FMC Talks About the Danger of Reduced Herbicide Rates

Chuck Zimmerman

At the 2019 National Farm Machinery Show I spoke with Drake Copeland, Technical Services Manager, FMC. Our topic was the danger of reduced herbicide rates.

Drake talks about the importance of pre-emergence residual herbicides for weed control and what happens when a grower uses reduced herbicide rates. He also talks weed size and it certainly does matter. There’s a lot more in our discussion about this topic that growers will want to hear.

Listen to my interview with Drake Copeland, Technical Services Manager, FMC: Interview with Drake Copeland, FMC


2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show

Case IH Unveils AFS Connect Magnum Series Tractors

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2019 National Farm Machinery Show Case IH unveiled the new AFS Connect Magnum Series Tractors. Working with me here at NFMS is Laura Handke who took photos, recorded the unveiling presentation and interviewed Bill Webber, North America Marketing Manager for High Hp Tractors, Case IH Brand.

Case IH is unveiling new AFS Connect™ Magnum™ series tractors, giving producers a new way to run their businesses — with the freedom to adjust, manage, monitor, transfer data and partner the way they want. Powered by Case IH Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) precision technology, the tractor is outfitted with a new display, operating system, receiver and completely redesigned hardware environment that allows for remote display viewing, remote support capabilities and more. Plus, a redesigned cab delivers comfort, storage and easy-to-use controls for ultimate productivity.

The AFS Connect portal is a gateway to the AFS Connect Magnum series tractor. It allows farm managers to precisely manage their farm, fleet and data from a desktop or tablet/mobile device anywhere while feeling assured their data is securely transferring to and from the cloud. Users can log in to AFS Connect to view current field operations, fleet information, agronomic data and more, remotely keeping an eye on their operation as if they are in the cab. Farm owners and managers then have the freedom to share selected agronomic data — down to the field level — with third-party partners of their choosing.

You can find more information on the Case IH website and in the interview and presentation audio below.

Interview with Bill Webber, North America Marketing Manager for High Hp Tractors, Case IH Brand: Interview with Bill Webber, Case IH

Case IH AFS Connect Magnum Series Tractors Unveiling Presentation: Case IH Unveiling Presentation

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Case IH, National Farm Machinery Show, Tractor

Zimfo Bytes 2/15

Carrie Muehling

  • Tom Sleight, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Grains Council since 2012, will retire this summer following the appointment of his successor, the Council’s Board of Directors announced this week at the organization’s membership meeting in Cartagena, Colombia.
  • American Vanguard Corporation, parent company to AMVAC Chemical Corporation, is celebrating 50 years in business. The milestone is being honored with new brand logos for both corporations and the tagline “An American Vanguard Company” added to all operating subsidiaries, reinforcing its continued commitment to technological innovation and business growth in the U.S. and in international markets.
  • Register now for the Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit to be held at the National Press Club on March 18 from 8 am to 5 pm with a “Customer Appreciation” reception to follow at the same location for all Agri-Pulse subscribers.
  • Amyris, Inc., a leader in the development and production of sustainable ingredients for the Health & Wellness, Clean Beauty and Flavors & Fragrances markets, announced the appointment of Oreste Fieschi as President of Sweeteners & Ingredients, to lead the commercial growth of its sweetener business and the implementation of its strategy to build capability across the entire ingredients portfolio.
Zimfo Bytes

Optimism in Crop Insurance Reinsurance Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

This time last year, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) was concerned about what might happen with the new farm bill. This year, members are pretty pleased with how it all turned out.

CIRB chairman Zane Vaughn with ARMtech Insurance gives a lot of credit to the organization’s “Protect Crop Insurance” campaign. “It was very beneficial for staff on Capitol Hill gaining awareness of the program, what it does for farmers in their districts and their states,” said Vaughn. “That was a great outreach tool for us.”

Vaughn says this year’s annual meeting for CIRB is the largest ever and there is plenty of energy and optimism in the industry.

Listen to this interview with Vaughn from the 2019 CIRB Annual Meeting this week in San Diego.

CIRB2019 Interview with Chairman Zane Vaughn

2019 Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Annual Meeting photo album

AgWired Precision, Audio, CIRB, Crop Insurance

New Holland Launches Genesis T8 Tractor with PLM Intelligence

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland used this year’s National Farm Machinery Show as the venue to unveil their new GENESIS® T8 Series tractor with Precision Land Management (PLM™) Intelligence. I talked with two New Holland representatives, Ken Paul, product marketing manager for New Holland, North America and Luke Zerby, PLM product marketing manager for New Holland, North America, about the new machine.

The new GENESIS® T8 with PLM Intelligence™ is designed to adapt to every individual farmer’s unique needs. With features ranging from advanced connectivity between operators, vehicles, advisors and dealers to improve productivity and reduce downtime, to customizable controls, improved visibility and enhanced comfort.

Customizable controls allow every operator to adjust based on their unique preferences and requirements. The all-new cab features more accessible storage, increased power ports and vents, egress lights, and an ergonomic seat for optimal comfort.

The in-cab experience has been enhanced to remove obstructions and ensure maximum visibility. The new InfoView™ monitor is positioned in direct line-of-sight on the dash so you can keep your eyes on the horizon ahead. Strategically placed cameras make it easy to navigate in and out of traffic and keep your eyes on in-field work as well. New 360-degree LED work lights turn night into day, delivering up to 25 percent more visible light for greater awareness of surroundings while operating.

But the most innovative features extend far beyond the cab with the complete integration of New Holland’s advanced PLM platform. “New Holland’s approach to precision farming solutions can be summed up in four words,” says Luke Zerby, PLM product marketing manager for New Holland, North America. “Open, Connected, Smart, Supported. PLM Intelligence maximizes all of these, utilizing ISOBUS CLASS III technology to keep you completely connected through MyPLM™Connect and APIs to share and analyze your data, and now to enhance support functionality through one’s local New Holland Dealer. This is all through a simple tablet-based user interface, allowing the farmer to do more, and do it easier than ever before.”

Interview with Luke Zerby, PLM product marketing manager for New Holland, North America: Interview with Luke Zerby, New Holland

Interview with Ken Paul, product marketing manager for New Holland, North America: Interview with Ken Paul, New Holland

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Precision Agriculture, Tractor

FMC Helping Battle Weed Resistance

Chuck Zimmerman

Matt Wiggins is a Technical Services Manager for FMC. I visited with him about weed resistance and what practices growers can use to avoid or slow the development of resistant weeds.

In our interview we start out talking about growth in the problem of resistant weeds and how weeds become resistant to herbicides. Matt has some solid suggestions for a good herbicide program which has proven to be effective. He also talks about the future outlook for herbicide resistance.

Listen to my interview with Matt Wiggins, FMC Technical Services Manager, or watch below: Interview with Matt Wiggins, FMC


2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, weed management

USDA Deputy Secretary Stresses Ethanol Support

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky visited the 2019 National Ethanol Conference in Orlando this week to stress the administration’s strong support of ethanol.

“You have very strong advocates in Sec. Perdue, myself and all of us at USDA who are working on your behalf as well as President Trump, who has also been a strong supporter – as you all know – of U.S. corn farmers and the U.S. ethanol industry,” said Censky in his address.

Censky talked about the efforts of EPA to complete at rule allowing year-round sales of E15 by summer, and said there is an option of the government potentially using “discretionary enforcement” of the summertime ban if there is a delay.

The deputy secretary also talked about trade challenges and farm bill implementation during his address and meeting with reporters. Listen below.

NEC19 USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky address

NEC19 USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky media avail

2019 RFA National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA, USDA

American Lamb Board New Chair and Annual Report

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Lamb Board has elected a new chairman and released its 2018 Annual Report.

Dale Thorne, a sheep producer from Michigan, has been elected chairman of the American Lamb Board (ALB). He is serving his second 3-year term on the Board, representing the lamb feeding sector. Thorne has previously served as ALB vice chairman, treasurer and chairman of the Research Committee.

Thorne and his family have a flock of 1,000 Polypay ewes, half of which lamb in the fall and half in the spring. Because he is near Detroit, which is the largest Muslim community in the US, Thorne sees first-hand the value of both traditional and non-traditional markets. The majority of the farm’s lambs are marketed at about 80 pounds. The farm also produces hay for the horse market, and row crops such as corn and soybeans.

In addition, the Lamb Board has released its Fiscal Year 2018 annual report which directs the American Lamb Checkoff.

FY 2018 result highlights include:
Blogger Lambassadors developed 38 new American Lamb recipes and reached over a million consumers
2,353 consumers attended a Lamb Jam event and 54% were new attendees
Lamb flavor research addressing quality factors entered final phases
ALB showcased American Lamb at 24 festivals and events across the US

Click here to see the complete annual report.

AgWired Animal, American Lamb Board, Animal Agriculture

Poultry Industry Recognizes Leaders, Honorees

Carrie Muehling

2019 chairman of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, John Prestage (left), senior vice president of Prestage Farms, Clinton, N.C., was presented with the traditional “working man’s gavel” by outgoing chairman, Tom Hensley, president, Fieldale Farms.

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) elected new leaders and presented several awards at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo.

John Prestage, senior vice president, Prestage Farms, Clinton, N.C., was elected chairman of the board of directors. He previously served as vice chairman. Prestage was presented with the time-honored
“working man’s gavel” by Tom Hensley, 2018 chairman.

Greg Hinton, Rose Acre Farms, Seymour, Indiana, was named vice chairman. Mike Levengood, Perdue Foods, Salisbury, Maryland, was named treasurer. Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry, Claxton, Georgia, was named secretary. Tom Hensley, Fieldale Farms, Baldwin, Georgia, is immediate past chairman.

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation recognized Dr. Kenneth Anderson as the 2019 recipient of the annual Charles Beard Research Excellence Award. Tommy Bagwell, former chairman & CEO of American Proteins, received the Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award. Mike Robach, retired vice president, Corporate Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory for Cargill, was named USPOULTRY’s Workhorse of the Year.

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Poultry

Former Sen. Tom Daschle Visits #RFANEC

Cindy Zimmerman

Tom Daschle of South Dakota been an advocate for ethanol and other biofuels for over three decades, as both a U.S. representative and senator in the 1980s and 1990s, and continuing since then as an advisor, consultant and author on issues such as climate change, food security and renewable energy policy.

As Founder and CEO of The Daschle Group, Daschle advises clients on economic, policy and political issues and remains passionate about renewable energy.

Speaking at the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference in Orlando this week, Daschle talked about the incredible growth he has seen in the ethanol industry over the past three decades and the great respect he has for the people who have stayed the course and made it what it is today.

Listen to Daschle’s address and interview with Agri-Pulse reporter Ben Nuelle below.

NEC19 address by Tom Daschle

Interview with Sen. Tom Daschle

2019 RFA National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA