House Ag Chair at Commodity Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee discussed government over-regulation and prospects for the 2012 Farm Bill during the general session at Commodity Classic 2011.

2011 commodity classic frank lucasU.S. Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK) first expressed concern about the over reach of government agencies, especially the EPA. “The Environmental Protection Agency’s assault on production agriculture must stop,” he said, noting that his committee is scheduled to hold hearings in which EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson will answer questions on the agency’s basis for such decisions as limiting rural dust and continually questioning the safety of proven chemicals such as atrazine.

Lucas questioned the current administration’s USDA policies that favor “niche” markets “that should not become the dominant focus of departmental activities.”

Lucas says the 2012 farm bill will be the third on which he has worked, but half of his committee are new. “This (farm bill) is shaping up to be a doozy,” he said.

Listen to or download Lucas’ address here: 2011 Commodity Classic Lucas Address

2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF New Holland and AgHaven

Audio, Commodity Classic

Get Energized With GROWMARK

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s the latest installment of our “Getting To Know GROWMARK” series. Today we’ll talk energy because the company is a provider of a full range of energy products and services that includes a complete line of quality lubricants, fuel and fuel additives, and dependable heating and drying with GROWMARK propane. They also offer risk management services.

To tell us about what GROWMARK does in the energy field and especially in the area of risk managment I spoke with Harry Cooney, Energy Analyst.

Harry says the energy division is primarily used for selling fuel to member cooperatives who then sell it on to their end user customers. Gasoline, propane and diesel fuel are their primary products and they’ve got terminals in a number of states. When it comes to risk management they distribute daily information to their members about what’s happening in energy markets and also offer written recommendations to contract fuel at different times of the year.

I asked him what he thinks about the energy market today and he says it’s an exciting time since the economy has been coming back slowly and that increases demand for fuel. So they’re looking for contracting opportunities on behalf of their members. There is a seasonality to the energy markets but he says you can’t put things on autopilot and members look to them for guidance as the markets change. He says they also put on regional meetings for members that include training programs.

You can listen to my interview with Harry here and learn even more about GROWMARK Energy: Harry Cooney Interview

Audio, Energy, GROWMARK

John Deere Introduces FarmSight

Cindy Zimmerman

2011 commodity classic john deereJohn Deere introduced a new “integrated suite of solutions” at the 2011 Commodity Classic, called John Deere FarmSight.

The comprehensive program is designed to meet farm and business needs for today and the future, according to FarmSight director Jerry Roell. “The John Deere FarmSight global suite of solutions uses integrated, wireless technology that links the equipment, owners, dealers, and agricultural consultants to provide even more productivity to your farm or business,” he said during a press conference Friday in Tampa.

The program provides technology solutions in three areas – Machine Optimization, Logistics Optimization, and Ag Decision Support.

Hear more about John Deere FarmSight from Jerry here: John Deere FarmSight

Here is a video of the introduction at Classic:

Audio, John Deere, Precision Agriculture, Video

I Am Angus

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest I Am Angus segment shares the story of W.A. McHenry, a civil war veteran, Iowa pioneer and master cattle breeder, who raised Earl Marshall, perhaps the greatest beef bull ever. For more information, visit www.angus.org.

Ag Groups, Video

Till We Meet Again

Melissa Sandfort

One of my goals living on the farm is to have a garden. I started one in Kansas City, but then we moved away. But this summer, I’m going to make a concerted effort to keep a family tradition going. We have these Syrian cucumbers that look like pinwheels when you cut them and never get bitter, no matter how large they grow. To date, Grandma is the only one who can grow them, but I’m going to try my hand at it.

In order to get the garden started, I’m going to have to do some tilling. I’m sure I can borrow the gas-operated tiller in the shed. Back before motor-operated equipment, this is the tiller they’d use to loosen the dirt for garden planting. Looks like a lot of work if you ask me.

Then, if I get really creative, I’ll grow some cucumbers and dill and see if Grandma can help me jar some homemade pickles. Vlasic, move over.

I’ve just got to figure out a way to keep the critters out. Like the deer who like to watch TV through our bedroom window. I can just see them munching on my Syrian cucumbers now.

