These Agvocates Say Dinner Starts Here

Chuck Zimmerman

Dinner Starts HereWant to know where your food comes from? Sure you do. Here’s a resource I just found out about – Dinner Starts Here. This is an effort by some young Canadian farmers who are using social media to share their stories about the food they produce. Great idea!

Through this website you’ll meet a group of young farmers from Ontario, Canada who are passionate about their chosen careers in agriculture, their livestock and their crops.

Each and every one of them feels a strong commitment to this way of life and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

In their blogs, you’ll learn about their day to day lives and how they’re producing everything from berries to beef, milk and eggs to wheat, soybeans, potatoes and maple syrup.

Think about them the next time you sit down to dinner. After all, to know your farmers is to know your food.

Dairy farmer and social media advocate, Andrew Campbell, gets credit for the project. He has a number of sponsor helping that include Dairy Farmers of Canada, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, Grayridge Egg Farms and Farm & Food Care.

You can follow along on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.

Thanks go to Food and Farming Canada for the heads up!

Farming, Food, International, Social Media, Social Networking

Bug Eating Festival

Chuck Zimmerman

Bug Eating FestivalGot 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

Abe Hughes New Holland North AmericaI 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

    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