BIVI Research Facility Meets VTI Vision

Cindy Zimmerman August 25, 2011

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s (BIVI) new livestock vaccine research facility in Sioux Center, Iowa meets the company’s vision of Value Through Innovation, or VTI, according to Dr. Edward Robb, vice president of research and development for BIVI.

“The facility really allows us to test novel vaccine concepts to really see if these ideas can have an impact on the welfare of pigs and cattle,” he said. “To do and fund innovative research you have to work on ideas that will really change the way we do things.”

Robb says the new facility is also a good fit with their other locations in Iowa and St. Joseph, Missouri.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Robb here. Dr. Edward Robb at BIVI research facility dedication

BIVI Sioux Center Facility Dedication Photos

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim

John Deere Product Launch Overview

Chuck Zimmerman August 25, 2011

The S Series Combines introduced this week by John Deere got a lot of attention during the floor show last night.

I spoke with Barry Nelson, John Deere Manager, Media Relations, to get an overview of all the products being launched. He says it is the largest product launch in the company’s history. John Deere will be 175 years old next year! The equipment unveiled here will be on display at next week’s Farm Progress Show. Get a “picture” of the whole lineup in our interview.

You can listen to my interview with Barry here: Interview with Barry Nelson

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Audio, John Deere

Riding in a New John Deere 7R Series Tractor

Chuck Zimmerman August 25, 2011

The most fun part of the John Deere product launch is getting in the cab out in the field. I rode along with Jessica Kroug, Program Development Program, 7R Series Tractors. We were in a 7215 R model. See what it’s like in the video below.

Our ride and drive track provided multiple real field conditions and situations. The tractor is unbelievably comfortable and with the heat we had the air conditioning was a welcome relief. Here’s some information on the new model line.

With a focus on increased power, versatility, capacity and improved operator comfort, John Deere introduces the 7R Series Tractors for the 2011-2012 season. These completely new row-crop tractor models have many of the performance features found in the larger 8R Series, making them even more productive in the field.

The five new 7R models available this fall include:
7200R – 200 engine horsepower; PowerTechTM PSX 6.8L Engine
7215R – 215 engine horsepower; PowerTech PSX 6.8L Engine
7230R – 230 engine horsepower; PowerTech PVX 9.0L Engine
7260R – 260 engine horsepower; PowerTech PVX 9.0L Engine
7280R – 280 engine horsepower; PowerTech PVX 9.0L Engine

The 7R Series Tractors come with a wide array of new customer-driven features including the new IVT and Command QuadTM transmissions, options for larger tires, compact chassis, and greater engine horsepower ratings. These features give the 7R Tractors the versatility to handle the tillage, planting, haying, loader work and many other tough chores on the farm.

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Audio, John Deere, Tractor

It’s Electric

Melissa Sandfort August 25, 2011

I’ve heard so many stories from my husband about things he did when he was a little boy and I carefully remind him not to talk about them in my son’s presence for fear he’ll think it sounds like fun!

One such story involves an electric fence and a little boy’s small bladder. You can fill in the rest. However, my story doesn’t start out quite that way.

Last week, they trenched a water line from the well house to the horse fence so we didn’t have to drag three hoses out to give them water. The hydrant was leaning up against the electric fence, causing it to spark. So my husband pulled out his guns (a.k.a. muscles) and pulled the hydrant back far enough away from the fence to fix the problem.

With his solution came another problem for me – the faucet was too far away from the water trough so the water was spilling out over the edge. I gracefully pushed it forward just ¼ of an inch and then not-so-gracefully felt the electric shock on my hand. Needless to say, the fence is working! Boy did my fingernail on my right ring finger hurt for some time. I’m just glad it was me and not the hands of a 2-year-old.

I think I got two new gray hairs from the experience.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

A Farm Bill for the Cattle Industry

Joanna Schroeder August 25, 2011

Kristina Harris Butts is the Executive Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). She sat down with me during the Cattle Industry Summer Conference to give me an update on a policy that hasn’t been so top of mind for policymakers these past few months due to their work on the budget. And that’s the 2012 Farm Bill. I asked her what some of the key points were for the cattle industry that need to be included in this bill.

During the meeting, NCBA put forth a Guidance Document that is the foundation of what the members would like NCBA to pursue in the Farm Bill. The Guidance Document doesn’t replace current policy but rather illustrates those priorities, explained Butts.

One key issue is maintaining the conservation programs that NCBA producers take part in. Like so many other programs, it has been cut. “We’re trying to figure out how we can maximize all these cost share programs where producers put in money and the government matches the dollars,” said Butts.

Another area that has been heavily debated is research. The research, says Butts, includes production research on animal diseases, production measures, genetics, and how we the producers can continue to use natural resources to produce the most amount of meat possible to not only feed our country but a growing world population.

Butts said there is a running joke that the Farm Bill is the nutrition bill since so much focus of the bill is on nutrition. But she says NCBA members support nutrition efforts and understand that beef is a healthy part of a diet and also believe that the USDA is the right agency for the programs being administered.

