Clariant Lanches Unique Weed Control Boosters

Kelly Marshall

ClariantClariant is showing the world they truly are a leader in specialty chemicals with an innovative, all-in-one crop spraying system.  Synergen ME is a product line designed to improve weed control and achieve better yields by being optimized for use in combination with other herbicides. The new product contains methylated seed oil, ammonium sulfate and specific surfactants to increase the effectiveness of herbicides in a sing product, making at least one thing on the farm a little easier.

As herbicides differ widely in their properties, so do their needs. The new Synergen ME family therefore offers various products optimized for best fit to particular important herbicides and their combinations. The Synergen ME microemulsions provide an efficient and sustainable new tool that eliminates the need for farmers to mix several products with their chosen herbicide in order to optimize spray behaviour and achieve outstanding field performance. The systems have no negative impact on spray drift and are gentle to crop plants. Key for modern farming, the tank-mix adjuvants are also based predominantly on renewable products, are biodegradable and require no hazard labeling.

“Synergen ME provides an eco-friendly solution for modern agriculture that limits crop losses and reduces the amount of product needed, while delivering a new level of quality and performance to the crop protection segment. The multifaceted approach from one product takes crop protection to a higher level, improving the field performance of acid herbicides, and does so with a good environmental profile,” comments Ralf Zerrer, Head of Strategic Marketing Industrial and Consumer Specialties at Clariant.

Clariant is the main sponsor at the 11th International Symposium on Adjuvants for Agrochemicals (ISAA 2016) this week.  They are launching the Synergen ME product there, along with several additives and adjuvant innovations.

Agribusiness, Herbicide, weed management

Are Drones the Future of Ag?

Kelly Marshall

TerrAvionIt’s a little mind-blowing, really. Robert Morris served in the U.S. Army as a Technical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) Platoon Leader in Afghanistan.  His ground-breaking work helped uncover intelligence that made critically important strategic decisions, but after returning to the states Morris realized drones were the wrong choice for agriculture.

Instead a conversation with a buddy led Morris to start TerrAvion, an aerial imaging service for agriculture that uses planes instead of drones. And while drone-based businesses are booming, ($3.4 billion forecast for agriculture applications) Morris says the economics just aren’t there for a grower. “Electric drone collection uses 20 times more labor per acre than planes,” says Robert. “And a typical drone can collect aerial images for just 4,200 acres in one day versus 500,000 acres for a plane. The economics are pretty clear,” he says.

Regulations are another overwhelming factor. “While drone usage has been approved in select areas for select applications, it will be a long time before they have the broad clearance required for wide scale adoption,” says Robert.  His company can fly planes at required 8,000 foot elevation in every state and South America right now.

A subscription service means a grower receives birds-eye view images of a farm each week.  Multiple wavelengths mean information can be used to plan scouting, management actives and interventions.

Currently TerrAvion is focused almost exclusively on agriculture and it’s simple to get started.  While many farmers choose to go through retail partners, its also possible to go to the website, upload field information, pick a subscription plan and start receiving images right away.

“The thing that has been promised is here,” Morris assures us.  “It doesn’t look exactly like the hype, but it’s even better.  There’s no work required on the grower’s part beyond learning how to use the data to farm better on a larger footprint.”

Listen to Chucks interview and learn more about TerrAvion’s services here: Interview with Robert Morris, TerrAvion

Agribusiness, Audio, data

Statistically Defendable Data from the Field at #BIVIswine

Jamie Johansen

bivi-16-ames-tour-26-editedResearch at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) doesn’t stop in the lab. They are dedicated to taking research to the field to provide support for the BIVI swine sales and marketing team. The Field Research Services team answers customers’ product questions through field trials, diagnostic support and data management. Roy Edler, heads up that team as manager and he sat down with me to share more about BIVI’s ‘value behind the bottle’ approach.

