Seven Wonders of Corn Yield World

Cindy Zimmerman

Seven has always been considered to be the perfect number, so it’s no surprise that there are seven factors that make up the combination for consistent high yielding corn crops.

7 wonders corn worldA new website looks at “The Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World,” based on the research of University of Illinois plant physiologist Dr. Fred Below.

Dr. Below has been on a quest to help all farmers achieve the Holy Grail of corn – consistent 300 bushel per acre yields – ever since he saw it happen more than 25 years ago. He has categorized the results of his research into seven management practices or “wonders” that can result in high yielding corn. His study helps growers answer the question of what the latest products and practices contribute to yield.

“Roughly speaking, the higher up on the Wonder list the more control that factor exerts over the Wonders that follow,” Below explains. “When combined, all of these factors contribute to big-yield gains.” In order of importance, they are:

1. Weather
2. Nitrogen/fertility
3. Hybrid selection
4. Previous crop
5. Plant population
6. Tillage
7. Growth regulators

Below will present his plots and detail the 7 Wonders of the Corn Yield World in person at the annual Farm Progress Show at the AGROTAIN exhibit (lot 1164 on Eleventh Street) Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 in Decatur, Ill. Below’s plots at the show were sponsored by AGROTAIN International, BASF, DEKALB and Mosaic.

I interviewed Fred about the 7 wonders earlier this year at the GROWMARK FS Green Plan Solutions “In Pursuit of Maximum Yields” conference. Listen to that interview here: Fred Below Interview

Audio, BASF, Corn, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK

Boehringer Ingelheim Treats Clients Like Family

Cindy Zimmerman

It is always a pleasure to cover the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar in North Carolina and see so many young swine producers with their families. Makes me optimistic about the future of agriculture.

The big barefoot kid in this photo surrounded by smaller kids is BIVI’s Dan “The Man” Johnson, who is organizer of this great annual event on the beach in North Carolina that combines just the right amount of work and play. The producers spend a day getting swine health and industry updates on Friday and then get family activity time on Saturday. “We want to be more than a vendor to our customers,” Dan says. “We know that their families are important to our producers, so they are important to us as well.”

This year’s meeting had a pirate theme and concluded with a really fun and funny pirate magic show put on by No Sleeves Magic. It was great fun and the photos are proof!

BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Farmers Educate NAMA Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman

National Agri-Marketing Association Boot Camp attendees heard directly from the farmer this morning. The first item on the agenda was a producer panel moderated by Tom Hudson, Successful Farming.

Tom says it was very interesting to hear what types of media influenced these farmers. One thing that came through loud and clear was how important local information is. They want to know how information or news relates to them. He says that one of the farmers on the panel still has dial-up internet access but the others had good service and rely heavily on their smartphones for information. When it comes to that old fashioned media he says that print was a very important to them and radio too. Basically, what he heard backed up research that has been done.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: Tom Hudson Interview

I also spoke with one of the farmers on the panel, Jimmie Long, Cole Camp, MO. Jimmie is a cattle buyer and has a cow-calf operation. Jimmie explained to the group that radio ads that are “catchy” get his attention as well as nice colorful mailers and print ads. I think the takeaway is that good creative works! He says they will often see an item they want to purchase but then they’ll get home and research it on the internet. When it comes to his smartphone, he uses it a lot and checking weather is at the top of the list. He would like to get a tablet btw.

He was surprised at how many people in the audience did not have an ag background. He was shocked that no one asked him about DTN and it never came up in the discussion since it is still so important as a source for real time markets.

You can listen to my interview with Jimmie here: Jimmie Long Interview

2011 NAMA Boot Camp Photo Album

Audio, Farming, NAMA

Update on BIVI 3FLEX

Cindy Zimmerman

It has been on the market for less than a year, but Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s 3FLEX™ swine vaccine is already gained wide acceptance among producers.

At the BIVI Swine Health Seminar in North Carolina last week, Dr. Greg Cline gave an update on the acceptance of the 3-way vaccine to combat Porcine Circovirus, Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae AND PRRS. “The acceptance and reaction has been phenomenal,” Greg says. “It delivers in a lot of areas and we look for the acceptance to continue to accelerate as time goes by.”

The 3FLEX product is the first 3-way combination approved by the USDA to be mixed and administered as a single shot for pigs three weeks of age or older, combining BIVI’s Ingelvac CircoFLEX® 1, Ingelvac MycoFLEX® 2 and Ingelvac® PRRS MLV 3 in one 2 mL shot. “it was a vision by Boehringer-Ingelheim’s a very convenient vaccine in a one-dose, small dose delivery and have it still be convenient, safe and effective,” Greg said, calling it a winning team for hog producers. Chuck interviewed Greg last September when 3FLEX was first introduced.

