BASF Enlightens Customers at Field Day

Carrie Muehling

BASF representatives explained the company’s strategy going forward for customers attending a recent field day in St. Joseph, Louisiana.

“We have three different positions – the business rep, the innovation specialist and the seed advisor,” said Jerry Ford, regional seed lead for the South Delta region. “Our goal here was to make sure that our customer, the dealer, understands how we’re going to market, who calls on who, and just make them comfortable with the process.”

Ford said there is still some confusion about what exactly BASF gained through the Bayer acquisition, and this event gave the company an opportunity to introduce people, facilities and products.

“We just want our customers to understand that BASF is serious about the seed business. We got into the seed business to succeed. We’ve got a tremendous amount of knowledge and a tremendous amount of very qualified people that came to us from Bayer, and we’re excited to put all of this together and come to market with a real strong package of seed and herbicide technology,” said Ford.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jerry here: Interview with Jerry Ford, BASF

BASF Field Day – Louisiana Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF

Deere-Granular Develops Profit Maps Farm Management Tool

Cindy Zimmerman

The John Deere-Granular product development and marketing collaboration has introduced Profit Maps, a free tool to help farmers view average cost, revenue and profit map layers at the sub-field level now available in the John Deere Operations Center.

Brad Silva, product manager with John Deere, adds, “Technology advancements have helped farmers to turn variability across their fields into opportunities to improve their profitability. Profit Maps helps farmers see the financial impact of those decisions so that they can fine-tune their management practices.”

Profit Maps is the first release of a multi-phased approach from the Deere and Granular collaboration. Farmers in the U.S. can opt-in to Profit Maps by clicking the Granular Profit Maps icon on the tools menu in the Operations Center. From there, they can view average cost, revenue and profit maps in the Operations Center’s Field Analyzer tool.

For more information on the new Profit Maps and other business management tools available through John Deere and Granular, contact your local John Deere dealer or visit granular.ag/granular-profit-maps and myjohndeere.com.

AgWired Precision, John Deere, Technology

Zimfo Bytes 9/14

Carrie Muehling

  • American Agri-Women have named Allie Poole, Central City, Kentucky, the 2018 winner of their Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarship, High School Graduate. She is currently enrolled in the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama.
  • National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer Institute convened this week in Washington, D.C., for the first of three learning sessions that will take place during the next year. Nineteen beginning farmers, representing demographical, geographical and production diversity in agriculture, traveled to the nation’s capital for the two-day session.
  • Indiana Soybean Alliance hosted an event for soybean farmers from across Indiana on Sunday, September 9th. The event, held at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, showcased a new use of soybeans — the newly added sports fields in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legend Experience. The SYNLawn turf backing used in the sports fields were all created with soybean oil as a key component, a sustainable — and Indiana-grown — alternative to petroleum oil.
  • Todd Doehring heads up the new leadership team of the Farm Financial Standards Council elected at the Council’s annual meeting held recently in Champaign, IL. He will serve a one-year term as president.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has released three new books and two new videos to complement its updated My American Farm game, My Little Ag Me. These supporting resources focus on the many careers available in agriculture.
  • The 2018 Grow by FarmHer fall tour team announces its return to Iowa and Nebraska with a new stop in South Dakota. Events will take place in Brookings, SD on Tuesday, November 13; Lincoln, NE on Wednesday, November 14 and Ankeny, IA on Thursday, November 15. The Grow by FarmHer events are designed to inspire, encourage and educate young women, ages 16 to 22, to pursue their passion for agriculture through their future careers.
  • Over 80 of the nation’s leading trade associations representing thousands of businesses and workers today announced the formation of Americans for Free Trade, a multi-industry coalition aimed at opposing tariffs and highlighting the benefits of international trade to the U.S. economy. This new coalition will immediately join Farmers for Free Trade, the coalition backed by the nation’s largest ag commodity groups, in a multi-million dollar national campaign called Tariffs Hurt the Heartland.
  • Amidst an historic decline in net farm income and added disruptions in agricultural trade and biofuel markets, 350 family farmers and ranchers traveled to the nation’s capital as part of the National Farmers Union Fly-In this week to meet face-to-face with top Trump administration officials and members of Congress as they decide on a number of legislative and regulatory priorities for family farmers and their communities.
  • U.S. Sugar, in a partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, announced a significant step forward in research efforts fighting diseases impacting food crops, including citrus greening. Early-stage research has demonstrated promise in rapidly-culturing and propagating fastidious pathogens and microbes including those that cause citrus greening, a disease that has devastated the Florida citrus industry, and enabling testing a broad range of antimicrobial solutions.
  • Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. announced three new Textron Off Road side-by-sides as part of its continuing Model Year 2019 vehicle introductions. Joining the Havoc X are the Havoc and Havoc Backcountry Edition, and the Wildcat XX receives more horsepower and sees the additio n of the Wildcat XX LTD to the line.
  • The American Soybean Association wants to give a scholarship to a high school senior interested in pursuing agriculture. The Soy Scholarship is a $5,000 one-time award presented to a high school senior who plans to pursue agriculture as an area of study at any accredited college or university in the 2019-20 academic year. The scholarship is managed by ASA and made possible through a grant by BASF Corporation. High school seniors may apply online Sept. 10-Nov. 19, 2018.
ASA, Trade, Zimfo Bytes

BASF Continues Strong Genetics with New Varieties

Carrie Muehling

Events like the recent BASF Field Day in St. Joseph, Louisiana, are helping the company’s customers to better understand what BASF looks like moving forward. The program also gave a great deal of information about new cotton and soybean varieties that will soon be available.

“It gives us vast knowledge of upcoming crops as far as varieties go for the future,” said Greg Sadler, Region 2 Director with GreenPoint AG.

Sadler said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to further explore these new products.

“[There are] a lot of new varieties that I wasn’t familiar with,” said Sadler. “All of them look like they’ve got a really good yield potential for cotton and soybeans. I think there’s a lot of good genetics with BASF’s organization in cotton and beans.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Greg here: Interview with Greg Sadler, GreenPoint Ag

BASF Field Day – Louisiana Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF, Cotton, Soybean

ZimmCast 597 – The Next Generation on the Farm

Chuck Zimmerman

This week the ZimmCast, sponsored by GROWMARK, will focus on the next generation on the farm.

The last in the series of three Bayer Grower Panels during the Farm Progress Show focused on “Preparing for the next generation of ag – on and off the farm.”

Moderated by Pam Fretwell, the panelists included Bob Arndt, Wisconsin farmer; Jill Bramble, National 4-H Council; Greg Nickrent, Senior Relationship Manager with BMO Harris; Serena Woodard, 4-H; and Jeff Waller, Wisconsin farmer. Each panelist had a unique perspective on preparation for the next generation, from succession planning to education. I interviewed most of them and that is what you will hear in this 597th edition of the ZimmCast.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 597 - Next Gen on the Farm

Watch the full panel discussion below:


The ZimmCast

sponsored by
The ZimmCast podcast is sponsored by GROWMARK
Locally owned, globally strong.
Bayer, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK, ZimmCast

USDA Expands Crop Forecast from Last Month

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2018 corn, soybean, and cotton crops are all forecast to be two percent larger than USDA predicted in August, in the latest crop production report issued Wednesday.

Corn production is now forecast at 14.8 billion bushels, up 2 percent from August and up 2 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 181.3 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from the August forecast and up 4.7 bushels from 2017. If realized, this will be
the highest yield on record for the United States.

Soybean production is forecast at a record 4.69 billion bushels, up 2 percent from August and up 7 percent from last year. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average a record high 52.8 bushels per acre, up 1.2 bushels from last month and up 3.7 bushels from last year.

All cotton production is forecast at 19.7 million 480-pound bales, up 2 percent from August but down 6 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 895 pounds per harvested acre, down 16 pounds from last month and down 10 pounds from last year.

The new World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates also calls for larger production, increased domestic use, greater exports, and higher ending stocks for corn.

Feed and residual use and export demand projections were raised by 50 million bushels, with ethanol demand estimates raised by 25 million bushels. “As the increase to production projections more than offset these demand increases, the average farm price was decreased by 10 cents, with the new price range projected as $3.00 to $4.00 per bushel,” noted the National Corn Growers Association.

“Corn was the biggest surprise in this report,” said Brian Basting of Advance Trading, Inc., in his analysis during the MGEX Crop Conference call, adding that the “trade was actually looking for a decrease” in corn yield compared to August.

Listen to some of Basting’s analysis here: MGEX crop call comments from Brian Basting, Advance Trading

Audio, Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA

BASF Showcases Cotton, Soybean Varieties

Carrie Muehling

BASF showcased successful cotton and soybean varieties during a recent field day in Louisiana.

Regional agronomist Kyle Fontenot shared strengths of Stoneville 5471 GLTP, which includes the Twin Link Plus trait package and had some of the highest yields in 2017. It will be a key variety moving forward, boasting a good fiber package and solid disease package. Complementing that variety are Stoneville 5122 GLT and Stoneville 5818 GLT, which also fit well into the Mid-South growing environment.

On the soybean side, Credenz 4540 LL and Credenz 4918 LL are highlights in the portfolio, as 4540 brings yield potential, a good disease package, and holds up well even during challenging harvest seasons. 4918 is a great complement to that, especially on irrigated, lighter ground. Other varieties to watch include Credenz 4222 LL and Credenz 4308 LL. Both show good yield potential and have the right plant type and a good disease package.

“From a portfolio standpoint we have a lot of options there to bring growers the diversity they need on the farm,” said Fontenot, who works in the South Delta region.

Fontenot said growers can be looking for new soybean varieties, including Credenz GT27 with glyphosate, Liberty and HPPD tolerance.


Listen to Chuck’s Hot Topics interview here: Hot Topics Interview with Kyle Fontenot, BASF

Listen to Chuck’s in-depth interview with Kyle here: Full Interview with Kyle Fontenot, BASF

2018 BASF Field Day – Louisiana Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF, Cotton, Soybean, Video

Farmers for Free Trade Expands Coalition

Cindy Zimmerman

Over 80 of the nation’s leading trade associations representing thousands of businesses and workers today announced the formation of Americans for Free Trade a multi-industry coalition aimed at opposing tariffs and highlighting the benefits of international trade to the U.S. economy. This new coalition will immediately join Farmers for Free Trade, the coalition backed by the nation’s largest ag commodity groups, in a multi-million dollar national campaign called Tariffs Hurt the Heartland. The campaign will focus on telling the stories of the American businesses, farmers, workers and families harmed by tariffs through town-hall style events, grassroots outreach to Congress and the administration, social media, rapid response and digital advertising.

The campaign includes a geographically searchable map (TariffsHurt.com) that allows users to find stories of job losses, deferred investments, higher prices and other negative consequences for farmers and businesses in communities across the country impacted by tariffs.

“This campaign will show how tariffs are squeezing the average American family and community from every direction,” Farmers for Free Executive Director Trade Brian Kuehl said during a telephone press announcement today. “If you are in Des Moines, Iowa or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania it’s not just that tariffs are dropping the value of corn, soy or pork. Increasingly it’s that the price of buying a dishwasher has gone up, or that a local business has put off expansion because of the price of steel or aluminum. By joining with leading retailers, manufactures and services organizations, Farmers for Free Trade will play a big role in showing the comprehensive damage the trade war is having on American communities.”

Kristen Duncanson, a 3rd generation farmer from Minnesota, was among those who spoke during the press conference to tell her story about how tariffs are hurting her community. “Right now my husband and I figured we are losing about 18-20 dollars per pig at market time,” she said.

Listen to comments here from moderator Matt McAlvanah, David French with National Retailer Federation, Farmers for Free Executive Director Trade Brian Kuehl, and Minnesota farmer Kristen Duncanson –
Americans/Farmers for Free Trade press conference

AgWired Animal, Audio, Trade

Deere’s 6R Series Tractors Feature Single-Lever Control

Carrie Muehling

John Deere showcased new features available on 6R Series tractors at the 2018 Farm Progress Show.

“The main new feature for 6Rs this year is this new CommandPro multi-function control lever we have on the tractor,” said Lyle McMillan, product marketing manager. “And really what that is, is giving operators the ability to control their tractor and their implement all in the palm of their right hand, within fingertip reach.”

McMillan said the new lever increases efficiency and operator comfort, with lots of technology built in. Operators can configure 11 different buttons to suit the activity they are trying to accomplish.

“When you reconfigure these 11 buttons on the CommandPro, you can save them in the display and then bring them up whenever you need. For instance, if you have a certain set of buttons that you want to be configured for baling, you can save that profile for baling, and then you can retrieve it at any point in the future if you want to. Or, you can save your settings according to operator if you have multiple operators running this machine.”

Traditional controls are still available if that’s what an operator prefers. Other new features on the 6R include standard JD Link, as well as larger hydraulic pump and variable ratio steering on some tractors.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Lyle here: FPS18 Deere 6R series updates interview with Lyle McMillan

Deere at FPS18 Photo Album

2018 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, John Deere, Tractor

Ethanol and Farm Groups Getting Impatient for Answers

Cindy Zimmerman

In the wake of repeated promises and assurances from the Trump Administration, but no actions, ethanol stakeholder groups are running out of patience.

In a joint letter to President Trump today, the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, and Renewable Fuels Association urged the administration to act immediately to restore the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and allow year-round sales of E15 and other mid-level ethanol blends. The groups also expressed concern that any benefit from year-round E15 sales and proper implementation of the RFS could be nullified if refiners are given further regulatory bailouts that undercut the spirit and intent of the law.

The letter follows comments made by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Aug. 29 that President Trump was anxious to get an answer on the RFS and E15 to announce.

“He said…we need to get this RFS straightened out and get E15 twelve months,” said Perdue. “He wants something done quickly. He said, ‘you get with that EPA Administrator and bring me something next week that I can announce.'”
Over 80 of the nation’s leading trade associations representing thousands of businesses and workers today announced the formation of Americans for Free Trade a multi-industry coalition aimed at opposing tariffs and highlighting the benefits of international trade to the U.S. economy. This new coalition will immediately join Farmers for Free Trade, the coalition backed by the nation’s largest ag commodity groups, in a multi-million dollar national campaign called Tariffs Hurt the Heartland. The campaign will focus on telling the stories of the American businesses, farmers, workers and families harmed by tariffs through town-hall style events, grassroots outreach to Congress and the administration, social media, rapid response and digital advertising.

The campaign includes a geographically searchable map (TariffsHurt.com) that allows users to find stories of job losses, deferred investments, higher prices and other negative consequences for farmers and businesses in communities across the country impacted by tariffs.

The day before, in an exclusive interview with RFD-TV on August 28, President Trump said “I’m going to be making some statements on that very soon. We’re working very hard on the ethanol situation.” He also said it was “complex because as you take care of ethanol, someone else gets hurt.”

RFD-TV Interview with Pres. Trump comments on ethanol

Last week, which was the week Secretary Perdue said the president wanted something to announce, the secretary told reporters,”We’re working feverishly to resolve the RFS issue…I think we can resolve it to the satisfaction of both our ethanol industry as well as our refinery industry,” Perdue said.

Audio from USDA – Secretary Perdue comments on RFS issue progress

But the farm and ethanol groups say time is running out for rural America, as corn prices are below the cost of production, while ethanol prices, RIN credit prices, and ethanol profit margins are falling.

“Former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt already gave refiners far more than their end of a deal in the form of 2.25 billion gallons of biofuels demand destruction, and they are reaping the rewards of that windfall today,” the letter continued. “Now, with the corn and ethanol industries hurting, it’s rural America’s turn to get its end of the deal.”

AFBF, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA