Farm Progress Show Photo Frenzy

Cindy Zimmerman

FPS 09There are acres of photos available on line in our Flickr photo albums from Farm Progress Show 2009. The ZimmComm media team of Carly, Chuck and myself took hundreds of photos around the show and picked the best for the albums. We have 433 in the regular show album so far (Chuck still needs to load a few more) and another 129 in the BASF photo album. Feel free to download and use any photos you would like – or any of the audio we have loaded on the site – no charge!

FPS 09 New HollandIt was a busy three days and both the weather and attendance must have been record setting. This was my first show, but from what I understand, there has probably never been a show in history that had the kind of picture perfect weather we had all three days. It’s always either cold and rainy, dry and windy, or ridiculously hot. You just can’t complain about three days of blue skies, moderate temperatures and cool breezes!

FPS 09 BASFWe still have LOTS more posts to do from the show, so we will be working on that over the long holiday weekend as Chuck and I celebrate our anniversary with a weekend at Lake of the Ozarks! We sincerely thank our sponsors BASF and New Holland for bringing you our coverage here on Agwired and AgLeader Technology on Precision Pays.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

BASF at Farm Progress Show photo album

AgWired coverage of the 2009 Farm Progress Show
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

BASF, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

Friends At Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Cindy and LeahFor many in the ag media, events like the Farm Progress Show are opportunities to catch up with friends. Cindy and I saw good friend Leah (Guffey) Banister. Leah’s wedding July 4th was my last trip on the road for almost 2 months. Leah used to be a farm broadcaster in Springfield, IL and now works for their convention and visitor’s bureau. She was showing us her new Nikon D500 camera.

We may compete with each other at times but when it comes down to it, ag journalists share a lot of time together at events like this and face a lot of the same challenges. I like how we’re always willing to help each other out and it has been great to be here at the show and see so many friends in the media and agrimarketing.

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2009 Farm Progress Show
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

Farm Progress Show

A New Holland Legend Returns

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland Boomer 8NThe New Holland Rustler utility vehicle isn’t the only attention grabber here at the Farm Progress Show. The retro Boomer 8N is also front and center. I spoke with New Holland Product Manager, Paul Trella, about their new products like the Boomer 8N.

The latest addition to the company’s Boomer line, the redesigned 8N features distinctive, timeless styling, a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that creates a fun, easy, car-like driving experience as well as a variety of customizable accessories. First sold in 1948, this updated version of the classic 8N is now available to consumers seeking reliable power wrapped in a compact and time-honored package.

Of course the Rustler is also getting attention and Paul says customers are saying, “It’s about time.” Of course you can get the new vehicles in New Holland blue but you can also customize them in camo or black or probably any color you’d like. I’ve got several photos of them in our photo album.

You can learn more about the new things from New Holland in my interview with Paul below and you can see the Rustler in action in this video clip:

Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2009 Farm Progress Show
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

Audio, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Tractor, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Ag Leader Technology, Inc., announced new and enhanced industry file format support from the market-leading SMS Basic and SMS Advanced precision farming desktop software.
  • NAFB is initiating its third major national research study in four years, with the Internet Ag Information Usage Study commissioned with Ag Media Research, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  • T-L Irrigation Co., announces the availability of a 3-wheel tower option. The 3-wheel option can be used with any non-towable pivot tower that has or will be encountering problems with machine flotation.
  • Livestock Publication gala set for Oct. 30: Two outstanding individuals will be honored and their portraits unveiled and hung in the LPC Hall of Honor during the American Royal.
    Zimfo Bytes

    New Era in Weed Management

    Cindy Zimmerman

    BASF Bryan YoungGlyphosate resistance is a growing problem for growers in the Midwest, according to Dr. Bryan Young with Southern Illinois University, who gave a presentation on the issue and how to handle it at the BASF tent during Farm Progress Show 2009.

    “Without a doubt it is growing,” Bryan says. “The largest problem is the glyphosate resistant mare’s tail but now we are seeing resistant waterhemp showing up, it’s present in several states now.” Bryan says growers need to start implementing different strategies, using a combination of weed control, to help prevent the spread or even the evolution of resistant weeds on their own operations.

    Dr. Young was also on the Kixor panel in the BASF theater this week, talking about the new chemistry and the Kixor-powered herbicides that are awaiting final registration from EPA any day now.

    See photos of BASF at Farm Progress Show here on Flickr.

    Listen to or download an interview with Bryan Young talking about weed management and the Kixor products:

    Audio, BASF, Farm Progress Show

    New Hay Tools From New Holland

    Chuck Zimmerman

    New Holland Hay ToolsA major focus for New Holland here at the Farm Progress Show is their lineup of haying equipment. I spoke with Gary Wojcik who provided an overview of all the different products New Holland has just introduced.

