Mapping with GK Technology

Laura McNamara

If you want application maps for your fields, then you might want to consider GK Technology for Agriculture. Kelly Sharpe is an agronomist for GK and he says his company offers a full service GIS package to growers. What does that mean exactly? Kelly says GK is able to take yield data and convert them into application maps that can then be used to write prescriptions for pretty much any controller out in the market. The best part, Kelly says, is GK works extremely well with satellite images – something he says most of GK’s competitors, well, can’t.

“We’re able to take data from just about any source available,” Kelly said.

Kelly says GK’s GIS package allows farmers to practice site-specific agriculture. The company’s services are a key element, he says, in precision farming. Kelly adds that GK understands it’s “all about the money” for farmers. He says that’s why GK is committed to keeping precision farming as low cost for the farmer as possible.

I spoke with Kelly about what GK Technology can do for growers. You can listen to my interview here:
kelly-sharpe-preag-08.mp3

Agribusiness, Audio, Farming, Technology

AgWired Wordle Cloud

Chuck Zimmerman

AgWired WordleWhat do bored bloggers do? Find silly little websites like Wordle and create graphics like this that have just about no real purpose or value.

I saw a post about it when I was reading my feeds and thought I’d give it a try. Basically Wordle creates a word cloud and allows you to do some basic editing.

It did keep me occupied for a few minutes.

The images you create with Wordle are yours to use in any way you choose. You may print T-Shirts, business cards, brochures, what have you. On the other hand, when you place an image in the gallery, anyone else can use it too! So if you want to keep it to yourself, print it out without saving it.

But it’s more fun to share.

Uncategorized

Getting to Know an AGCO with Precision

Laura McNamara

If you ask Joe Tebis, AGCO is the company to go to if you’re looking for products that offer leading variable rate applications. Now, Joe is the product manager for precision ag products for AGCO, so he might be a little biased. He says he’s particularly proud of AGCO’s Terragator and RoGator product lines.

These products are just some of the leading equipment that Joe says work seamlessly with precision agriculture. He adds that AGCO is committed to continually offering more products that evolve with precision technology, integrating the newest applications available on the market. Joe says that’s important because precision technology offers farmers more value. He says equipment that’s equipped with precision applications, such as auto steering, can save growers on fuel and fertilizer costs. The AGCO expert adds that his companies products are designed to fit the unique needs of farmers and can adjust to various farming strategies.

“We create the tools to allow them to implement their expertise,” Joe said.

I spoke with Joe about AGCO and the company’s role in precision farming. You can listen to my interview with Joe here: joe-tebis-preag-08.mp3

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farming, Technology

Manage Variability with SSToolbox

Laura McNamara

SST puts it quite succinctly: Manage data. Harvest Information. The global provider of Geographic Information System (GIS) software is offering what it calls the “Premier Desktop GIS for Agriculture.” The company boasts that its SSToolbox lets growers gather valuable information such as yield data and soil data and use it to determine the variability that exists within their fields and design specific practices to manage their unique field variability.

I caught up with Duncan Maeer (pictured left), the International Accounts Manager for SST, and he gave me a more thorough explanation of what the SSToolbox can offer farmers. Things like valuable cost savings, for example. You can listen to my interview with Duncan here: duncan-maeer-preag-08.mp3

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farming, Technology

Farm Country Political Feelings From The Progressive Farmer

Chuck Zimmerman

DTN The Progressive FarmerWe’re not very focused on politics here but sometimes an interesting story comes along like this one. The Progressive Farmer has just conducted a Zogby International poll of rural American households (2,963 adults) to find out about the political leanings of farm country. The results are featured in the August issue of the magazine.

Commissioned by The Progressive Farmer, the poll of nearly 3,000 rural adults measures preferences for the fall elections as well as reaction to hot-button issues in farm country such as skyrocketing crop input costs, the assault on landowner rights and ethanol.

The most telling result of the survey, conducted in late may of 2008, is that 17 percent of respondents say they are switching parties from the one they voted for in 2004. This coupled with the fact that republicans are narrowly the party of choice for U.S. house and Senate races with 47 percent for republicans compared to 40 percent for Democratic candidates shows that rural america is shaping up to be a battleground for votes this fall, says The Progressive Farmer Editor Jack Odle.

“Rural america is definitely in play this year and not in any one party’s pocket—votes, particularly in congressional races, are up for grabs,” emphasizes Odle.

When asked about presidential preference, pollsters find Sen. John mcCain garners 50 percent compared to Sen. Barack Obama at 34 percent, with 11 percent of respondents saying they will not vote for either candidate.

There’s also a mirror survey online where you can compare results with the poll results.

Publication

John Stevenson is Sales/Marketing VP for New Holland

Chuck Zimmerman

New HollandThere’s a new leader in sales and marketing for New Holland.

John J. Stevenson has been named Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for New Holland Agriculture in North America, according to an announcement by Harold Boyanovsky, president and chief executive officer of CNH Global, N.V. The appointment will be effective August 1, 2008.

Stevenson will maintain his office at New Holland Agriculture North American headquarters in New Holland, Pa. He will report directly to Boyanovsky, who also serves as President of New Holland Agriculture worldwide.

Stevenson’s credentials include most recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of American LaFrance LLC, a U.S.-based manufacturer of fire, rescue and other emergency response vehicles. Prior to that, he served in senior management positions at Freightliner, Volvo Trucks North America, and Mack Trucks. His background also includes proficiencies in organizational management, manufacturing, distribution, purchasing, logistics, product marketing, service and sales. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.

Agribusiness, New Holland, Tractor

Osborn & Barr Hires and Promotions

Chuck Zimmerman

Osborn & BarrThere were plenty of Osborn & Barr representatives at this week’s Ag Media Summit. It looks like they’ve made several promotions and hires.

Jeff Black comes to O&B as the new senior digital art director. Jeff’s extensive experience developing multimedia solutions includes work for NASCAR, Busch Entertainment Corporation and Sprint/Nextel.

In his new role as group director, association business, Lance Burditt will serve as director of communications on the day-to-day operations for the United Soybean Board and as manager of that account. Read More

Agencies

Meet Nancy Bunker Koester

Chuck Zimmerman

Cindy and Nancy at AMSOne of the special people I got to meet this week at the Ag Media Summit was the new National Corn Growers Association, Director of Communications, Nancy Bunker Koester.

AMS gave Nancy the chance to meet and interact with a hundreds of ag media professionals and other industry leaders. She is not unfamiliar with this industry, having worked for Monsanto – which is ironically where her predecessor Mimi Ricketts now works. She has also done some consulting work with NCGA in the past.

She is pictured here with Cindy at the AMS 10th anniversary dinner. I did an interview with her earlier in the day about her background and plans for working with the corn growers on important issues.

“We have a message to get out about food, fuel and feed, that there’s plenty of corn seed to go around for that,” Nancy said. “And we’re working to fervently to be sure people know that.”

Listen to my interview with Nancy here: nancy.mp3

Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the Agricultural Media Summit is sponsored by:
BASF and Successful Farming

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, NCGA

Case IH Sponsors Craig Morgan Tour

Chuck Zimmerman

Case IHI guess Case IH liked sister company, New Holland’s, Michael Peterson, “Down On The Farm” promotion. Of course we’ve all known that agricultural marketing superstar Gene Hemphill, was on to something big.

Global farm equipment manufacturer Case IH has announced an agreement to sponsor a concert tour by country music superstar Craig Morgan. Titled “Craig Morgan Powered by Case IH… International Harvester. The Legend Rolls On,” the collaboration follows up on the success of Morgan’s hit song “International Harvester” with a cross-country tour that celebrates the American farmer.

Case IHCase IH Vice President Jim Walker (right) presented singer-songwriter Craig Morgan (left, tractor’s seat) with a new Case IH Farmall 55 tractor at the Racine County Fair, Union Grove, Wis., near the world headquarters of the Case IH brand. The gift celebrates the kickoff of the tour titled, “Craig Morgan Powered by Case IH… International Harvester. The Legend Rolls On.”

According to Jim Walker, vice president, Case IH North American Agricultural Business, the connection between Case IH and Craig Morgan came about naturally. “The International Harvester brand is a big part of our tradition here at Case IH, so Craig’s song really struck a chord around here,” Walker says.

“In his music, Craig Morgan stands for a lot of the same things Case IH stands for: pride in our heritage, pride in American agriculture, and a rock-solid commitment to our core values. It just makes sense for us to join him out on the road.”

As Morgan’s tour (http://www.craigmorgan.com/?content=tour) crisscrosses the United States, there will be numerous tie-ins with local Case IH dealerships. In addition to on-stage and semi-trailer signage, Case IH and Farmall machinery will be on display at selected concert venues. Dealerships will be offered promotional opportunities like VIP tickets and concert meet & greet sessions.

Agribusiness, Tractor

First NAMA Webinar Next Week

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA WebinarsThe first in a series of NAMA Webinars will take place next week. Make sure you get registered today.

Direct Branding: Where Message Meets Measure
August 7, 2008 ~ 1:00 p.m. (Central Time)

Barb Murphy, President of Weyforth-Haas Marketing will present Direct Branding: Where Message Meets Measure on Thursday, August 7.

Make sure your marketing strategy, or even just your next campaign, not only inspires and supports the desired belief about your brand or product, but motivates measurable response. NAMA’s first webinar will focus on how to create the right mix of message, measure and media.

The webinar, which will cost $35, will begin at 1:00 (central time) and will last for approximately one hour.

Register now for the webinar at http://payment.nama.org/webinar.htm. You will receive a confirmation email with the log in information for the webinar.

NAMA