Getting to Know @Farmers_Edge

Jamie Johansen August 11, 2016

When it comes to precision data technology, farmers today have many choices. At the recent Ag Media Summit, Farmers Edge was eager to share what sets them apart from the rest and how they strive to boost growers crop production without forgetting about the need for constant improvement in sustainability efforts.

Farmers Edge VP of Marketing, Marina Barnes, said, “We strongly believe you have to have an integrated approach in order to deliver a complete solution to your customers. Farmers Edge is independent and unbiased. We are not tied to any input or equipment sales. We were built from the ground up with insights from our farmers. We incorporated technology with an existing agronomic business model unlike typical precision ag companies. At Farmers Edge, we also believe that providing real boots on the ground to our clients is essential. That is why we work along out farmers every step of the way.”

Marina said that when a new customer comes on board, they “digitize the farm.” All customers get access to on-farm weather stations and FarmCommand, their integrated farm management platform.

Collecting all this data is really the simple part. Once you have all that data, what do you to with it? “At Farmers Edge, we are not focused on getting the right data just for the sake of visibility. We are focused on turning that data into decisions that can improve growers’ farming operation. We bridge the gap between boots on the ground and data-driven precision ag.”

Listen to my complete interview with Marina to learn more about Farmers Edge and their new decision support tool focused on nitrogen management. Interview with Marina Barnes, Farmers Edge

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 AMS Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Audio

#Ethanol Education for Bikers

Chuck Zimmerman August 11, 2016

Dana Siefkes-Lewis (pictured on right) is the Chief Administrative Officer for Redfield Energy, an ethanol plant in Redfield, SD. She is also the President of the South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, board member for the Renewable Fuels Association and a great spokesperson for the industry.

This year Dana visited the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to work with other RFA staff and board members for Free Fuel Happy Hours at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground. The RFA is once again a sponsor at the event and provides free fuel to bikers while talking with them about using an ethanol blend in their bike.

Dana says that most of the bikers she spoke to have at least some familiarity with ethanol but still had lots of questions which shows the need for continued educational efforts like this fuel promotion. I also asked her about the current status of efforts to work on a stable RFS to provide the industry with more stability, especially financially. Speaking as an RFA member and personally she encourages people to make every effort to contact their local elected leaders to discuss this issue even if you are getting weary of doing so.

You can listen to my interview with Dana here: Dana Lewis, Redfield Energy

RFA at Sturgis Buffalo Chip 2016 Photos

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

Growth in the @JohnDeere Operations Center

Cindy Zimmerman August 10, 2016

John Deere’s Operations Center is no small project, as Randy Kasparbauer the Software Product Manager for the company told AgWired at last week’s InfoAg Conference. Users of this platform can upload their data and have access to not only John Deere’s many helpful apps, but a growing number of third party programs as well, without the need to duplicate information.

“It’s really a visual platform for all the agronomic and machine data growers are collecting all over the world,” Kasparbauer explains. “We have really great technology with John Deere. Being able to operate equipment and collect really useful data from that equipment and have it stored and made visible through the Operation Center, but then that data is also accessible through the data platform to these third party companies.”

While John Deere has spent considerable time creating their own apps for their customers, the work done for the Operations Center allows third parties to share what they specialize in, meaning growers get the most value for their data, Kasparbauer told Chuck Zimmermann.

He adds that the company has seen growth in the number of third parties that can access the John Deere API and they expect this number to keep growing. In fact, the Operation Center is also ready to integrate visualizations from third parties, making the platform more valuable than ever.

To learn more about the John Deere Operations Center, listen to Chuck’s interview here: Randy Kasparbauer, John Deere Operations Center

2016 ICPA/InfoAg Photo Album

Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by

Audio, Info Ag, John Deere

People Power Highlighted During #ACE2016

Joanna Schroeder August 10, 2016

People Power has become a force in telling the story of ethanol and agriculture. The success of American Coalition for Ethanol’s (ACE) Power by People campaign was just one of the topics highlighted by Brian Jennings, ACE’s Executive Vice President during the 29th annual Ethanol Conference that took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota this week. Another topic: how one’s passion for ethanol is contagious and indeed it is when you hear the ethanol success stories you can’t help but want to pass them along.

During his opening session remarks, Jennings stressed that when everyone works together, the industry is stronger, something ACE founder Merle Anderson understood when he led the effort to form ACE back in 1987. “He understood what the ‘politics of addition’ mean, and why we needed a grassroots voice in support of ethanol.”

ACE has the strongest grassroots voice in the country and their Power to People campaign is a great example of how in touch ACE is with the consumers who purchase the industry’s homegrown products.

“That’s what ACE’s Power by People campaign is about – putting a human face on ethanol – making connections with people on their terms; appealing to people’s hearts in addition to their minds,” said Jennings who added that people don’t make decisions on facts and data alone, but emotion and feelings play a huge role. “And it goes beyond having a message that’s persuasive to both the left and right side of the brain. If we want to influence the public opinions that inform political decisions, we also need to think about our audience and have the right messenger deliver the right message.”

Jennings also highlighted the big need to fix the RVP problem, nationally, that keeps E15 from being sold during summer months. He said this must be overcome if the industry is to pave the way for even higher blends. He also stressed the need to keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on track so RIN values will continue driving demands for flex fuels. Yesterday was the 11th Anniversary of the RFS being signed into law and noted that ACE was the first organization to support the RFS.

In closing, Jennings reminded attendees that the November election is only a few short months away. While he didn’t touch on the Presidential campaign, he did stress: “As candidates stump for your vote, whether Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton or Ron Johnson and Russ Feingold, or whoever, please hold them accountable on our priorities.”

Listen to Brian’s full opening presentation here: Brian Jennings, ACE, Opening Presentation

2016 ACE Annual Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Biofuels, Ethanol

Bayer Showcases #Peanuts and #Cotton

Cindy Zimmerman August 10, 2016

Bayer has been holding a series of Showcase Plot Tours around the country since early July and we had a chance to check out the latest in cotton, peanuts and soybeans for the Southeast at Tuesday’s event in Dawson, Georgia at the company’s brand new breeding facility.

“This is a new breeding facility that Bayer felt would put us in a better position to help launch new germplasm specifically for the southeast cotton market,” said Bayer District Sales Manager John Hand.

It was great to see John at the event since we have gotten to know him well over the years at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference and he says Bayer has a deep commitment to peanut and cotton farmers. “Those crops for Georgia are so big and we have such a wide portfolio of products for that market, it’s extremely important for us,” he said, adding that they are excited about bringing even more new products to market for those farmers.

Listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Hand, Bayer

Bayer Showcase Days Photo Album

More Showcase Days are on the schedule over the next month, including two today in Brookings, SD and Brownsburg, IN. Jamie will be heading to the Athens, IL event on Thursday to find out more of what Bayer has in store for soybeans and corn.

The rest of the dates on the schedule are:
Sparta, IL – August 16
Pikeville, NC – August 30
Troy, OH – September 8
Stockbridge, MI – September 13

Audio, Bayer, Cotton, Peanuts

#IFAJ2016 Bayer Tour – Part 5 – Bayer Bee Care

Chuck Zimmerman August 9, 2016

In this part 5 of my series from Bayer CropScience tour stops during the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Germany this presentation at the Bee Care Center is done by Peter Trodtfeld, Bee Keeper at the Bayer Bee Care Center.

Peter took us outside next to some bee hives to talk about how the company approaches bee care. If you’ve ever been curious about bees this is a good presentation to watch or listen to. In the photo is the whole Bayer Bee Care team that guided us through the center.

You can listen to the presentation here or watch below: Peter Trodtfeld Presentation

2016 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Bees, IFAJ, Video

Passing of Ag Industry Leader Doug Wolf

Cindy Zimmerman August 9, 2016

We were saddened to hear of the sudden passing recently of Wisconsin pork producer and industry leader Doug Wolf, 61.

Wolf, who was past chairman of the National Pork Producers Council and served on the board of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), was a partner in Wolf L&G Farms LLC, which he ran with his wife Kris and son Shannon and family. He also served the industry in a variety of other capacities.

“Doug Wolf was a warm and genuine man who represented America’s pork producers with grace and tenacity all over the globe,” said Jan Archer, National Pork Board president and a North Carolina pork producer. “We all owe Doug a huge debt of gratitude and will miss him terribly.”

It was a shock to hear of Doug’s passing, since we just interviewed him a few weeks ago for our I AM USFRA series. His niece contacted us by email over the weekend to get a copy of that interview so his wife could continue to hear his voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wolf family and the entire agriculture industry as we mourn the loss of this wonderful farmer, husband, father and industry leader.

Pork, Swine, USFRA

Harvesting Data with @JohnDeere

Cindy Zimmerman August 9, 2016

Chuck Zimmerman had the chance to catch up with some team members from our John Deere sponsor at InfoAg in St. Louis last week. Deanna Kovar is the Director of Production & Precision Ag Marketing at John Deere and it’s her job to bring solutions to the US and Canada. Bringing solutions to growers is what Deere has been doing since the self-scouring plow, but of course, Kovar relates, it looks quite a bit different today!

Now precision agriculture generally means equipment, technology like GPS or variable rate, or increasing the precise location of seed and fertilizer, and that’s all part of what John Deere brings, but the company also views its dealer network as a component. Dealers are part of harvesting data, Kovar explains. And that data is used to help farmers make better decisions.

“Precision ag is relatively new to farming and our dealers really take precision farming to the last mile to make sure that it works for farmers, no matter what crops they’re growing, no matter what solutions they’re using on their farm, whether its a of all new John Deere equipment or a fleet of older, mixed color equipment, our dealers are really working hard to take the technologies we’re providing, connect those growers to their trusted advisors and really drive a different level of farming.”

“Nobody farms alone,” Kovar asserts. John Deere knows this and has learned that building the best only goes so far. Working with retailers, equipment manufacturers, software companies and many other areas of the industry are what take precision farming to the next level.

Listen to Chuck’s full interview here: Interview with Deanna Kovar, John Deere

2016 ICPA/InfoAg Photo Album

Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by

Audio, data, Info Ag, John Deere

Future of #Farming is Multi-Colored at @Clariant

Cindy Zimmerman August 8, 2016

This summer, specialty chemicals company Clariant announced its full range of Agrocer™ seed colorants in North America and we saw them on display at the recent American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting in Portland.

Philip Adams, Regional Sales and Marketing Director, Business Unit Pigments, says the Agrocer line fits in well with Clariant’s sustainability platform. “All business units within the Clariant corporation are involved in a number of key sustainability growth areas and agro-chemicals are vitally important within the food chain,” said Adams.

Agrocer colorants are available in a whole rainbow of colors and have been tested for seed safety, according to Mark Self, Segment Manager for Special Applications. “There are seven products – six primary colors plus white – and this allows you to do an infinite number of blends,” said Self. “Companies can then blend them for certain applications and they can also use it as a branding technique.” He adds that Clariant will have a display featuring Agrocer at the ASTA CSS 2016 and Seed Expo coming up December 5-9 in Chicago.

Manufactured as pigment powders and pigment preparations, Agrocer colorants comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inert ingredients regulations and are globally available.

Learn more about Clariant and Agrocer in this interview: Interview with Philip Adams and Mark Self, Clariant

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

#RFS Celebrates 11 Years

Joanna Schroeder August 8, 2016

Today is the 11th anniversary of the day the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was signed into law. Ethanol advocates are celebrating the energy policy stressing that the legislation provides Americans with increasing energy security, cleaner air and more affordable fuel options at the pump. Biofuel advocates are noting that in nearly a decade, the RFS continues to drive U.S. job creation and new renewable energy innovations. Following are some of the industry leader’s thoughts on the success of the RFS.

Chip Bowling, President of the National Corn Growers Association: “The RFS guarantees America’s leadership in the global transition to ethanol, which has cut world-wide carbon emissions 589 million metric tons over the past decade, the equivalent of taking more than 124 million cars off of the road,” said “And thanks to innovation in U.S. agriculture, we are growing more crops on less land than we cultivated when the RFS was first enacted.”

Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association: “Passage of the 2005 Energy Policy Act could not have been possible were it not for the cooperation between the ethanol, agriculture and oil sectors. The oil industry needed an off ramp from the use of MTBE, which was polluting groundwater across the country, and the ethanol industry needed a growth path if farmers were ever to realize the promise of value-added markets. Every stakeholder cheered the passage of this groundbreaking legislation, and it was an immediate success. MTBE disappeared as a gasoline additive, investments in U.S. biofuel production soared, farmers saw increased demand for their commodities allowing Congress to dramatically cut farm program costs, consumers saw pump prices fall as ethanol displaced more expensive oil, and carbon emissions from the transportation sector fell precipitously. All of those benefits continue to this day.”

Emily Skor, CEO, Growth Energy: “This is a good opportunity to remind the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the RFS is designed to get stronger over time, delivering a greater share of renewable energy into our fuel mix. The agency has proposed cutting RFS targets for 2017, which would needlessly undermine eleven years of progress toward a cleaner environment and a healthier, more secure America. Ethanol producers, retailers and the current auto fleet are 100 percent capable of providing consumers with a true choice at the pump, and now is certainly not the time to roll back the clock. EPA must get the program back on track and deliver on the promise of new, more affordable options for consumers.”

Agribusiness, Biofuels, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Page 601 of 2,373
←
1
...
600
601
602
...
2373
→