Getting to Know Ag Leader

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Insights WeeklyHere is the next in our series as we introduce you to a few of dedicated precision ag equipment dealers in a series called “Getting to Know Ag Leader”.

We caught up with Keith Byerly of Advanced Cropping Systems by CVA in Nebraska.

1. From an agronomy standpoint, what do you consider to be the biggest issues facing growers today?
KeithB[1]
In our part of the world, it still comes down to water. We haven’t had much relief from the drought yet, and are facing water restrictions on irrigation if the drought continues into another growing season. That all being said, we are seeing the market explode when it comes to technologies for soil moisture management and VR Irrigation. To that extent, I think that growers are again going to be faced with a decision that cannot be made too quickly on who to partner with for a provider of this information. From a service provider standpoint, there are so many people out there with a “Me Too Attitude” offering data and prescription services to match the capabilities of the hardware they are selling. We firmly believe the “One Size Fits All” mentality does not work with it comes to working with growers and their data. Just like any other aspect of a growers operation, they need to make sure they find a Precision Ag service provider that understands the whole picture of what they are doing, and customizes programs around them.

2. Tell us about how growers in your area are using precision agriculture.

VR Fertilizer is the standard now, not the option. We are seeing the second generation of VR Seeding come about now as well. What I mean by that is that there were quite a few early adopters who went out and did VR seeding just because they could. They based it on soils maps and called it good. The results were less than great, and they abandoned the technology. Now they are coming back to it again, and this time they are looking for that right service provider to help them design a program. Section control of planters and sprayers was slower to be adapted in this area because we are fortunate enough to farm rectangular and square shaped field for the most part, but they are now the rule rather than the exception. RTK adaptation is really coming on strong now as well, with private CORS networks outpacing radio based systems. And of course automated steering continues to take over the cabs of these machines. We see more systems going into tractors that are more than 20 years old than I could have ever imagined.
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Ag Leader, Agribusiness

AgFanatics Talk Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

agfanatics-2For episode #25 of the AgFanatics podcast, Doug Yoder, Senior Director of Affiliate & Risk Management at the Illinois Farm Bureau, shares his insight into where the current farm bill stands and what he sees happening moving forward. Listen closely to the numbers Doug provides regarding crop insurance premiums and payouts. Also, Doug shares a little bit about what he enjoys doing in his spare time.

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

Farm Bill, GROWMARK

Old School

Melissa Sandfort

20130411_134001It was another one of those days today – I was staring at my computer wondering what to write about for AgWalk. As I walked upstairs, an idea just came to me. Or you can say an idea was sitting right in front of me.

This is an old school desk my grandpa saved and refurbished from a one-room schoolhouse. I think someone in our family once taught at that country school? My mom, aunt, cousin and I all have one and some even have the kids’ etching preserved (from the looks of some of the carvings, little Johnny had his eye on Emma!).

But I had to click this picture of my son sitting on the old desk chair with my iPad. And mind you, I snapped the picture with my Galaxy S3 smart phone. Now isn’t that irony?

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

NCGA Congratulates “Champion for Change”

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YoderThe National Corn Growers Association congratulates Past President Fred Yoder as he is recognized by President Obama as a “Champion for Change.” The official recognition, which takes place in the White House on a weekly basis, honors 12 ordinary Americans are doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world.

A fourth-generation farmer, Yoder has been an advocate for many years, promoting agriculture as a solution to many of the sustainability challenges.

Agribusiness, NCGA

New Holland Dealers Honored

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NewHollandTwelve New Holland dealers have been honored by New Holland for their company’s sales growth during the New Holland North America Dealer Meeting held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

New Holland presented the awards to the top three dealers who have demonstrated the most significant increase in sales growth over the previous year in one of four customer market segments: Cash Crop, Dairy & Livestock, Pro Work Tools (residential, commercial and utility), and Compact Construction equipment.

According to Abe Hughes, New Holland Vice President, these dealers are among the leading-edge New Holland dealers who have smartly positioned their dealership to attain growth through their outstanding commitment to serving their customers.

To read full article click here.

Agribusiness, New Holland

Spring Planting Delay

Talia Goes

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you combat social media overload?” We live in a new media world where we can communicate instantly with one person or the whole world. Does it ever bother you? Do you have to take a break from it all?

