Our Food System Not Broken

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is our food system broken?” Not according to you with 63% saying no and only 37% saying yes. During the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum held prior to the Commodity Classic, one of our speakers was Gawain Kripke, Oxfam America. He told us “our food system is broken.” I think the statement was made out of frustration that we produce more food than we can eat in this country and a huge amount goes to waste. Since we don’t have a system to get waste food to those who need it they seem to believe the food system is broken. I think it’s a provocative statement and would love your thoughts.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is maintaining the Renewable Fuels Standard more important to agriculture than the farm bill?” The statement was made during a recent meeting I attended that the Renewable Fuels Standard was more important to agriculture than the Farm Bill. What do you think?

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

USFRA Hold Food Dialogues Prior to National Agriculture Day

Chuck Zimmerman

In conjunction with the second annual agricultural appreciation reception held by Agri-Pulse the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance held a special edition of their Food Dialogues titled, “The Future of Food and Farming.” The panel tried to deal with the question, “Is technology in agriculture creating environmental improvements and economic growth or perpetuating public fears?” That seems like a loaded question to me. The panel addressed it as best they could led by moderator Alan Bjerga, Agriculture Policy Reporter, Bloomberg News. I spoke with him after the session was over.

He says the design of the panel was to bring together people involved in agriculture with different ideas about the future of farming. Panelists included Dr. Roger Beachy, Former Director National Institute of Food and Agriculture USDA; Bryan Dierlam, Director of Government Affairs, Cargill; Dr. Eileen Langdon, North Carolina family farmer and veterinarian; Patrick O’Toole, Wyoming Colorado Rancher and David White, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. The discussion was streamed live this afternoon.

The question of sustainability came up and Alan says the panelists came through with their ideas for what the future of farming will be in regards to the issue and also the issue of the sustainability of passing the farm along to a new generation. He thinks the main goal was to continue to bring the discussion to a wide an audience as possible.

Listen to my interview with Alan here: Interview with Alan Bjerga

I’ve got plenty of photos uploaded from this afternoon’s activities and I’ll add to them with photos from tomorrow’s National Agriculture Day activities: 2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, USFRA

John Deere Announces Final Tier 4/Stage IV Engine

Cindy Zimmerman

During a press conference at the 2012 Commodity Classic, John Deere unveiled its final stage Tier 4 solution, the John Deere Integrated Emissions Control System.

Deere’s Barry Nelson said this is a major announcement that continues John Deere’s 175 years of innovation. “The past few years we have been spending millions and millions of dollars to develop new technology for the engines and the integrated technology we need in the vehicles to make everything work as a very productive package.”

John Deere Manager Worldwide Marketing Geoff Stigler gave an overview of how the technology was developed and why. “Engine technology is just one piece of the puzzle,” he said. “It’s really all about meeting customer expectations, delivering on the performance, durability, reliability and operating efficiency requirements.”

Geoff said the road to Final Tier 4 was a building block approach, starting with Tier 2 when the first electronic engines were implemented and moving through Interim Tier 4 which have been delivered for the past 18 months. “We have nearly 20,000 engines in the field right now that are Interim Tier 4 compliant,” he said. “We’ve been able to monitor those through our JD Link technology and have over 2 million customer hours on those engines already.”

Listen to or download the press conference here: John Deere Tier 4 Press Conference

Final Tier 4/Stage IV regulations for off-highway diesel engines begin as early as 2013 for engines 55 kW (74 hp) and below. Regulatory dates for engines 56 kW (75 hp) and above will be implemented in stages starting in 2014 and 2015, and require particulate matter (PM) levels established by Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations to be maintained while requiring an additional 80 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) from previous regulations.

Consisting of an exhaust filter and SCR aftertreatment components that are optimized and fully integrated, the Integrated Emissions Control system will allow John Deere engines to utilize less diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) than alternative Interim Tier 4/Stage III B SCR technology solutions. Lower DEF consumption means DEF tank size can be smaller — minimizing the impact on vehicle applications, extending DEF filter service intervals and reducing operator involvement. Monitored and controlled by proprietary electronics within John Deere’s enhanced engine control unit (ECU), the Integrated Emissions Control system also provides outstanding fluid efficiency without sacrificing overall performance.

For more information on John Deere’s Final Tier 4/Stage IV engine technology, go to www.JohnDeere.com/tier4.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

ASA, Commodity Classic, Equipment, John Deere

Ag Leader Moves Into Precision Water Management

Cindy Zimmerman

Ag Leader Technology is moving into the fast-growing precision water management market with new company acquisitions.

To integrate water management into its expanding precision farming portfolio, Ag Leader has acquired Soil-Max, manufacturer of the market-leading Gold Digger tile plow, and the assets of Gradient, Inc., a related company which revolutionized the control of tile plows with the Intellislope GPS-based control system. These products allow growers and tiling contractors to solve water management challenges very cost effectively by greatly reducing the technical knowledge, labor and time required to install tile.

The acquisition will serve as a base for developing additional products for other water management tasks such as land leveling, waterway grading, ditching and levee building. “This is a great opportunity for Ag Leader to make a bold step into an increasingly important part of the precision farming industry,” said Al Myers, founder and President of Ag Leader Technology. “Water management is a very important part of any precision farming plan. Gold Digger tile plows and the Intellislope control system have been the market-leading products in this segment for many years and we’re thrilled to add these products to our product line.”

Find out more about the acquisition from Al Myers in this video press release:

Ag Leader, Precision Agriculture, Video

GROWMARK Building Fertilizer Storage Facility in Iowa

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK is building a dry fertilizer storage facility at Stuart, Iowa that will have the capacity to hold 15,000 tons and will complement the acquisition of CF terminals made by GROWMARK in 2011.

