John Deere is Accelerating Growth

Chuck Zimmerman

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

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

bivi sioux center iowaIowa 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

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

Tweet Your Farmer To Learn About Food

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 317In this week’s program we get a wrap-up of the AgChat Foundation’s Agvocacy 2.0 Conference. I spoke with Michele Payn-Knoper, founder of the weekly AgChat conversation on Twitter and an AgChat Foundation board member and also Amanda Sollman, who took on the project this summer of helping us put on the conference. Michele says we had 115 attendees which is more than double last year’s inaugural conference. Changes in this year’s conference included extended networking times and beginner and advanced sessions on different breakout topics.

Listen to my conversations with Michele and Amanda in this week’s ZimmCast: Agvocacy 2.0 Conference

While the conference was taking place, local news outlet, The Tennessean, had a crew come by and they did a story about what was going on that I thought you might enjoy. It’s titled, “Got a question about your food? Tweet your Farmer.”

2011 AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Photo Album

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, 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.

AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 coverage is sponsored by The New Holland Boomer 555 Contest.
Audio, Farming, Food, Social Networking, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

    Iowa Teams Defend Corn Growers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Iowa Cy-Hawk trophy trash-talking got to be too much for the two college teams to take when people were dissing the corn growers.

    At a press conference on Tuesday announcing that the controversial corn-themed trophy will get a do-over, representatives from both the University of Iowa and Iowa State spoke up in defense of the Iowa Corn Growers, who had been taking the brunt of the heat from upset fans and the media. “Iowa Corn has shouldered most of the burden of the criticism … That story is not being told correctly,” said Iowa associate athletic director Rick Klatt, adding that Iowa corn represents “more than 6500 Iowans who help feed the world and share our commitment to hard work, dedication, determination and team work.” Steve Malchow of ISU noted that “Iowa Corn didn’t ask to change the trophy when they signed on.”

    Iowa Corn CEO Craig Floss said the trophy will be re-designed with input from the fans. “When we signed on as a sponsor of the Cy-Hawk Series earlier this year, we did so because we know how passionate people are about this rivalry. We wanted to be part of that passion,” he said. “We heard loud and clear that people want a different trophy for the football game. A new Cy-Hawk football trophy will truly be the fans’ trophy.”

    What will happen to the trophy featuring a farm family celebrating their harvest has yet to be decided, but Craig says it definitely “won’t be on the sidelines” at the upcoming Iowa-Iowa State football game on September 10. An interim trophy will be awarded at that game as the new one is being developed.

    Watch the press conference video or listen to the audio here: Iowa Corn Trophy Presser

    Audio, Corn

    Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Concludes

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference may be over but I have more interviews to share. I’m on the agriblogging highway to another event so it will be several days before I can get them all posted. In the meantime I’ve got plenty of photos to share.

    2011 AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Photo Album

    Here’s the full group at the conclusion to the conference this afternoon. There are almost 200 photos in my photo album. Are you in there? We’re going to do it again next year so I hope to see you there.

    AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 coverage is sponsored by The New Holland Boomer 555 Contest.
    Uncategorized

    Declining Cow Herd Challenge for Cattle Producers

    Joanna Schroeder

    Matt Teagarden is a rancher from Topeka, Kansas whose family has been in the business of cattle for at least four generations. During the Cattle Industry Summer Conference, he said he was closely watching the language around the mandatory COOL program. He explained there is a confidential trade ruling from the World Trade Organization indicating that Mexico and Canada are justified in their claim that our mandatory COOL program violates our trade agreements.

    “So we’ve tried to be proactive in fixing the issue so its compliant. Canada and Mexico our are two biggest trading partners for beef,” he said.

    Also on his radar and what he sees as the biggest challenge for the industry is the continuing decline of the cow herd. There are many factors causing this but one has been long-term drought in many states. “Even if the weather was right there are factors that are challenging us from growing our cow herd,” said Teagarden. “Our cow-calf producers are getting older so we need to identify the next generation of cow-calf producers.”

    On the opposite side, Teagarden said if they can get the right conditions they have the opportunity to expand. “In the states I think we have the opportunity to grow beef demand and total beef consumption. As you look around the world and the global economy rebounds after the recession, the opportunities are tremendous.”

    Listen to my interview with Matt Teagarden: Declining Cow Herd Challenge for Cattle Producers

    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

    Agvocating For Dairy

    Chuck Zimmerman

    At the AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference I met Twitter follower and now friend in person. Here’s @DairyCarrie Mess and her husband.

    You’ll notice that Carrie is wearing a New Holland shirt! That’s because the dealership she works at sponsored her participation in the conference. I talked with Carrie to learn what drew her to AgChat and using social media. I think you’ll enjoy hearing her story and it will encourage farmers to get started with social media if they haven’t already. As she puts it “If you are serious about being in agriculture you need to consider this as part of your job.”

    You can listen to my interview with Carrie here: Interview with Carrie Mess

    2011 AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Photo Album

    AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 coverage is sponsored by The New Holland Boomer 555 Contest.
    Audio