Novus’ Commitment to Sustainability

Jamie Johansen February 15, 2013

The vision at Novus International is to feed the world affordable, wholesome food. They have adopted a three pillar stance of solution, service and sustainability all tied in to thinking globally, but acting locally.

Sustainability is the cornerstone of their vision to improve the quality of life for people around the world. During the recent International Production and Processing Expo, I talked with Alex Pierroutsakos, who works in quality assurance in sustainability and environmental safety, about how Novus brings sustainability into their everyday lives.

“Novus has done a really good job at looking into what sustainability is all about and focusing on that is part of our mission statement. How are we going to feed a growing population over the next 40 years? Once you transcend that back to what we can do to help that process and help to make our own customers more sustainable. [We ask] how do we provide product on time, how do we help make sure the supply chain and distribution is there for us to support them. These are the things we are looking at.”

Novus believes being sustainable starts at home. There 90,000-square foot headquarters is platinum LEED-certified. This is the highest energy and environmental design available in the United States. It is one of four in Missouri and one of 150 in the entire United States.

Check out my complete interview with Alex: Interview with Alex Pierroutsakos

You can find photos from the event here:International Production & Processing Expo Photo Album

Audio, Environment, IPPE, Novus International, Poultry Expo, Sustainability

MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year

Jamie Johansen February 15, 2013

The Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) just announced their 2013 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year. Congratulations to Charlie Johnson of Johnson Farms in Madison, SD.

Charlie farms with his brother, Allan and cousin, Aaron. The trio operates a organic crop and beef farm on 2800 acres.

Johnson’s organic process begins with his six-year crop rotation, which includes two years of hay, one each of soybeans, corn, again with soybeans, and finally oats planted along with alfalfa. This attention to detail has led to Johnson Farms being certified organic by the International Certification Service (FVO/ICS). Johnson’s crops are sold to National Farmer’s Organization (NFO) Organics.

Johnson’s care for the land does not stop at crops. He keeps his 200 head of Black Angus Gelbvieh hydrated with rural water, which keeps the cattle out of creeks and dugout ponds, thus preventing soil erosion and water contamination. Johnson also maintains the tree-belts, sloughs, meadows and grass waterways on his property. This land stewardship led to the farm being honored by the South Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Society in 1996.

The award has been presented since 2003 at the annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference. The non-profit organization works to promote sustainable and organic agriculture through trainings, workshops, educational initiatives and by providing free resources to farmers.

Beef, Organic

Commodity Classic Launches App

Jamie Johansen February 15, 2013

The 18th Annual Commodity Classic has launched their first-ever mobile app for this year’s event in Kissimmee, Fl. The app will allow attendees to access information, receive messages and engage in social media from their smart phones and tablets. You can even make your own schedules, take notes, lookup session and event times and navigate with maps.

Visit www.commondityclassic.com/app to download it now or check out the App Store on your mobile device and search Commodity Classic. I just did and can’t wait to attend my first ever Commodity Classic. And the best part about it is it’s free!

In less than two weeks, soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum growers will be traveling to the far Southeast from across the county to take in the sights of Kissimmee, Fl. Producers will be educated about important agricultural issues, enlightened by new product rollouts and entertained by all the events coordinators have planned.

“The innovation you’ll witness and information you’ll gather at Commodity Classic will absolutely change the way you farm,” said Commodity Classic co-Chair Bob Worth. “Agriculture faces new challenges every year, and Commodity Classic’s educational sessions and opportunities to speak with other growers and industry leaders will arm attendees with the tools they need to overcome these challenges and increase the profitability of their farming operation.”

The 2013 Commodity Classic takes place February 28-March 2 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center and the Orlando World Center Marriott in Kissimmee, Fla., and is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.

Apps, Commodity Classic, Corn, Events, Grains, Social Media, sorghum, Soybean, Wheat

NBB Honors Secy Vilsack with Leadership Award

Joanna Schroeder February 15, 2013

The National Biodiesel Board praised Sec. Vilsack as one of the strongest advocates for renewable fuels in the nation, and presented him with the National Energy Leadership Award during the final day of the 10th Annual National Biodiesel Board Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.

“I’ve witnessed the beginning of a rural renaissance that is remarkable, and you, sir, have presided over it,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “You went to bat for us in the successful expansion of the RFS, and for an issue like ours to go all the way to the top is extraordinary. We can’t thank you enough for your leadership.”

Rather than a typical award, this one was embossed on a glass plate, apropos for the leader of American agriculture.

“You have the power to make us more energy secure, and still create enough food and fiber for the world. That’s an amazing opportunity worth fighting for,” said Vilsack. “You also have the ability to respond as a generation to climate change. You’ve got to keep up the fight because the stakes are extraordinarily high.”

Listen to Jobe’s and Vilsack’s remarks here: National Energy Leadership Award

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Getting to Know Ag Leader

Melissa Sandfort February 15, 2013

Here 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 Ken Diller of Hoober Inc. in Intercourse, Penn.:

1. From an agronomy standpoint, what do you consider to be the biggest issues facing growers today?
Farmers are having a harder time being able to digest all of the information that they need to make an educated decision on things like variety and rates. Seed corn manufacturers are continually coming up with new varieties that are better suited to a certain type of soil type, weather condition, and season length. The same things can be said for the fertilizer manufacturers or suppliers. They are continually coming up with new formulas that affect rates applied and the performance of the seed based on the type of soil and weather condition. All of these choices and constant changes are making it harder for the individual farmer to make the proper decisions on his own. It is becoming more important all the time for them to have a trusted adviser who is knowledgeable about all of these changes and how they affect his operation. This helps them to have confidence in the decisions they are making for their operation. The same thing holds true for their precision farming hardware purchases. Technology changes at such a rapid rate, that having that trusted adviser to help them make the correct decisions as far as hardware is concerned is becoming more and more important to them.

2. Tell us about how growers in your area are using precision agriculture.
Growers in our area are using precision agriculture for more and more applications all the time. When precision agriculture was introduced, we concentrated on collecting data about yields. From there we moved on to adding steering to make sure we were getting the best row spacing possible. Next, we applied the same type of technology to machine control to make sure we were controlling our input costs as efficiently as possible. Growers have been able to see the added advantages of adopting this type of technology by realizing lower input costs and at the same time higher yields. A lot of these advantages can be attributed directly to the use of this technology because the technology allows us to keep more consistent and more accurate records to substantiate these advantages. A lot of our smaller farmers are beginning to adopt this technology because of the input from their fellow farmers in the area. Even the smallest of farmers can find a piece of this technology that he can adopt to make him more efficient and productive. Growers in our area are using this technology in just about every aspect of farming that you can imagine. From nothing more than manual guidance to full machine control and implement steering. Once they use this technology, they realize what it can do for them.
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Ag Leader

2013 Championship Tractor Pull

Chuck Zimmerman February 15, 2013

I had only a very few minutes this year to stick my head in the door at Freedom Hall here at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds for the Championship Tractor Pull. But it was an exciting few minutes watching some high horsepower in action. You absolutely have to have ear plugs or else. The action ends tomorrow with championship rounds. I’ll be long gone by then.

Today I’m hunting some more interviews and will be sharing them over the next week or so.

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

National Farm Machinery Show

2013 FinOvation Awards

Chuck Zimmerman February 15, 2013

Farm Industry News held its annual FinOvation Awards dinner here at the National Farm Machinery Show last night. A lot of the winners were on hand including our sponsor New Holland. Pictured are Gary Wojcik (left) and Mark Hooper with their award:

Tractors: High horsepower, 4WD – T9 with SmartTrax, New Holland

The T9 4WD tractor with tracks from New Holland takes the FinOvation honors in the high-horsepower 4WD category. The new SnartTrax option consists of four belted rubber tracks designed to reduce soil compaction and slippage created by these 600-plus-hp tractor. They also can provide a ride over bumps that is smoother than that of wheel tractors. While the tractor is premium-priced offering, its tracks have features to balance out the cost. One of those is its single-wheel design, which allows you to bolt the tracks onto the same axle as the tires. This design allows you to switch out wheels for tracks, depending on field conditions. Visit newholland.com/na.

You can find lists and descriptions all the winners on the Farm Industry News website.

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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

Agribusiness, Media, National Farm Machinery Show

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes February 15, 2013

Hurley & Associates Celebrates 25 Years.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture premiered its new Jersey Fresh advertising campaign during the annual State Agricultural Convention on February 7, with its sports-themed “Another Great Season.”
In response to continued business growth, Paradowski Creative announces the addition of four new staff members to the team.
Growers Express announces the promotion of Merritt Bruce from Director of National Accounts to the company’s Vice President of Sales.

Zimfo Bytes

Some Sweet Science Behind Maple Weekend

Jamie Johansen February 14, 2013

Some recent research has uncovered some significant health benefits to maple syrup. So when attend this year’s Maple Weekend in New York, held March 16-17 and March 23-24, remember there is a little more to it then it’s simple sweet taste.

University of Rhode Island researcher Navindra Seeram has found 20 compounds in maple syrup that play an important role in our health.

“I continue to say that nature is the best chemist, and that maple syrup is becoming a champion food when it comes to the number and variety of beneficial compounds found in it,” Seeram said. “It’s important to note that in our laboratory research we found that several of these compounds possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to fight cancer, diabetes and bacterial illnesses.”

Did you know a quarter of a cup of maple syrup has more calcium than the same amount of milk or that there is more potassium in maple syrup than a banana?

More than 100 maple syrup producers across New York State open their sugarhouses to the public and share their secrets. Maple Weekend is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day where visitors can learn about tree tapping, boiling and even do some taste testing. Oh, by the way, admission is free.

A list of sugarhouses and maps can be found online at www.mapleweekend.com. Production techniques from vary from producer to producer. See state-of-the-art maple tapping one day and then traditional tapping the next.

Events, Research

Managing Insects for Greater Yields

Chuck Zimmerman February 14, 2013

We hear a lot about weed resistance but don’t forget about insect resistance. That’s why I visited with Adam Prestegord (not pictured), product manager for FMC’s insecticide business. We talked about Capture LFR. This product protects a seed or young seedling, even a biotech variety, before an insect can do some damage!

Farmers can use liquid Capture LFR as an at-plant insecticide to create a zone of protection. This means healthier plant stands, increased root size and ultimately greater yield. Learn more about what FMC is doing in this are in my interview with Adam at the National Farm Machinery Show.

You can listen to my interview with Adam here: Interview with Adam Prestegord

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

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