Animal Ag Bites 6/24

Cindy Zimmerman

  • Almost a million pounds of pork, or nearly 3.2 million servings, were donated by U.S. pig farmers during 2018, according to data compiled by the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council.
  • New University of Illinois research, supported by Phibro Animal Health Corporation, demonstrates the benefits of a fully acidified, high-calcium diet for dairy cows. A Facebook Live panel from the 2019 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) conference on Tuesday, June 25, at 5 p.m. EDT will feature the researchers. To watch this event from anywhere, simply visit the Phibro Facebook page, like it and visit the page again for the live event. The panel discussion will also be posted to the Phibro Facebook page and available for download.
  • The National Pork Board has announced that its second Pig Welfare Symposium will take place Nov. 13-14 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The biennial forum is designed to help improve the well-being of pigs by disseminating recent research findings and recommendations, raising awareness of current and emerging issues and identifying potential solutions.
  • The Israeli Dairy School will offer a Dairy Herd Management Seminar and Tour of Israel from January 5-11, 2020. An opportunity to learn about the Israeli dairy industry’s success, the Seminar offers American dairy farmers an introduction to Israel’s newest herd management technologies and dairy herd feeding and nutrition techniques.
  • USDA is offering $75 million in funding for the eradication and control of feral swine through the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP). Applications are being accepted through Aug. 19, 2019, for partners to carry out activities as part of these pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. The 2018 Farm Bill included this new pilot program to help address the threat that feral swine pose to agriculture, ecosystems and human and animal health.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Can-Am Adds Mossy Oak Camouflage To 2020 Defender

Chuck Zimmerman

Can-Am Defender Mossy OakHere’s a vehicle that would look great out at the Crystal Pig Hunt Club! We’ve got some tough conditions there that would make using one of these very desirable. Here is the announcement.

The 2020 Can-Am Defender XMR MAX is now available in Mossy Oak Country camo, and is loaded with upgrades for 2020, all designed to enhance the experience of tackling even the most extreme mud conditions with ease.

To get over logs and ruts, the XMR MAX has 15 inches of ground clearing and sits on 30” ITP Cryptid mud tires. The vehicle also comes with snorkeled CVT and engine air intakes to go in deeper mud and come out on the other side.

The Can-Am Defender lineup is true workhorse. The vehicles can tow up to 2,500-lbs, and has up to 1,000-lb cargo box payload capacity. The Defender also features a tight turning radius, removable storage options, and different drive modes for varying terrain. The heavy-duty front bumper, aluminum rock sliders and mudguards keep riders and the machine protected while slinging mud, and the X-Package bolstered seats keep the driver and up to five passengers in place.

New for MY20 is an 82hp Rotax HD10 engine and re-calibrated CVT transmission for noise reduction and better performance. And an upgraded 7.6-inch digital display was added to the unit for better viewing of gauges and controls.

For more information on the entire lineup of 2020 Can-Am Vehicles, visit https://can-am.brp.com/.

Can-Am, Farming, Hunting

Zimfo Bytes 6/21

Cindy Zimmerman

  • Alabama farmer Larkin Martin, CEO of Martin Farm, has been elected Chair of the Farm Foundation Board of Directors. Martin, who will serve a two-year term, succeeds Joe Swedberg of Longmont, CO, a retired executive of Hormel Foods Corporation.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased to announce Michael Granchè is joining the organization as market development manager. Granchè will serve as a contact for NCGA’s animal agriculture partners and will work on export and transportation issues.
  • USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson has announced the departure of USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Dr. Seth Meyer, effective July 13, along with the appointment of Deputy Board Chair Dr. Mark Jekanowski as acting board chair.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced the selection of a record number of George Washington Carver (GWC) Interns for the summer program. Since its inception in 2001 the George Washington Carver internship program has impacted over 300 students, welcoming 21 this summer.
  • Emily Combs Ziemke of Corteva Agriscience was recognized by Seed World as the 2019 Future Giant of the seed industry at the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) Policy & Leadership Development Conference in Denver, Colo.
  • Brownfield Ag News is pleased to announce Will Robinson has joined the Brownfield team as News Assistant. Will is from Wellsville, Missouri and is currently a Senior at University of Missouri where he is majoring in science and agricultural journalism with an emphasis in radio broadcast.
  • American Agri-Women raised key issues with Washington, D.C., lawmakers & regulators at their recent 26th annual Fly-In. The group also recognized its 2019 Champions of Agriculture and presented President Donald J. Trump with the Chief Champion of Agriculture award.
Zimfo Bytes

The Passing of Jerry Stoller

Chuck Zimmerman

Chuck Interviews Jerry StollerI am sad to learn of the passing of Jerry Stoller, founder of Stoller Enterprises. I only met him once but he’s one of the men in this industry who made an impression and impact on me in just the short time I got to talk with him. Here’s the announcement from the company.

Stoller Enterprises Founder, Jerry H. Stoller passed away on June 19, 2019. He was 84. “All of us are mourning the passing of our company’s founder, Jerry Stoller. Jerry will be remembered as an entrepreneur and a revolutionary pioneer in plant physiology, plant nutrition, and plant hormone technology. He dedicated his life to finding ways to help good things grow,” said Guillermo de la Borda, President of Stoller Group. Jerry Stoller was Chairman of the Board of StollerUSA and Stoller Group, and creator of the Stoller Foundation which incubates and accelerates non-profits focused on evangelism and volunteerism.

I met Jerry in 2009 at the 16th annual U. S. Ag Associates Conference in Houston, TX. I was there to create content for the John Deere Drive Green Utility Tractor Show but had time to stop by and speak to Jerry during their lunch break. Jerry is one of the industry leaders I’ve had the honor to interview for my weekly podcast. I think you will enjoy listening to what he had to say because so much of it is still relevant today.

ZimmCast 204 with Jerry Stoller:Interview with Jerry Stoller

Agribusiness, Audio, Crop Protection, Crop Science

Deere Offers New Compact Utility and Specialty Tractors

Cindy Zimmerman

John Deere has announced a new compact utility tractor line up and a new specialty tractor, along with some updates.

The new John Deere 3D Series compact utility tractors, including the 3025D, 3035D and 3043D models, offer a powerful, affordable and easy to use solution for a wide range of jobs. Equipped with a gear-drive transmission and available in three horsepower offerings, the 3D Series tractors are designed to tackle everything from pulling and hauling to cutting and tilling.

“Our customers need rugged, tough machines that can tackle a variety of jobs, just like they do. Whether they own large acreage and want a simple, reliable machine for a variety of jobs, or grow crops, like fruits and nuts, and need a durable support tractor, the versatile 3D Series provides a great solution,” said DeMark Cole, product marketing manager, John Deere. “Customers are demanding a gear-drive transmission in the compact utility tractor market, and our 3D tractors provide just that – a simple, dependable, affordable gear-drive machine.”

In addition, John Deere has added a new tractor to its specialty lineup – the premium high-crop 5115RH – and made ergonomic updates to its model year 2020 5GN and 5GV tractors. John Deere offers a new 5GV cab option for 5GN tractors, and a new optional front hitch for 5GNs.

The new 5115RH with base 230/95 R40 tires provides 26.9 inches (68.3 cm) of crop clearance to the drawbar and 28.6 inches (72.6 cm) of clearance to the center of the axle. Optional factory-installed integrated guidance, documentation and telematics, minimizes crop damage in fields where bedded crops like vegetables are planted.

AgWired Precision, John Deere, specialty crops, Tractor

New ASTA Officers

Cindy Zimmerman

ASTA officers (LtoR): John Latham, Wayne Gale, and Brad May

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) announced its newly-elected officer team this week during the organization’s Policy & Leadership Development Conference (PLDC) in Denver, CO. Members of the FY2019-20 ASTA officer team—officially taking office on July 1 are:

Chair: Wayne Gale, Stokes Seed
First Vice Chair: John Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds
Second Vice Chair: Brad May, BASF

A third generation seedsman, incoming Chair Wayne Gale began his career as a computer analyst and ultimately joined Stokes Seeds in 1984. He has been with Stokes Seeds—a major distributor of vegetable and flower seeds in Canada and the Northeastern United States—for more than 30 years. Gale has served several roles over the years on the ASTA Board of Directors, in addition to serving as President of the First–the Seed Foundation (FTSF). At FTSF, he has been the key driver of Tomatosphere — a hands-on school program that teaches students about plant science through experiments with “space seeds.” The popular program has engaged more than 3 million students across the U.S. and Canada since its inception in 2001. Stokes Seeds is based in Buffalo, NY, and Gale and his wife Isabel live in Fonthill, Ontario, Canada.

ASTA also presented its 2019 Distinguished Service Award this week to Alan Galbreth, who has spent his entire 43-year career in the seed industry working for the Indiana Crop Improvement Association (ICIA), where he was appointed CEO In 2011. He serves on various committees within AOSA/SCST, AOSCA and ASTA, including as Chair of the former ASTA Seed Analyst Liaison Committee and more recently as Chair of the ASTA Seed Industry Relations Committee.

ASTA, Seed

Advancements with Ted Danson to Feature AMVAC SIMPAS

Cindy Zimmerman

An upcoming episode of Advancements with Ted Danson will highlight recent advances in agriculture, including AMVAC’s unique SIMPAS® (Smart Integrated Multiproduct Prescription Application System) technology. Viewers will learn about the ISO-based tool, which allows farmers to automate and variably apply multiple inputs across a field.

“SIMPAS fulfills our dream at AMVAC of being able to apply crop inputs to a field in a manner that’s consistent with the way an inkjet printer works. Farmers install SmartCartridge™ product containers into their SIMPAS equipment and prescription software controls where each product is applied,” said Eric Wintemute, CEO of AMVAC. “SIMPAS applies only what’s prescribed precisely where it’s needed, enhancing crop yields while avoiding the expense and environmental loading that have long been associated with treating entire fields to control only the ‘localized problems’ that aren’t uniformly present throughout the field. We think this technology will be game-changing and a big win for farmers and society in general.”

The segment will also show how the SIMPAS software controls the application rate of each product through a patented system, so that farmers can apply prescriptively, exactly where needed. SmartCartridge containers eliminate the need for pouring and mixing crop protection and nutritional products, so worker productivity and safety are improved. Patented SIMPAS software enables agronomist-generated prescriptions to be easily uploaded to automatically create an immutable time-stamped record of product placement; a key element of food-chain traceability.

We got an explanation of the SIMPAS system at the 2018 Farm Progress Show from Simplot Regional SmartFarm Manager Caleb Schultz.

Audio – Caleb Schultz, Simplot, explains AMVAC SIMPAS system


AMVAC at the 2018 Farm Progress Show

AgWired Precision, AMVAC, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Precision Ag Bytes 6/19

Cindy Zimmerman

  • InfoAg 2019 is offering a full day pre-conference tour this year of America’s Central Port in St. Louis with an afternoon of field demonstrations on Monday July 22 prior to the conference July 23-25 at Union Station.
  • In conjunction with its year long 125th Anniversary celebration, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is issuing five $10,000 grants to non-profit organizations who partner with AEM member companies and/or their distribution networks to cultivate the next generation of the equipment industry’s workforce.
  • After a record number of entries, Syngenta is proud to announce the three finalists in its annual #RootedinAg contest. These finalists, who will each receive a mini touch-screen tablet, will now compete for the grand prize – $500, plus a $1,000 donation to the winner’s favorite local charity or civic organization. The voting period for the contest, now open on the #RootedinAg Contest page, also gives anyone who casts a vote the chance to win a $50 American Express® gift card through a special drawing.
  • Smart Ag, a technology company that develops autonomous farming solutions for row crop agriculture, announced the opening of its headquarters this spring in Ames, Iowa. The 12,000-square-foot facility devotes half of its floorplan to office space for a growing number of employees, currently 25. The other half has been designed to meet Smart Ag’s unique research and development and manufacturing needs.
  • SOIL HEALTH: A Global Imperative, the 4th annual meeting of the Soil Health Institute, will be held July 16 – 18 in Sacramento. Registration is $300 for attendees with a special price of $100 for farmers and students.
  • In celebration of National Pollinator Week (June 17‒23), Syngenta is bringing awareness to a variety of individuals and organizations that champion pesticide product stewardship and help pollinators thrive. All this week, Syngenta is sharing videos on the SyngentaUS Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channels highlighting people who are practicing pesticide product stewardship and the protection of pollinators.
  • Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES) announced an investment in Switzerland based agri technology firm Gamaya SA.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Two Receive ASTA Honorary Lifetime Member Award

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Honorary Lifetime Member Award was presented to two seed-industry professionals at the organization’s Policy & Leadership Development Conference this week in Denver.

Blake Curtis, Senior Vice President of Management and Sales for the family seed company Curtis & Curtis, has held a number of volunteer leadership positions over the years. From 1986 to 1995, Curtis served as Caucus Chairman, then Minority Whip, and finally Minority Leader on the New Mexico State Legislature. He has been President of the New Mexico Seedsmen’s Association, a member of the New Mexico State University Board of Regents, and held a variety of leadership positions with ASTA, including Chair from 2012-2013.

John Duesing of Corteva Agriscience, described as a “road warrior and relentless advocate for ASTA and intellectual property protection for seed,” has been an active member of ASTA’s International Executive Committee for the past five years, and has been instrumental in shaping ASTA’s U.S. Plant Variety Protection (PVP) strategy and its involvement in UPOV policy and the International Seed Federation.

AgWired Precision, ASTA, Seed

Renewable Fuels Association Features E85 Can-Am Conversion

Chuck Zimmerman

Can-Am Ethanol ConversionDuring the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) this year the Renewable Fuels Association featured a racing Can-Am X3 (2018 model) which has been converted to running on E85. This beautiful vehicle wrapped with the RFA’s “Fueled With Pride” image, has been racing this season. The extra horsepower provided by the E85 fuel has provided a performance boost as you’ll hear RFA’s Robert White say in a conversation I had with him (listen below). TIDD Racing is the team racing the Can-Am and they loaned it to RFA for the FEW.

Can-Am E85 Conversion ChartRobert says that TIDD Racing contacted him to discuss opportunities for more horsepower and torque. So they did some research on companies doing E85 conversions and found Evolution PowerSports who had a pretty simple solution. Robert says the conversion gave the Can-Am an extra 50 horsepower! To promote it at FEW he says they gave away 1,000 t-shirts.

Besides the Can-Am in the RFA booth Robert says the organization was very involved in the Fuel Ethanol Workshop program.

  • Geoff Cooper, RFA CEO, gave the opening keynote address
  • Robert was featured in an Association Roundtable: A Look at Our Industry’s Health, the Strength of Its Policy Foundation and the Best Path Forward to Growing Our Market. He also moderated a panel: Building a Plant Culture that will Attract and Retain Top Talent
  • Kelly Davis moderated a panel: Positioning Your Plant Now to Maximize the Coming Opportunities in Low Carbon Fuel Markets and Carbon Sequestration
  • And as we reported previously, Missy Ruff received the TRANSCAER 2018 Chairman’s Award

You can listen to my interview with Robert here: Interview with Robert White, RFA

Audio, Biofuels, Ethanol, RFA