Explore The World of CNH Industrial with an App

Kelly Marshall

The World of CNH IndustrialCNH Industrial is inviting anyone to experience the power of what their machines can accomplish in a day, regardless of where you might be in the world.  Thanks to the innovation of the smartphone, users of “The World of CNH Industrial” can witness a machine saving lives in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, or harvesting enough grapes to fill 20,000 bottles with wine in one day.  The app looks at each of the 12 brands the company manufactures and proves that CNH never sleeps.

The app uses virtual reality and gyroscope technology to offer a full or partial 360-degree experience.  You can navigate the entire globe with the flick of an eye or the tap of a finger.

The World of CNH Industrial App - Screenshot FPT IndustrialThe app is designed to be paired with a Virtual Reality Cardboard Viewer, available for order from developers such as Google. In this mode, users will be able to move from location to location by focusing their stare and exploring each setting, physically turning their heads as if they were actually on the very street, crop field or quarry where a CNH Industrial brand machine is at work. Alternatively, the app can be viewed in Full Screen mode and perused via touch screen.

Curious facts on each machine will pop up to give users a new spin on a traditional concept. For example, an excavator from Case Construction Equipment can lift the weight of four elephants and a hybrid bus from Heuliez Bus saves 25 more tons of emitted CO2 per year compared to a conventional bus.

You can download The World of CNH Industrial for Android and Apple.

Agribusiness, Apps, Case IH, Equipment, New Holland

Alltech Announces More Speakers For ONE

Lizzy Schultz

One_FB_851x315Alltech is adding to its line-up of expert speakers and engaging discussions in preparation for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, from May 22–25.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, former CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally, former Global Marketing Officer of Procter & Gamble, Jim Stengel, renowned author and water expert Seth M. Siegel, Singularity University co-chair of energy and environment Ramez Naam, as well as several newly added speakers for the plenary sessions.

One Plenary session, titled “Apollo 13: A Successful Failure” will feature Captain Jim Lovell, former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. naval captain, is also scheduled.

Several other keynote speakers include Dr. Marc Larousse, vice president of business development, Alltech, Christopher W. Nolan, Sr., managing director, PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance LLC, David Byrne, former European commissioner for health and consumer protection, Dr. Stephen Collett, clinical associate professor at the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, University of Georgia, Dr. Mark Lyons, global vice president & head of Greater China, Alltech, and Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer & vice president, corporate accounts, Alltech.

The full list of topics for the conference’s sessions is available here. ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference has been approved by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists for six continuing education units (CEUs).

In addition to the intellectual inspiration, ONE attendees will experience opportunities for fun, entertainment and networking, such as ONE Vision, a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art interactive and immersive digital experience that explores the future of food and our planet, the International Welcome Dinner, Alltech’s Fun Run, a 3K mini-marathon, various brewery and distillery, sightseeing and farm tours, and the presentation of the Alltech Young Scientist Award, the world’s most prestigious agriscience competition for undergraduate and graduate students.

Alltech’s international symposium has been held for 32 years in Lexington, and has a substantial economic impact on Kentucky. In 2015, Alltech’s REBELation symposium was estimated to have an impact of more than $7.2 million.

Agribusiness, Alltech, Events, International

NAMA Offers Precision Content Webinar

Kelly Marshall

NAMA WebinarsThe National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is hosting a webinar on Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

The seminar is entitled “Precision Content – Applying the Lessons of Modern Farming to Optimize Communications Efforts” will help communication professional navigate the process of creating content just as growers move through the growing cycle.  Speakers Keith Negrin and Bill Brozak will discuss how to plant seeds of content, nurture it while it’s in the field, and harvest results to begin planning the next campaign.  Cost for the webinar is $50.00.  Register now to learn how a data-driven approach can help you get the most back for your buck.

Agribusiness, NAMA

New Holland Supports 1st Fisher House in WI

Jamie Johansen

unnamedThe first Fisher House in Wisconsin was officially dedicated on Saturday, April 23 by Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation, Andrew Roberts, President of Fisher House Wisconsin, and James McLain, Acting Director of Milwaukee VA Medical Center. Rebecca Gunderson, Community Relations Manager for New Holland North America, was on site representing New Holland during the dedication ceremony.

The home was built with funding support from New Holland Agriculture, among other sponsors. New Holland’s contribution of $57,800 was presented at the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2014, bringing the total amount contributed to Fisher House Foundation to over $153 thousand. These funds were raised through the New Holland True Blue Salute program, which provides a discount for military, Veterans, and first responders.

“Fisher House Foundation is proud to have partnered with New Holland to support our military, Veterans, and their families receiving care at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center,” said Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. “Not all battles are fought on the battlefield. A medical crisis, the most personal battle of all, can attack a loved one unexpectedly at any time. That’s where Fisher Houses have an impact—a home away from home, free of charge, near their loved one’s bedside. New Holland’s generous support helps us achieve that mission.”

The new Fisher House is located at Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and will provide lodging for up to 16 families of Veterans and military at no cost, allowing them to be close to their loved ones during treatment. It is one just one of Fisher House Foundation’s network of 70 comfort homes where military and Veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. According to Fisher House Foundation, the program has saved military and Veterans’ families an estimated $320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

“New Holland is humbled by the tireless efforts of Fisher House Foundation to provide comfort for the families of our military and Veterans when they need it most,” said Bret Lieberman, Vice President of New Holland for North America. “We are honored for the opportunity to help Ken and the rest of his staff accomplish their goal. Congratulations on your first home in Wisconsin.”

Agribusiness, New Holland

Borlaug-Ruan Internship Sends 24 Students Abroad

Lizzy Schultz

the_world_food_prize The World Food Prize Foundation announced that record 24 high school students will be sent abroad for internships at renowned international research centers and NGOs this summer. The students hail from Iowa and 12 other states, and will focus their studies on issues relating to hunger and poverty during eight-week, all-expenses-paid internships in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The program was created by Dr. Norman Borlaug and John Ruan, Sr. in 1998, and seeks to inspire the next generation of agricultural scientists, as well as exposing them to the wide array of fields related to global food security. Over the years, 250 young people have participated in the internship with significant impact on their educational and career choices.

“It was our founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s most ardent hope that by engaging young people in actual hunger-fighting research, they will be inspired to pursue academic and career paths in science, food, agricultural and natural resource disciplines, and thus be prepared to become tomorrow’s innovative scientific and humanitarian leaders,” said World Food Prize President, Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn. “Nearly 1 billion people go hungry every day. As the world faces a growing population, climate volatility and other global challenges, the next generation will be charged with continuing the battle against hunger and finding new solutions to feed the world.”

The Borlaug-Ruan Internship allows student interns to participate in projects with distinguished researchers at leading agricultural research centers around the world. Students receive a firsthand view of real and pressing food security issues and nutrition problems in poverty-stricken areas, and participate as an integral part of a project. Participants spend time in the lab as well as days or weeks at a time in the field conducting research and interviews, and gathering data.

The interns are involved in a variety of projects focused on reducing poverty and hunger, such as: fisheries and aquaculture studies; plant biotechnology research; micro-credit and the women’s self-help concept; the influence of education on household food security; livestock value chains; and the calculation of Vitamin C concentration in numerous potato varieties.

A list of the 24 Borlaug-Ruan International Interns, including photos, can be found online here

Ag Groups, International, Research, World Food Prize

Celebrating 60 Years of Warren Kester Journalism

Kelly Marshall

KesterThe National Association of Farm Broadcasters is saddened to share the news that charter-signing member Warren Kester has passed away.  Kester was a life-long member of the agriculture community and worked as a journalist in print and on air for almost 60 years.

Kester was 95 years old at the time of his passing in March.  He was born on June 18, 1920 on a farm in Iowa.  He graduated Iowa State University with a degree in agronomy and married Ruth Lucile Yount.  In 1949 he became the manager of the Sioux City Market News Foundation.  He later worked as a journalist and editor for Farm Journal magazine and BEEF magazine.  During his 58 years in the industry Kester photographed and interviewed many key leaders in the cattle industry.

Services will be held on June 18, 2016 at Cass Church & Cemetery in Anamosa, Iowa.

Agribusiness, Journalism, NAFB

BASF & Balchem Collaborate on New Product

Jamie Johansen

basf_edited-1BASF and Balchem Corporation are working together to bring next generation feed efficiency and health products to the North American swine industry. This relationship will open the door to a portfolio of products and technologies that improve feed hygiene, safety and overall animal performance. Look for offerings at World Pork Expo, June 8-10 in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Our alliance with Balchem helps meet the changing needs of the US swine market,” said Christian Nitschke, BASF Regional Head, Animal Nutrition North America. “As we combine strong market expertise and close customer relationships with superior technologies and production capacities, we are confident that the result will improve animal health and efficiency, leading to increased profitability for the pork producer.”

Screen Shot 2016-05-09 at 11.42.56 AM“BASF has helped the European swine industry by developing innovative feed solutions for more efficient and consumer-responsive pork production,” notes Jonathan Griffin, Vice President, Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health. “As we look to 2017, and the changes the US industry faces, we are proud to work closely with BASF to bring new feed management options to pork producers. As the industry continues to work hard to provide a safe and affordable food supply, while also meeting consumer demands, collaboration such as this will be imperative to developing the tools that will help us get there.”

Agribusiness, Animal Health, BASF, Feed, Nutrition, Swine

FFA Scholarship Program Exceeds 2.6 Million

Lizzy Schultz

ffa_logo This year marks the 32nd year for the National FFA Organization and Foundation scholarship program, and this year’s awards totaled more than $2.6 million in scholarships to 1,791 recipients. The generosity of the program’s 116 sponsors were instrumental in making this year’s program so successful.

More than 8,300 students applied online for the scholarships, and many applicants were considered for multiple awards. Approximately one in every five students who applied was awarded a scholarship. Students pursuing two-year and four-year degrees, as well as vocational programs were qualified to apply for scholarships, and the average recipient had a GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. The selection process takes into account the whole student, including FFA involvement, work experience, supervised agricultural experience, community service, leadership skills and academics.

The scholarship program began in 1984 with 16 scholarships offered, and since then, more than $44 million has been awarded in scholarship funds through the National FFA Organization. A list of recipients is available online at the FFA scholarship results page. Recipients are listed first by the state in which their high school is located then alphabetically by student last name.

Ag Groups, FFA, University

Apply Today for NAFB Scholarships

Lizzy Schultz

nafb-scholarships-15 The NAFB Foundation has announced that applications are now open for five $5,000 scholarship available to students studying careers in agriculture communications. Since 1975, the NAFB Foundation has been investing in the future of farm broadcasting by providing college scholarships to more than 100 college students. This year, the foundation is offering a total of $25,000 in scholarships to be awarded to the future of agriculture communications.

Several current NAFB members have previously been awarded NAFB scholarships, with past recipients including Pam Jahnke, Michelle Rook, Joe Gangwish, DeLoss Jahnke, Russell Nemetz, Jason Vance, Clinton Griffiths, Tyne Morgan, Carah Hart, Spencer Chase and Shannon Yokley.

Students who will be college juniors, seniors or graduate students Fall 2016, and are enrolled in a college or university agriculture communications program pursuing a career in agriculture communications are all eligible to apply.

Scholarship recipients will receive an expense-paid trip to the NAFB Convention, held in Kansas City, MO, November 9-11, 2016. Online applications will be accepted through June 6, 2016. Click here to start the application process today.

Ag Groups, NAFB, University

CNH Releases 2015 Sustainability Report

Kelly Marshall

CNH Industrial 2015 Sustainability Report - Top Results CNH Industrial has proven time and again that they are a sustainable company.  For the fifth year in a row they have been named an Industry Leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI) World and Europe Inducies.  They were the 2015 DJSI Capital Goods Industry Group Leader and were included on the CDP Climate A List.  Now the company is releasing its 2015 Sustainability Report.

The report is divided into three sections.  The first details how the company operates in a global environment, identifying important aspects and reporting achievements for the year.  The second section illustrates how they care for their employees and the community.  The third sections details the product value chain, taking products from conception to the end of their life cycle.

Highlights from the results include a 2 percent decrees in the amount of energy used per hour compared to 2014, an elimination of 18,000 tons of CO2 emissions, a total of 48 percent of total energy now coming from renewable sources, and 27 percent of water being recycled.

You can view the full report on the CNH Website; scroll to the bottom for the 2015 Sustainability Report.

Agribusiness, Case IH, Conservation, New Holland