“Questions never cease so there is always plenty to do. When a customer has a question that we can organize in a trial design so we can defend them statistically, we have a team that can help implement that. We are involved in that trial design. We are involved in collecting the data and we are involved in analyzing that data.”

As Roy mentioned, their goal is to find statistically defendable data from the field trials. The boots on the ground trials are also a key element in determining effectiveness of the drugs administered. Efficacy trails are the largest trials conducted and might include reporting average daily gain or feed conversations.

“Efficacy is a lot of what we are out investigating. How well do our products perform against non-vaccinated animals, against different protocols and even competitors products.”

Listen to my complete interview with Roy to hear more about their team approach to diagnostics and how they relay results back to their clients. Interview with Roy Edler, BIVI

2016 BIVI Media Tour Photo Album.

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Agribusiness, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Research, Swine

NCGA Takes Farmers to Trade School

Lizzy Schultz

tpp-ncga-trade-school Last week’s National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Trade School brought more than 50 farmers, ranchers and representatives of state agriculture associations to Washington in order to deepen their knowledge about trade issues and drum up support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Capitol Hill.

“Trade policy has a significant impact on me as a farmer. The success of my business and the livelihood of my community depend on expanding markets for U.S. agricultural products,” said John Linder, a farmer from Edison, Ohio who serves as chairman of the NCGA Biotechnology and Trade Action Team.

Trade school attendees listened to public and private sector experts discuss the importance of trade to the agriculture sector, global population and dietary trends and their implications for agriculture, the growing ethanol export market, and the current state of play for TPP.

“The biggest thing I learned in trade school is, the world is not waiting for us. Our competitors have negotiated regional and bilateral trade agreements that put American farmers and ranchers at a disadvantage in the global marketplace,” said Linder.

Ag Groups, Corn, Exports, NCGA, politics, Trade

Huge Disservice to the Organic Industry

Chuck Zimmerman

I like to use images and especially video to help tell a story. In this case, however, there is just no need to do so. The folks at the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance brought to my attention the rather disgusting work of the Clif Bar Family Foundation demonstrated by their Seed Matters initiative that features a profanity spewing animated seed video produced by the Butler Brothers. Yes, these folks have a serious agenda that doesn’t care about things like facts. Here’s a response to their video from USFRA:

The Clif Bar Family Foundation recently released a video titled “Seed Matters” which uses a foul-mouthed lead character and inappropriate imagery to not only attack conventional farming practices but also insult science, agronomic research and all farmers who choose to implement modern farming practices.

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance CEO, Randy Krotz, issued a rebuttal to the video. Please read his piece and share with your agriculture community. It’s time for all of agriculture to come together and respond in a collective and united voice.

Foul-Mouthed ‘Mr. Seed’ Sells With Scares

It saddens me to say that the organic food industry has reached a new low. U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance has always been an organization that promotes and encourages diversity in food production practices, but we find ourselves speechless, mouths hanging open. The atrocity of the Seed Matters video created for the Clif Bar Family Foundation, and the messages within, have crossed the line.

In an attempt to scare the public about GMO crops, the video uses unrealistic imagery (think skeletal fish, seeds on steroids) to promote an organic agenda. The website of the film’s creators (http://thebutlerbros.com/work/mr-seed/), states the main character, Mr. Seed “educates people about seed issues and the benefits of organic seed.” But Seed Matters actually perpetuates some of the greatest myths of agriculture using a foul-mouthed character and inappropriate imagery. The main purpose of the video is supposedly taking a stance on biotech and its ability to feed the world. The mark really couldn’t have been further missed.

There are millions of people who work in the agricultural industry around the world. At a time when we should be united for the common good of feeding the world, we are fighting instead, using unethical and non-factual propaganda as the weapon. Food companies are using junk science driving people away from sustainable practices like GMOs to manipulate consumers for the sole purpose of market gain. The bottom line is: no matter your approach to farming, or how you view various farming practices, the outright demonization of conventional agriculture and family farms is despicable.

