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  • The latest Agricultural Finance Monitor released by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis announced that abundant crop insurance shielded farmers’ income from much of the impact of this summer’s drought across the Midwest and Mid-South.
  • Tuskegee University is going to host one of the oldest professional farmers conferences in the nation.
  • Wheat Growers has been awarded first place honors in regional and national competition for its newsletter Wheat Growers News and its annual meeting video.
  • Bayer CropScience recently updated its Innovation Plus platform to provide program information, rebate and yield calculators, an education center and redemption catalog.
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New Holland Shows Off T8.420 at NFMS

John Davis

nfms-13-nh-gary-wojcikOf course one of the big purposes of the National Farm Machinery Show was to display the latest in farm machinery. Our friends at New Holland were there and proudly showed their latest T8.420 tractor to enthusiastic crowds who couldn’t resist climbing up and seeing all the new bells and whistles inside. Gary Wojcik with New Holland went over some of the new features with Chuck.

“This is the new two-wheel drive, high horsepower with front wheel assist tractor,” adding that it has the highest horsepower in the industry, also featuring an AutoCommand CVT transmission. Gary said it also has the longest wheelbase in the industry that provides a smooth ride but still turns as sharp as any tractor out there.

Under the hood, Gary said they have a very efficient engine. They’ve taken the 9-liter Cursor engine and switched it to a common rail, which helps more finely control the injectors. “We’re going to produce more power with less fuel.”

Finally, crawling into the cab, operators will be impressed with how they can make the steering wheel, console and touch-screen monitor fit them to be the most comfortable.

Look for delivery of this beauty to dealers sometime this fall.

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Gary here: Interview with Gary Wojcik

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album


Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture
Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

Biggest and Best NFMS Looks to Get Bigger & Better

John Davis

nfms-13-rippetoeThe recent National Farm Machinery Show is touted as one of the biggest and best agricultural expos of the entire year, and it seems to live up to it billing, in no small part, due to the efforts of Rip Rippetoe (pictured during a TV interview), the new President/CEO of Kentucky Fair Board and his talented staff.

“People from all over the United States and the world come here because they know this is the place where you’re going to learn the latest trends, the best technology, and be able to meet and talk to people who are in the industry from all across the world and find out what it means to be in the ag industry,” Rip said.

With more than 860 exhibitors in a 1.2 million square foot indoor facility, attracting more than 300,000 visitors and pumping $22 million into the economy, Rip said it’s tough to see everything in just one day. He added that despite the facility being home to other noteworthy ag events, such as the North American Livestock Expo, the Kentucky State Fair, and beef and horse shows, they hope to do more and be even bigger in the future.

“I think there’s always opportunity. The question is: ‘How do we do it?’ People said we were maxed out on space last year, and our staff got creative and found ways to get more efficient and added booths [this year],” adding that they still sold out four weeks before the show, and they want to find a way to get those who have been on waiting lists to be part of the show.

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Rip here: Interview with Rip Rippetoe

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album


Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture
Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

Tractor Pullers See NFMS as Highlight of the Winter

John Davis

nfms-13-tractor-pull-driversA big favorite at the National Farm Machinery Show is always the Championship Tractor Pull done in conjunction with the show … for the fans and the competitors alike.

“This is what we look forward to every winter,” Doug Theobald from Shelbyville, Ind., who took 3rd place in the 6,200-lb. two-wheel drive Super Modified Trucks class on one of the nights of the show, told Chuck. “The crowd is amazing. Syngenta backing the event and the pull means a lot to the competitors. It’s what we strive for all year, to get qualified to come here.

John Strickland from Clinton, NC, who on the same evening won third place in the 8,000-lb. Super Stock Alcohol Tractors division, echoed Doug’s sentiments, adding that he’s very impressed with the farm show as well. “Even if you’re not in the farm or agriculture trade it’s still really amazing to walk around and see what there is here and what’s offered and the technology to make feeding the country possible.”

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Doug and John here: Interview with Doug Theobald & John Strickland

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

Animal Nutritional Solutions at Alltech

Jamie Johansen

cic-13-185-editedThe 2013 NCBA Trade Show brought industry leaders together to share their latest in agriculture research and technology during the Cattle Industry Convention.

Like always, Alltech had a constant crowd gathered to here their newest techniques in agriculture nutrition and technology. I spoke with Jim Bannerman, National Accounts Manager with Alltech, and he shared their focus for 2013.

“We always have a lot of things coming down the pipeline, but probably the main thing that has been coming down the pipeline for quite awhile is our nutrigenomics and how we are starting to apply that more practically to animal nutritional solutions. Nutrigenomics is basically how nutrients or diets affect gene up and down regulation within the animal. And so, basically what we are understanding is we can feed for different things such as meat quality, health and what to feed them at different ages.”

Listen to my complete interview with the Jim: Interview with Jim Bannerman

You can find photos from the event here:Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Alltech, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

AgFanatics Dish on USDA Report

Cindy Zimmerman

agfanatics-2The AgFanatics were in their element last week talking about the USDA Supply & Demand report. Episode #11 on Tuesday last week caught them in pre-report speculation mode, and Episode #12 was recap and reaction to the report for the market.

The AgriVisor AgFanatics podcast is updated twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. AgFanatics can be found on Itunes or right from the front page at www.agrivisor.com.

Agribusiness, Farming, GROWMARK, USDA

The Samsung Galaxy Phablet is Fabulous

Chuck Zimmerman

AgWired App on Galaxy Note IIIt’s a phone. It’s a small tablet. It’s a phablet. Actually, it’s the Samsung GALAXY Note II seen here sporting the AgWired App (Got it on your device yet?). I know my Android buddies are wondering about me now. Saying nice thing about an Android device. But I do have an open mind!

After enjoying a Droid Razr as my backup phone and hotspot for a while I’ve upgraded to one of these bad boys. We’re talking serious agvocating tool. It’s not going to replace my iPhone 5 which is number one in my gadget arsenal but I’m having fun with it so far. The screen is huge and beautiful. I’ve set up and tested the hotspot once and it works great. I’ve got it on Verizon and with their backup app it was as simple as moving my sim card and turning the device on to get things started with all my apps, contacts, etc. showing up. Of course I have had to re-populate my home screens but that’s simple.

Galaxy Note IIThe battery life on this thing seems excellent so far. I have used it off and on for almost three days (very little phone calling) and haven’t had to charge it yet. That is a good thing. I’m also a fan of the hidden pull out S Pen that comes with the device. I like using a stylus and this reminds me of ones I used to use on the old Palm Pilot. Remember them?

So, that’s just a quick look at a device you might consider for your ag applications work. However, as you’ll see in the ad below, there’s still the iPad mini that takes current top honors as my favorite in the tablet arena. We like it so much that we’re giving one away to one lucky farmer on our Precision Pays website. In fact, the contest is open for several more weeks so enter now!

Apps, Farming

Imperative to Showcase Diversity of Biodiesel

Joanna Schroeder

For the past two years, Gary Haer has held three jobs: Chair of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Renewable Energy Group (REG), the largest producer of biodiesel in the nbb-13-haerU.S. and soybean and corn producer – he farms on his family farm in Northwest Missouri.

During his presentation at the 10th Annual NBB Conference, Haer noted that it was hard for him to believe this industry was celebrating it’s 20th anniversary (as Joe Jobe said, the industry has reached its teenage years).

Haer described several parallels between the rollercoaster ride that America’s farmers face every season (Haer and his family virtually lost all their crops to flooding two years in a row) and the market uncertainty battled by the biodiesel industry. He also said that because very few people understand what it really takes to produce food, feed, fiber and fuel, “The biodiesel industry must be even louder in our rallying cries to showcase the diversity of our advanced biofuel.”

Listen to Haer’s full remarks here: Raise the Rally Cry

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Soybean

Here’s to a Great 20 Years!

Joanna Schroeder

The 10th Annual National Biodiesel Board Conference & Expo wrapped up in Las Vegas last week but the industry is still a buzz with the great things that have been achieved over the past 20 years to successfully promote biodiesel. During the first general session that officially kicked of the conference, Kenlon Johannes, CEO of the Kansas Soybean Commission reminisced about the start of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB officially turned “20” this year).

Kenlon Johannes Kenlon says it has been an interesting 20 years and 10 years. He says there were only a few involved at the start with most of the action happening in Missouri. The first five years were the fast growth years when the industry really started to take off.

When it comes to looking back he says there are four phases to how the industry has developed. The first one was trying to figure things out, then convincing the industry itself that an organization was needed, then at the federal level work was done and markets developed and then in the last five years a very concise legislative, research and promotion program has been developed.

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Kenlon here: Interview with Kenlon Johannes

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Soybean

USB Honored with “Eye on Biodiesel” Award

Joanna Schroeder

NBB Influncer Award to USBThe 10th Annual National Biodiesel Board Conference: Momentum, was a huge success last week as the biodiesel industry celebrated the great things that have occurred during the past 20 years in Las Vegas. The session focused on the both the history and future of biodiesel and included the announcement of several “Eye on Biodiesel” awards.

The winner of the “Influencer” category was the United Soybean Board (USB) who helped to make the success of the industry possible through its leadership and financial commitment through the soybean checkoff dating back to 1992. NBB’s CEO Joe Jobe noted that their continued support is instrumental in the growth of the biodiesel industry.

“Biodiesel, America’s advanced biofuel, would not be what it is today without champions and supporters like these Eye on Biodiesel honorees,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “It is very fitting that as we reflect on 20 years of our industry that we honor our past and the enormous impact these biodiesel pioneers had on the early development of the biodiesel industry. We did our homework, and then some, to make sure biodiesel would be received as a technically credible fuel and that is a process that continues today.”

Listen to my interview with Jim Stillman, Vice Chair of USB who accepted the award on the organization’s behalf: USB's Eye on Biodiesel

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Soybean, USB