Listen to my interview with Greg here: Dr. Greg Cline at BIVI Swine Health Seminar

BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

What You Like About Farm Radio

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you like best about farm radio?” This question generated the least results by far of any we’ve done to date. I kind of thought it would have generated more response. So here’s what the results are in order of most responses. 39% said All of the Above, 18% said Markets, 16% said None of the Above, 11% said Policy News, 7% said Crop News and same for Interviews and only 2% said Weather. We also had a comment posted on AgWired that said, “The localization and attachment to the farm broadcaster who is most familiar with the area ag news beat.” So what do you think about these results?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Which of these Fall Farm Shows Will You Attend?” Your input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • BRANDT Consolidated, Inc. has named Karl Barnhart to its senior management team as Chief Marketing Officer.
  • World Ag Expo is searching for the newest and most innovative products for World Ag Expo 2012.
  • Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. gave the agriculture industry a glimpse into the future with the unveiling of its precision planting technology – an autonomous planter that operates without an operator in the tractor cab.
  • Challenger is pleased to introduce the all-new MT500D Series High Horsepower wheeled row crop tractors to North American professional producers.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NAMA Boot Camp Networking

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The kickoff event on the NAMA Boot Camp program was a dinner and program on networking. Our presenter was Becky Johnson, Fleishman-Hillard.

    Becky made us get to know each other at our tables. She said that networking can be likened to the idea of six degrees of separation since we all probably have something in common. We also did some “dating.” I was a little worried about that since I was sitting in between Jeff Jackson and Matt Coniglio. But we made it to our third date. ‘Nuff said about that. We also talked about quality vs. quantity.

    You can listen to my interview with Becky here: Becky Johnson Interview

    2011 NAMA Boot Camp Photo Album

    Audio, NAMA

    NAMA Boot Camp Preview

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The 2011 NAMA Boot Camp is underway. To get a preview of the program I spoke with Erin Nash, Osborn & Barr, Vice Chairman for the conference.

    Erin says we’ve got a lot packed into the program which includes hearing from farmers themselves. She says “We design Boot Camp to offer not only an introduction but introductory information to the junior staffer or someone who is new to the ag industry where we want to show them the producer side of things.” She wants to remind people that when you register for Boot Camp you get a one year membership in NAMA.

    In the photo our group attended a dinner this evening where we learned some networking skills. I’ll more on that tomorrow morning.

    You can listen to my interview with Erin here: Erin Nash Interview

    You can find photos from this year’s Boot Camp in my 2011 NAMA Boot Camp Photo Album.

    Agencies, Audio, NAMA

    International Joint Commission Chair Attends CTIC Tour

    Cindy Zimmerman

    One of the participants on the 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour in northwest Ohio last week was the chairman of the International Joint Commission (IJC), Lana Pollack.

    The IJC was established by the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty to monitor the rivers and lakes along the border of Canada and the United States and aid the governments of the two countries in finding solutions to problems in these waters. “The commission was established to avoid and resolve disputes with water,” Lana told me. “Everywhere we share waters with Canada is an area that we the commission are interested in helping to protect – for agriculture, hydropower, navigation, and environmental purposes.” The six member commission has three members from each country, appointed by the highest level of government.

    Lana’s interest in attending the CTIC tour was seeing what is being done to deal with environmental issues on Lake Erie. “The issue before us is one of water quality and why is Lake Erie so stressed again that we’re seeing algal blooms that are impacting recreation and probably health as well,” she said. Lana was pleased to see the tour included agricultural producers who are implementing best practices to protect water quality.

    Listen to my interview with Lana here: IJC Chairman Lana Pollack on CTIC Tour

    CTIC 2011 Conservation in Action Tour Photos

    AgWired coverage of the CTIC Indian Creek Watershed Field Tour is sponsored by AGROTAIN
    Audio, CTIC, Environment

    PRRS Vaccine Reduces Viral Shedding

    Cindy Zimmerman

    New results from a trial done in Minnesota show that the PRRS modified live virus vaccine appears to reduce viral shedding.

    The trial results were presented at last week’s Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar in North Carolina by Dr. Joel Nerem of Pipestone Vet Clinic. “What we found was that vaccinated pigs shed virus for fewer days and for a shorter duration of time than the vaccinated control pigs,” he said.

    Why is that important in the fight against Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)? “It is important when we are working on maintaining a high health status for a particular region,” Joel explained. “One of the things our group is looking at, is in the control of PRRS, can we establish regions that are free of the virus and what technologies can we utilize to maintain those PRRS-free regions?”

    Listen to my interview with Joel here: Dr. Joel Nerem at BIVI Swine Health Seminar

    BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

    Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine