A Rich History at The American Royal

Jamie Johansen

The 2012 American Royal runs from Sept.9 – Nov. 17 and is chalk full of events for friends and family to partake in all promoting the wonderful world of agriculture. This event has such a rich history founded on the agricultural industry. In 1899 the very first American Royal took place in a tent at the Kansas City Stockyards as a National Hereford Show. Today, it has evolved into a place where people come to show livestock and horses, attend rodeos and concerts, and even come to taste award-winning barbecue.

The overall purpose for this historic event is, “To provide scholarship, education, awards and competitive learning experiences that reward hard work, leadership skills and agrarian values.”

“As an organization dedicated to youth and education, the American Royal reaches over 20,000 students annually with educational programs and events yearlong through the American Royal Museum, School Tours, Ranch Camp, KALF (Kids Agriculture Learning Fest) and various other programs. In 2011, the American Royal granted over $1,400,000 towards its purpose in the form of scholarships, competitive prize monies and educational awards.”

The past two weeks people from across the country have flocked to Kansas City, Mo. to exhibit their cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. I can’t tell you the last time I have missed showing at the American Royal. I started out there exhibiting cattle as a junior and creating memories with my family. Later as a college student I traveled there cultivating skills while working for others. And now I attend with my husband while promoting and exhibiting our own cattle. Each time developing life-time friendships and building a foundation for our future in the agriculture industry.

Beef, Education, Events, FFA, Livestock, Rodeo, Swine

Data as a Cash Crop

Chuck Zimmerman

The American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers just completed their annual meeting along with the AgroNomics Conference and Trade Show. One of the companies exhibiting was Farmers Edge. They want you to Grow. More. Precisely.

Wade Barnes, President/CEO and Co-Founder, was also on the program talking about “Data – the New Cash Crop.” He says that as we move forward data will become increasingly important since consumers want to know that the crops are grown sustainably, where they came from and what they are eating. That will put pressure on the food companies they are buying from and those companies will then pass that pressure along to the farmer. He says that as farmers become more sophisticated with their data it can be used to add value to their product and that’s how it becomes part of a cash crop.

In the Farmers Edge booth the company was displaying its technology platform called Precision Edge.

Precision Edge is a program designed to store and manage the data tied to a field using geospatial coordinates. Farmers Edge uses Precision Edge to execute variable rate crop inputs using remote sensing and our own algorithms designed to create accurate zone maps. It also contains the ability to keep crop records and application maps so all data from a field is located in one place.

Listen to my interview with Wade to learn more about the company here: Interview with Wade Barnes

2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Agribusiness, Audio, Precision Agriculture

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Monsanto Evening of Entertainment at the 2013 Commodity Classic will feature World Classic Rockers, a group of standout performers from legendary rock bands.
  • Arkema Inc. is now introducing its innovative broad-spectrum Paladin soil fumigant to fruit and vegetable growers throughout the U.S.
  • Purchase your $5 tickets (or 3 for $10) now for your chance to win a fully restored Case Pleasure King pedal tractor. Purchase at the Ag Hall of Fame or call (913) 721-1075.
  • Members of the MEAT INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME Class of 2012 were recently announced.
Zimfo Bytes

Customer Satisfaction with O.H. Kruse

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s one thing to think you’ve had a successful event. It’s another to hear from your customers that it was a successful event.

At the end of last week’s first ever O.H. Kruse Grain & Milling dealer appreciation day I asked a couple of the attendees what they thought. You can listen to Manuel and Tim, Royal Oaks Feed, who were very enthused and appreciative of the effort that O.H. Kruse put into this educational and entertaining event. They said they’ll be taking back a lot of information they can use. One example they said was how effective the new communication tools have become.

Listen to my interview with Royal Oaks Feed here: Interview with Royal Oaks Feed

O.H. Kruse Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Feed, O.H. Kruse

Ag Dominates 21st Century Economics

Chuck Zimmerman

Have you heard the term “New Agriculture?” I had not but now I know a little bit more about it. This morning the closing keynote speaker at the AgroNomics Conference was none other than Dr. Lowell Catlett. He’s doing fine and performed (spoke) about the subject of “How Agriculture Dominates 21st Century Economics.”

We’ve been experiencing a “golden age” in agriculture the last few years but I don’t think it’s over. With world population growing and changing consumer expectations and lifestyles there is going to be a world of opportunity for the industry.

Please enjoy a portion of Dr. Catlett’s remarks here: Remarks from Dr. Lowell Catlett

2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio

Co-ops Announce Proposed Merger

Melissa Sandfort

The board of directors for Family Dairies USA, Manitowoc Milk Producers Cooperative and Milwaukee Cooperative Milk Producers have unanimously voted to recommend a unified merger for their membership. Combined, these three cooperatives could soon become the largest Midwest dairy marketing cooperative under the new name of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.

“We are extremely excited about the future this effort will offer our members,” says David Cooper, general manager for Family Dairies USA. “The combined size and strength of the new cooperative will provide all of our members with a deeper and broader voice in policy-making decisions, both locally and nationally. And, by combining the resources of three independent organizations, we will be able to improve efficiencies and effectiveness.”

“The timing of coming together could not be better,” adds Dennis Donohue, general manager of Manitowoc Milk Producers Cooperative. “The current, individual financial status of all three cooperatives is outstanding. This allows the new organization to start out on very strong footing, so that we can immediately focus on growing and improving member benefits.”

“Considerable due diligence has been done by each board,” says Jim Bird, general manager of Milwaukee Cooperative Milk Producers. “Our cooperatives have shared common goals and even collaborated in business together over the years. It is a natural progression. Now, we can combine efforts that will allow us to put more resources into critical member areas that will continue to build upon the 200-plus years of combined history we have.”

Informational meetings will be held by each cooperative’s membership over the next six weeks. The proposal to merge will be voted on by each membership in mid-December. If the merger passes, the new, combined cooperative will begin business function Jan. 1, 2013.

Under the new cooperative, the combined member representation will be divided into a total of nine districts, based on membership within each district. The current directors from each of the three cooperatives will transition into the new organization, helping ensure consistency in leadership and membership voice.

Family Dairies USA Milk Program and the Fox Valley Quality Control Laboratory will continue to operate as subsidiaries of the new cooperative.

Listen to this morning’s press conference with reps from each co-op answering questions about the merger:
FarmFirst Cooperative Announcement

Agribusiness, Cooperatives, Dairy

New Accredited Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the big values that the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers brings to the membership is their accreditation program. Here are the new Accredited Farm Managers. One of them is Jeffrey Hignight. I talked with Jeffrey about what this accomplishment means to him personally and professionally. Jeffery says it shows that he’s continually trying to educate himself since learning never stops.

Listen to my interview with Jeffrey here: Interview with Jeffrey Hignight

In addition to new accredited farm managers we also now have new Accredited Rural Appraisers. Here are the new ones and thanks to ASFMRA Executive Vice President Brian Stockman for the photos.

Many ASFMRA members carry the distinction of being accredited, the highest recognition given by the Society. These designation are achieved only after years of professional service, many rigorous hours of education and comprehensive testing conducted by the Society.

Those who have earned their professional designation proudly display a high level of competence and ethical fitness for the appraisal, consulting, and management professions. To earn accreditation, rigorous education and continuing education requirements must be met and extensive practical experience in the profession must be demonstrated.

2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio, Education

Water Management With SMS Tile Plan Editor

Melissa Sandfort

Insights Weekly

Welcome to the first of our new features called Insights Weekly from our sponsor Ag Leader Technology!

One of the new features that Ag Leader is excited to release in version 12.5 of SMS Advanced is the new Water Management Module for tiling. This new optional editor allows growers to design tile drainage systems in a field by utilizing RTK level GPS elevation data. Growers can utilize any reference layer such as soil survey data, harvest data, planting and imagery to assist in the design process. Using these layers allows growers to strategically place tile in the areas where it’s needed most.

The editor allows constraints to be set on how shallow, how deep, and the minimum grade to maintain adequate water flow. If growers have drawn lines or collected data that doesn’t have a flowable solution, they are provided a warning and details on how much interference exists. The constraints can then be changed or users can draw the line in a different location.

This editor allows for growers to make several designs to compare drainage plans for the amount of tile needed, and which plans allow the most grade. As time goes on, Ag Leader will continue to add features and tools for other Water Management plans in SMS. Contact Ag Leader today about this new module to see how this can benefit your operation.

Watch the SMS Water Management Module from Ag Leader here:

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

GROWMARK supports Farm Safety 4 Just Kids

Melissa Sandfort

GROWMARK generously supports the non-profit organization Farm Safety 4 Just Kids in their effort to keep youth safe in rural areas. GROWMARK provides their customers with agricultural products as well as the means to deliver, market, and store those products. “GROWMARK’s sponsorship of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids demonstrates their commitment to their curstomers,” David Schweitz, executive director of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids. “And it will help us ensure the safety of the next generation of farmers.”

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids was created in 1987 by Marilyn Adams after the death of her 11-year-old son. The organization works to raise awareness about the health and safety hazards that are an inherent part of the rural environment in which children live, work, and play. Over 130 chapters in the United States and Canada conduct safety and health programs within their communities.

Thanks to the support of agri-business sponsors like GROWMARK, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids is able to provide their volunteers with up to date and pertinent safety education and demonstration resources.

Agribusiness, GROWMARK

Savings in the Tank for GROWMARK Lubricants

Cindy Zimmerman

The Viscosity Index (VI) Improver Solubilizer being lowered into the remodeled section of the GROWMARK lubricants facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

You’ve probably never heard of a VI Improver Solubilizer Tank, but if you use any of the quality lubricants marketed by GROWMARK, it makes a difference.

The VI (which stands for Viscosity Index) Improver that was installed in GROWMARK’s remodeled Council Bluffs lubricant facility has helped them to improve productivity and efficiency in lubricant blending, according to Craig Stout, director of lubricant operations. “We were outsourcing the solubiilzing of the viscosity index improver and there was a cost to that so we have significant savings for manufacturing our own products,” Craig explains. In addition, they are now able to do that job for other companies.

GROWMARK purchased the Council Bluffs facility in 2006 to better serve their agricultural customers who need lubricants for tractors, grain hauling trucks and other engines. “GROWMARK has been marketing lubricants probably since lubricants were needed back in the ’20s but we never had our own manufacturing facility,” he said. “It’s allowed us to have more control over the products that we make and be in more control of the quality of the raw materials that we use.”

In addition, Craig says they have upgraded laboratories to test all the products that they make as well as doing used oil testing for customers. GROWMARK’s market for lubricants has expanded beyond their base of agricultural cooperative members across the board to truck fleets, industrial applications, manufacturing facilities and even into the mining industry.

Listen to my interview with Craig here: GROWMARK's Craig Stout

Audio, Equipment, GROWMARK, Tractor