Kids, Hogs, Horses & Tractors

Joanna Schroeder

I spent a majority of the morning today at World Pork Expo hanging out in the swine and cattle barns. While I was there, I had the opportunity to see my first pig showing competition. The World Pork Expo Junior National’s was in high gear and several hundred people were in and around the show ring supporting the competitors.

There was a family here today from Oklahoma that I spent a little time with. This is their daughters first show (she was the cutest little girl and about four years old) and she told me that she was having a lot of fun. Maybe we’ll see her in on the winner’s stage later today.

I also walked through the Toy Tractor exhibit where you can by anything from the latest toy to an antique tractor from nearly 100 years ago, and then stopped by the horse ring to watch some beautiful show horses.

Later this afternoon, weather permitting, MusicFest will begin and I’m getting really excited for Novus’ pig roast. In addition, participants in the Crusin’ with the Hogs, will ride down Grand Avenue.

There’s a lot more fun around the corner so check back for more updates. You can also get updates on my Twitter account @jmschroeder. You can also check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.

AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Novus International, Pork, Swine, Video, World Pork Expo

John Deere Gator XUV Offers Lots of Options

Chuck Zimmerman

This is what the action looks like out here at Carolina Adventure World for the John Deere Gator XUV product launch and media event. I had my turn and I have video and interviews that will wait until another time.

I spoke with John Gilbeck, John Deere Product Marketing Manager, about the new machines during a break in the action. He says there are 3 new models, the 625i, 855D and 825i. The 825i is really the star of the show with maximum speed of 44 mph! I can verify that since I did it on one straight stretch of our riding area. He provides an overview of features and options that you’ll find on the new machines. John Deere is offering a significant amount of dealer installed options which he says offers customers some savings when picking some of the options.

I’ve updated my photo album with some action photos of the new machines being driven by the journalists out there: John Deere Gator XUV Launch Photo Album

You can learn more about the new Gators with the John Deere news release.

Audio, John Deere

Improved Feed Quality = Improved Pig Health

Joanna Schroeder

There are many elements of a pig producer’s operations that could affect both pig health and his bottom line. One such factor is the quality of animal feed. Poor quality can spell trouble for the pigs….illness, depressed growth and lower birth rates just to name a few. To learn more about how to address problems with feed and some options for improving feed quality, I spoke with Scott Moore, Regional Sales Manager for Novus International.

Moore noted that the past 12-18 months has been very challenging for many pork producers. “Crop conditions last fall produced quite a few micotoxins in feed and grain crops that negatively impacted the pig’s ability to consume feed and gain properly.” The result is that many producers have seen reduced performance due to the stress the grain has caused. “When pigs don’t perform up to producers’ expectations, its costly for the producer.”

Novus has several options for producers who need immediate help offsetting the negative effects caused by feed containing mycotoxins. This year, the worst mycotoxin culprit is known as DON, or vomitoxin. Moore noted that Novus has spent many years studying and researching the oxidative balance of the animal and he believes that they have several products that will help the pigs eat properly. Two products he recommends are SOLIS and ZORIEN MOS. Both of these products are designed to reduce the impact of poor feed quality.

It can be challenging for a pork producer to identify and then treat problems with his feed. To help, Novus has an in-house testing facility that can assess any problems and then work with the producer to create a customized plan to improve feed quality. Moore stressed that the addition of SOLIS or ZORIEN MOS to feed will have an immediate and positive impact on a pig’s ability to consume feed, and ultimately, put a producer’s profitability back on track.

You can listen to my full interview with Scott below.

Check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.

AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Audio, Feed, Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Why BASF Cares About Sustainability

Cindy Zimmerman

BASF ChicagoDefining and improving sustainability is important for all of production agriculture around the globe, which is why BASF has taken a keen interest in the subject.

Markus Heldt is president of crop protection for BASF global, located in Germany, a position he took last year after serving for many years as head of crop protection for the company in North America. During a conference on sustainability for ag media in Chicago this week, he said that while the general public trusts farmers, they have little confidence in farming methods. “What we find increasingly disturbing is the disconnect of how the general public views farming operations, especially in the US and in Europe,” Markus said. “A very romantic and idealistic picture of agriculture that is not existing any longer.”

Markus says farmers are taking care of the land and improving the way they do business, but consumers do not understand that and it is a challenge for the entire agriculture industry. “We as a company, as an industry, have to a better job to try and bridge that gap,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Markus in the player below.

BASF Ag Media Summit on Sustainability photo album

Audio, BASF, Sustainability, Uncategorized

John Deere Gator XUV Adventure Begins

Chuck Zimmerman

We’ve got a lot of media types out at Carolina Adventure World to drive the new John Deere Gator XUV’s.

We’ll be starting off with a briefing in just a few minutes before going to the driving course. There is some very slow internet here at the headquarters building so I probably will be off line most of the day. I’ll try to stop back by before leaving for an update this afternoon though.

Here’s Greg Lamp, Corn and Soybean Digest, on one of the new Gator 825i machines. These will be the ones we’re riding today although I heard something about a military application too. More on that later.

In the meantime you can see and hear the launch in my post from last night. So I hope you enjoy.

John Deere

New John Deere Gator 825i XUV

Chuck Zimmerman

Here it is. The 2011 John Deere 825i Gator utility vehicle. I’ll be out on this bad boy tomorrow so you can count on some video. Here’s a link to some photos from the event: John Deere Gator XUV Photo Album

“Headlining the 2011 XUV models will be the brand new Gator XUV 825i – the fastest and most powerful Gator ever produced,” said David Gigandet, tactical marketing manager, utility vehicles. “Anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors will enjoy putting its best-in-class advanced engine system to the test.”

Boasting 50 HP, it is the highest-powered engine in its class with superior low-end torque for taking on even the toughest tasks, trails, and terrain. Horsepower is delivered by an 815cc, liquid cooled, inline 3-cylinder engine featuring 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and electronic fuel injection.

“And, the 825i can travel at speeds up to 44 mph,” emphasized Gigandet. “This is the fastest Gator we’ve ever built and this is an example of the commitment we’ve made to provide top-of-the-line XUVs for the outdoor enthusiast.”

So there you have it. New Gators unveiled and more to come. For those of you who missed the unveiling I have the full audio of the presentation posted below as well as the video of the unveiling.

John Deere

Spirits High at World Pork Expo Trade Show

Joanna Schroeder

The spirits among the World Pork Expo exhibitors and the producers are high this year and people are confident that things will continue to improve as the year continues. An estimated 15,000 people from around the globe are expected to attend this year’s event and experience the food, entertainment, educational sessions, and learn about the latest and greatest technologies and products to help them improve their operations.

As I walked through the trade show taking pictures and speaking with companies, I spoke with Rick Bryson with Georgia-Pacific about their biodegradable mats. The Compost-A-Mat is used when the pigs are giving birth and helps to keep the piglets healthy and lowers the chance of spreading disease. Their second sustainable product, the Heartwood Compostable Pen Mat, is used during the weaning process. Since the mats are compostable, they can be added to an operations compost piles.

There are more products, technologies and services here than I can name from nutrition products to automated feed systems to insemination options to products aimed at improving gut health. I’ll be spending more time in the exhibit hall tomorrow and will bring you some additional information about these products.

While you wait….check out our World Pork Expo Photo Album where you’ll be able to experience everything the Expo has to offer minus how amazing the food here is!

AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Winning Hearts and Minds, One at a Time

John Davis

One of the issues folks in the pork industry know they have is that too many in the public don’t understand what they do. And if they don’t understand, they’re liable not to support hog farmers’ efforts. While an event like World Pork Expo here in Des Moines is important to educate producers and industry folks, there’s also great value in educating people who might never make it to an event like this. That’s why our friends at Boehringer Ingelheim sponsored a seminar this afternoon, entitled, “Creating a Positive Public Image of Today’s Pork Industry.”

Malcolm DeKryger, Vice President for DeMotte, IN-based, Belstra Milling, talked to the group gathered about his company’s efforts, showing and not just telling people how they operate.

“We have put one of our [hog] farms through a remodel process that put in windows so that people can go to almost any barn on the farm and look inside to see what’s going on.”

DeKryger says when groups come out to his Iroquois Valley Swine Breeders operation, they have what he calls the “Oh, WOW!” moment, when they see for themselves how well cared the pigs really are. In addition, they’ve installed two live webcams at www.RealPigFarm.com, where anyone can watch 24 hours a day what goes on. He says his folks are proud of how they handle the animals and want to share what they do day-to-day.

In addition, DeKryger meets with key lawmakers to make his point that animal feeding operations are necessary to feed the large populations, especially in cities such as Chicago. He says they’re winning hearts and minds, one at a time.

“Between a tour like that, where we make contact person-to-person and with the [donations to the local food banks], I really do believe there’s an affirmation as I visit with key decision makers.”

DeKryger says they take all the proper biosecurity measures and make sure that no one from outside the farm (besides the vet) makes contacts with the pigs. He believes that more companies could and should make efforts like this for the overall good of the pork industry.

“We need to have a unified voice to let people know that this is good stuff that happens out on these farms.”

Check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.

AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Unveiling New John Deere Gator XUV’s

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere is about to unveil its new line of Gator XUV utility vehicles for the media in Charlotte, NC. I’ll post a photo after the unveiling and a video clip later this evening.

In the meantime, just look at the veil and drool!

John Deere recently unleashed its most performance-driven Gator utility vehicles yet. Targeted toward the true outdoor adventurist, the 2011 lineup of Crossover Utility Vehicles (XUV) is packed with advanced features that deliver an unparalleled balance between work and recreation.

Yes, I’ll have more later. Just a teaser.

John Deere

American Agriculture’s Strategic National Asset

Chuck Zimmerman

CUTCThe Corn Utilization and Technology Conference concluded today with a final general session on water usage. Opening the session was Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. I met with Rick before heading back to the agriblogging highway and we talked about his message of agvocating. That of course is advocating for agriculture.

Rick says we have such a great story to tell that he calls us “agriculture’s strategic national asset.” The agribusiness sector is so productive and has many success stories but unfortunately some of the discussion going on at the national level is very negative. So he says it’s up to us to change the conversation around. That’s why NCGA has worked at not only creating its own social media information channels but has scheduled workshops for growers to learn how to use today’s new communications technologies to make their voice heard in the online conversation. If you know me then you know how much I agree with the approach NCGA is taking! Rick says that it’s very important for farmers to make their voice heard because research shows that consumers are more trusting of information about food when it comes from the farmer than many other sources.

You can listen to my interview with Rick below.

Don’t forget to check out the CUTC Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, CUTC, NCGA, Social Networking