    Products include: BR7000 Series Round Balers, Carted Wheel Rakes, Crop Mergers,
    H6000 Series Disc Mowers, H7000 Series Discbine® Disc Mower-Conditioners,
    H8000 Series Speedrower® Self-Propelled Windrowers, Automatic Bale Wagons, BB9000 Series Large Square Balers, BC5000 Series Small Square Balers, Roll-Belt™ Round Balers and Tedders.

    New Holland Hay ToolsGary says one of the newest tools in the lineup is their Heavy Duty wheel rake.

    New Holland’s new H5980 heavy-duty wheel rake is built for the rigorous demands of hay growers requiring high-speed, high-volume, flat-land raking. The rake can be operated at speeds as high as 15 mph.

    With eight 60″ raking wheels on the left side and nine on the right, the H5980 rakes an area up to 30’3″ wide. This offset design turns all the crop, ensuring uniform crop drydown. There’s no need for a center kicker wheel, so the operator can drive faster. A convenient hydraulic adjustment allows the operator to change windrow width from the tractor seat to produce a finished windrow as wide as 72″.

    Gary says most of these products will be available by year end and now is a good time to pre-order which will also help them plan their production to meet customer’s needs.

    You can listen to my interview with Gary below:

    Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2009 Farm Progress Show
    is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

    Audio, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

    Bird’s Eye View of Farm Progress Show

    carly

    Farm Progress 2009Today I had the privilege of climbing to the top of a five story Sukup grain storage bin to get a bird’s eye, 360 degree view of the grounds of the Progress City. Standing high above the crowd I could see and snap photos of the record crowds and all of the exhibits and activities going on below me. Although I was shaking the whole way up the staircase, due to my fear of heights, I tried to capture the energy and beautiful weather we have had this week.

    It was pretty spectacular to look over the entire expanse of the site after walking ground level up and down the streets on foot or riding in a golf cart – or the New Holland Rustler! I was very impressed with the effort put forth by the exhibitors, the beautiful landscaping and how each exhibit seemed to be more inviting than the next.

    Farm Progress 2009Even though I have been exposed to agriculture all of my life because of my parents’ careers, I guess I never knew how really interesting it is. Chatting with my parents about how the corn fields look and what chemicals they use on them is not usually in our everyday conversation!
    I have learned so much about corn and soybeans and yield and machinery these past couple of days, I have a new appreciation for the people who produce the food that I eat every day. Farming is pretty darn hard work and a lot more complicated than most people probably think.

    The weather really has been incredibly beautiful – everyone says it is the best weather they have ever had for the show. No rain, no excessive heat, not brutally cold. Is this Progress City or Panama City? If it will be like this again next year, sign me up!

    Check out more of my bird’s eye view photos on the Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2009 Farm Progress Show
    is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

    BASF, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

    Farm Progress Show Update

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Farm Progress ShowIt’s looking like a record breaking Farm Progress Show and to learn more about how it’s going I spoke with Jeff Lapin, President, Farm Progress Companies.

    He says that opening day was record attendance and the streets have been full. Exhibitor feedback has been great. And of course this has to be some of the nicest weather we’ve had at a show in some time. Having permanent sites which have been improved so much with paved streets and exhibitors who have invested a lot in their exhibit areas also helps make for a unique and enjoyable atmosphere for attendees.

    You can listen to my interview with Jeff below:

    Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2009 Farm Progress Show
    is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

    Audio, Farm Progress Show

    Headline® Grower Panel at the Farm Progress Show

    Cindy Zimmerman

    BASF panel at FPS09World champion soybean grower Kip Cullers is sharing the stage with three other award-winning corn and/or soybean grower in the BASF Theater at the Farm Progress Show, sharing how Headline® fungicide factors into the formula behind their success.

    Kip was joined by fellow Missouri growers Gary Porter and Jerry Cox, as well as Texas corn grower champ Steve Albracht during a panel discussion yesterday which will be repeated this afternoon. All of them credited Headline fungicide with helping them maintain high yields in both corn and soybeans.

    “Ya gotta use it, it’s just a no-brainer,” Kip says simply. “You gotta decide if you want to be on the ‘die and dry’ program or the ‘ripen and yield’ program – I prefer the ripen and yield program.”

    See photos of BASF at Farm Progress Show here on Flickr.

    Listen to or download interviews with Kip, Gary and Jerry here:

    Audio, BASF, Farm Progress Show