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

    Welcome To National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Welcome to Deadwood, SD, “Where Western Legends Were Born.” I’m here for the 2011 National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar. Maybe we’ll create some legends of our own before we’re done!

    The very first person I met after checking in to the Lodge at Deadwood was Larry Kleingartner, Executive Director, National Sunflower Association. Larry provided a preview of this year’s Seminar. He says that they do a “little bit of learning, have a little bit of fun and a little bit of networking.” There will be about 200 attendees coming from the support industry. That includes seed and chemical company reps, processor reps and grower leaders. NSA membership is wherever sunflowers are grown so we’ll have people here from many states and Canada. Larry says research is the big topic and key to helping make the crop as competitive as possible. Larry Kleingartner Interview

    The first item on our agenda is an evening social, dinner and fundraiser for the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship. I’ll be attending and have some photos to share by tomorrow morning.

    If you would like to let these sunflower growers and support industry folks know what you think about the value and uses of social media, please use the conference Twitter hashtag, #NSASS11, in tweets tomorrow morning. I’ll be conducting a session on this topic and would love to show them some outside perspective.

    Ag Groups

    Two Former Presidents Share World Food Prize

    Cindy Zimmerman

    WFPWinners of the 2011 World Food Prize announced today are two former presidents, but not of the United States.

    The World Food Prize Foundation is honoring John Agyekum Kufuor, former president of Ghana, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former president of Brazil, for creating and implementing government policies that alleviated hunger and poverty in their countries. They were commended in remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah.

    Read more here.

    World Food Prize

    Start Your Country Living Blog Today

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Country Living AssociationThe Country Living Association has some tips for getting your farm blog “planted online” this week.

    If you haven’t already, think about starting a blog to tell your farm story and grow your business online. Though it may feel overwhelming to add another farm chore to your list, in reality, a blog is simply a web-published diary or journal usually consisting of one page into which the blogger regularly uploads fresh content, and it’s much easier to maintain than your website.

    Here are five tips for launching your farm blog:

    1. Before you start, take time to research other blogs to determine what you like. It will help you begin building a vision for your own venture.

    2. Find a blog buddy, someone to walk you through the first steps on one of the free sites such as Blogger or WordPress. Sites such as these are relatively easy to maneuver, but it may help to enlist a friend or a local teen. Teens today are part of the “millennial generation” and grew up so entrenched in web technology that they can be your seasoned mentor.

    Find more tips here.

    Uncategorized