What’s NUE From John Deere

Cindy Zimmerman February 10, 2010

AgWired coverage of opening day at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

2010 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

What is NUE from John Deere at the 2010 National Farm Machinery Show is Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency.

I talked to Dave Wendt with John Deere, who was demonstrating the new addition to the 2510 high speed nutrient applicators. “This machine is a 23 row model, set up on 30 inch spacing to not only side dress, but to run in fall or spring pre-plant.”

The machine folds up into a nice 18 foot package for on-road transport, but the really cool thing that Dave was demonstrating was how it hooks up to the PitStop Pro tendering system to help customers quickly and efficiently change anhydrous ammonia tanks without leaving the cab of the tractor.

“Today, to hook and unhook anhydrous tanks manually might take 10-12 minutes,” Dave said. “With the PitStop System, we’re looking at about a minute and a half to two minutes.” The system is controlled through the same GS2 display in the cab that runs the AutoTrac or rate controller.

Listen to or download my interview with Dave in the player below and watch a demo video here:

Audio, Farm Machinery, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Video

Time For A Fuel Change

Chuck Zimmerman February 10, 2010

If you’ve ever attended a National Biodiesel Conference then you know Emily Richards and Jason Brock. These music stars are passionate about their belief in renewable fuels and have been regular performers at the conference.

This morning they took the stage during the closing general session and played some songs from a new album they’ve put together to promote biodiesel. I’ll have more on that in a later post. I’ve got full coverage in progress on the Biodiesel Conference Blog and on Domestic Fuel.

In the meantime, I thought you’d enjoy a video of them being joined on stage by National Biodiesel Board Chairman, Ed Hegland and CEO, Joe Jobe. They did a variation of a song you’ll recognize and so give a listen to “Time For A Fuel Change.”

You can also listen to the song here.

Biofuels, Video

Opening Day at National Farm Machinery Show

Cindy Zimmerman February 10, 2010

AgWired coverage of opening day at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

2010 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

It was kind of a slow start to the 2010 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, thanks to the weather, but by lunch time it appeared to be just about back to a normal crowd.

I talked with Harold Workman, president and CEO of the Kentucky Exposition Center which handles the big show, and he emphasized that it’s business as usual for the four day show. “We got some pretty northern weather here with 6-8 inches of snow that came in yesterday,” he said. “But the interstates are clear, we got the parking lots cleared off, and a lot of people are coming in to the show.”

This is the 45th year for the show which Harold said started in one little corner of one of their wings and grown to more than 800 exhibitors filling over 1.2 million square feet of blessedly indoor space. “It really has become an icon – kind of a barometer for the agribusiness industry,” he said. Attendance is normally right around 300,000 for all four days of the show, including the Championship Tractor Pull sponsored by Syngenta. That event is just a few years younger than the NFMS and is always a sell out.

Listen to or download my interview with Harold Workman in the player below, and enjoy a little 360 degree view video of one of the exhibit hall wings from high atop the John Deere tower here:

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Machinery, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort February 10, 2010

The Dairy Business Association recently held elections for their board of directors during their Annual Business Conference’s annual meeting. Re-elected for a third term was corporate member Greg Steele. Newly elected dairy producers include Gordon Speirs and Dr. Gordon A. Jones.
ANIMART recently donated more than $1,000 to the Dairy Business Association (DBA) on behalf of producer members who purchased Pfizer Animal Health products during a recent program.
Advanta US Inc. announces that it has acquired 100 percent of the assets and business of Crosbyton Seed Company.
Harlan Little has been named the North American Business Manager for Leica Geosystems’ agriculture group.

Zimfo Bytes

Snowy Start to National Farm Machinery Show

Cindy Zimmerman February 10, 2010

The good news is that it’s not snowing now – the bad news is that Louisville got a record one day snowfall of seven inches yesterday, which delayed lots of flights coming in for the National Farm Machinery Show.

It is pretty cold here – with 28 degrees the official temperature and 16 with the wind chill. So, it is a little slow to start this morning, but I am sure things will get moving right along soon.

Stay tuned here for coverage from the entire show.

AgWired coverage of opening day at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

Equipment, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show

NCFC Launches Campaign to Tell Co-op Story

Cindy Zimmerman February 9, 2010

“Farmer Cooperatives: Providing for America” is the theme of a new campaign launched this month by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC).

NCFC launched the new campaign at its 81st Annual Meeting in Santa Barbara, California last week to tell the story of this country’s 2500 farmer cooperatives to policy makers, government officials, and the American public. The campaign will emphasize the central role that co-ops play in preserving the family farm, supporting the rural economy, and bringing innovative products to consumers in the U.S. and around the world.

“From corner groceries, to superstores, to school lunch programs, farmer cooperatives provide the affordable, abundant food, fiber and fuel that America needs,” said NCFC President & CEO Chuck Conner in his speech to attendees. “Through our ‘Farmer Co-ops: Providing for America’ campaign, NCFC will be carrying these messages and more to policy makers, government officials and the American public.”

