The Things Network is working to build a global Internet of Things network. They took a step closer to that goal when they helped a team of collaborating companies connect a Vinduino agricultural sensor station to the eVineyard application via a long-range wireless data connection.- The Purdue Agricultural Data Engine (PADE) is a new, online tool developed by Purdue University engineering professor, Dharmendra Saraswat, that allows farmers to process data from their fields without the need to share information with a third-party company.
- The premier golf and sports turn brand in the BRANDT product portfolio is being re-named. Grigg Brothers will now be known simple as GRIGG.
- Matt Hesse will serve as the Chief Executive Officer at FieldReveal, a joint venture created by Wheat Growers, Landus Cooperative, Central Valley Ag and WinField United to provide the next generation of precision agriculture tools and capabilities.
Corn Progress Lagging
About seven percent of the nation’s corn crop has been harvested so far, but maturity of the crop is running behind average.
Less corn acres have reached the dented or mature stage than the five-year average according to the latest USDA crop progress report. With 86 percent of total corn acres dented by September 17 and mature acres at only 34 percent, corn progress trails the five-year average by four and 13 percentage points respectively.
The number of corn acres harvested also is running about four percent behind last year, given maturity delays. Crop condition remained the same as last week, with 61 percent in good or excellent condition, but that is 13 percent lower than last year at this time.
Executive Address From Liam Condon, Bayer
During the 2017 Bayer Future Farming Dialog we heard an address from Liam Condon, President, Crop Science, a division of Bayer.
Focusing in his speech on sustainable agriculture, Liam Condon also reaffirmed the commitment of the Crop Science Division to investing in innovation and developing customized agronomic solutions for farmers that address their individual needs and challenges.
In this context, Condon emphasized that the proposed acquisition of Monsanto presents a tremendous opportunity to positively shape the future of farming. “It is our responsibility to ensure that innovation is made available to farmers large and small, all over the world. Only then can we make a meaningful contribution to ensuring a sustainable world food system.”
Condon says that the current expectation of closing the acquisition of Monsanto is in early 2018.
Please listen to Liam’s address to hear more: Liam Condon Address
I broadcast the address live on the AgWired Facebook page (about 3am Central time U.S.) and you can watch it below:
Moving Beyond “Farm to Table” Discussion
During the 2017 Bayer Future of Farming Dialog the first panel discussion focused on Moving Beyond “Farm to Table”: Understanding the Food Supply Chain. Moderating was Stephan Brunner, who works on food chain partnerships for Bayer. Also on the panel are Karen Buch, RDN, LDN, President/Founder, Nutrition Connections; Ben Burgers, Food Safety Manager/Agronomist, Roveg Fruit BV; Andreas Lenz, Managing Director, DHL Food Logistics and Wilbert van Wijk, Grower, Van Wijk Fruit.
In the discussion you’ll hear their ideas on what will be needed in the future for a successful agricultural supply chain for all stakeholders. In my interview with Stephan he sums up some of the key points or take aways from the panel.
First panel discussion: Moving Beyond “Farm to Table”: Understanding the Food Supply Chain – Panel Discussion #1
First panel moderator – Stephan Brunner, Global Key Relations Manager, Crop Science, a division of Bayer – Takeaways: Interview with Stephan Brunner, Bayer
Starting off the 2017 Bayer Future of Farming Dialog
This week I’m traveling with Bayer for the 2017 Bayer Future of Farming Dialog taking place in Monheim, Germany. Welcoming everyone to the first panel discussion in this photo is Beth Roden, Head of Communication, Crop Science, a division of Bayer.
During this week you will find a growing amount of stories that includes panel discussions, one-on-one interviews, video and of course, lots of photos.
Listen here as the U.S. delegation of journalists including Chuck interviews Liam Condon,President, Crop Science, a division of Bayer: Liam Condon, Bayer
Animal Bites 9/18
- Merck Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) recently presented Dr. Dee Griffin with the Mentor of the Year Award as a result of his significant contributions to the bovine medicine industry and his commitment to mentoring the next generations of bovine veterinarians.
- Vermeer introducing the world’s first self-propelled round baler. Unveiled at Husker Harvest Days, the prototype ZR5 self-propelled baler promises to make quick work of any field while offering unprecedented ride quality and maneuverability.
- The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released the second video in its media campaign to promote comprehensive tax reform. The video features Jay Wolf, a third-generation Nebraska rancher, who discusses the time, energy, and financial cost he’s forced to spend on estate planning due to the death tax.
- Imagine using precision nutrition to meet the needs of individual animals. Imagine meeting the expectations of the new consumer, “the prosumer.” Imagine the farm of the future. How will technologies help to achieve greater transparency and safety? This is a new age in agriculture in which nutrigenomics and big data play an everyday role in revolutionizing the way food is produced. Join Alltech and moderator, Peabody Award-winning journalist Tom Martin, for a live webinar discussing the future of agriculture and technology with a panel of agribusiness experts on September 25th at 9:00am ET.
Syngenta Seeds Increases Investment in NK Brand
New members to the #GoldenMic Club include David Hollinrake, President of Syngenta Seeds and Quinn Showalter, Head, NK US Sales at Syngenta Seeds. I met with them during the Farm Progress Show to learn more about their announcement of increasing investment into the NK brand.
Growers who purchase corn and soybean seeds from retailers will have even more choice and greater value through the reinvigorated NK® seeds brand. Syngenta today announced a comprehensive long-term commitment to NK seeds that includes boosting research and development, expanding staff and enhancing retailer support.
As part of the investment, the number of U.S. plant breeders will increase by 50 percent while the number of product selection leads will increase by 38 percent. In addition, trialing will increase by 30 percent.
“More than ever, today’s growers are looking for increased options to maximize returns. We are committed to investing in our NK seeds brand to deliver unique choice and greater value through our retail partners,” said David Hollinrake, president of Syngenta Seeds. “We will rapidly bring to market new hybrids and varieties, offering greater value for growers to help them achieve that better ROI.”
You can listen to my interview with David here: Interview with David Hollinrake, Syngenta Seeds
You can listen to my interview with Quinn here: Interview with Quinn Showalter, NK Seeds
View all our photos from FPS here: 2017 Farm Progress Show Photo Album
Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by 
Survey Says Cover Crops Boost Yield and Weed Control
New nationwide survey results show cover crops acreage has nearly doubled over the past five years and farmers using cover crops are reporting increased yields and improvement in the control of herbicide-resistant weeds.
The survey of more than 2000 farmers across the country was conducted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) with help from Purdue University and funding support from USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). Additional support for the survey was provided by ASTA members Beck’s Hybrids, Grassland Oregon, Justin Seed Company, La Crosse Seed, Monsanto and Seedway.
This marks the fifth consecutive year in which the survey reported yield increases in corn and soybeans following cover crops. It is the first year the survey team was able to calculate the impact of cover crops on wheat yields.
SARE regional extension program director Rob Myers and CTIC executive director Chad Watts held a media conference call today to discuss the survey results but there was a lot of background noise. Here are a couple of sound bites:
Chad Watts give a general summary of the report: Chad Watts, CTIC
Rob Myers talks about most popular cover crops: Rob Myers, SARE
Ag Secretary Surveying Hurricane Damage
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is in Florida today after surveying Hurricane Irma damage in his home state of Georgia last week.
In Georgia, Perdue toured pecan farms where thousands of trees were lost and will take years to replace, with estimates that 20-30% of this year’s crop was lost, and also visited with cotton farmers who may have lost up to half of this year’s crop.
In Florida, most of the damage is in citrus, and Lisa Lochridge with the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) says while trees are still standing, many are still standing in water. She also told Southeast AgNet that vegetable growers mostly dodged the bullet, but labor is a big concern right now.
Audio file: Comments from Lisa Lochridge, FFVA
Iowa Makes $2.8B Grain Deal with Taiwan
A trade team from Taiwan visited Iowa last week and signed letters of intent to purchase $2.8 billion worth of U.S. grains over the next two years. The deal includes corn, soybeans, wheat, and the ethanol co-product distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS).
Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) Director Mark Heckman signed the letter of intent between ICPB and the Taiwan Feed Industry Association, outlining the intention by the Taiwanese to purchase 5.0 million metric tons (197 million bushels) of corn and 0.5 million metric tons of DDGS between 2018 and 2019, at an estimated value of $1.05 billion.
“Taiwan is an important buyer of U.S. corn and co-products,” said Heckman. “Trade matters to our economy and to U.S. farmers who need access to global markets to maintain and expand exports of corn in all forms.”
Congressman Steve King (R-IA) was among those who joined Heckman at the signing in Des Moines. Last month, King met with top Taiwanese officials to discuss agreements to purchase more agricultural goods from Iowa and the rest of the country. “Taiwan’s decision to purchase approximately $2.8 billion of U.S. grains is good news, particularly for Iowa’s corn and soybean producers,” said King.