
ZimmComm is happy to announce Raven Industries as our newest sponsor. Raven is taking a big leap into the support of cutting edge information distribution by becoming our first AgWired iPhone App sponsor! Don’t have the AgWired App on your iPhone yet? Then what are you waiting for? If you’ve already got the AgWired App then make sure you get our latest update when you sync with iTunes next! And for you Android fans, we’re working on that right now and will be announcing availability in the Android Market soon.
At the recent AG CONNECT Expo I spoke with Ryan Molitor, Raven Applied Technologies Marketing Supervisor (pictured left). This is the precision ag division of the company. Here’s what Ryan says about their sponsorship.
“As a cutting edge technology provider, we’re very excited to be a part of the AgWired app. News and information is more and more readily available, and we are happy to be part of the leading edge of delivering it.”
I asked him what’s new. He says they recently introduced eight new products. One that he highlights is their Envizio Pro II field computer. It controls all functions of the tractor through one console.
Ryan says all their field computers are internet ready and points to their Slingshot field hub product. This is a product that would get my attention in today’s connected world. Benefits include:
* Wireless RTK correction signals via cellular networks for universal access to sub-inch accuracy
* ZERO line-of-site RTK signal limitations provide uninterrupted operation and convenience
* Real-time communications and data sharing with any computer anywhere ensures better data, better decisions and more productivity in the field
* Seamless data transfer from the field to secure online accounts
* Remote capabilities for changing settings and profiles from distant locations
* Remote live support via high-speed Internet slashes downtime and operator error
* Compatible with both Raven and non-Raven precision ag equipment.
Listen to my interview with Ryan here: Interview With Ryan Molitor


It looks like the 
But the convention must go on. And so it does. A few meetings have gotten under way today, including a meeting of state beef council execs with the Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s collections compliance staff to discuss checkoff collections issues across the country. Another meeting going on this afternoon is of the members of the 

Our good friend Joel Jaeger,
In a joint announcement today, CommodityUPDATE, LLC, and
International is in the name of the show and our sponsor for coverage of the largest poultry show in the world. Novus International shows that by having a number of their representatives on hand for different areas of the world. I spoke with several of them during the International Poultry Expo starting with Shawn Atkins, Sales Director, Poultry & Dairy, in the United States. Shawn talks about how their products can help with feed optimization which is crucial to raising poultry successfully. He says attendees have been asking about specific products in the specialty area.
Turning to another part of the world I spoke with Albert Van Dijk, Market Manager, Poultry & Swine, EME. Albert handles the European and Middle East territory. He says poultry is a challenging market in the EU right now since growth has stabilized. However, in areas like the Ukraine, Turkey and Russia poultry is growing.
Our next stop on our world tour with Novus is the northern Latin America region. Taking care of business there is Jorge Gonzalez, Sales Manager, LAN. His region includes Mexico. Jorge says the business is big and growing. It has also been expanding beyond poultry into swine and ruminants.
Finally, let’s look at the Asian/Pacific market with Craige Allan (pictured right), Regional Marketing Manager, South East Asia. He says all areas are experiencing growth in production/consumption since the population is growing so much. Craige enjoys finding out the needs of his customers and then helping them to formulate a solution. He says this strategy works well for Novus.