Until we walk again …

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Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Iowa Corn is proud to announce 10 scholarships to be awarded through the Iowa Corn Future of Agriculture Scholarship program to high school seniors college students who are pursuing a degree in the 2011-12 school year.
  • New leadership was elected by the members of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
  • America’s Heartland, the only nationally-distributed program on U.S. agriculture, is seeking production funding for its seventh season. The grassroots Friends of America’s Heartland group has launched a new website asking fans to support it by making donations and encouraging others to do so.
  • Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC, (OFW Law) the leading law firm in agriculture and FDA regulated matters, announced that Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has joined the firm as a Principal.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Classic Rock Makes For Great Ending

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The 2011 Commodity Classic had a rock and roll ending. The evening entertainment was the Little River Band.

    I think they played most of their hits and a couple of songs with a new twist. They sounded great and a little loud but then that’s what I remember when Cindy and I saw them a long time ago. The coolest thing was seeing the Golden ZimmComm Microphone on stage. You can see it in this photo. They have good choice in mics (Heil PR20).

    There are a bunch of photos from the concert in the photo album. We’re taking some time to relax today and visit with friends from college before getting back on the agriblogging highway tomorrow. I’ll be heading to Texas while Cindy will be going to Reno, NV. We’ll fill you in on that as we go.

    2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic
    is sponsored by: BASF New Holland and AgHaven

    Commodity Classic

    AAEA Relaxes At Commodity Classic

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Karen SimonsThe American Agricultural Editors Association held a reception for members attending this year’s Commodity Classic. Quite a few of the 126 members of the ag media attended including past president Karen Simon, Iowa Soybean Association.

    I spoke with Karen and Willie Vogt, Farm Progress Companies, about this summer’s Ag Media Summit. Karen is the Conference Chair and Willie is chairing the sponsorship committee. This year Ag Media Summit will be July 24-27 in New Orleans. So get an AMS preview and if you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, let them know.

    You can listen to my interview with Willie and Karen here: AAEA Interview

    2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic
    is sponsored by: BASF New Holland and AgHaven

    ACN, Audio, Commodity Classic

    Self Propelled Guardians From New Holland

    Chuck Zimmerman

    New Holland Tyler RobertsThe biggest machine in the New Holland booth at this year’s Commodity Classic is their Guardian Rear Boom Sprayer. There wasn’t enough space for it to “spread its wings” though. I talked with Tyler Roberts about the self propelled sprayers now being made by New Holland.

    Tyler says these machines are ready to get out in the field after being introduced last fall. He says the Guardian name ties into the crop protection capabilities of the sprayers. And these are big Guardians! Besides the rear boom they also offer a front boom sprayer which Tyler gets real excited talking about.

    You can listen to my interview with Tyler here: Interview with Tyler Roberts

    2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic
    is sponsored by: BASF New Holland and AgHaven

    Audio, Commodity Classic, Equipment, New Holland

    BASF Presents Kip Cullers Bobblehead

    Cindy Zimmerman

    2011 commodity classicOn behalf of a number of well-wishers in the agricultural world, BASF Crop Protection congratulated soybean yield world champion Kip Cullers during a special presentation at Commodity Classic in Tampa, Florida.

    Kip, a corn and soybean grower from Missouri, is a rock star in the ag world. He set yet another new world soybean production record in 2010 – for the third time – with a yield of 160.6 bu/A in 2010, breaking the previous record he set in 2007 by six bu/A. Kip’s soybean acres regularly yield more than 75 bu/A, which is 35 bu/A higher than the average Missouri operation.

    2011 commodity classicKip is never speechless – but he was when BASF presented him with a special “Kip Cullers Bobblehead” to commemorate his new world record. “I didn’t really know what to say,” he said. “It’s just great working with BASF. They’re just such a great team to work with and such a joy. I really appreciate everything they do for all American farmers.”

    Kip says the mood of farmers at Commodity Classic was energizing. “More than anything, what it is is corn is $7 and soybean’s $14 and I think farmers really want to yield more, they want to make money,” Kip said.

    Listen to or download an interview with Kip here about BASF, the bobblehead, his world record and optimism at Commodity Classic: Kip Cullers Interview

    Watch the presentation by BASF’s Paul Rea to Kip here from YouTube:


    BASF Commodity Classic Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic
    is sponsored by: BASF New Holland and AgHaven

    Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Soybean, Video