Construction will begin in spring 2012 and completion is expected in fall 2012. The facility will have rail receiving capability from the Iowa Interstate Rail System which is looking forward to this new venture. “Our connections with all Class One rail carriers at multiple locations, along with access to the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, will help provide an enhanced alternative for transportation to this region,” said Carrie Evans, Iowa Interstate Railroad vice president of sales and marketing.

Local retailer AGRILAND FS, Inc. will conduct the day-to-day operational activities at the facility. “The location of the Stuart facility is a good fit for AGRILAND FS, and will save the cost of replacing a dry fertilizer building in Winterset,” added John Knobloch, AGRILAND FS general manager.

AGRILAND FS, Inc. is an agricultural based cooperative, headquartered in Winterset, Iowa. It provides ag-related inputs including feed, seed, plant food, crop protection, fuel, lubricants, and grain marketing services to farmers and rural residents in 38 southern Iowa counties.

Fertilizer, GROWMARK

Pioneer Drought Tolerance Innovations

Chuck Zimmerman

During Commodity Classic Pioneer Hi-Bred held a press conference titled, “Innovations in Drought Tolerance: Delivering Rain or Shine.” This featured feature Pioneer’s research innovations in drought-tolerant corn hybrids, 2011 performance data on Optimum® AQUAmaxTM hybrids, and improved management options for growers. On hand was Jeff Schussler, Senior Research Manager.

Results from actual on-farm trials in 2011 show Optimum® AQUAmaxTM corn hybrids from DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred provide a yield advantage for growers over competitive hybrids in water-limited environments as well as under more favorable growing conditions.

Field evaluations of the Optimum AQUAmax hybrids also are providing Pioneer corn breeders with an improved understanding of why these products perform better in drought conditions, giving researchers greater confidence as they move forward to develop still better products for producers.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Commodity Classic, Jeff Schussler, Pioneer senior research manager, said these research results show that Pioneer breeders have selected positive native traits to develop Optimum AQUAmax hybrids.

“It’s very rewarding to see large-scale, on-farm field testing validate the performance of Optimum AQUAmax hybrids,” Schussler says. “And we have begun to gather a solid understanding of the mechanisms of drought tolerance within these hybrids as we advance development of future Optimum AQUAmax hybrids.”

You can find the full release here.

Listen to or download the press conference with Jeff here: Pioneer Press Conference

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Pioneer

National Teach Ag Day First Ever Live Stream

Chuck Zimmerman

I am on my way to National Agriculture Day activities which will be taking place tomorrow. Here’s another event you might want to check out being held again this year. It’s National Teach Ag Day which is being celebrated on March 15 and it includes a live stream event.

The agriculture program at Buena Park High School in Buena Park, Calif. has been selected as the site for the first ever national Teach Ag Day celebration to be streamed live online.

Anyone logging in on March 15 will be able to watch an agriscience class in action, as well as follow along on a program tour. Participants will get an insider’s view of the agriculture department’s state-of-the-art agriscience lab, large animal pavilion, greenhouse, farm store, 350-tree orchard, and facility that houses 200 laying hens.

Events will also include a panel of agricultural education experts answering questions via Twitter, Facebook and email, plus greetings from National FFA Central Region vice president Alicia Hodnik.

Visit http://www.naae.org/teachag/live2012.php for information about how to log on and ask questions via social media and email.

National Teach Ag Day is a component of the National Teach Ag Campaign, an initiative to bring attention to the career of agricultural education, get students thinking about a possible career in agricultural education, and to support current agricultural educators in their careers.

The Teach Ag Campaign is an initiative of the National Council for Agricultural Education, led by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). It is sponsored by the CHS Foundation and Landmark Nurseries as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Ag Groups, Education

South Dakota Hunt/Fish App

Chuck Zimmerman

I know I’m not the only AgWired fan who likes to hunt pheasant in South Dakota. Now the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks has an app for that – iOS – Android.

The SDGFP Hunt/Fish application lets users view the hunting and fishing regulations, apply for licenses to hunt and fish in South Dakota, reserve a campsite in one of the state parks, and view maps of public hunting and fishing opportunities.

The maps use GPS to show the user where they are on public land. The hunting and fishing regulations are divided into sections to make it easier to find the information the user is looking for.

This application is maintained by the State of South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

Find more SDGFP social media links here.

Apps, Hunting

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Cargill is offering a free re-usable egg carton with the purchase of three bags of select Nutrena poultry feed.
  • The National Pork Producers Council at its annual business meeting elected new officers and members to its board of directors.
  • What better way to learn more about the alpaca industry than at the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association National Alpaca Show.
  • The USDA will conduct a referendum March 19-30, 2012, on proposed amendments to a federal marketing order regulating the handling of tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Zimfo Bytes

Ethanol on Stage at New Holland Club Blue

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2012 Commodity Classic New Holland held a “Club Blue” event at the Grand Ole Opry for their dealers to discuss their new national marketing campaign. It was also a time to talk about partnerships with industry related organizations and that included Growth Energy, another AgWired supporter. On hand to talk to the attendees was Tom Buis, CEO, Growth Energy. He was introduced by Abe Hughes, VP, New Holland North America. Abe spoke to how important the ethanol industry is to New Holland. As he put it, “Ethanol’s success means our success.”

Tom proceeded to discuss the current state of the ethanol industry and the challenges facing the industry, especially on the regulatory front. He also talked about American Ethanol and the current NASCAR promotional program. New Holland is also a supporter of NASCAR and you’ll often see blue machines working at various tracks around the country.

Listen to Tom’s comments here: Tom Buis at Club Blue

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland
Ag Groups, Audio, Biofuels, Commodity Classic, Energy, Ethanol, New Holland