The 4020

Melissa Sandfort

I’ve done so much writing about my grandfather and his old farm equipment. You’ve seen his boots and his weathered hands, but you’ve never seen a picture of HIM. Well, here he is. This was taken at my dad’s farm sale in December and he’s standing in front of his 4020.

I say “his” because the most popular tractor of its time, the John Deere 4020 was the very first of my grandfather’s diesel-powered tractors. He bought it around 1965 and I bet if we dug long enough, we could find the bill of sale.

As I mentioned, the farm sale represented a sort of end-to-the-farming-era for my family. However, we couldn’t let this one slip away, so my brother bought this tractor to keep it in the family. My brother commented the day of the sale when I asked if he wanted more photos taken, “I don’t get all sentimental about this stuff like dad does.”

I think this photo would tug at a heart-string for anyone in my family.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

New President for Canada’s Outdoor Shows

Cindy Zimmerman

The new year has ushered in a new leader for Canada’s Outdoor Shows, the parent company of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo.

doug wagnerDoug Wagner became president effective January 1, assuming this position from Lorie Jocius, who now is vice president.

“Doug and my late husband, Ginty, created Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show almost two decades ago,” says Lorie Jocius. “With our merger with Glacier Media Inc. this past fall, it is a logical time to transfer the reins to Doug’s most capable hands.”

“We realized during our visit to Agritechnica in Germany this fall that Canada’s Outdoor Shows now has a strong international reputation for showcasing Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT),” says Wagner. “I hope to continue our tradition of demonstrating the newest and brightest ideas impacting the Canadian agricultural and equine industries through educational and interactive venues like Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo.”

Farm Shows

The Beltwide FMC Team

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s the FMC team ready for the start of the trade show at the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. I really appreciate their support and making my coverage of this year’s event possible. To find out what cotton growers will find when they visit with FMC I spoke with Stu Throop, Product Manager.

Stu says that FMC has “placed a tremendous emphasis on bringing new innovative solutions to the industry” and is featuring some of those here at Beltwide. Two of those products are Athena and Mustang Max. Growers who stop by the booth can enter a drawing to win one of two $250 gift cards at Home Depot and also be entered to win a grand prize later this year of $2,500.

You can listen to my interview with Stu here and learn more about what’s new at FMC: Interview with Stu Throop

2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
Agribusiness, Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton, FMC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • In a new study funded by the Pork Checkoff researchers at Texas Tech and Iowa State universities found that the pork industry can generally use less bedding year-round than it currently does while improving overall animal well-being – a breakthrough finding that could save the industry an estimated $10.1 million per year.
  • Direct Solutions launched its new logo and tagline as part of a larger strategic branding initiative unveiling.
  • In December, HCC, Inc. launched a new mini-site for their vertical tillage tool, SMART-TILL 9.
  • Valley Irrigation announced the addition of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to its control technology product line.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Welcome To Beltwide Cotton Production Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Missouri cotton farmer and Chairman of the National Cotton Council Charles Parker welcomed everyone to the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. His remarks kicked off the Beltwide Cotton Production Conference.

    Besides talking about this year’s conference Charles talked about the activities of the National Cotton Council during 2011.

    Following the opening remarks we heard about weather patterns in the cotton belt, a review of the 2011 season and an outlook for 2012 as well as other topics. I’ll have more on those presentations as soon as I get time.

    You can listen to the opening remarks here: Charles Parker Welcome Remarks

    2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
    Ag Groups, Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Wild Weather Tops 2011 Ag Stories

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Wild weather was the winner for the biggest ag story of 2011 according to our latest ZimmPoll. We asked the question, “What do you think is biggest ag story of 2011?” Wild weather got 40% or the response followed by Record farm land value – 17%; New free trade agreements – 16%; High commodity prices – 16%; Super committee “no”- farm bill – 11% and Record U.S. farm exports at a big fat 0%. Weather, it’s always on the top of a farmer’s mind and with good reason.

    Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What do you think of the LightSquared broadband internet proposal?” This is certainly a hotly debated topic with GPS companies and users very concerned over the implications. If you need more information about it you can find lots of resources online here, here and here.

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

    ZimmPoll

    The Environmental Footprint of Cotton

    Chuck Zimmerman

    At the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences the media received a preview of the Cotton Life Cycle Inventory & Life Cycle Assessment. This is a benchmark study for cotton sustainability.

    Cotton Incorporated announced today the completion of a comprehensive life cycle inventory and life cycle analysis of cotton products. The endeavor is part of the Cotton Foundation VISION 21 Project and included the participation of the National Cotton Council, Cotton Council International and Cotton Incorporated. The two-year study, managed by PE International, was designed to establish current and accurate benchmarks of potential environmental impacts across the global cotton supply chain. The peer-reviewed data and assessment methodology will help direct sustainability research efforts for the cotton industry, as well as to aid textile decision-makers in achieving their own sustainability goals.

    To learn more about the study I spoke with our presenter, J. Berrye Worsham, President/CEO, Cotton, Inc. He says they wanted to have a sense of the environmental footprint of cotton from “cradle to grave.” That’s what this study has accomplished and the results can be found on their website. Berrye says the study is now a tool for the industry since there are companies conducting their own life cycle assessments. As a benchmark, it will be valuable for making comparisons when it is done again in a few years. The study found ways that the industry and even consumers can improve the footprint of cotton. In the case of consumers an example would be doing more cold water washing and less use of dryers to dry clothes. You can hear more about the study in my interview with Berrye: Interview with Berrye Worsham

    I’ve also got a photo album started from the conference: 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
    Ag Groups, Audio, Cotton

    Beltwide Kicks Off 2012 Ag Conference Season

    Chuck Zimmerman

    This image greets you as you take the escalator down to the meeting room and registration floor for the Beltwide Cotton Conferences at the Orlando World Center Marriott.

    I got in too late to register but will get that taken care of early in the morning. While wandering around to get my bearings I did find the general session of the Consultants Conference going on. It looks like a big group is already here and hard at it.

    This conference is really multiple conferences going on at the same time and location. In fact, there’s a lot of sessions and seminars to choose from. I’m interested to sit in on “SOCIAL MEDIA IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE.” It takes place tomorrow morning. Some of the segments include, New vs Old Information Sources to Clientele, Mississippi Crop Situation-A Team Blog, Blogging From a County Agent Perspective and Accountability- Tracking Your Progress.

    I guess you could say that social media has become “mainstream” in production agriculture today, eh? Who’d a thought?

    AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
    Beltwide Cotton

    Golden ARC Awards Deadline Extended

    Cindy Zimmerman

    For those folks just getting back into the office this week after the holidays and playing the game of catch-up, the Agricultural Relations Council has some good news. The deadline for the 2011 Golden ARC awards has been extended to on or before Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at 5 p.m.

    The annual competition will include nearly 40 categories for agricultural public relations activities conducted in full or partially in the year 2011. Re-instituted in 2009, the Golden ARC awards program began in 1990. The contest recognizes the stellar work created by professionals in the agricultural industry.

    The format and requirements for the Golden ARC awards are similar to other leading PR awards programs, based on best practices for public relations and public affairs campaigns and tactics.

    Categories fall into two divisions – Campaigns and Tactics. A student category is also available. The 36 categories reflect the broad scope of public relations and public affairs activities today, including campaigns and a range of tactics, from traditional media releases to social media.

    The contest is open to both ARC and non-ARC members.

    The entry fee for the first entry for non-ARC members is $300 (includes a membership fee). Additional entries are $125 each. More information is available at www.GoldenARCawards.com or at the ARC website, www.agrelationscouncil.org.

    ARC, Public Relations

    National Cattlemen Ready to Tackle 2012

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The staff of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) in Washington DC is ready to tackle top priority issues in 2012 – and number one on the list is estate tax reform.

    According to NCBA Manager of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus, the estate tax, commonly referred to as the death tax, is one of the leading causes of the breakup of multi-generation family farms and ranches. In December 2010, Congress passed temporary estate tax relief effective through Dec. 31, 2012. For now, estates worth more than $5 million per individual or $10 million per couple are taxed at a 35 percent rate.

    NCBA supports the Death Tax Permanency Repeal Act, introduced by Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas). Bacus says if a full repeal is not possible, the next best option is to make the 2010 package permanent.

    Listen to Kent talk about it with NCBA’s Mike Deering in the latest issue of Beltway Beef audio news.

    Beef, NCBA