. While attending the event, the two took some time for an answer and question session to give the pork industry and update on close term challenges and opportunities.

The biggest challenge not only for pork producers but agriculture in general, said Mitchell, is the passage of a farm bill. The Senate version (and House version) of Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 has hundreds of amendments that if passed, or not, could affect agriculture. As of this writing, the Senate voted for cloture and will be voting on the bill on Monday.

In addition to the need for a long-term farm bill, Keith said another key issue is price concerns for independent food producers in the U.S. This, she said, on the swine side is one of their biggest concerns because with a very thin market it’s really hard to assure there is a legitimate price discovery and ensuring that the prices that become part of a contract are fair and determined in a manner that is justified.

GIPSA Update: Farm Bill, Price Concerns Key Issues

Visit the 2013 World Pork Expo photo album.

AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUS AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, GIPSA, Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Wet Planting Season Doesn’t Mean Lost Yields

Melissa Sandfort June 7, 2013

The planting of the U.S. corn crop was 91% complete as of Sunday, June 2, below the five-year average of 95% for that time of year, according to a recent report by the USDA. The soybean crop was 57% planted, behind the average of 74% for that time of year. And there were 8.55 million acres of corn still unplanted.

So what does that mean for farmers across the Midwest? Either plant in soggy ground, replant in muddy fields or collect crop insurance.

Ag Leader’s Mike Olson, sales manager, says in tough seasons like this, using precision ag technology can really be a benefit.

Listen to Olson explain

Olson also notes that because of the rainy season, there is de-nitrification in the ground. That’s when OptRX crop sensors can help read the crop vigor to help growers apply Nitrogen when they side-dress. And, the Hydraulic Down Force system was invaluable this season to maintain proper planting depth.

Listen to Olson explain

Growers can still implement crop sensor technology during the 2013 growing season, save their crop and benefit from the technology when it comes to increased yields. Olson says trials have shown a $25 per acre increase in profit by using more Nitrogen.

Listen to Olson explain

Become a fan of Ag Leader on Facebook today, and get the latest precision ag videos on the YouTube channel. For more information about Ag Leader products and services, or to visit the blog site, go to www.agleader.com.

Ag Leader, Agribusiness

Pork Industry Economic Update at World Pork Expo

Joanna Schroeder June 7, 2013

The economist to the pork industry Steve Meyer, with Paragon Economics, gave attendees at the 25 anniversary of the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa an economic update. During a question and answer session Meyer noted that the industry finally has prices back to profitable for the short run, the first time in nearly two years. However, he doesn’t believe this will last unless there is a very, very good corn crop, which he says looks doubtful at this point due to all the rain.

Meyer said with a good corn crop, somewhere in the 140 bushels per acre range, he thinks the industry could see prices in the low $80s next spring. If this is the case, then the industry is set up for a profitable 2014.

During the session, Meyer addressed the possible effects of exchange rates and feedstock costs to operations as well as the impact of last summer’s drought. But he noted that producers are still doing fairly well due to better risk management techniques over the past three-four years.

Listen to Steve Meyer’s remarks here: Pork Industry Economic Update

Visit the 2013 World Pork Expo photo album.

AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUS AgWired coverage of the 2013 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novus International, NPPC, Pork, World Pork Expo

How’s Your Hay Crop

Talia Goes June 6, 2013

Before we get to our new Zimmpoll let’s look at the results of our latest one which asked the question, “What is MOST important when buying a tractor?” It looks like price, horsepower, and versatility win this battle.

Our poll results: Twenty-two percent said Price and Horsepower, seventeen percent said versatility, fifteen percent said Customer Service, nine percent said Accessories, six percent said Warranty and Comfort, four percent said Color, and two percent said Size. The bells and whistles don’t seem to be a huge impact on purchasing decisions.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How good was your first cutting of hay?” Weather hasn’t exactly been predictable this spring. With a cold and wet spring season across much of the country how did it affect your hay crop? Has it bounced back from last year’s drought? Let us know.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by .

ZimmPoll

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