Our poll results: Twenty-five percent said Focus On 1 or 2 Social Networks, twenty-three percent said Physically Talk To People, thirteen percent Turn Devices Off For a While, ten percent Don’t Get Overloaded, eight percent Do Farm Chores and said Overload, What Overload?, five percent Set Time Limits, Read a Book, and Other. Based on poll results, focusing on one or two social media networks rather than all of them helps most people keep the chaos at ease.

Untitled

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Have you started spring planting?” The weather has been less than predictable over the last month, this time last year many of you were already in the fields. Has it delayed your spring planting date? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

New Holland, ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

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Zimfo Bytes

Elanco Invests $100M in China Animal Healthcare

Joanna Schroeder

Elanco logoElanco is investing approximately $100 million to purchase a minority equity stake in China Animal Healthcare Ltd., one of the leading players in the animal health industry in the People’s Republic of China. The investment expands Elanco’s commitment to China, with the goal of providing ChinaAnimalHealthCarelogoinnovative, safety-enhancing food production solutions to help meet the growing food demands and nutritional needs of the Chinese people. The parties have agreed to a framework to allow for future commercial collaboration activities.

“At Elanco, we are committed to providing innovative solutions to enhance food production and companion animal care. In China, we are working with local stakeholders to improve the health and performance of animals and help to ensure a growing supply of safe, affordable and abundant food,” said Jeff Simmons, president, Elanco. “Our sizable financial investment in China Animal Healthcare builds on our long-term commitment to China. By working with local stakeholders, together, we can make a real difference in the lives of the Chinese people.”

With global population expected to exceed 9 billion in the next 40 years, some of the greatest growth – about 750 million – will come from Asia, driving significant demand for meat, milk and eggs. China is poised to help meet this demand. By the end of this decade the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization predicts about 25 percent of the production growth for meat will come from China alone.

“In the past few decades China’s government has made significant strides to reduce poverty and improve food security, resulting in unprecedented growth of a middle class that demands a safe, high-protein, affordable diet,” said Eduardo Lopes Alberto, Elanco Country Director in China. “Elanco and China Animal Healthcare are well positioned to help China meet this demand by further working to enhance animal health and productivity.”

Listen to the official announcement here: Elanco Press Conference

Agribusiness, Audio, Elanco, International

Husker Food Connection Connects Urban and Rural

Melissa Sandfort

IMG_7235The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN) collaborated with agriculture-related student organizations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to host the second annual, Husker Food Connection.

Husker Food Connection helps urban students better understand where their food comes from. The theme of the Husker Food Connection was, “Know what we grow: Discovering Nebraska Agriculture.”

Listen to Lukas Fricke, UNL freshman and animal science major, as he explains how he addresses consumer concerns about modern pork production.
Listen to Fricke explain

Participants learned about where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in Nebraska while engaging in several activities. Students received a free lunch featuring beef, pork and turkey sandwiches along with ice cream — all products raised and made in Nebraska. During the event, approximately 2,000 lunches were served. The first 1,000 students to attend the event also received free t-shirts. Numerous students were eager to take a closer look at the piglets, chicks and Holstein calf. For many of them, this was their first experience with livestock.

Listen here to Bob Meduna, Southeast Extension Education, about helping students understand how what cattle eat impacts the final beef product.
Listen to Meduna explain

Willow Holoubek, A-FAN Organizational Director, said she is impressed with the eagerness of students to help their peers understand how their food is grown. “Having conversations about food production and making this connection is vitally important for the future. A-FAN applauds the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) students for their hard work in their efforts to connect farm to fork.”

Agribusiness, Beef, Corn, Dairy, Events, Pork, Poultry, Soybean

BASF Sequential Fungicide Application Program

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BASFHigh-production corn growers can now utilize a fungicide program that includes the latest products from BASF: Priaxor fungicide and Headline AMP fungicide. More than 40 research trials across the Midwest from 2010 to 2012 show a sequential fungicide application program increased corn yield by 15.3 bu/A.

The sequential fungicide application program involves an application of a Plant Health fungicide early in the season pre-tassel, followed by another Plant Health fungicide application at tassel (VT-R2). Studies show sequential fungicide applications are an effective way to consistently deliver the highest yields for growers and control corn diseases throughout the season.

Agribusiness, BASF