Read More

Ag Groups, Organic, USFRA, Wackos

BIVI’s Swine Diagnostics Revolution

Joanna Schroeder

There is a swine diagnostics revolution and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s is leading the way. The company’s Health Management Center (HMC) in Ames, Iowa is where Wayne Chittick, as manager, takes swine diagnostics to the next level.The swine diagnostic lab is part BIVI’s technical services group and was on display during this year’s World Pork Expo. Chittick said the lab is designed to help the vet and account teams explore problems that matter to the client. They conduct diagnostics in their lab as well as send samples to other labs to ultimately answer questions that clients have on the farm.

bivi-16-ames-tour-6-editedOne area of expertise for BIVI and the lab is quality control. “We know its very important that the results we generate are creating evidence that is used to make decisions on the farm and these decisions can be very high dollar, high consequence decisions,” explained Chittick. “So we’ve done a lot over the years to assure that the test results we generate are accurate and right the first time. We do that in part through what we call a quality system which is all the procedures, policies and ways of doing work that help us ensure accurate results go out the first time.”

Chittick said their quality system is recognized through third-party accreditation so the tests they offer have been American Association of Lab Accreditation accredited since 2004 to the ISO 17025 standard.

Today the swine diagnostic lab can analyze samples within 24 hours, said Chittick. When asked what the future of diagnostics looked like he said that today their lab network is pretty unprecedented. “Besides having same day PCR results, within a few days we can have sequence results to tell you what strain is present.”

And the future? “Things I think we’re hearing about in the future are methods in the lab that allow you to get more information from a single sample such as multiplex assays that let you detect more targets in each sample.” Chittick added that in the field he believes they will be able to get diagnostics from the pen, literally right on the farm, so the producer wouldn’t have to send the samples in to a traditional lab to get immediate results.

To learn more one day in the life of a sample and the future of swine diagnostics, listen to Jamie’s interview with Wayne Chittick: Interview with Wayne Chittick, BIVI

2016 BIVI HMC Media Tour Photo Album.

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Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Research, Swine, World Pork Expo

Protect the Harvest Named Title Sponsor of Racing Series

Kelly Marshall

protect the harvestProtect the Harvest was founded in 2011 to fight for the right’s of America’s famers, ranchers, animal owners and sportsmen and women.  Now they have become the title sponsor for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

The 29th annual Protect the Harvest NHRA National will be held on August 5-7, 2016 at Pacific Raceways near Seattle.  It is one part of a three-race NHRA Western swing and will feature competition in  Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock.  Finals will be televised live on FOX; qualifying coverage will be available on FOX Sports 1.

The grueling Western Swing, where NHRA race teams travel more than 5,300 miles in three consecutive weekends between Denver, Sonoma and Seattle, is a pivotal part of the Mello Yello Series regular season.

The Protect The Harvest NHRA Nationals will be the final stop in the three-race adventure and in many years drivers have arrived at the event in position to complete a rare sweep of the Western Swing. Only seven drivers have done it in NHRA history, including most recently Antron Brown in 2009. Last season Funny Car driver Jack Beckman just missed out on adding his name to that impressive list, which also includes Joe Amato, John Force, Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon and Greg Anderson among others.

“Forrest and Charlotte Lucas have been tremendous supporters of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series over the years and once again they have stepped forward to provide title sponsorship of the event at Pacific Raceways through their Protect The Harvest group,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer. “We appreciate their long term dedication and commitment to the sport and we look forward to working with them and Protect The Harvest during the final stop of the famed NHRA Western Swing.”

This will be the first NHRA event entitlement for Protect the Harvest, although they provide sponsorship for Morgan Lucas, Hector Arana and Richie Crampton and other racing teams.

“We look forward to raising the profile of Protect The Harvest through its association with the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and this great event at Pacific Raceways,” said Forrest Lucas, founder and chair of Protect The Harvest. “The Seattle area is beautiful and we are anticipating a very exciting event to conclude the NHRA Western Swing.”

Ag Groups

USFRA Wants You as the Next Faces of Farming & Ranching

Jamie Johansen

wpx-16-187-editedYou can be the next face to farming and ranching. U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is looking for the next class of Faces of Farming & Ranching to tell their stories about how today’s food is grown and raised. The USFRA team was out in full force during the recent World Pork Expo and we caught up with them to learn more about how standout farmers and ranchers can share their legacies.

Kevin Waetke is vice president of communications for the National Pork Board and also serves on the USFRA communications committee. Kevin said the ideal candidate is a working, knowledgable professional in agriculture.

“We are looking for professional farmers who are willing to tell their story, but who can also connect with the consumer. They literally are the face of farming and ranching. So many people today have no exposure to American agriculture. The role of the faces of farming and ranching is to put a face on farming.”

If you are proud of what you do and strive to be sustainable and technology driven, are eager to share your stories of continuous improvement and are actively involved in engaging with consumers at events and on social media – then you need to apply. You have from now until July 10!

Listen to my complete interview with Kevin to learn more: Interview with Kevin Waetke, National Pork Board

View and download photos from the event here:2016 World Pork Expo Photo Album

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Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, USFRA, World Pork Expo

2017 Commodity Classic Trade Show Exhibit Space Open

Kelly Marshall

Commodity Classic 2017It may seem that this year’s Commodity Classic was just wrapped up, but for companies hoping to get in on next year’s show, now is the time to register for exhibit space for 2017!

Next year’s Classic will be held on March 2-4 in San Antonio, Texas.  Last year’s even shattered attendance records, up over 23% from 2015 to nearly 1,000 attendees and these booth spaces are limited.  Grab your space now at www.commodityclassic.com/exhibitors.  You can view an online floor plan and select a preferred booth from the website.  You can also submit an exhibitor application and contract online, or call 636-922-5551 or email: tradeshow@commodityclassic.com.

“Exhibitors of all types and sizes tell us that Commodity Classic is where America’s best farmers come to learn, engage and improve on what they do every day,” said Kevin Ross, a Minden, Iowa, corn farmer and co-chair of the 2017 Commodity Classic. “If a company wants to build its brand among the nation’s agricultural leaders, Commodity Classic is definitely the place to be.”

Commodity Classic also attracts the nation’s agricultural media. “Last year a record 186 key media representatives were on hand interviewing company representatives and highlighting new products, equipment and technology,” said Commodity Classic co-chair Ed Erickson, Jr., a Milnor, N.D., soybean farmer. “The media know that Commodity Classic is where companies showcase their latest and greatest advancements and they want to be there to share that information with their audience.”

Sign up for email notifications at www.CommodityClassic.com.

Agribusiness, Commodity Classic

Did You Have A Summertime Job On The Farm?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What would a Bayer Monsanto buyout mean for ag?”

Bayer AG made a $62 billion bid to acquire Monsanto Company recently that was rejected by the board of the St. Louis-based agribusiness, but the door was left open for further negotiations. It seems a small majority say a merger like this would be bad news for agriculture. However, a close second believe it would equal better solutions for farmers and I totally agree.

Here are the poll results:

  • Better solutions for farmers – 28%
  • Bad news – 38%
  • Consolidation is inevitable – 17%
  • Don’t know – 11%
  • Don’t care – 6%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Did/do you have a summer job on a farm?

Summertime on the farm is the busiest time of the years. The added hours of sunlight provide amply time to get as must as possible accomplished. However, added help is usually needed. Hiring teens for those added jobs is common practice nationwide. Some come with some background knowledge about farm work, but most learn by doing. Are you currently spending your summer vacation working on a farm whether it’s your families or not? Or in the past did you have the opportunity take in the life skills farm work provides?

ZimmPoll