Getting Planters Ready For Action

Carrie Muehling

Farmers who are preparing for the upcoming planting season might be interested in John Deere‘s Mobile Row Unit Run Off with the PlanterPlus App, a quick and efficient way to dial in their rows and conduct a meter performance test to assure accuracy in ExactEmerge or MaxEmerge 5e planters.

The system connects the display in the tractor to a farmer’s mobile device, giving them the same capability they used to have only when at the equipment dealership.

“They can stand at the back of the planter, select the row unit they want to look at, and engage the planter with their seed and look at the singulation percentages, the skips, the multiples, and adjust the vacuum pressure so that it matches the seed that they’re wanting to plant with, but all while they’re on their own place,” said Kevin Ripple, product line manager for planters with John Deere.

Ripple said the product was released within the last two years for model 2018 planters. In addition, he said opportunities for retro fit kits have been expanded to go back to the year 2005 on a number of models.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Kevin here: Kevin Ripple, John Deere

2018 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMCCoverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by John Deere
AgWired Precision, Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, Precision Agriculture

AEM Launches Equipment Industry Podcast

Cindy Zimmerman

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has launched a new podcast to help keep members informed about “potentially disruptive trends in the construction and agriculture equipment industry.”

Three episodes of the AEM Thinking Forward Podcast are available now and new editions will be available on a monthly basis featuring topics such as 3D printing, automation, precision agriculture, Internet of Things, big data analysis, drones, future technology, and more.
.
Here is episode 3, which features AGCO’s Eric Lescourret and AEM’s Curt Blades discussing precision agriculture solutions, the need for broadband infrastructure and how AEM is engaging its members on the topic. AEM Thinking Forward Podcast #3

The AEM Thinking Forward Podcast is now available for listeners and subscribers on many of the most popular podcasting apps, including iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn and others. Episodes will also be posted on the AEM Website at aem.org/think, and links to new episodes will be included in the Industry Advisor e-newsletter.

AEM, AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, Podcasts

FMC Freedom Pass Offers Options for Growers

Carrie Muehling

As growers plan for the 2018 growing season, many are fighting weed resistance on their farms while still looking for opportunities to make decisions that make the most sense economically.

The FMC Freedom Pass program can help by offering agronomic rewards, financing opportunities, product assurances and application innovations.

“I’ve had great response from my customers, my retailers, as well as growers that I’ve visited,” said Jennifer Maruszewski, FMC retail market manager in northern Indiana. “They find our program to be simple. They find it to be flexible from the standpoint they don’t have to have a certain seed purchase. They can focus on their chemistry and make good agronomic decisions and be rewarded for that.”

Maruszewski said the program works with John Deere Financing to offer growers zero percent interest through Dec. 31 with a $5,000 minimum purchase made by July 31, 2018.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jennifer here: Jennifer Maruszewski, FMC

2018 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMCCoverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by John Deere
Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS

Industry News Briefs

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s been a busy couple of weeks here and we have gotten behind on some industry news stories that we have wanted to post – so here are a few!

Cyndee Smiley, formerly division marketing manager for Region 4 combines and front-end equipment, has been named media relations and communications manager for John Deere Ag & Turf Division for the U.S. and Canada. Smiley replaces Beverly Flores, who recently was named training and events manager for the U.S. and Canada for John Deere. Listen to her on this week’s ZimmCast from NFMS.

Brownfield Ag News announced the addition of KFRM as an affiliate of the Kansas Ag Network, which now reaches more than 82% of corn and wheat acres and nearly 89% of soybean acres in the state, as well as 80% of the cattle. The affiliation expands Brownfield’s marketing reach to more than 700 affiliate radio stations in a 14-state region.

Corryn La Rue will join the Agri-Pulse editorial team in Washington, D.C. in May, where she will cover hearings and events, writing for the company’s subscription-only newsletter and web site. La Rue is a junior at Utah State University, where she is pursuing a double major in Agriculture Communications and Journalism and a minor in Animal Science.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) proudly announces the promotion of Dr. Nick Goeser, currently NCGA’s Director of Soil Health, to the position of Vice President of Production and Sustainability. Since joining NCGA in April of 2014, Goeser has done an outstanding job developing and building NCGA’s Soil Health Partnership.

Agri-Pulse, AgWired Precision, Corn, John Deere, NCGA, Soil, Soil Health Partnership, Sustainability

ZimmCast From #NFMS18

Chuck Zimmerman

The 2018 National Farm Machinery Show continues to grow and evolve as evidenced by the changes in the location of exhibitors. This year even featured a new Varied Industries tent in the parking lot. There’s a lot of room throughout the Kentucky Exposition Center but between the tractor pull and growth in exhibitors even more room is needed.

In this week’s program I share interviews with Cyndee Smiley, Media Relations Manager for John Deere Ag & Turf and Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. 

Cyndee was meeting with a lot of media and production folks like me. I got a few minutes to ask her to talk about her job and passion for agriculture.

I also met Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, Ryan Quarles.  Ryan was the only agricultural representative in a meeting with President Trump on the Infrastructure Rollout earlier in the week. We had a great conversation that I hope you will find informative and entertaining.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 574 - From National Farm Machinery Show

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here. Use this url in iTunes or your favorite news reader program/app.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by
The ZimmCast podcast is sponsored by GROWMARK
Locally owned, globally strong.
Audio, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show

Animal Ag Bites 2/19

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Dairy FARM Program is now the first livestock animal care program in the world to be recognized internationally for its industry-leading animal welfare standards. The U.S. Department of Agriculture affirmed this week that the program complies with the International Organization for Standardization Animal Welfare Management/General Requirements and Guidance for Organizations in the Food Supply Chain.
  • CattleFax celebrated its 50th anniversary at its annual business meeting, held in conjunction with the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention. Participants saw a video highlighting the history and progress of CattleFax. The organization also elected its 2018 officers during the meeting.
  • Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam will give attendees at the 2018 Stakeholders Summit a glimpse of how animal agriculture has evolved over the years while offering advice for those facing pressure to return to the old ways. The Summit, set for May 3-4, 2018, will be held at the Renaissance Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Va.
  • The American Sheep Industry Association Washington, D.C., Trip is scheduled for March 5-7, 2018. Attendees will once again stay at the Marriott Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard. Those interested in attending should consult with their state sheep association. Attendees will travel into the nation’s capital on Monday, March 5, before meeting with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the following day. Time that afternoon and the morning of March 7 will be reserved for visiting with congressional leaders. For more information, visit www.sheepusa.org or email Chase Adams at chase@sheepusa.org.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

American Ethanol Driver Wins Daytona 500

Cindy Zimmerman

History was made Sunday when the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Richard Childress drove Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s famous No. 3 Chevrolet across the finish line of the Daytona 500, 20 years after Earnhardt won the same race. American Ethanol driver and spokesperson Austin Dillon took the legendary No. 3 Dow/American Ethanol/AAA Chevrolet SS to victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the Daytona International Speedway.

“It was so awesome to take the 3 car back to victory lane,” Dillon said. “This is for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and all those Senior fans.” Childress, celebrating with his grandson in Victory Lane, called it a “storybook tale.”

“This is an amazing accomplishment and a monumental victory for the No. 3 team,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “The Daytona 500 is so rich with history, and Richard Childress Racing taking home the checkered flag – in this race – in the iconic No. 3 car is truly a momentous occasion in the sport of NASCAR. Austin Dillon and the entire RCR organization have been phenomenal partners, and they are instrumental in telling the wonderful story of American Ethanol to race fans and drivers across the country and around the world.”

NASCAR race cars are all powered by Sunoco Green E15, made with 15 percent American ethanol.

Ethanol, NASCAR

Alltech Tests EPNIX Benefits on the Farm

Jamie Johansen

Alltech’s EPNIX has moved past the proof of concept stage and on to large-scale field demonstrations on the efficacy of the product. We caught up with Dr. Vaughn Holder, Alltech’s Ruminant Research Director, at the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention to get an update.

“We have multiple locations throughout North America, Canada and Mexico evaluating the technology on farms to see the benefits we can bring through EPNIX,” Dr. Holder said.

EPNIX has been positioned to be used as an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters and Dr. Holder even mentioned it’s potential for replacing antibiotics.

Listen to our complete conversation here: Interview with Dr. Vaughn Holder, Alltech

2018 Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Nutrition

CIRB Rallies to #ProtectCropInsurance

Cindy Zimmerman

#ProtectCropInsurance was the rallying cry for the troops at the recent Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) annual meeting, and this week’s release of the White House budget proposing deep cuts in the program illustrates what the industry is up against to continuing providing farmers with risk management tools.

CIRB Executive Vice President Michael Torrey they are helping to educate people, especially members of Congress, about the importance of crop insurance to the nation trying to dispel common misconceptions. “Developing the myth-facts sheets, creating the social media tool kits – it’s made a big difference,” he said.

Attendance was up at the annual meeting this year and the third class of the Emerging Leaders Program was the largest yet, so Torrey says they are mobilized to take their message to Capitol Hill for the 2018 farm bill discussions. “I don’t know that we’ve ever moved into a farm bill with so much uncertainty and so many moving parts,” said Torrey.

Listen to Torrey’s address to membership and interview below –
Michael Torrey Remarks

Interview with CIRB Executive VP Michael Torrey

In case you missed the CIRB annual meeting, here are some helpful links –

2018 CIRB Virtual Newsroom

2018 CIRB Meeting photo album

Audio, CIRB, Crop Insurance

Understanding Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus

Carrie Muehling

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus is a devastating disease in cattle. But many producers may not realize that Type 1b is the most common subtype of the disease. Dr. Steve Foulke with Boehringer Ingelheim said many vaccines do not even cover Type 1b.

“The vaccines that are out there on the market contain Type 1a and Type 2a in them, but they generally don’t have a Type 1b actually in them,” said Foulke. “So, the diseases are all the same, but do we cover for everything? So that’s where it’s really important to know whether the vaccines you’re using to prevent BVD are going to protect against the most common BVD that’s actually out there.”

Foulke said BVD can cause more than just diarrhea in cattle. It’s more commonly expressed as a respiratory virus or a reproductive issue, causing early abortion, fetal or congenital malformations, or other problems. The virus also suppresses the immune system, making cattle more susceptible to other diseases.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Dr. Foulke at the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention: Interview with Dr. Steve Foulke, Boehringer Ingelheim

2018 Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA