John Deere Unveils 5G Series Tractors

Kelly Marshall December 10, 2015

A new, narrow and highly-manuerverable tractor has been unveiled by John Deere. Their new 5G series tractors offer compact power solutions for specialty crops like orchards and vineyards. The new tractors meet the final Tier 4 engine emissions requirements.

“The 5G Series Tractors build on the success of the 5EN Series to offer customers more choices for their specialty applications,” says Christopher Lammie, product manager, John Deere Augusta. “With two chassis widths for narrow (5GN) and vineyard (5GV) applications, the 5G Series Tractors bring John Deere utility tractor performance into specialty row applications.”

The 5G Series Tractors offer a variety of benefits to vineyard producers. The new models – the 5GV and 5GN – are available in widths of 40.5 and 52 inches, respectively, reducing the chance that crops will be damaged in narrow rows. With a tighter turning radius than its 5EN predecessor, the 5GN reduces operator effort, time and fuel consumption during headland turns. Fuel tank capacity is improved over the 5EN with an option for an auxiliary 7.5-gallon fuel tank on the 5GN. Plus an increased cab width on the 5GN Series creates a larger, roomier work environment.

Each tractor promises strong engine performance, with 90 and 100 horsepower models additionally offering Intelligent Power Management. Economy PTO comes standard, reducing engine RPM by 15 percent.

“Customers also have flexible transmission choices with the 5G Series Tractors,” adds Lammie. ”The new 5G offers a mechanical 12F/12R transmission or 24F/12R transmission with PowrReverser™.”

For more information on the 5G Series, see your local dealer or visit www.JohnDeere.com/Ag.

Agribusiness, John Deere, specialty crops, Tractor

Cotton Industry To Congress: Tough Economic Conditions

John Davis December 10, 2015

The U.S. cotton industry faces some tough economic conditions right now, and leaders from the sector were on Capitol Hill to let lawmakers know how they could help. This news release from the National Cotton Council says the group outlined numerous market, policy and regulatory issues that threaten to undermine the U.S. cotton industry’s health during testimony before the House Agriculture Committee’s General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee.

The hearing panel was comprised of National Cotton Council (NCC) Vice Chairman Shane Stephens, a Greenwood, Miss., warehouser; a group of four cotton producers: Nathan Reed, Arkansas state chairman, American Cotton Producers, Marianna, Ark.; Shawn Holladay, a NCC director from Lubbock, TX; Kent Wannamaker, president, Southern Cotton Growers, Saint Matthews, S.C.; and Cannon Michael, a NCC director from Los Banos, Calif.; and Mike Wright, a Lubbock banker.

Vice Chairman Stephens stressed that a thriving cotton industry is critical to the success of many local economies.

“With the lowest U.S. cotton acreage in more than 30 years, the smallest exports in 15 years, and cotton prices at their lowest level since the 2009 recession, economic pressure is mounting,” Stephens said. “Cotton demand, 10 percent below the peak observed in 2006, is struggling due to increased competition from synthetic fibers, and government support for international cotton production is increasing. To help address the current economic climate, the cotton industry is urging the designation of cottonseed as an ‘other oilseed’ for the purpose of participation in the farm safety net.”

Each of the producer panelists testified to the need for the Agriculture Secretary to designate cottonseed as an ‘other oilseed’ and be eligible for the Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. They stated providing a safety net for cottonseed “is desperately needed to provide stability in the cotton industry.”

The witnesses told legislators that if more stabilizing policies aren’t implemented very soon, cotton acres will continue to drop to the point where the infrastructure won’t survive.

Ag Groups, Cotton

Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Remembered at #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman December 9, 2015

Lisa Shepherd Jenkins
1972-2015

Seed science advocate Lisa Shepherd Jenkins is being remembered in a special way this year at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo.

The life of this beautiful and brilliant young woman was cut short earlier this year at the age of 43 after contracting a very rare and incurable disease, but ASTA, Iowa State University Seed Science Center and the American Phytopathological Society (APS) have partnered to keep her memory alive within the industry she loved.