NCFC launches the campaign as the first Department of Justice (DOJ)/U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) workshop on antitrust issues in agriculture is approaching on March 12 in Ankeny, Iowa.

NCFC and its members maintain that the officials holding the workshops must realize that the Capper-Volstead Act, which provides limited antitrust immunity to farmers forming co-ops, is a cornerstone to ensuring competition in agriculture and a vibrant rural economy. Without Capper-Volstead, farmer co-ops could not exist, and any two farmers coming together to talk about price would face harsh civil and criminal antitrust penalties.

“The DOJ/USDA hearings on antitrust in agriculture may seem harmless, but I can tell you this—the officials with DOJ are questioning the very foundation of farmer cooperatives—the Capper-Volstead Act,” Conner continued. “Our job is to tell the true stories of co-ops, and the benefits that they provide to their farmer-owners, to their local rural communities, and to consumers in the U.S. and around the world. In doing this, we aim to ensure that our children and grandchildren can continue farming in partnership with their co-ops.”

Read more here.

Cooperatives, Farming

Off to the Farm Machinery Show

Cindy Zimmerman February 9, 2010

I am heading out to Louisville this evening to cover the National Farm Machinery Show, which starts tomorrow.

New this year – you can become a fan of NFMS on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Seems like every show is into the social networking thing now – and that is great!

Our coverage of NFMS here on Agwired and Precision Pays will be brought to you thanks to the sponsorship of New Holland, Ag Leader and John Deere.

After NFMS, I will be heading to the Sunshine State – yeah! – to cover the 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference on Domestic Fuel for the Renewable Fuels Association.

Wow – that’s a lot of links! See you down the road!

Ag Leader, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

MN Soybean Grower Addresses Biodiesel Conference

Chuck Zimmerman February 9, 2010

Today’s National Biodiesel Conference general session featured National Biodiesel Board Chairman Ed Hegland. He’s completing his final term as Chairman.

He started his comments by reminding everyone that today is the anniversary of daylight savings time which was created to conserve on our energy supply during World War I. It was an innovative idea then and when it comes to the innovative work the industry is doing today he says, “We’re here to fuel change.”

Ed pointed out that there are members of all segments of the petroleum industry here today and they participated in a panel discussion after his comments. I’ll post that shortly. He presented some of the findings from a research study done by NBB on consumers and their awareness and perceptions of biodiesel. He says the study finds that consumers who are aware of biodiesel have a favorable opinion of it. He also talks about being a soybean farmer and the incredible technology that is allowing him to grow more with less.

You can listen to Ed’s speech below.

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

BASF, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Soybean

Improvement in the Poultry Industry

Cindy Zimmerman February 9, 2010

Attendance at the 2010 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo was up over last year at approximately 19,000. In 2009 attendance was just 17,800 due to the overall downturn in the economy and higher input costs. So, things are looking up for the poultry industry right now.

At the expo, I had the opportunity to chat about chicken with Novus International Vice President of the Americas Dan Meagher about poultry before he headed out to the Cattle Industry Conference in San Antonio to talk about their commitment to the beef industry. Dan says the outlook for the poultry industry is better than it was last year.

“I see poultry rebounding. I’m very bearish on poultry – both broilers and layers,” Dan told me. Even though consumption has been down in the poultry sector, with the economy the way it is and the world population growing, he believes the consumption outlook is very positive.

Meanwhile, lower feed and energy costs are helping the industry, but the aggressive tactics of animal activists are causing the industry to have to defend its production practices and Dan says Novus has a role in helping producers to that. “Number one, we need to help our customers advance the enhancement nutritionally of their product down the food channel,” Dan said. “Secondly, we’re very active in supporting the industry because we believe in the message that needs to be communicated. We have a very sustainable platform and our job is to make sure that we be a partner with our customers and with the industry on education.”

Listen to my interview with Dan Meagher of Novus here:

Audio, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Novus Acquires Animal Nutrition Division of Albion

Cindy Zimmerman February 8, 2010

Novus was hoping to make this big announcement at the recent Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, but sometimes the legal wheels slow down the process a bit. But this new deal means an expanded commitment for Novus to the livestock industry worldwide, especially for cattle.

Novus International has finalized the acquisition of the Animal Nutrition Division of Albion Laboratories in Clearfield, Utah.

Products from the acquisition, including the MAAC (R) chelated trace mineral product line, will align with Novus’s MINTREX® and GLYTREX® chelated trace mineral products and further expand Novus’s mineral technology. This acquisition will enable Novus to offer a broader range of products to address the needs of different customers in different parts of the world to support their livestock operations.

Since its establishment in 1956, Albion has been an innovator in mineral chelate nutrition. Albion manufactures highly bioavailable, research based, nutritional chelated trace mineral forms and has a long-standing customer base in both the beef and dairy markets.

Geographically, Albion is primarily present in the animal organic trace mineral industry in the U.S., Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Japan. The combined geographic and market presence will provide Novus the opportunity to offer new customers a wider range of health and nutritional products, programs and solutions.