SmartTrax Boost New Holland Tractor Productivity

Cindy Zimmerman

The New Holland T9 Series Tractors with SmartTrax have been getting a lot of attention at farm machinery shows since last fall and High Horsepower Tractor Marketing Manager Sean Dorosz says there are good reasons for that.

“SmartTrax tracks boost the productivity and pulling efficiency of our T9 Series tractors,” Sean said at the recent New Holland media event, where journalists had a chance to test drive one of these bad boys. “Producers using this track option will increase traction and reduce soil compaction and slippage, which translates into less surface damage and a smoother ride.”

Sean says there are two types of SmartTrax modules available – High Idler and Standard. The track modules can be used on the tractor for spring planting and then installed on the combine for fall harvest. The simple installation allows you to go from wheels to tracks in less than a day – and then back again.

The first of the SmartTrax equipped tractors are starting to arrive at dealerships and Doug Roquet with SS Equipment in the Pacific Northwest says they had the first T9 SmartTrax machine available to the public and have been getting great response from farmers in the region.

“The 4-track system provides greater ground contact than tires or 2-track systems. This results in the best overall tractor balance, better traction, reduced slippage and reduced compaction,” Doug says. “In addition, the SmartTrax system from New Holland is built with advantages over other 4-track machines with thicker belts, heavier duty idler & bogey wheels with 50% thicker rubber and larger bearings, much larger drive wheels providing contact with 11 to 13 drive lugs verses 2 to 3 lugs on competitive models, and long track life for use on multiple generations of tractors.”

Take a look at some video Doug shot recently on a farm in southeast Washington.

Equipment, New Holland, Tractor, Video

Inaugural Women in Agribusiness Summit

Melissa Sandfort

Women in the agribusiness and food sectors are relatively few, and it is a challenge to convince career-minded women to consider these industries. However, this group is one of great talent, drive and success – an important assembly that if brought together could grow in strength, knowledge and number.

HighQuest Partners is bringing this opportunity to life with the inaugural Women in Agribusiness Summit, to be held Sept. 16-17, 2012, in New Orleans. This event will encourage the sharing of industry ideas in a comfortable networking environment that fosters learning, growth and business development while helping to mentor the next generation of successful women in the agribusiness. In intimate town-hall style gatherings, women from all levels across the agricultural value chain will participate in dynamic dialogue, designed to advance their knowledge and professional network within the industry through positive and productive interactions.

And, join the Women in Agribusiness LinkedIn discussion group. Periodic polls will be posted to this group as input is sought in shaping the dialogue for this event!

The early registration rate ends June 29. Save an additional 5% off the current registration rate by using Promo Code: WIAEM3. Register here.

Agribusiness, Novus International, Soybean

TeeJet SraySelect App

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s ag app day I guess. TeeJet Technologies just announced their SraySelect App.

TeeJet Technologies is pleased to offer growers and custom applicators a new tool for simplifying their spraying operations. The SpraySelect mobile app allows the user to quickly and easily choose the proper spray tip for a given application. Just enter speed, tip spacing and target rate, select your droplet size category and a list of recommended tips is provided. Specific gravity input is also included to for use when applying liquid fertilizers.

SpraySelect supports US and Metric units along with six languages – English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Russian. It is available at no cost for both Apple® and Android™ devices. To download, visit the app store and search for “TeeJet,” or go to the following links:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=teejet&c=apps
Apple: http://itunes.apple.com/app/sprayselect/id520882606?mt=8

Apps, Irrigation

Re-Locating ZimmComm World Headquarters

Chuck Zimmerman

This is a view to get used to. Pensacola Beach on a pretty weekend day.

In case you didn’t already know, the ZimmComm team selected this area to re-locate ZimmComm World Headquarters. We’ll actually be at a Cantonment address which is a north side burb of Pensacola. It’s just a short drive to this photo location though!

So, over the next two weeks the ZimmComm team will be very busy getting the move completed. Pardon our “dust” in the meantime although we’ll be online every day. We’re from the Sunshine State and love the Show Me State but it’s time to get back “home.” And in case you’re wondering, this doesn’t mean any changes to ZimmComm New Media as you know it. We’ll just be closer to the beach and to an airport!

ZimmComm Announcement

Ethanol Rocks

Chuck Zimmerman

Okay, I think most of us will agree that a little ethanol on the rocks, rocks. Sorry, couldn’t help it :). Ethanol Rocks is actually a National Corn Growers Association video contest.

NCGA is conducting a nationwide competition to promote the advantages of ethanol in motor vehicles. The NCGA “Ethanol Rocks” Video Contest invites high school and college students to produce a promotional video that highlights the benefits of this fuel. NCGA acknowledges the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association for sharing its success with the “Fuel the Future” video competition.

Eligibility

Active high school (grades 9-12) and college students, individually or collectively, are eligible to submit entries. One $1,500 first place award and one $500 second place award will be issued in both the high school and the college level categories. Each award will be issued as one lump-sum payment, i.e., no multiple distributions of winnings. Students from all scholastic backgrounds/majors are eligible to enter, individually or through organizations, e.g., A/V classes, Ag Clubs, FFA, Science Clubs, Art Classes. Appropriate tax on the awards will be the responsibility of the winners.

Get more information here and entry form/rules here.

Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

Pioneer Corn Replant Calculator

Chuck Zimmerman

The apps for ag just keep coming. Here’s a new one from Pioneer that gives corn growers a way to make a difficult decision on replanting. It’s the Replant Calculator.

The tool helps producers decide whether to keep their current stand or replant where their crops have been impacted by weather, pests or other issues.

The calculator is available on Mobile Pioneer.com via the tools section, which can be accessed through the main navigation menu. It takes into account the original date for planting, original stand target and resulting plant population, and the possible replanting date. Growers are asked to consider their own likely replanting seed and input costs. The calculator presents both scenarios, current stand and replant stand, and provides estimates associated with each choice.

The timing of a replant decision means growers could evaluate different aspects of crop production. Early decisions often are based on plant stand and plant distribution. As the season moves on, the calendar becomes the key factor because yields decline with delayed planting. That said, replanting might not necessarily guarantee a grower will achieve the expected yield if the date is delayed enough.

The replant calculator is based on a long-standing chart developed by Dr. Emerson Nafziger of the University of Illinois and widely used across the Corn Belt, which illustrates the effects of planting date and plant population of grain yield for the central Corn Belt. The new calculator also takes into account the current shift to higher populations, as suggested by Pioneer research and data.

Mobile Pioneer.com is optimized for iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Blackberry and feature phones. It uses technology that provides geography-specific content, reducing the steps required to reach useful information.

Apps, Corn, Pioneer

Animal Agriculture Alliance Summit Wrap-up

Chuck Zimmerman

To get a wrap up of the 2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit I spoke with President/CEO Kay Johnson Smith. Kay was given these beautiful flowers in recognition of her service during the organization’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Kay says this year’s Summit was a little different than normal since it focused more on how to effectively communicate with the consumer and better understand what the consumer wants and needs to know. It also provided a cross-species networking opportunity which is one of the benefits to this type of meeting. I asked Kay what stood out in her mind after listening to the presentations. One was a step by step method to communicate with the consumer which gave specific workable ways to accomplish this. Another was presentation on the PennAg Industries Association Today’s Agriculture display at the 2012 PA Farm Show.

You can hear my interview with Kay here: Interview with Kay Johnson Smith

2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit Photo Album

Thanks to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and United Soybean Board for their sponsorship of our coverage of this year’s Summit.

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Audio

AgRacer Leading The Race

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 349Just over 100,000 downloads! That’s a big number and that’s how many iTunes downloads there are in under three months for AgRacer by Fastline, the first ag game app for mobile devices. I got the update this morning from Tim Hess, Fastline President. That number will continue to grow now that the app is fully available for Android devices as well. Tim says the pace of daily downloads has been pretty consistent since the app was introduced during the National Farm Machinery Show. So, when it comes to creating a new communications tool in today’s world in the ag sector it looks like Fastline has set the bar.

Tim says the app has surpassed their expectations and has met their initial goals which include introducing Fastline to a younger age demographic. He says feedback has been great and includes from users in countries outside the United States. So they’re reaching a global audience! There are also some creative sponsor opportunities like product placement within the app available according to Tim, some of which are already in the works. He says AgRacer will soon have new upgrades and updates, including two additional vehicles and a new track. By the way, AgRacer is free to download!

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: An AgRacer Update

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong and Monsanto, Roundup Ready Plus, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Apps, Audio, Media, ZimmCast

Morning Surprise

Melissa Sandfort

So this morning I was going about my usual routine (even had time to throw a pie in the oven) getting my boys off to work and to the babysitter. I came home, continued that routine and was off to work when my husband comes in the door and says, “Did you see what was out in the pasture?” Nope. Hadn’t even bothered to look in that direction.

The past few weeks we’d thought Thelma was looking a little chunky, but she’s always been a little bigger than Louise. Now we know why.

This little filly was born last night in the middle of a rain storm. Look at those long, knobby knees. She’s absolutely adorable.

Now it has us wondering if the other one is bred, too! It must have happened a day or two before we got them last summer. Ah, the daily surprises on the farm!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Advocating For Animal Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

The Chairman of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, Chris Ashworth, closed out the 2012 Stakeholder Summit after introducing our final speaker. I visited with him to learn how things are going with the organization.

Chris talks about the fact that they are celebrating 25 years of advocating for animal agriculture representing all animal species. He says that this past year they’ve had a lot of success at the state level impacting legislation that supports agriculture. He says the Stakeholders Summit had a record attendance and that social media came to the forefront as a tool to communicate agriculture’s message. Yes indeed!

You can hear my interview with Chris here: Interview with Chris Ashworth

2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit Photo Album

Thanks to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and United Soybean Board for their sponsorship of our coverage of this year’s Summit.

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Audio