National FFA Week is Approaching!

Melissa Sandfort

The National FFA Organization will celebrate National FFA Week Feb. 19-26, 2011. Infinite Potential is the theme this year and members are encouraged to envision, discover and achieve their potential within their communities.

The week of George Washington’s birthday was designated by the organization as National FFA Week in 1947. “George Washington made a lot of contributions to agriculture and the development of the United States,” explains Landan Schaffert, national FFA secretary. “He had a very diligent work ethic, an honest character and also was very good at record keeping. Those are all things that we hope for our members to accomplish in the National FFA Organization.”

During the week, national officers will travel to different parts of the country to visit FFA members, participate in special events and meet with leaders of the agriculture industry. Individual chapters initiate events throughout the week to promote FFA and agriculture in their classrooms and communities. Events include community service projects, educational lessons for elementary students and promotional programs for students, teachers, and alumni.

For more information about National FFA Week, visit www.ffa.org/ffaweek.

FFA

AsgrowMobile.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Asgrow Mobile.comWith mobile apps on my mind, my attention was caught by a billboard in the Monsanto/Asgrow booth at the National Farm Machinery Show for AsgrowMobile.com. It’s not an app but a smartphone friendly website for growers to find the latest soybean information that includes a Rep/Dealer Locator, Seed Resource Guide, Yield Information and more.

I spoke with Kirby Bacon, Asgrow, who describes the new mobile web site: Kirby Bacon Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Apps, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Soybean

New Holland Receives FinOvation Award

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland FinOvation AwardDuring the National Farm Machinery Show Farm Industry News presented their 2011 FinOvation Awards at an evening banquet. Our sponsor, New Holland, won in the Tractors, High-horsepower, 4-wd category for their T9 Series Tractors. Seen with their award are Abe Hughes, VP Sales/Marketing, North America (left) and Sean Dorosz, Tractor Marketing Segment Manager.

I spoke with Abe earlier in the day at the New Holland exhibit. He says he has put together a leadership team and plan to rejuvenate the New Holland brand. Abe says there is a lot of buzz at the New Holland booth because of all the new products they’ve introduced recently, many of which are on display here at the show. He says that you should see that New Holland employees are “now speaking with a passion and an energy.” Looking ahead Abe says there is good news but some cautionary notes. On the good news side, commodity prices are up and global food demand is up. On the cautionary side though he says that raw material shortages are showing up. He encourages dealers and farmers to get their orders in as soon as possible

Enjoy his enthusiasm for the brand in our discussion.

You can listen to my interview with Abe here: Abe Hughes Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Agribusiness, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

Last Day to Register On-Line for Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

Today is the final day to register on-line for Commodity Classic, March 3-5 in Tampa. It’s an event you don’t want to miss!

The 16th Annual Commodity Classic will help growers set sail for a successful 2011 by offering educational sessions on topics such as the new pesticide application permits, crop insurance and sustainability. “There is no better time to improve one’s marketing skills then now with record commodity price levels,” said Commodity Classic Co-chair Charles Cannatella. “Growers can increase their profitability from attending one of the marketing sessions during Commodity Classic.”

In addition to educational opportunities, attendees will enjoy exhibits from over 220 companies in 870 booths at the trade show. Escape the winter blues and embrace the sun while learning from ag industry experts, networking with fellow growers, and attending association banquets and events. The Commodity Classic grand finale will be the Evening of Entertainment on March 5. Described as “the best harmony band in the world,” the Little River Band will delight the crowd with a performance of their unforgettable melodies.

Hope to see you there!

Uncategorized

Touring New Holland

Chuck Zimmerman

Touring New Holland BoothI got a birds eye view of the New Holland exhibit at the National Farm Machinery Show. Mike Harvey and I did a video overview of what’s on display from the top of a New Holland CR9060 Combine! You can find all the technical specs for these combines here.

The tour includes the new PowerStar tractors, hay and forage equipment, precision ag products as well as the new line of skid steer loaders.

Thanks to Gene Hemphill for taking our photo from the floor.

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Equipment, Farm Machinery, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Video

National Farm Machinery Show Tweetup

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Journal TweetupTweeters met at the Farm Journal booth at the National Farm Machinery Show. It was a truly international tweetup! Yours truly was behind the camera and we had participants from Canada as well as the USA!

Tweetups are a great way to personally meet people you connect and interact with online. Looking forward to the next one. In the photo are: @jgrieg, @agleadertech, @jeffdmoore, @mymachinery, @farmjournal, @illini73, @rbandits and @agwebeditor.

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

National Farm Machinery Show

Novus Cheerleader

Chuck Zimmerman

Giovanni GasperoniThe Novus International Cheerleader is Executive Vice President Giovanni Gasperoni who is also in charge of marketing and sales. In the photo he’s visiting with Dick Butkus at the recent International Poultry Expo. I thought I’d save the best for last!

One of the subjects that he loves to talk about is how Novus is helping producers feed a growing and hungry world population. But he says it’s not just about quantity of food but also affordability of food. I think you’ll hear how passionate Gio is about this subject in my interview with him. He takes a very global perspective. He says they are working with producers on three key areas: education, using Novus products that allow for less overall inputs and maximizing the utilization of inputs.

You can listen to my interview with Giovanni here: Interview With Giovanni Gasperoni

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: Novus

Audio, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort


    Zimfo Bytes

  • Wyffels Hybrids recently rolled out nine new hybrid families for 2012.
  • James Glassford has joined AgriLabs’ executive management team as V.P. of Marketing.
  • Steley, the first 24/7 Online Auction website specifically for livestock, allows consumers to buy and sell cattle genetics worldwide.
  • Pharm Solutions Inc. announced Weed Pharm, a horticultural BIOPESTICIDE, has received EPA approval for use on organic crops for non selective control of herbaceous broadleaf weeds and weed grasses.

    Zimfo Bytes

    Championship Tractor Pull

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Championship Tractor PullIt’s “like candy for pullers.” That’s the Championship Tractor Pull taking place after the National Farm Machinery Show closes for the day.

    I had to spend a little time seeing the big indoor show and have some photos uploaded for you.

    This invitation-only event stars the nation’s best drivers and their ground-pounding machines – Pro Stocks, Super Stocks, Modified, and Alcohol Tractors as well as Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel Drive Trucks. The drivers compete in four exciting evening performances and an additional pull on Saturday afternoon. Drivers are not only gearing up for the unequaled thrill of winning at this nationally recognized pull, but also for the chance to bring home a share of more than $200,000 in prize money.

    2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
    New Holland

    National Farm Machinery Show, Tractor, Video

    Advanced Seed Monitoring From Ag Leader Technology

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Ag Leader TechnologyIt has been a busy day at the National Farm Machinery Show. I’ve been doing interviews all day and adding to the photo collection. So, lots of stories will be forthcoming in the next few days.

    This morning I learned some of what’s new with Ag Leader Technology from Russ Morman. Russ gave me an overview of new products on display that includes their SMS Mobile Mesa Rugged Notepad hand held display, their new GPS 2500 system and advanced seed monitoring for the INTEGRA display. He says they’ve been receiving the most questions on advanced seed monitoring.

    You can listen to my interview with Russ here: Russ Morman Interview

    2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
    New Holland

    Ag Leader, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Precision Agriculture