You can learn much more about the 2012 Farm Bill by listening to my interview with Kristina Harris Butts here: A Farm Bill for the Cattle Industry

Photos from the conference are posted to this photo album: 2011 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album.

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

John Deere is Accelerating Growth

Chuck Zimmerman August 24, 2011

This evening John Lagemann, John Deere Vice President, Sales & Marketing — United States/Canada/Australia/New Zealand for the Agriculture and Turf Division, welcomed us to the biggest product launch in the history of the company. The ag media along with a large crowd of dealers got a great show and then had the opportunity to take to the floor to get on the new equipment and talk with John Deere product representatives. The photo below is a new John Deere S660 Combine.

I visited with John immediately after the show. John says this is a “tremendously important introduction for us because it’s the culmination of a wide portfolio of products with integrated technology.” Connectivity was a key word during the presentation. John estimates that well over 6,000 people will participate in the product launch.

You can listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Lagemann
John Deere today completed the public unveiling of its new ag equipment for 2012 as part of the largest, most significant product introduction in the company’s 174-year history. Significant improvements in power, comfort, and performance are the hallmarks of the new machines including the S-Series Combines with larger corn heads and platforms; high-horsepower 4WD and track 9R/9RT Tractors; 6R Series row-crop tractors and 5 Series utility and specialty tractors.

According to Barry Nelson, manager of media relations for John Deere Ag and Turf Division, these products greatly extend the company’s broad portfolio of equipment products for use in all types of farming, livestock and specialty crop operations, as well as for commercial and property maintenance businesses. “Across the board, we’ve increased the power and added many features to our new equipment that will make customers even more productive, wherever these machines are used,” Nelson says. “This is the strongest lineup of new ag products ever from John Deere.”

In addition to new John Deere combines, headers and tractors, the company recently introduced its new 7R Series Tractors for the row-crop market; its largest, most advanced self-propelled 4940 Sprayer with 1,200-gal. solution tank, 120-ft. booms, and advanced loading and application technologies; and revolutionary Triple-Mounted Mower-Conditioner that cuts a swath more than 28 feet wide.

We started our day out in the field with the new machines. I’ve recorded some video and other interviews from there that I’ll be posting over the coming days. But you can bet I got photos that are online!

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, John Deere, Tractor

Biggest Product Launch in John Deere History

Chuck Zimmerman August 24, 2011

It’s the largest product launch in the history of John Deere and that’s where I’m stopped on the agriblogging highway. We’re in Indianapolis to learn all about these new machines. Today the ag media got to see the new tractors and combines and get inside for some stick time. I’ll be posting photos, videos and interviews over the next couple days. Right now I’ve got to get ready to see the “big show” with the group.

The tractor in the picture is a new 6R Series that was on display.

For the row-crop tractor market, John Deere introduces the 6R Series Tractors for the 2012 season. The new 6R Series, which replaces the John Deere 7430 Premium and 7530 Premium models, includes three tractor models: the 6170R with 170 engine horsepower; the 6190R with 190 engine horsepower; and the 210 horsepower model 6210R.

According to Chris Borgman, John Deere product manager for mid-size tractors, the 6R Series Tractors have a higher horsepower range, increased hydraulic capacity, more integrated technology and larger ComfortView cabs than the previous 7030 Premium Series Tractors.

John Deere, Tractor

Boehringer Ingelheim Dedicates New Research Facility

Cindy Zimmerman August 24, 2011

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds both attended the dedication of a new Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) livestock vaccine research facility in Sioux Center, Iowa on Wednesday. They are both pictured here with Dr. Phil Hayes of BIVI and Sioux Center Mayor Dennis Walstra at the symbolic ribbon cutting.

“The state is very proud to partner with a quality company like Boehringer Ingelheim,” said Governor Branstad. “We are an agricultural state and we’re proud to be an agricultural state. I was governor before back in the 80s when agriculture was going through what we called the farm crisis and agriculture was the weakest part of the economy – today it’s the strongest.”

I got to do a quick interview with the governor at the dedication where I also asked about his reaction to the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk trophy settlement – which he is pleased with.

Listen to my interview with Governor Branstad here. Governor Terry Branstad at BIVI research facility dedication

Watch the ribbon cutting below and see photos from the dedication here.

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Livestock, Swine, Video

Farm Show Season Around The Corner

Chuck Zimmerman August 24, 2011

We’re nearing fall farm show time. So where are you going? Here’s the results from our latest ZimmPoll. We asked, “Which of these fall farm shows will you attend?” 29% of you said Farm Progress Show, 16% said Husker Harvest Days, 11% said Farm Science Review, 10% said World Dairy Expo, 8% said Sunbelt Ag Expo, 15% said Regional/Local Show and 11% said More than one. The ZimmComm team will be at a number of these shows starting with next week’s Farm Progress Show. We’ll see you from there.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What is your opinion on ag-related sponsorships of sporting events??” Your input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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

Farm Shows, ZimmPoll

Page 1,352 of 2,374
←
1
...
1,351
1,352
1,353
...
2374
→