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

What’s Your Dream Career in Agriculture?

Cindy Zimmerman

dream-careerAgCareers.com wants to know – what is your dream career in agriculture?

During 2013 visit AgCareers.com at different industry events we’re attending and tell us what ‘Your Dream Career in Agriculture” is. Help us educate the public about the millions of exciting careers that exist in agriculture!

Those careers include teacher, dairy consultant, engineer, loan officer, welder, rancher, vet, microbiologist, nutritionist, aerial applicator, meat inspector, plant manager, viticulturist, mechanic, and family farmer – just to name a few! Oh – and Secretary of Agriculture.

Check it out on the AgCareers Facebook page.

AgCareers, Agribusiness, Education

Agri-Pulse Hires New Associate Editor

Melissa Sandfort

AarianMarshallAgri-Pulse Communications Inc. has named Aarian Marshall to serve as Associate Editor, based in Washington, D.C.

“Aarian initially joined us as an intern last fall to assist with our election coverage, but she has quickly grasped a wide variety of the farm, food and rural issues that we cover. We are delighted to have her join our growing team of reporters on Capitol Hill,” explained Editor Sara Wyant.

Prior to joining Agri-Pulse, she served as communications intern for Faith in Public Life, a faith advocacy group in Washington, DC, and as an editorial intern for Moment Magazine, a publication focusing on Jewish culture, politics and religion. Marshall graduated from Princeton University in 2012 with concentrations in Religion and Urban Studies. While at Princeton, Marshall won a number of awards for her writing.

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness

One Stop for Event Audio and Photos

Cindy Zimmerman

2013 has already been a busy year for ZimmComm – the last couple of weeks especially. We already have 12 new photo albums for this year!

agnewswire-logoBecause our events may be posted on different websites, and just because of the sheer volume of content we are generating that we want to share, we are working on consolidating event content on our AgNewsWire.AgWired.com site. We have a couple of events already posted there – with links to photo albums, posts, categories, audio and even video. We want to make it easier for media, or anyone interested, to be able to locate and utilize the content we create.

2013 National Ethanol Conference
2013 National Biodiesel Conference
2013 Cattle Industry Conference and NCBA Trade Show

It’s a work in progress – what do you think? Useful or not?

Biodiesel, Cattle Industry Conference, Ethanol, Media, NCBA, ZimmComm Announcement