What Would You Say to McCain?

Cindy Zimmerman

AEM Ed SchaferRepublican presidential candidate Senator John McCain is causing quite a bit of concern among members of the agriculture and ethanol industries with his comments about farm programs and ethanol incentives. Last week in Missouri, McCain said, “My administration will reduce the price of food by eliminating the subsidies for ethanol and agricultural goods. These subsidies inflate the price of food, not only for Americans but for people in poverty across the world, and I propose to abolish them.”

During a question and answer period yesterday at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers AgExecutive Forum, I had the opportunity to ask Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer what he would say to Senator McCain about farm policy if he had the opportunity.

“What I would say to Senator McCain is this: ‘You’re flat out wrong about your agriculture policy,'” Schafer said bluntly, while noting that he needs to be careful what he says in the political arena. “I would say that both candidates leave a lot on the table to be desired for agricultural policy. I’d love to have the opportunity to get in there and say ‘this is the importance of agriculture in this economy’ and I don’t think either one of them are seeing it.”

Schafer hopes that Senator McCain gets some advisers who can help him see that “agriculture is the foundation of the economy and the strength of this country.”

Listen to Schafer’s comments here:
schafer-mccain.mp3

You can also download his comments with this link: Ed Schafer on McCain ag policy (mp3)


Download photos of Schafer and others from the AEM AgExecutive Forum here.

AEM, Audio, politics

New 6D Series Utility Tractors From John Deere

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere 6D Series Utility TractorThe other major line of utility tractor just launched by John Deere is the 6D Series. I spoke with Brett about this new tractor while we were out in the field at the media event in Sarasota, FL.

– In today’s competitive work, farm, and ranch environment, many customers are looking for an economical utility tractor with more horsepower and better performance to handle common chores and still provide a comfortable working environment for the operator. Building on the popular 6003 Series Tractors, the new 6D Series provides even more features and value for the dollar

“The top three models are powered by a 4.5L PowerTech™ E diesel engine with a high-pressure common rail (HPCR) injection system,” says Alejandro Galindo, product manager, John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works. “These efficient engines are designed to provide power when needed to handle even the toughest jobs.”

The 6100D features a field-proven, fuel-efficient 100-hp PowerTech™ engine with rotary fuel injection pump. It’s designed to deliver excellent power and lugging ability in a variety of work situations.

If you’d like, you can listen to my interview with Brett here: drive-green-08-6d.mp3

You can also download it with this link: 6D Series Tractor Interview (mp3)

John Deere Drive Green Photo Album

Audio, Equipment, John Deere, Tractor, Video

New 5 Series of Utility Tractors From John Deere

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere 5 Series Utility TractorOne of the new utility tractors that John Deere has just launched is the 5D, 5E, 5E Limited and 5M Series. To learn more about it I spoke with Blake Barnes at one of our field stops during this week’s media event.

Utility tractors ranging from 45 – 105 engine horsepower have many uses for property owners, commercial operators, governmental maintenance fleets, and livestock and farm operations. To better serve the diverse requirements of these different type customers, John Deere introduces a new line of utility tractors: the 5D, 5E, 5E Limited and 5M Series. These new tractors are designed to perform any application, with any implement, within any budget to meet the needs of any customer in the utility tractor market.

“This is the most complete line of utility tractors we’ve ever offered,” says Rex Edmunds, division marketing manager, John Deere Augusta. “We’ve designed these tractors to meet the requirements of many different customers with many different applications, and we’re providing a wide array of options to bring the optimal configuration and horsepower to their operation.”

If you’d like, you can listen to my interview with Blake here: drive-green-08-5.mp3

You can also download it with this link: Blake Barnes Interview (mp3)

John Deere Drive Green Photo Album

Audio, Equipment, John Deere, Tractor, Video

New Utility Tractors From John Deere

Chuck Zimmerman

Media and John DeereThe first stop on our John Deere, Drive Green, media event was an introduction to the new utility tractors. Dan Pashke (in video, not this picture) gave us the rundown with the who/what/where/when and why. In this video clip you’ll also see some demonstrations of the machines. All the new utility tractors use the new John Deere name/numbering system.

What’s in a name? Quite a bit actually – especially when it comes to tractors. John Deere announces it’s currently transitioning to a new name and number system for its full line of tractors with the introduction of the new 5D, 5E, 5M, and 6D Series Tractors.

“The updated name and numbering system is unique to John Deere and allows for a more consistent approach to naming our equipment around the world,” says Steve Robisky, John Deere marketing administration manager. “This new system allows customers to more quickly and easily identify the engine horsepower of a tractor, its capability, and its size by looking at the hood decal,” Robisky adds.

Each new tractor model number has six available positions. The first position is a number and represents its size. The second, third, and fourth positions are numbers and denote its approximate engine horsepower according to 97/68/EC Standards. The fifth position is a letter and indicates its capability and/or price level within its family.

John Deere Drive Green Photo Album

Audio, Equipment, John Deere, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Elanco announced it has finalized the purchase of Posilac (sometribove), a supplement for dairy cows, from Monsanto. The acquisition includes complete worldwide rights, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Augusta, Ga., and product-support operations.
  • Agri-Business Solutions is changing its name to Water Street Solutions. “Water” is a fundamental resource necessary for the success of agricultural producers while “Street” keeps in mind the consumer who drives the demand for crops and livestock. A project is currently underway to renovate a historic building on the Illinois riverfront as the new company headquarters.
  • Ceres, Inc. has named Paul M. Kuc to be the energy crop company’s Chief Financial Officer, ahead of the launch of its seed business. Kuc will oversee Ceres’ capital management and financial systems, among other responsibilities. Ceres, which is developing new crops for next-generation biofuels and biopower, plans to commercialize its first seed products under the trade name Blade Energy Crops later this year.
  • MGEX (Minneapolis Grain Exchange or Exchange) announced results of its annual Board of Directors (Board) election, held Oct. 2. Elected candidates include Scott A. Cordes, Country Hedging, Inc.; Scott O. Hedin, St. Croix Commodities, Inc.; Christopher T. Matzdorf, UBS Securities, LLC; and Scott D. Nagel, ADM-Benson Quinn, a division of Archer Daniels Midland. The newly elected Board members will serve two year terms, effective immediately.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Agri-Pulse Has an Open Mic

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Agri-Pulse Open MicSara Wyant and Stewart Doan at Agri-Pulse have started a new weekly audio interview program called Open Mic. Great idea since I know they talk with people “on the inside” a lot. Now if they’ll just add an rss feed for it then I can subscribe to it and get it on my computer/iPod automatically (podcast)!

    Challenging times call for unique insight and perspective — the type of information that Agri-Pulse editors provide to subscribers on a regular basis. Starting today, Agri-Pulse will launch a new in-depth weekly audio interview on www.Agri-Pulse.com called “Open Mic.” Senior Editor Stewart Doan conducted the first live agricultural interview with Illinois Senator and Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

    “This is the first time that Sen. Obama has taken time out of his campaign to speak with any agricultural journalist about his views on the farm bill and agriculture in general,” says Editor Sara Wyant. “It’s a fitting tribute to Agri-Pulse Senior Editor Stewart Doan, who was named the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year in 2006 and is past president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.”

    Wyant says Agri-Pulse editors will interview elected and Administration officials for this “Open Mic” feature, but also plan to talk to many CEOs and industry leaders.

    “Every week, we plan to interview an individual who has a global view of some of the most important issues and trends impacting the agricultural sector today,” says Wyant. “Whether it’s a discussion about food, feed, fuel, and fiber production or rural issues in general, we’ll provide valuable insights from key decision-makers who are guiding some of the largest companies, agencies and organizations.”

    The Open Mic interview is sponsored by Broadhead + Co, a Minneapolis-based marketing agency connecting the interests of urban and rural America. Visit www.broadheadco.com.

    Stewart Doan and Ed SchaferCindy here with an addition to this post. Here is a photo of Stewart interviewing Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer yesterday in St. Louis for this new program. Unfortunately, they do not have a photo of him interviewing Sen. Obama, as the interview was done by phone – not a real exciting photo op, I guess.

    How about an interview with Sen. McCain now, guys? He could use some education on the ag side. I will be posting Schafer’s answer to a question I asked him yesterday about McCain’s attitude toward farm programs later today.

    Media

    Advocate for Agriculture

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AEM Dr. Jay LehrDr. Jay Lehr has the title of Science Director for an organization called The Heartland Institute, which is a national nonprofit research and education organization with the goal to “discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems.”

    He is also an entertaining and passionate speaker who believes in spreading the good news about agriculture to places that are far removed from the farm – like the streets of San Francisco. He spoke about the importance of being an advocate for agriculture to agribusiness corporate leaders meeting in St. Louis at the AEM AgExecutive forum Thursday.

    “People don’t understand agriculture and they believe the myths that they hear. They don’t even understand what fertilizer is, they think that we are despoiling the land when in fact we’re the best environmental stewards,” Dr. Lehr said.

    He encourages people in agriculture to be pro-active in talking about modern farming and he is particularly interested in promoting precision ag. “The average person thinks that farming today is the same as it was in his grandfather’s day and it’s changed dramatically – using global positioning systems, geographic information systems and variable rate technology, automatic steering – which allows us to reduce our inputs by being more accurate.”

    Listen to an interview with Dr. Lehr here:
    aem-forum-lehr.mp3

    You can also download the 9:30 interview with this link: Dr. Jay Lehr interview (mp3)


    Check out the Flickr Photo Album from the AEM AgExecutive Forum here.

    AEM, Agribusiness, Audio

    Preview of AG CONNECT

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AEM Ag Connect SignA preview of the new generation of ag show – AG CONNECT 2010 – was offered to ag executives meeting Thursday in St. Louis.

    Sara Truesdale Mooney has the job of show manager for this ambitious new ag show being organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and she says they have taken a very deliberate approach in developing AG CONNECT.

    AEM Sara Truesdale“We conducted a lot of research with producers,” Sara told me. “And from that research we developed a number of event features that would be unique to AG CONNECT.”

    Some of those features include networking, the ability to interact with product specialists and engineers about equipment and new products, more information about precision farming and new technology. Sara says they are really developing a one-stop shop ag show. “We’re going to be putting on a world class agribusiness event that is not just exhibits, not just an equipment show – it’s new products, innovations, technologies, services, inputs – everything you need for your business.”

    All of the information about AG CONNECT is available on-line at agconnect.com.

    Listen to an interview with Sara here:
    aem-forum-sara.mp3

    You can also download the 8:00 interview with this link: Sara Truesdale interview on AG CONNECT 2010 (mp3)


    Check out the Flickr Photo Album from the AEM AgExecutive Forum here.

    AEM, Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment

    Ag Secretary Addresses AEM Ag Executives

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AEM Ed SchaferU.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer discussed some of the big issues facing agriculture today and in the future during an address to agribusiness company executives meeting in St. Louis Thursday for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers AgExecutive Forum.

    Two primary issues he addressed were trade and renewable energy, as well as the importance of the financial rescue plan passed by Congress last week, which he said was absolutely necessary although he expects it will take some time for it to work. “It’s sort of like reining in a team of runaway horses,” Schafer said. “You gotta really haul back on those reins hard for a long period of time before they start calming down.”

    Schafer says the agriculture sector is in strong financial shape, with high commodity prices helping farmers to pay down debt and the competitive dollar boosting ag exports to record levels. “Despite increases we have seen in the cost of fuel and fertilizer and other inputs, we expect net farm income to post an all time high again this year at a little over $100 billion,” Schafer said.

    Listen to Schafer’s address here:
    aem-forum-schafer-speech.mp3

    You can also download the 24:00 speech with this link: Ed Schafer speech to AEM AgExecutive Forum (mp3)

    And you can also see the recorded video from the live webcast this morning here.

    Check out the Flickr Photo Album from the AEM AgExecutive Forum here.

    AEM, Audio, Equipment, USDA

    A New Frontier From John Deere

    Chuck Zimmerman

    John Deere Frontier AttachmentsOne of our field stops at the John Deere Drive Green event was focused on the Frontier line of tractor attachments.

    In this video clip you’ll see our presenter tell us about Frontier and how John Deere acquired the line to allow them to provide more options to their customers.

    He also points out some of the new items they have out this year, including some that target the equine market.

    John Deere Drive Green Photo Album

    Equipment, John Deere, Video