Proposal Could Cost Farm GPS Users

Cindy Zimmerman

A company that wants to create a new, integrated wireless broadband/satellite network is facing opposition from agricultural global positioning system (GPS) providers and users.

As we reported on Precision Pays, Virginia-based company LightSquared
has proposed to set up 40,000 wireless broad-band stations across the nation on a frequency that is right next to the one used by GPS. Opposition to the plan became organized in the form of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, which consists of a wide variety of industries and companies, including agricultural interests and technology providers such as New Holland, Deere, GROWMARK, Leica Geosystems and Trimble Navigation.

This week, the company announced a solution to the GPS interference issue by moving to a lower block of frequencies that is “largely free of interference issues with the exception of a limited number of high precision GPS receivers that are specifically designed to rely on LightSquared’s spectrum.”

Agricultural interests are concerned about that exception. A study released by the Coalition to Save Our GPS estimates that LightSquared’s plan could result in “direct economic costs of up to $96 billion to U.S. commercial GPS users and manufacturers.” Jim Kirkland, vice president and general counsel of Trimble, says the analysis “also highlights how LightSquared’s recently announced ‘solution’ to the interference problem, which LightSquared admits will not reduce interference for high precision GPS uses, is no solution at all. High precision GPS uses represent nearly $10 billion in historical investment by GPS users over the last five years and $30 billion in annual economic benefits.”

“The use of GPS technology is vital to thousands of people who make their living with agricultural and construction equipment. It is simply not acceptable to allow this new network to interfere with these important industries when all indications are that there is no practical solution to mitigate this interference,” said Ken Golden, director of global public relations at John Deere. “In agriculture, the loss of a stable GPS system could have an impact of anywhere from $14 to $30 billion each year. That could significantly erode the strong competitive global position of U.S. farmers in the world agricultural economy.”

Meanwhile, the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill recently passed by the House includes language specifically to register concerns about the LightSquared network and directs the USDA “to ensure the FCC is aware of these concerns.”

GROWMARK, John Deere, Leica Geosystems, New Holland, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Outlook For Export Markets

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike Dwyer is Director of Global Policy Analysis, Office of Global Analysis, Foreign Agriculture Service/USDA. He was a keynote speaker at the National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar.

Everyone wants to know what the markets will be like in the future. Mike’s job was to tell us what he thought export markets would be like in the next ten years. He says that the main message he had was that the current prosperity in American agriculture is not a “flash in the pan.” Demand in other areas of the world like China is expected to continue to increase which will keep prices higher in the next ten years than the last ten years. Mike Dwyer Interview

2011 National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio

Keep Your Nose to the Grindstone

Melissa Sandfort

Meaning: Apply yourself conscientiously to your work; or to continue to work very hard, without stopping.

Origin: There are two rival explanations as to the origin of this phrase. One is that it comes from the supposed habit of millers who checked that the stones used for grinding cereal weren’t overheating by putting their nose to the stone in order to smell any burning. The other is that it comes from the practice of knife grinders when sharpening blades to bend over the stone, or even to lie flat on their fronts, with their faces near the grindstone in order to hold the blades against the stone. (Source: The Phrase Finder)

All noses in my family seem to be intact and unblemished, but they did use this grindstone to sharpen knives, sickle sections and cutting tools. The pedal on each side kept the wheel turning while the operator sharpened the blades.

Today we have smaller scale versions of grindstones for sharpening paring knives and as we call them, toad stabbers (butcher knives). The concept is one in the same.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

7R Series Tractors Unveiled by John Deere

Melissa Sandfort

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 7R Series Tractors come with a wide array of new customer-driven features including the new IVT and Command Quad 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.

The 7R Tractors have 30 percent more fuel capacity and 23 percent greater hitch-lift capacity compared to their large-frame 7030 series predecessors. For rear-driven equipment, a new 3-speed economy PTO with power-assist PTO shifting is an available fuel-saving option. Inside the cab, John Deere has made major changes to enhance the operating experience.

The 7R models also can be equipped with ActiveCommand Steering, which utilizes breakthroughs in steering technology to deliver the ultimate in precise steering control, especially at transport speeds.

Equipment, John Deere

Going Green At Iowa Corn Indy 250

Chuck Zimmerman

Guess where I’ll be next. Yep. The Iowa Corn Indy 250. This will be my fourth time getting to cover the race. It is the fifth running of the race which is presented by Pioneer. This year the Iowa Corn Growers are making it green in a unique way.

This will be the first Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented under the lights, with the green flag dropping at 8 p.m. and fans are encouraged to participate in the “Green Out”.

Inspired by the environmentally-friendly “green movement”, track officials are encouraging fans to wear green apparel to the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer. Cars will run on 100 percent corn ethanol – which has cleaner emissions and burns more efficiently than other fuel sources – during this race.

“We are excited to once again showcase the power and performance of 100% corn-based ethanol with the Iowa Corn Indy 250,” said Dick Gallagher, a farmer from Washington and chair of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “We think that it is important for consumers to know we have a renewable fuel source that is grown in Iowa and if 100% corn-based ethanol is good for Indy, than it’s good for consumers.”

I’ll be on location Friday at the track and will have coverage beginning later in the day.

Ag Groups, Corn, Indy Racing

The Sunflower Social Discussion

Chuck Zimmerman

My session number one on Social Media: New Marketing Tools has concluded at the National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar. This afternoon I’ll be conducting round two which is a how-to session to get into specifics and help attendees create and start managing their social networking accounts and answer questions.

We had a good crowd this morning. Most are on Facebook, at least personally. However, very few on Twitter or any other social media platform. I showed how that is evident when you do some online searching for NSA. Their website comes up and there’s lots of great information on it. Now I think it’s time to get some social networking going to attract, engage and point people to all that information. I want to thank everyone who sent in a tweet to us during the session. It really helps to see “live” activity in these types of presentations.

2011 National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar Photo Album

Ag Groups

Tools To Reverse Sunflower Acres Decline

Chuck Zimmerman

The educational part of the National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar is underway. The first session is dealing with “Reversing the Trend of Declining Acres: Will We Have the Tools?” This panel includes scientists from USDA and North Dakota State University as well as representatives of the NSA. They are speaking a language that I don’t have but what I’m getting out of this so far is that research is the key to finding genetic lines that provide more flexibility in planting and production which will make sunflowers a more attractive crop. I’ll try to get an interview with one of them before the day is out.

My session on social media is coming up after our break so I better get ready.

2011 National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar Photo Album

Ag Groups

Ethanol Might Be An Issue In Presidential Race

Chuck Zimmerman

So, “Will ethanol be an issue in presidential race?” Maybe, maybe not. But I’m here to tell you, when I talk to anyone in agriculture this is a very hot topic. So it will be interesting to see how the candidates deal with it. In response to our survey, 58% say yes and 42% say no. What do you think? Should it be an issue?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What can G20 ag ministers do to stabilize food prices?” Let us know what you think. I’ll bet you have an opinion on this one.

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Brandt launched the new 8200 Contour Commander heavy harrow.
  • The new Kuhn MDS xx.1 series fertilizer spreaders, available in working widths of 33′ to 59′ and capacities of 17.5 to 67 cubic feet, replace the prior MDS 5 series.
  • A new CAST paper examines the science and regulation of food from genetically engineered animals. Download the full text here.
  • AgWeb, agriculture’s homepage, was selected for inclusion in BtoB’s Media Business magazine’s “10 Great Media Sites” issue.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Raising Money For Sunflower Industry Scholarship

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Summer Seminar for the National Sunflower Association got started with a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship. The evening ended with the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser. These guys were ticket sellers.

    I have not participated in a fundraiser quite like this. Prizes were purchased and laid out on three tables. We could purchase tickets for a chance to be drawn to “pick a prize.” So tickets were sold for one table at a time. Then once tickets were drawn and the winner of that ticket made their choice of prizes we continued until all the prizes on that table were gone. Then tickets were sold for the next table. Interesting way to do it.

    To learn more about the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship I spoke with Steve Kent. Steve says that Curtis was a “great ambassador” for the sunflower industry. People appreciated it and they wanted to find a way to memorialize him. So they now have a fund to provide a scholarship to a student who wants to pursue a career or work in the sunflower industry. This year will be the second scholarship awarded. So if you couldn’t be here Steve says to make out a check to the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund and send it to the National Sunflower Association office. Steve Kent Interview

    I’ve got some photos uploaded already and you can find them here: 2011 National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio