Guide to Precision Agriculture and Ag-Tech Companies

Chuck Zimmerman

This looks like a good resources to have. It’s the “Guide to Precision Agriculture and Ag-Tech Companies” from Meister Media Worldwide. Just click on this link to get your copy.

Staying on top of the hundreds of product and service providers in precision agriculture and ag-tech companies can be difficult.

With this FREE guide compiled by the editors of Meister Media Worldwide, you’ll have a list of the major players as of summer 2017 in nearly 40 categories including data analytics, guidance, imagery, Internet of Things field monitoring, sensors, smart irrigation, UAVs, and variable-rate technology.

AgWired Precision, Media, Precision Agriculture

Enogen® Corn Hybrids Good for Feed and Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

Enogen® corn hybrids from Syngenta have been providing value for farmers and ethanol producers, now Enogen® Feed hybrids can help provide value for beef and dairy producers as well.

“Enogen continues to be an exciting part of our business in Syngenta and the NK brand,” said Quinn Showalter, NK Sales Head, during an interview at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual Trade Talk. Enogen corn will produce about 2 billion gallons of ethanol this year. “New as we move forward into 2018 is the value that Enogen brings from a feed standpoint.”

Showalter says on-farm trials this year showed very promising results and as grain or silage, can provide a valuable ration component that helps provide more available energy for cattle in the form of starch and sugar, which also helps improve digestibility. “There is incremental value in the form of feed efficiency that come from Enogen,” he said.

In this interview, Quinn also discusses Syngenta’s long-term commitment to the NK brand and what is new for 2018. Interview with Quinn Showalter, Syngenta/NK Seeds

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Ethanol, NAFB, Seed, Syngenta

Zimfo Bytes 11/21

Carrie Muehling

    • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is urging support for #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving on Nov. 28. #AgGives on #GivingTuesday is an industry-wide campaign to raise funds, find volunteers and build awareness of agriculture in local communities. Every donor contributing $25 or more to the Foundation on #GivingTuesday will receive one entry for a chance to win an exclusive Book of the Year bundle valued at over $80.
    • Tractor Supply Company’s fall Paper Clover campaign raised more than $980,000, becoming the most successful fundraiser in the company’s history. As a result, more than 14,500 4-H youth will have the opportunity to attend county-level development programs, camps and leadership conferences.
    • The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has opened the application process for the 2018 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Award. The online application is available here. Individual applications must be completed by January 12, 2018.
    • The 2017 Water for Food Global Conference included three days of presentations and discussions on pressing global water and food security challenges, including innovations in sustainable irrigation in Africa, governance of major river basins and groundwater, and new technologies to improve water use. The proceeding of the conference are summarized in a report entitled, “Water for Food Security: From Local Lessons to Global Impacts.”
    • AMVAC Chemical Corporation has selected Swanson Russell as its advertising and public relations agency of record. Swanson Russell will be providing full service communications for AMVAC, including public relations, database marketing, digital, branding and marketing strategy.
    • Swanson Russell recently promoted four in its Lincoln office and one in its Omaha office. In Omaha, Heather Garth is promoted to art director. In the Lincoln office, Kaylee Dump is promoted to digital producer, Belinda Pabian is promoted to senior account manager, Kassie Smidt is promoted to lead accounting assistant, and Emily Yoble is promoted to senior designer.

 

Zimfo Bytes

Biodiesel Benefits Farmers and Livestock Producers

Carrie Muehling

Midwest soybeans are fueling the country from coast to coast. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has a goal of supplying 10 percent of the nation’s diesel fuel by the year 2022, equating to about four billion gallons per year. NBB Board Member and Nebraska Farmer Greg Anderson said the northeast market for heating oil is a bright spot, while California will soon be the number one market for biodiesel. He said that’s important during a challenging agriculture economy.

“We do have the production capacity to serve this market. We have America’s advanced biofuel providing some 64,000 jobs across the country – good paying, clean energy jobs – as well as really making agriculture profitable,” said Anderson. “We need biodiesel to keep adding almost a dollar per bushel value to our crop, making soybean oil 11 to 20 cents per pound more valuable, just because of biodiesel.”

U.S. farmers grow over four billion bushels of soybeans each year, producing 22 billion pounds of soybean oil. Biodiesel production uses about one third of the domestic soybean crush.

Hear more with Cindy’s interview from NAFB Trade Talk: Interview with Greg Anderson, National Biodiesel Board

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Biodiesel, NAFB

Survey Shows LibertyLink System Rates Highest With Growers

Cindy Zimmerman

Results from an independent market research survey of growers in 21 states conducted by Kynetec have found that the LibertyLink® system by Bayer was the highest rated trait platform of the year.

The study found that 97 percent of growers who planted LibertyLink this year rated it “good” to “excellent,” beating out both new and established platforms currently on the market. The results also revealed that better control of resistant weeds was the most important factor in a seed trait decision.

“The results from this research are indicative of the tremendous growth we have seen over the last few years,” said David Tanner, Liberty product manager at Bayer. “In the last three years, LibertyLink has gone from six percent market share in 2015 to more than 20 percent in 2018. The growth continues as growers experience the system and get excited about it.”

