ZimmCast 600 – John Deere at World Dairy Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

The ZimmCast hits another milestone today with episode number 600! This podcast started in April 2005, making it not only the first agricultural podcast, but one of the earliest ever started. In fact, ZimmCast predates the June 2005 release by Apple iTunes 4.9, which added formal support for podcasts. Funny thing is that it has only been in the last couple of years that podcasts have really become mainstream, with the latest numbers showing over 525,000 active shows and over 18.5 million episodes!

In this week’s program we’ll hear several John Deere representatives talk about the company’s newest forage harvester, the self-propelled 9,000 Series. I spoke to these folks on the morning the product was launched at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.

You will hear from John Thomassen, Global Director – Hay & Forage Harvest; Dan Paschke, Director of Marketing – Hay & Forage; Jarrod McGinnis, Dairy & Livestock Production System Manager; and Matt Hatcher, Territory Sales Manager.

You can find more about the new John Deere 9000 Series Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters on AgWired.com. Just click on the John Deere category and you’ll see some other interviews I’ve already published from the product launch.

You can also find a virtual news rooms from the event on AgNewsWire with more interviews and photos: John Deere at World Dairy Expo

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 600 - John Deere at World Dairy Expo

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Audio, Dairy, Equipment, Forage, John Deere, World Dairy Expo, ZimmCast

Nature Conservancy Backs Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Cindy Zimmerman

As House and Senate Agriculture leaders keep working toward passing a farm bill yet this year, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is urging Congress to approve legislation that will continue to provide farmers and ranchers with the tools to conserve our nation’s land and water resources.

“The farm bill is the most important legislation for conserving private lands in America,” said Larry Clemens, TNC agriculture director for North America. He adds that voluntary conservation programs in the bill promote healthier soil, cleaner water, enhanced wildlife habitat, increased flood control, and lowered risk of damage from natural disasters.

TNC notes that all of those benefits are now at risk since Congress allowed the current farm bill to expire on September 30 without passing a new one, so they are urging all people involved in agriculture to contact their lawmakers, “and focus on getting Congress to pass us a good, solid farm bill that will give us some stability for the next five years,” Clemens said.

Soil health is of particular interest to the Conservancy, which provides technical support to the Soil Health Partnership, which fosters transformation in agriculture through improved soil health, benefiting farmer profitability, a stable food supply, and the environment.

Listen to an interview with Clemens here: Interview with Larry Clemens, The Nature Conservancy

AgWired Precision, Audio, Conservation, Environment, Farm Bill, Soil, Soil Health Partnership

Alltech Launches #iamAG Photo Contest

Cindy Zimmerman

A picture is worth a thousand words — or a free trip to the ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19) held in Lexington, Kentucky, May 19–21, 2019.

Alltech’s #iamAG online agvocacy photo contest invites American farmers, ranchers, producers and all agricultural workers to submit and share photos of their farms and ag lifestyle for the opportunity to win the trip. Photos must be submitted online by Nov. 30, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. EST. They will be judged by a panel, who will select the top photos as finalists, and those photos will be published on Alltech’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/AlltechNaturally).

Voting will open to the public on Dec. 3 at 3:00 p.m. EST and will close on Dec. 17 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Use the hashtag #iamAG to find the photos or visit the Facebook album to vote.

Winners will receive free registration for themselves and a guest to ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (valued at $995) and $2,000 for travel expenses. To enter a photo and read the full contest details, including the rules and regulations, visit https://go.alltech.com/i-am-ag.

Registration is now open for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, which draws 4,000 attendees from nearly 80 countries to network and discuss world-changing ideas.

AgWired Animal, Alltech

On-Farm Audits Improve Dairy Profitability

Carrie Muehling

When Alltech On-Farm Specialist Jeff Johnson evaluates a dairy farm, he concentrates on three specific areas – the people, the cows and the milking equipment.

Johnson said all three factors have to be integrated together for the farm to work efficiently and effectively. He said there are some challenges to maintaining equipment and the milking environment, including weather that can’t be controlled. But other factors are things farmers can impact, like cow cleanliness and comfort.

Johnson also takes into account the other people interacting with the herd, including the veterinarian, equipment dealer and nutritionist, for example, to see if there are adjustments that can be made to improve profitability.

“Are there some different things we can provide from the standpoint of the Alltech products to help them improve, whether it be gut health, which would work its way to udder health, and things that also can help them be more profitable?” said Johnson, who spoke with farmers at the 2018 World Dairy Expo.

Johnson said having a comprehensive plan in place when it comes to nutrition, cow health and equipment maintenance is vital to herd health and profitability. Those factors also play a key role in assuring high quality milk for the consumer.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Jeff here: Interview with Jeff Johnson, Alltech


2018 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Audio, Dairy, Video, World Dairy Expo

EDGE Dairy Cooperative Engaging in D.C.

Carrie Muehling

EDGE Dairy Cooperative has been focusing on engaging more actively for its members at the federal level, according to Mike Torrey with Torrey Associates.

Torrey said the cooperative has put together an effective effort in the nation’s capitol through fly in events, testimonies and social media campaigns to speak for America’s dairy farmers.

“We need to think long term,” said Torrey. “And oftentimes to win means that you just have to do the blocking and tackling day in and day out, and that hard work ultimately lays the foundation for when the opportunity in D.C. presents itself that the organization is in a good place and that their members are in a good place.”

Dairy farmers are watching trade talks and farm bill negotiations closely as they endure extremely low commodity prices for their products. Labor shortages also continue to present difficulties for dairy producers. Torrey said there do seem to be opportunities ahead with regard to global markets and farm bill provisions, and told farmers to take comfort in the fact that the cooperative is staying ahead of the curve when it comes to engagement and having a voice in Washington, D.C. Torrey was at the 2018 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Mike here: Interview with Mike Torrey, Torrey Associates

2018 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Audio, Dairy, World Dairy Expo

Agronomic Trials Help BASF Match Varieties to Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

BASF has a cottonseed variety lineup that offers growers a range of varieties to fit their fields and farming management practices, and they also have an agronomic performance trials program to help farmers find the best one for their farm.

Cody Mull, BASF Agronomy Information Specialist, says the program helps them evaluate data from different growing regions and conditions all over the country. “What we can learn from these trials is how to grow a certain variety in a certain region,” said Mull. “We can actually nail down a little closer to the farmer what varieties he needs to be planting and we can make those recommendations knowing that we stand on good ground that what we say is true.”

Mull talked about the performance trials during a recent field day at the BASF Cotton Breeding Station in Lubbock, Texas. – Interview with Cody Mull, Agronomy Information Specialist

2018 BASF Cotton Production

Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF, Cotton

Animal Ag Bites 10/15

Carrie Muehling

  • Leading dairy organizations have united to host the inaugural California Dairy Sustainability Summit on November 27-28, 2018 at the Sacramento Convention Center. For more information, visit CADairySummit.com or dairycares.com.
  • Garrett Slavik was recently named a Vita Plus dairy specialist and will serve dairy producers in central Michigan.
  • Merck Animal Health has selected Sullivan Higdon & Sink as agency of record to help lead marketing efforts that include strategic communications and creative for their swine and cattle divisions.
  • The American Feed Industry Association’s free Feed Education Program returns for the twelfth time to the International Production & Processing Expo on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., in which researchers revealed a method to improve E. coli vaccines. The research was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Koch Foods and is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.
  • Allflex Livestock Intelligence, an Antelliq company, announces another major collaboration with Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company. As part of Nestlé’s commitment on animal welfare, it is piloting Allflex’s SenseHub solution to monitor the overall well being of cows on dairy farms in several geographic regions.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

New Deere Forage Harvesters are More Efficient

Cindy Zimmerman

Whether you are a beef or dairy producer, or a custom harvester, there is a new John Deere 9000 Series Self-Propelled Forage Harvester (SPFH) for you.

Chris Borgman, Deere Product Marketing Manager for Commercial Hay and Forage Products, introduced the new models at the World Dairy Expo earlier this month in Madison, Wisconsin. “What it all boils down to is quality of feed, capacity and efficiency, that is what the 9000 series is,” said Borgman.

The four models, all with final Tier 4-compliant engines include:

9600 616 hp (460 kw) (625 ps) John Deere 6 cyl. 13.5L PowerTech Engine

9700 759 hp (566 kw) (770 ps) Liebherr V12 24L Engine

9800 858 hp (640 kw) (870 ps) Liebherr V12 24L Engine

9900 957 hp (713 kw) (970 ps) Liebherr V12 24L Engine

“That’s a lot of horsepower that we are pushing through this,” Borgman said. “We are emissions compliant but we’re now much more efficient as well.” The improved performance and capabilities of the 9000 Series enable producers and custom harvesters to obtain the highest possible return on investment under narrow harvesting windows where high-capacity and high-quality feed are the goal.

Learn more from Borgman by listening to his presentation and interview here –
Presentation by Chris Borgman, John Deere

Interview with Chris Borgman, John Deere

John Deere at 2018 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Dairy, Forage, Harvest, John Deere, World Dairy Expo

Zimfo Bytes 10/15

Carrie Muehling

  • MGEX announced the results of its annual Board of Director election. Re-elected to the Board were Martin F. Farrell, Christopher T. Matzdorf, and Kerry L. Melius. Newly elected to the Board was Marc L. Gordon, who previously served on the Board from 2011-2017. All were elected to serve two-year terms. Two public directors were appointed by the Board: De’Ana H. Dow and Michael V. Dunn will each serve two year terms. Murray Stahl was named Board chairperson, Kerry L. Melius elected first vice chairperson, Martin F. Farrell was named second vice chairperson. Public directors Steve Fanady and Bradley R. Griffith complete the executive committee.
  • Swanson Russell announces the promotion of Kellie Wostrel, APR, to senior vice president/director of public relations. Also promoted are Allen Forkner, who moves to public relations manager in the Lincoln office; and Casey Mills, who takes a new role as social media manager.
  • Merck Animal Health has selected Sullivan Higdon & Sink as agency of record to help lead marketing efforts that include strategic communications and creative for their swine and cattle divisions.
  • Cuties® are now the official citrus fruit of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. The strategic promotional agreement will bring Cuties to numerous food and beverage areas throughout these legendary Disney Parks, offering families the opportunity to enjoy this healthy, kid-friendly snack at any time during their vacation, starting this fall.
  • Rhea + Kaiser congratulates Marcy Miller on her promotion to Media Supervisor.
  • The United Sorghum Checkoff Program and National Sorghum Producers released the first installment of a new podcast, Sorghum Smart Talk, which made its debut Oct. 8.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has named Johan “Kip” Eideberg to lead its Washington D.C. office and advocacy activities as interim Vice President, Government & Industry Relations, effective January 1, 2019. Eideberg will replace Nick Yaksich, who announced his retirement from AEM in August, effective at year-end after 20 years with the Association.
Zimfo Bytes

Calf Health Vital to Farm Success

Carrie Muehling

Research trials at Hubbard’s Calf Research Facility provide important data to dairy producers on the farm. Dairy Research Nutritionist Ellan Dufour said more than 13,000 heifer calves have come through the facility, which is a partnership between Hubbard Feeds and the University of Minnesota.

“A strong calf program is one of the most important things you can do on a dairy, especially with your newborn, growing animals. Those newborns are the future success of your dairy farm,” said Dufour, who was at the 2018 World Dairy Expo.

Dufour said she’s proud to provide data to dairy farmers regarding calf health as keeping those calves healthy and growing is key. She said the team at the Calf Research Facility is technical and well managed, and the partnership with University of Minnesota faculty ensures integrity, soundness and validity of the research. The data can help farmers to implement very specific technologies into a calf diet, especially as more of the nation and the world move towards a system that would use fewer or no antibiotics.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Ellan here: Interview with Ellan Dufour, Hubbard


2018 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Dairy, World Dairy Expo