Media Appreciate FMC Support at NFMS

Cindy Zimmerman

For about 40 of the National Farm Machinery Show‘s 46 year history, there was no place for the media to work or relax. But, thanks to FMC Corporation, we do now.

“Being involved in this communications business in agriculture for so many years, we really felt like we could help with this and the National Farm Machinery folks wanted to do that, so we were the first sponsor and so far the only one,” said FMC Strategic Communications Manager Paul Redhage, pictured here with Chuck.

And the media sincerely appreciates the high speed internet access, snacks, and quiet place to work, visit and conduct interviews.

During my interview with Paul in the official NFMS media room, we also talked about FMC’s Cadet® Convoy, which traveled throughout the nation’s corn and soybean growing region last year gathering videos of grower testimonials and experiences with Cadet herbicide. “Those were all posted on cadetconvoy.com this past year and we had an incentive for folks to go on-line and view those and sign up that they looked at them,” Paul said. Kelly Kliner, of Langdon, ND was the grand prize winner of a $5,000 Cabela’s gift card in the Cadet® Convoy sweepstakes.

Paul says they are continuing the Cadet® Convoy this year with a yet-to-be announced incentive.

Listen to or download my interview with Paul here: Interview with Paul Redhage

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
Audio, FMC, Media, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS

Ag Leader Technology Previews New System at NFMS

Cindy Zimmerman

Ag Leader Technology was giving growers at the National Farm Machinery Show a preview of the coming-soon INTEGRA™ planter down force monitor and control capability.

The heart of the system is a hydraulic down force actuator (as compared to other pneumatic airbag systems), engineered by Dawn Equipment. The actuator is the fastest on the market, allowing the INTEGRA display to make quick row unit down force adjustments, according to Sales Representative Russ Morman. “The adjustments we’re going to be able to make to our down pressure will be a lot quicker than the other systems on the market and this being a metal system rather than an air bag it won’t have the risk of puncturing,” said Russ about the system that will be available to growers in 2013.

Listen to Russ explain about the new system here: Interview with Russ Morman

Watch Russ do a little video demo at NFMS here:

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
Ag Leader, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS, Precision Agriculture, Video

Welcome to Jill’s Junction

Chuck Zimmerman

Welcome to Jill’s Junction.com. Pictured (r-l) are Jill Howard and Amy Wathen, Fastline. They are here on location at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show to introduce this new online destination to attendees. Amy says they knew that there was something missing online for women. They were getting a lot of feedback about this and Jill’s Junction was born.

Jill says the visitor will find recipes, gardening tips, travel tips and there’s a way to communicate with them directly and with other women who are visiting. Jill’s Junction is set up to be very interactive and a resource that is just getting started. They hope to build it with the input of visitors.

Listen to my interview with Jill and Amy: Introducing Jill's Junction

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
Audio, National Farm Machinery Show

Promoting Farm Safety at NFMS

Chuck Zimmerman

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Division of Ag Education, Farm Safety and Farmland Preservation teams up with several organizations to promote farm safety to National Farm Machinery Show attendees. I met Dale Dobson, Safety Administrator for the Department and Scott Cedarquist, Director of Standards & Technical Activities, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, who were working the exhibit. As you can see in the photo, they have a tractor rollover educational display to show the difference in a rollover with the ROPS bar up and down. In the photo this farmer “dummy” is the victim of the unsafe practice of not using the ROPS bar.

Dale says they have a very simple message, “Roll bars and seat belts work only if you put the roll bar up and you click the seat belt. It’s your choice. It’s life and death.” Scott says that ASABE has a major focus on safety as the standards setting organization. They have committees for specific safety components like lighting and marking. You can find information on farm safety from both of these organizations online.

Listen to my interview with Dale and Scott: Promoting Farm Safety Interview

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
Audio, Farming, National Farm Machinery Show, Safety

New Holland Receives 2012 FinOvation Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Industry News presented their annual FinOvation Awards last night at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. Our sponsor, New Holland, received two awards. Pictured is New Holland Cash Crop Marketing Manager Ed Barry and Jodie Wehrspann, Farm Industry News Senior Editor.

New Holland received an award for their Guardian self-propelled sprayers that are manufactured by Miller-St. Nazianz. The company also received an award for their Super Boom Skid-steer Loader which was introduced last year here at the show.

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
Agribusiness, Media, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Georgia Peanut Commission is seeking eligible peanut producers who are interested in serving on the National Peanut Board.
  • The Fertilizer Institute announced the election of James T. Prokopanko, president and chief executive officer of The Mosaic Company, to serve a two-year term as chairman of the Institute’s Board of Directors.
  • MasterCop fungicide/bactericide from MANA has received approval by the EPA for its new copper complex formulation of copper sulfate pentahydrate.
  • The American Lamb Board presented a new five-year strategic plan and their FY 2011 Annual Report.
    Zimfo Bytes

    New Holland Has A Lot of New

    Chuck Zimmerman

    There is a lot new at New Holland and it’s on display at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show. I visited with John Elliott, New Holland, Director, Marketing NAR, to get the aerial view of all the new products. When I saw John last at the Farm Progress Show New Holland was becoming much more customer segmented with three distinct segments, RCMU which is residential, commercial, municipal units, the dairy/livestock units and the cash crop segment. John says that on the show floor today there are product launches in all three areas.

    The new products list includes:

    Listen to my interview with John to learn more about all the new products being introduced by New Holland: Interview with John Elliott

    2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
    Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Tractor

    FMC Captures Patent for Capture® LFR® Insecticide

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Just in time for the National Farm Machinery Show this week, FMC Corporation received a U.S. Patent for its Capture® LFR® insecticide formulation.

    The patent is called “Insecticidal Compositions Suitable for Use in Preparation of Insecticidal Liquid Fertilizers” and refers to Capture LFR insecticide formulated to directly mix with liquid fertilizers and water, providing optimum compatibility. The “LFR” part stands for Liquid Fertilizer Ready.

    I found out more about it during the NFMS from FMC Senior Technical Sales Manager Brent Neuberger. “We’ve designed a formulation that mixes very nicely with liquid fertilizers,” he told me. “So we’re feeding the roots and we’re also protecting the roots from many soil insects.”

    Brent says Capture LFR is an ideal tank-mix partner for liquid pop-up fertilizers, as it stays mixed to provide even distribution through various spray systems. “So we’re able to control secondary pests – wireworms, grubs, seed corn maggots – and we’re also able to control corn root worm,” he said.

    A video illustrating Capture LFR ready-mixing advantages over other liquid fertilizers is available online.

    Listen to or download my interview with Brent here: Interview with Brent Neuberger

    2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
    Audio, Corn, Crop Protection, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS

    Puddle Jumping

    Melissa Sandfort

    Even though I work from home, I still elect to take our son to daycare for a number of reasons. First, so I can actually GET work done and not have to entertain all day; second, so he gets social interaction with other children his age; and third, so he appreciates coming home at night to mommy and daddy. This week however, the daycare he attends is closed.

    Since it’s 40 degrees outside and it’s February, we decided to get some fresh air and go blow bubbles. Bubbles in February. That was immediately follow by going to get the mail, a wagon ride, cleaning the mud off the driveway and puddle jumping. Not for me, for our son.

    He is all boy, too. These are his post-puddle-jumping boots – soaked through to his socks and half-way up his pant legs. A little chilly and wet, he didn’t have a care in the world as he wound up his arms and gave it his all, grinning and giggling the entire time.

    This was hard for me to watch because even though I am the mom who loves to get dirty and garden and play in the mud myself, the mud stays outside. I stripped him down to his tighty whities in the garage before he came in.

    Until we walk (or puddle jump) again …

    Uncategorized

    Playing AgRacer From Fastline

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Creating your own game app is a surefire way to reach a younger audience! That’s part of the idea behind Fastline’s AgRacer game app. This young guy was sure having fun playing in the Fastline booth at the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show.

    However, as I hung around the booth for a while there were show goers of all ages playing the game on iPads. They all seemed to be enjoying the experience too. I have the game on my iPhone and Droid Razr and will play just as soon as I get a chance so I can report back on my experience. Meanwhile, here’s a video clip of the young guy in action, getting a little help in the process.

    AgRacer can be download in the Itunes Store and the Android Market for $.99.

    2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by Fastline AgRacer FMC New Holland
    Apps, National Farm Machinery Show