The study surveyed nearly 500 growers who made seed decisions on their operation in August 2017. Growers rated their experience with various platforms, what they look for when making planting decisions and their satisfaction with trait and herbicide performance.

Tanner explains more about the survey in this interview – Interview with David Tanner, Bayer Liberty Product Manager

AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Soybean, weed management

Effective Weed Control Program Ideas from FMC

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike Harper, Industry Relations Manager for FMC was on hand for the NAFB Convention and Jamie got to talk to him about weed management programs. It’s that time to look ahead to the 2018 season and Mike offers some ideas for growers.

In the interview you’ll hear Mike talk about how to put together an effective weed management program, how to prevent weed resistance to new dicamba and 2,4-D systems and why soil residual herbicides are so important. When it comes to residual herbicides pre-plant you get a clean field to start with which makes your post applications more effective.

Mike provides more ideas for growers who are planning for their 2018 season. Listen or download it here: Interview with Mike Harper, FMC

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, FMC, NAFB

New John Deere Turf Products Offer Comfort, Durability

Carrie Muehling

L to R: Tiffany Turner and Maureen McCormack with John Deere, Eric Larson and Kelly Schwalbe with Sage

New products from John Deere’s turf division include the new XUV 835 and XUV 865 Gators, with three across seating available for the first time. The new Gators come in three trim levels, the E Series, M Series and R Series. The M and R Series Gators offer the option of a cab.

“In the R Series, it is a premium cab. This thing is like riding around in your most comfortable pickup truck. It is plush cloth seats, it’s full heating and cooling, it has sound dampening so it blocks out a lot of the exterior noise. It is a nice vehicle,” said Maureen McCormack, media relations for turf products.

John Deere is also rolling out the brand new 2025R compact utility tractor and has updated its 3E Series, as well. Farmers can order these vehicles now, with more availability coming in early 2018.

Learn more in Chuck’s interview from NAFB Trade Talk: Interview with Maureen McCormack, John Deere

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, John Deere, NAFB

SMART Dairy Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

This episode of the SMART farmer podcast comes from the 2017 World Dairy Expo where Jamie Johansen sat down with Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) to have him explain some of the many ways dairy producers are SMART farmers when it comes to efficiency and sustainability.

NMPF was one of the founding members of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance with the goal of helping to educate the non-farming public about issues such as animal welfare and food labeling. Galen talks about the successful National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program created in 2009 that has helped the dairy industry make continuous sustainability progress.

Listen to the podcast here or click to subscribe – SMART Farmer Podcast with Chris Galen, National Milk Producers Federation

Subscribe to the SMART Farmer podcast here

Learn more about USFRA and SMART Farm

AgWired Animal, Audio, Dairy, USFRA

Top Priorities for Cattle Producers

Jamie Johansen

Each year the NAFB Trade Talk allows us to get updates from each segment of the agricultural community. As a beef producer, I am always eager to step into the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) booth to hear the latest on policy issues impacting my family. Colin Woodall, senior vice president government affairs, is no stranger to the Golden Mic and this time we talked about top priorities for cattlemen in the 2018 farm bill.

“Our top priority is to establish a vaccine bank to help protect us from foot and mouth disease. The current vaccine bank is obsolete and not prepared in the event of the reintroduction of foot and mouth disease in this country. It is going to take about $150 million a year to make this happen. The only way we can get this done is in a farm bill,” Woodall said.

Repeal of the Death Tax is another key issue NCBA is pushing. Woodall said they are optimistic that a full tax package will be wrapped up by Christmas. Good news for us all!

Listen to my complete interview with Colin as he takes us further into the above issues and also comments on the slow approval of USDA leadership and the recent World Health Organization guidelines on antibiotics. Interview with Colin Woodall, NCBA

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Audio, Beef, NCBA

Animal Ag Bites 11/20

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is applauding U.S. House of Representatives passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NCBA President Craig Uden said the approval is a “step in the right direction,” but promised to continue to fight the provision in the bill that would limit the ability of some businesses from deducting interest expenses.
  • The Leavenworth Livestock Research Center, located near Sleepy Eye, Minn., is a 2,500-head wean-to-finish facility expected to make big advancements in the research sector of the swine industry. The facility offers the opportunity to do research in a realistic commercial production setting. The endeavor is a partnership between Hubbard Feeds and parent company, Alltech.
  • The National Pork Board is recognizing U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and World Antibiotic Awareness Week with organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Pork Board has approved a Checkoff investment of more than $6 million for antibiotic-related studies since 2000.
  • The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) has announced the release of USRSB Sustainability Metrics, the latest tool helping those who raise, buy, and sell beef understand ways to balance and improve their environmental impact, social responsibility, and financial bottom line. 
  • A recent study finds standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging may have an important role in identifying racehorses at risk of condylar fracture. The study imaged 26 cases with catastrophic condylar fracture (CCF) and 88 control cases without CCF. The study was presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress in the United Kingdom and was selected as the winner of the Sam Hignett Award for Clinical Research.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites