How Long Before Autonomous Tractors are on the Market?

Chuck Zimmerman September 2, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How important is immigration/farm labor to election?”

This is really a pretty easy one to guess the results to. Somewhat to Very Important got about 84% of the votes. It certainly is an issue for debate in our upcoming Presidential election.

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, How long until we have autonomous tractors on the market?

Both New Holland and Case IH debuted autonomous concept tractors during the Farm Progress Show. Judging from online comments this is a very polarizing announcement. Although they are a concept only at this point they show what can be done with new technology that lets an operator run a tractor without physically on the vehicle. You can watch video about the announcements using the links above.

Case IH, New Holland, Tractor, ZimmPoll

#IFAJ2016 Tour – Part 10 – Bayer Bee Habitat

Chuck Zimmerman September 2, 2016

You might think bees just live in hives. You would be wrong. They live all over the place. I got some up close and personal looks at this during the IFAJ Bayer Tour that included having Dr. Patrick Lind, employed at FlächenAgentur Rheinland GmbH, show us different places and reasons for bee habitat on the Damianshof Farm.

There are a wide variety of wild bees and on this Bayer ForwardFarming partner farm you’ll get to see bee nesting boxes (bee hotels) and places where they lay eggs into dirt walls. There are flowering strips surrounding or between different fields on this farm to promote biodiversity. They are planted with perennial and annual flowers to provide food for bees as well as other forms of wildlife.

You can listen to the presentation here or watch below: Dr. Patrick Lind, FlächenAgentur Rheinland GmbH - Bee Habitat

2016 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Bees, IFAJ, International, Video

The 2016 GROWMARK Report

Lizzy Schultz September 2, 2016

Five members of GROWMARK’s leadership team kicked off the 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium with a presentation of the 2016 GROWMARK Report, an announcement of the company’s estimated 2016 financial results. The report was presented to an audience of shareholders present at the event.

The report was presented by:
Mike Woods, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mark Orr, Vice President, Agronomy
Kevin Carroll, Vice President, Energy & Logistics
Brent Erickson, Senior Vice President, Member Business
Barry Schmidt, Vice President, Retail Business

“The ag economy is in a challenging cycle, and many of our farmer-members and customers are feeling economic, regulatory, and environmental pressures,” said GROWMARK CEO Jim Spradlin as he addressed the audience prior to the report. “It could certainly be a few years before stronger demand reappears. Our mission is designed to improve our members long-term profitability, and we believe that our system strategies combined with our cooperative structure position us well to excel at what’s next.”

The company reported estimated fiscal year sales of $7.1 billion, lower than recent history, and estimated pre-tax income at $103 million, yielding an 8.2% return on invested capital. An estimated $52 million in patronage refunds will be returned to member cooperatives and farmer-owners.

Report highlights included the Energy Division estimating the highest internal income in history, reports from both the Seed Division and Crop Protection Division of sales down three percent from last year, and the Crop Nutrients Division estimating a sales volume similar to last year.

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium Photo Album

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, GROWMARK

GROWMARK Focused on Policy as Election Nears

Lizzy Schultz September 2, 2016

The upcoming Presidential election, and the potential changes to funding and regulation that the changing administration may bring, is a concern for many within the agriculture industry, and it was a major talking point during the 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium.

Chuck Spencer, Executive Director for Government Affairs at GROWMARK, is using the upcoming elections as an opportunity to make positive change for the industry by working to impact congressional representatives with the issues that will be affected by the transition to a new administration.

“We have a Continuing Appropriations Act that is expiring this September, and we currently have 13 Appropriations Bills, but none of them have passed the entire process, so it’s very likely we’ll have another Omnibus spending bill that will either go until right after the election or until March, and that’s a very big discussion right now,” said Spencer in an interview during the Annual Meeting.

GROWMARK has been heavily involved in some of the major policy issues that have affected agriculture this year, including the GMO labeling bill, and the company remains interested in the annual renewal of tax extenders, especially related to the Renewable Fuels tax credits received in ethanol and biodiesel.

“Right now they still have to be renewed annually, and we’re looking to see if and how they are included in any comprehensive package that Congress would act on in September,” he said. “Biodiesel tax credit has lapsed for a period of two years, and that creates ripple effects in the marketplace that affects the pricing of those products, which is especially important as we’re on the verge of what is projected to be a very productive harvest season.”

Listen to Lizzy’s full interview with Chuck here:
Interview with Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, GROWMARK

A Glimpse into the World Economy Outlook

Jamie Johansen September 2, 2016

The international audience at the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange went home with a head full of key insights for soybeans and the “World Economic Outlook – Now through 2017” was a small part. Tim Quinlan, Director, Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Securities, Global Division, keynoted the closing plenary and provided an analysis on the macro U.S. and major foreign economies.

He sat down with me before he took the stage to share how he hopes his words will impact the international soybean market. “What I am here to do is provide some context around the global economy, the U.S. economy specifically and where the federal reserve will guide interest rates over the next few years.”

Tim said we are in year seven of an economic expansion and they typically only last about five years. Are we living on borrowed time? “I think the biggest thing globally is we have much slower growth in China. The world economy has to get used to that…How do we cope in a world where global GDP growth is in the 2.7-2.9 percent change when we are used to 3.5-4 percent. It’s the new normal folks have to come to terms with.”

The top twenty trading partners with the U.S. are Tim’s bread and butter, but when it comes it emerging markets he said China has slowed, Brazil is having hard economic times and Russia is in a recession. So, who does he believe to be the next emercing market? “If I had a $100 and had to pick a horse over the next ten years, I’d bet on India to have the fastest growth rate.”

Listen to my complete interview with Tim to learn more: Interview with Tim Quinlan, Wells Fargo Securities

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 US Soy Global Trade Exchange Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, International, Markets, Soybean, USSEC

IA Gov Branstad Visits #FarmProgessShow

Joanna Schroeder September 1, 2016

Another successful Farm Progress Show has wrapped up in Boone, Iowa. We ended on a high note with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad visiting exhibitors and stopping by the BASF Media Tent to speak with reporters about key ag issues. I spoke with him about three issues: ethanol, water quality and trade.

Branstad said that we appreciate the private sector support to improve water quality and said he and the Lt. Governor have been to over 40 sites in the state this summer to see water conservation in action. They are strongly advocating with Iowa legislators to pass water quality legislation again.

In terms of ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard, Gov Branstad visited Quad County Corn Processors this week along with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to see both first-gen and cellulosic ethanol in action. He said that the industry needs continued federal support and now Ernst can share her personal experience in DC.

Speaking on the topic of TPP Gov. Branstad said we have problems with both parties. He believes support will be difficult and they may have to renegotiate.

Learn more about these three issues by listening to my interview with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad: Interview with IA Governor Terry Branstad

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show, Trade, Water

New Holland Expands Self Propelled Forage Harvesters

Joanna Schroeder September 1, 2016

New Holland has continued the launch of its Self Propelled Forage Harvester line that started last year. The five model line-up ranges from 480 horsepower all the way up to 825 horsepower according to New Holland’s Doug Otto, with whom I spoke with during the 2016 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa this week.

One of the greatest features of the SP Forage Harvest says Otto is length of cut. This issue is one of the most critical for a cow’s feed ration. “So depending on the local dairy nutritionist and their theories about the balance of ration with that particular herd, he will request various lengths of cuts,” says Otto. The machine allows you to adjust on the go. “With New Holland, in the monitor, you can set what length you want to cut, with only minor limits based on the machine but most units will go from a half inch all the way up to an inch and a quarter and then if you want longer or shorter you might have to make some mechanical changes.”

Other key features? The New Holland FR Forage Cruiser (aka Chopper) has the widest feed row and feed channel in the industry. The cutter head is 32 inches wide. With that Otts says a producer gets a really thin crop mat and when it goes past the cutter head it gets chopped very consistently. “So I liken that to a paper cutter. If you take a whole ream and try to cut it you get ragged edges but if you take 10 pages and cut it you get nice cuts. Well it’s the same with the Chopper, it’s a thin mat going across the knife blade so you get very consistent length of cut then in the bunk produces a better quality feed. If the lengths of cut are different, it doesn’t ferment as well so when it goes to the cow the protein quality isn’t as high.”

Another cool feature is the Variflow System, which allows you to take the kernel processor that is used to process corn in and out in a matter of three minutes. Otto says you can chop hay in the morning, take the head off, put the processor on and go chop corn in the afternoon even this late in the season. Ultimately, says Otto, it’s the best Chopper on the market to blow forage.

Learn more about New Hollands Self Propelled Forage Harvester by listening to my interview with Doug Otto: Interview with New Holland's Doug Otto on SP Forage Harvester

New Holland 2016 Farm Progress Photo Album

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

GROWMARK Excited for What’s “Next”

Lizzy Schultz September 1, 2016

The 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting and Agribusiness Symposium was held this week in Chicago, Illinois. This year’s event theme was “Next,” with a focus centered on the innovations and ideas that will lead the future of agriculture and ensure its success.

Jim Spradlin, CEO of GROWMARK, sat down for an interview during the Annual Meeting. He discussed the company’s vision behind this year’s event, including this year’s new addition of the Agribusiness Symposium.

“We took a different approach this year by expanding it by a day and adding in some educational components, and we tried to choose topics that fit our current ag environment, which is currently in a down cycle,” he said. “There are challenges relative to economics, there are challenges related to regulations, and there are added environmental pressures, so we tried to pick speakers that help us could provide insight to our audience and our members and educate our owners on how to deal with these issues going forward.”

Highlights at this year’s event included a comprehensive panel on sustainability, an economic outlook from Dr. Mark Dotzour, and keynotes from retired General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell and retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Keni Thomas, whose acts of bravery during a famous mission in Somalia were recounted in the movie “Black Hawk Down.”

“GROWMARK’s mission is to improve the profitability of our member-owners, so we try to focus everything we do on how we can help our farmers become more profitable, which starts with providing trusted advice,” said Spradlin.

Listen to Lizzy’s full interview with Jim here:
Interview with Jim Spradlin, GROWMARK

View and download photos from the event here:2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Events, GROWMARK, Sustainability

Finalists Chosen for @USFRA Faces

Cindy Zimmerman September 1, 2016

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) has announced the finalists of its third class of Faces of Farming and Ranching, a nationwide search to help put real faces on agriculture. This is the third class of Faces of Farming & Ranching that USFRA has sought to speak on behalf of the industry in this capacity.

The finalists are:

Lauren Arbogast, VA
Emily Buck, OH
Katie Roth, WI
Lauren Schwab, OH
Jeremy Brown, TX
Paul Lanoue, MN
Geoff Ruth, NE
Joy Widerman, PA

“Farmers and ranchers care immensely about their animals, the environment, and their customers, and we need to share their stories in order to protect many of the tools and technologies that agriculture utilizes today,” said Nancy Kavazanjian, USFRA Chairwoman. “These incredible finalists make it their highest priority to provide a nutritious and sustainable food supply, which is the story we intend to share with today’s consumer through this program.”

Kavazanjian says from October 10-16, people will be able to visit USFRA’s Facebook Page to learn more about each of the finalists and the work they do, including short videos highlighting their operation. From there, the public can vote for the farmers and ranchers whom they believe best represent today’s agriculture and the final winners will be announced in November at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention in Kansas City.

We talked with Nancy at the Farm Progress Show yesterday about the Faces of Farming and Ranching program and what USFRA has been able to accomplish with this program. Interview with Nancy Kavazanjian, USFRA

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, Education, Farm Progress Show, Farming, USFRA

Iowa Home to New Ag Tech Accelerator

Joanna Schroeder September 1, 2016

Iowa is the new home of a new startup business accelerator: Ag Tech Accelerator (The Accelerator). Four investors have provided funding for the initiative including DuPont Pioneer, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company, John Deere and Peoples Company. Each company has committed to providing $100,000 for the first year. The Accelerator was announced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Cultivation Corridor in a press conference during the Farm Progress Show.

Jay Byers, CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership announces the formation o of the Ag Tech Accelerator during the Farm Progress Show.

Kathryn Kunert, Vice President of Economic Connections and Integration at MidAmerican Energy Company and Cultivation Corridor Officer said The Accelerator is modeled after the Global Insurance Accelerator and will build upon the one of the state’s key industries, agriculture. The new ag tech start-up program will be closely aligned with the goals of the Cultivation Corridor, launched in 2014, the home of many leading and start-up agbioscience, agritechnology, biorenewables, plant sciences and advanced manufacturing
companies.

“The Ag Tech Accelerator will assist with the Cultivation Corridor’s mission to support and sustain the science that feeds the world,” said Kathryn Kunert, Vice President of Economic Connections and Integration at MidAmerican Energy Company and Cultivation Corridor Officer. “The Cultivation Corridor relies on support from Central Iowa businesses, and I am pleased that key collaborators DuPont Pioneer, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company, John Deere and Peoples Company have committed to support the Ag Tech Accelerator.”

Deere Information Solutions Business Director Lane Arthur. John Deere is a founding partner in the new Ag Tech Accelerator.

Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership added, “Today’s announcement is an example of Central Iowa celebrating its agricultural roots and leveraging that key industry into further global economic growth. Our state is at the top in so many areas in terms of agriculture, and The Accelerator will help ensure that we are a world leader for years to come.”

The four investors will have company representatives on the board, of which will select the first set of companies to participate in the program in 2017. Companies from around the world are encouraged to apply. If accepted, the start-ups will send team members to Iowa for 100 days where they will receive mentoring from experts who work in the ag industry’s leading companies.

“John Deere has long been dedicated to those who are linked to the land, and is always ready to embrace change that leads to new opportunities,” noted Lane Arthur, Deere Information Solutions Business Director. “Being able to support the continuing progress in the field of precision ag is important both here in Iowa, as well as around the world.”

Listen to the Ag Tech Accelerator press conference here: Ag Tech Accelerator Press Conference Read More

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Progress Show, International, John Deere, Pioneer, Precision Agriculture

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