Lisa Shepherd Jenkins’ sister Kim Bartels and husband Andrew Jenkins keeping her memory alive

Lisa was director of the administrative unit of the National Seed Health System and seed health testing coordinator at the ISU Seed Science Center, and her husband Andy says ASTA CSS/Seed Expo was one of her favorite annual events for nearly 20 years. “One of her passions was setting good policy,” said Andy. “She got frustrated when policy wasn’t based on science and so she made it her life’s goal to set good policy for the movement of seed.”

Her love for seed science led to the establishment of the Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial Fundraising Initiative for two different programs to help educate the next generation of seed industry professionals. “One is a scholarship fund for undergraduates going into seed science and the other is a travel fund to help professionals get to meetings like ASTA,” Andy explained. An engineer with ALMACO seed equipment company, Andy says they have allowed him to take some time off to help promote his wife’s memorial within the industry.

Lisa’s sister Kim Bartels credits Lisa with mentoring her into the world of agribusiness market research. “She was instrumental in getting me to this meeting at ASTA to meet people that she knew,” said Kim, who works for Jefferson Davis Associates in Cedar Rapids.

Talking with Andy and Kim made me feel sad that I never had the opportunity to meet Lisa. Whether you knew her or not, learn more about Lisa in this interview with her husband and sister and consider donating to her memorial to help educate the next seed industry generation. Interview with Andy Jenkins and Kim Bartels, Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial

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ASTA, Audio, Education, Seed

#ASTACSS Taking Cover Crops Mainstream

Cindy Zimmerman December 9, 2015

A diverse panel covered the topic of cover crops at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo this week, exploring how the practice is starting to hit the mainstream.

David Pearl with the CISCO Companies in Indianapolis, who serves as chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Cover Crops Working Group, says this was the first full cover crops session at the CSS/Seed Expo. “It’s seed and that ties in with corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum,” said Pearl, who noted that he was very pleased with the diverse perspectives presented on the panel and the standing room only attendance at the session. Interview with David Pearl, CISCO Companies

The panel included a farmer, seed dealer, and farm organization representative, with perspectives from DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto as well. “We really need collaboration across all of the industry,” said Nancy DeLong with DuPont Pioneer. “Everyone needs to be thinking about how we can improve the tools that farmers use for conservation practices.”

Learn more about what DuPont Pioneer is doing to spread the word about cover crops in this interview: Interview with Nancy DeLong, DuPont Pioneer

Monsanto’s Kevin Coffman talked about the importance of agriculture in the overall environmental picture with the focus on climate change. “Because we’re unique in agriculture that we’re in the photosynthesis business – cover crops, corn and soybeans all have a role in sequestering carbon,” said Coffman. He also talked about the initiative announced by Monsanto just last week “to make agriculture part of the solution” to climate change, and he discussed the role of the Soil Health Partnership in educating farmers about cover crops and other conservation solutions. Interview with Kevin Coffman, Monsanto

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ASTA, Audio, Conservation, Corn, Farming, Seed

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes December 9, 2015

Download and rent Great American Wheat Harvest documentary online at www.vimeo.com/ondemand/gawh.
New Holland is pleased to announce two new Braud grape harvester models that will be available for model year 2016.
Hesston by Massey Ferguson introduces the 40th Anniversary Edition Hesston National Finals Rodeo (NFR) Collector Series buckles.
The United States Potato Board announces Schylar Denton has become an Assistant Marketing Manager in the USPB Marketing Department.

Zimfo Bytes

Planning Ahead for PRRS

Jamie Johansen December 9, 2015

Our nation’s Windy City hosted the 2015 North American PRRS Symposium and Boehringer Ingelheim hosted a session on “Combatting the Latest PRRS Cycle.”

Dr. Bill Hollis, Carthage Vet Services, was one of the speakers who focused on the production side of PRRS and explained key field experiences used in control and management with one of the newest PRRS strains, 174.

“Our strategies and control programs are in an effort to help producers who are both trying to prevent the entrance of PRRS into their populations and field experiences with control and then moving that virus out of that pig population.”

Dr. Hollis said if he had a hog operation he would consider immunity first. He said the real decision for producers on the farm is what am I going to do to either prevent the virus or to minimize the losses from the entry of the virus.

Dr. Hollis said there are key elements to prevent the swarm. Stop moving pigs around. Stage your virus activity. Identify the virus. Stop fostering. No gilt entry. He stressed the importance of planning ahead so the steps needed are ready to implement when a outbreak occurs. This ensures a quick, healthy return to baseline production.

Learn more from Dr. Hollis here: Interview with Dr. Bill Hollis, Carthage Vet Services

View and download photos from the event here: 2015 BIVI PRRS Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Eco Agro and Koch Agronomic Settle Patent Litigation

Taylor Truckey December 9, 2015

Following a mediation scheduled months ago by the parties, Koch Agronomic Services, LLC and Eco Agro Resources LLC jointly announced an agreement that settles litigation between the companies. The parties have been engaged in litigation since 2014 concerning claims brought by KAS with respect to one of its patents and counterclaims brought by Eco Agro. Financial and other terms of the agreement are confidential and were not disclosed.

Full Release here.

Agribusiness, Koch Agronomic Services

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Jeff Swanhorst, AgriBank

John Davis December 9, 2015

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Jeff Swanhorst, chief credit officer for AgriBank.

Lower farm income is already affecting farm balance sheets and raising concerns about operating loans. This interview includes tough questions and straight answers on the sufficiency of the new farm bill and crop insurance to help farmers manage risk, the outlook for farmland prices, and how lower commodity returns could force a shift in crop acreage. Jeff Swanhorst says the industry has entered an ag efficiency cycle that will likely include further producer consolidation.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Jeff Swanhorst, AgriBank.

Agri-Pulse, Audio

USDA Urged to Enforce Buy American for School Lunches

John Davis December 9, 2015

Fifty agricultural trade associations, farmer co-ops and agribusinesses want the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enforce buy American provision when it comes to school lunches. After an investigative report showed some school districts were spending tax dollars on imported Chinese canned fruit, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives urged Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to strengthen enforcement of the “Buy American” provision for participants in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

“Our organizations are deeply concerned that the Buy America Act requirements of the National School Lunch Act are not being adequately monitored and enforced,” the groups wrote to the Secretary. “Our concerns were amplified with the Sacramento City Unified School District’s recent acknowledgement that they have been purchasing canned peaches, pears and applesauce from China. Since there is currently no transparency regarding school purchases of imported products, we must assume there are other districts throughout the country purchasing imported food products.”

Secretary Vilsack and the Department should focus on ways in which the Buy American provision can be better enforced. Suggestions included more closely monitoring procurement specifications and contractor performance.

You can read the full letter here.

Ag Groups, USDA

#ASTACSS Economic Outlook from Dan Basse

Cindy Zimmerman December 8, 2015

Back by popular demand for the fifth year, AgResource Company president Dan Basse presented his economic outlook for agriculture at the opening general session of the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo on Tuesday.

In his fact-filled 90 minute presentation, Basse talked about a “world awash in grain” with record global wheat and soybean crops and second largest corn crop. “We were very impressed with the last crop year,” said Basse. “When you look at the kind of flooding we had in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri and to then come up with a record U.S. soybean yield…is really testament to the seed genetics and agronomic benefits that we now have.”

With too much grain, however, has come lower prices for farmers and 2015 saw the biggest drop in farm income since 1932, and Basse expects grain and livestock prices to remain relatively cheap. “In fact this will be the first period since the 1970s in which net farm income in the U.S. will slump for three consecutive years,” he said. “So it’s not a very rosy picture – all farmers can do is somehow manage their costs to the best of their ability.”

As far as the seed industry is concerned, Basse noted that for farmers “seed is like their first born son.”

“All of us go to the fields every spring and we have high optimism for yields and production and profitability,” he said. “The one thing everyone can agree on is that genetics in seed has been a tremendous advantage over the past couple of years … so the investment that we farmers make in seed will probably continue.”

Lots more in this interview with Dan: Interview with Dan Basse, AgResource Company

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ASTA, Audio, Markets, Seed

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