Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • 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

Larry Mitchell, USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA) wpx13-GIPSAadminister, 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 NOVUSAgWired 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

Insights WeeklyThe 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

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. wpx13-paragon-meyerDuring 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 NOVUSAgWired 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

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.

Untitled

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 New Holland Agriculture.

ZimmPoll

Improving Digestibility Can Reduce Feed Costs

Cindy Zimmerman

wpx13-novus-escobarApplying nutrient digestibility concepts and the use of certain enzymes can help hog producers reduce waste and lower feed costs.

Dr. Jeffrey Escobar of Novus International talked about that during a presentation at World Pork Expo this week, explaining the benefits of their feed additive Cibenza DP100. “It’s a heat-stable protease … that will digest proteins to release amino acids,” he explains. “So what Cibenza DP100 will do is help the enzymes already present in the pig and increase the digestibility of the proteins present in the feed with a net gain of more amino acids believed delivered to the animal.”

Listen to my interview with Jeffrey and/or watch a video of his presentation below: Interview with Novus' Jeffrey Escobar

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, Feed, Novus International, World Pork Expo

Raven Makes Big Announcements at RIS

Jamie Johansen

ris-13-021_edited-1The 2013 Raven Innovation Summit wrapped up last night with an awards banquet honoring Raven Industries dealers from across the world. The two-day event consisted of the announcement of brand new innovative technologies, a trade show and educational break-out sessions where dealers got all their questions answered about the new product launches.

During the opening session general manager and vice president of Raven Industries, Matt Burkhart, had the privilege to finally make the hard work and years of research public. Raven is recognized as a leader in precision agriculture and has been introducing leading edge technology since 1978. Maybe the most coveted new product is the Viper 4, a fourth generation Viper loaded with simplicity, power and connection.

ris-13-013-editedListen to Matt’s complete product launch presentation here: Product Launch Announcement

I also got to sit down with Matt and he shared how the passion for Raven’s Applied Technology Division is helping farmers feed the world. Their mission to do this is surrounded by growing their core, expanding internationally and focusing on information management.

Listen to my interview with Matt here: Interview with Matt Burkhart

Check out photos from the event here: Raven Innovation Summit Photo Album

Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Meet Kourtney Determan – Up & Coming Aggie

Joanna Schroeder

During the 25th Anniversary of World Pork Expo, I had the opportunity to meet one of the up and coming young women in agriculture – Kourtney Determan. She is an Iowa native wpx13-novus-dettermanwho grew up on a farm in Northwest Iowa as well as a recent graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Ag Communications. In mid-May, she began her summer internship with Novus International where she is working with Dr. Karen Lehe to build out the company’s youth outreach program.

In her role she is helping educate youth across the country about both where our food comes from, as well as about the great jobs in the ag industry. She notes that many think the only job in ag is to be a farmer, but she is proof that there are hundreds of different opportunities to work in the industry.

Before summer is out, she will be bringing more interactivity to Novus’ FREE youth curriculum that includes a brochure as well as a game developed for iPad that demonstrates the diversity of the ag industry. The toolkit also includes videos, word searchers, and more. Having grown up in the age of social media, she notes that online is the best way to reach these kids.

Learn more about Kourtney’s work with the youth outreach program here: Meet Kourtney Determan - Up & Coming Aggie

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, World Pork Expo

The New Holland Genesis T8 Series

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland Genesis T8 SeriesA Genesis is going on at New Holland. Specifically, a Genesis T8 Series of tractors! Here’s one of the newest tractor in the New Holland line out in the field at New Holland headquarters in Pennsylvania.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the industry-changing GENESIS™ tractor, New Holland has built a machine to honor its legacy—the GENESIS™ T8 Series tractor. No matter what your agricultural demands include, you can rely upon the new GENESIS™ T8 series tractor to get things done—just as the original tractor did!

I got out in the field with this bad boy and visited with Gary Wojcik, Segment Marketing Manager for large horsepower tractors, to find out all about this new tractor. I’ll have video to share with you as soon as I get a chance to edit it together.

Listen to my interview with Gary here: Interview with Gary Wojcik

You can find a lot more photos of the new Genesis here: New Holland Genesis T8 Series Tractor Photo Album

Please feel free to download and share photos as always.

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland, Tractor

NPPC Science & Technology Updates at WPX

Joanna Schroeder

This morning, Bill Luckey, pork producer from Columbus, Nebraska and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) director gave an update during the second day of 2013 World Pork Expo on science and technology updates including antibiotics and animal welfare.

wpx13-nppc-luckeyIn terms of antibiotics, Luckey said NPPC has been actively involved in the Animal Drug User Act. It has moved all the way through Congress and has passed both the House and the Senate with no amendments. The Act provides funding for the timely review of the new animal drug applications for the veterinary products.

On the regulatory front Luckey said there are some issues going on with antibiotic availability and veterinary oversight. The industry is waiting for the FDA to finalize the guidance for 2013, which requests that animal health manufacturers voluntarily give up their growth hormone promotion labels for antibiotics for classes that are also used for human medicine.

Listen to Bill Luckey’s remarks here: NPPC Science & Technology Update

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, NPPC, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo