New Holland Hero from Canada

Cindy Zimmerman September 17, 2015

Representing North America in the New Holland “Seeds of Life Series” Heroes at Expo Milano is Jordan Kambeitz from Saskatchewan, Canada – pictured here with his lovely wife Britt and one month old daughter Scarlett. It was pretty heroic on their part just to make the trip to Italy with a tiny baby, even one as well behaved as little Scarlett! They also have two young sons back home on the farm.

Jordan is a 5th generation farmer on a family farm that dates back to 1899, where he grows wheat, durum, canola and lentils, and he fits the sustainability theme of the New Holland exhibit at Expo. “This is my livelihood and my family’s livelihood,” said Kambeitz. “Our sustainable methods are working…we continue to learn and improve…to let this operation last a lifetime and many more.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jordan here: New Holland Hero Jordan Kambeitz, Canada

Watch Jordan talk about sustainability and his farming operation during a group discussion at the Expo Milano New Holland pavilion.

2015 New Holland Heroes & Bloggers Days

Audio, New Holland, Video

NFU DC Fly-In Focuses on Top Issues

Cindy Zimmerman September 17, 2015

Members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) are meeting with administration officials and Congressional representatives in Washington DC this week for the organization’s 2015 Fall Legislative Fly-In.

“This fall has proven to be a very important time for several Farmers Union issues, including the path forward for voluntary Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), the full implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as well as several trade-related issues,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The fly-in allows family farmers and ranchers whose lives and livelihoods are shaped by these policies to come to the nation’s capital to make clear that their voices are heard.”

Some 275 Farmers Union members have gathered in Washington for this year’s fly-in who will be visiting the offices of every member of Congress to highlight the priorities of the organization, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). “NFU has long been concerned about the impact that trade agreements have on our sovereign rights as a nation,” said Johnson. “First and foremost, all future trade agreements – including TPP – should seek to achieve an overall balance of payments, eliminate our trade deficits and reduce our foreign debt,” he said.

Johnson also noted that NFU has long supported full restoration of trade with Cuba, and thanked the administration for taking steps to make that goal possible. “We applaud the Obama administration for tossing the failed embargo policy in the trash bin of history and hope that we can achieve full restoration of trade and an end to the travel ban soon,” he said.

politics, Trade

USDA Helps Returning Heroes find Opportunities in Ag

Jamie Johansen September 17, 2015

This morning Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, U.S. Department of Agriculture, sat down with a panel of veteran farmers and veteran training organizations for a live Google+ Hangout to discuss opportunities available through USDA for returning service members who are looking for long-term careers in farming, ranching and agriculture.

Joining Deputy Sec. Harden for the discussion was Dave Paulk, owner of Sassafras Creek Farm in St. Mary’s County, Md., Karen and Colin Archipley, co-founders of Archi’s Acres in Escondido, Calif., Marianne Cufone, executive director of Recirculating Farms in New Orleans, La., and Justin Barclay, veteran farming program coordinator at Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pa.

If you are a military veteran living in rural America, you are not alone. Today, more than five million veterans live in rural areas, a higher concentration than in any other part of the country. Many veterans show interest in agriculture because they feel that working on the land helps them successfully transition to civilian life and provides them with a way to continue serving their community. As part of the beginning farmer community, many veterans are eligible for a wide variety of USDA programs and resources that include access to capital through our beginning farmer loan program, farm ownership loans or microloans.

Listen to and/or download audio from the Google+ Hangout here: USDA Google+ Hangout on Veterans in Ag

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, USDA

All In A Day’s Walk

Melissa Sandfort September 17, 2015

Today Aunt Jeanette writes:

95 degrees…wind blowing from the south at 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 25. Should I or shouldn’t I? I should…and I did!

I started on my walk thinking to myself, “If it is too unbearable I can always turn around and walk back home.” However, the farther I walked, the more interesting things I saw, so I just kept going. (Now, realize that I can find something interesting in even the most mundane thing!)

My first encounter was with a coyote crossing the road ahead of me. I quickly grabbed my phone to snap a picture. I was facing directly into the sun and couldn’t see a thing on my screen, so I just aimed and shot. Then the silly creature sat down facing me and we had a stare-down. I won and he turned and sulked back into the cornfield, all the while looking back over his shoulder to see what I would do.

I continued down the road and came to a pivot. The south wind was causing water to sprinkle on the road. What a relief! I had a nice cool shower and continued on.

At the end of a mile and a half, I turned around and started the return trip. My clothes had dried and I was ready to be cooled off again when I glanced up and saw the rainbow. Another photo opportunity! I took the picture, had another quick shower, and headed for home.

Adding ground squirrels, butterflies, swooping dragonflies, and a neighbor passing me on his way to irrigate, it was really quite a pleasant walk. And the temperature had dropped to a sizzling 94 degrees by the time I got home!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Grower Insight on Plant Sap Analysis

Jamie Johansen September 17, 2015

New technologies are breaking ground all around us in the agriculture community. And that is what first attracted Dan Davidson to Crop Health Labs (CHL) Plant Sap Analysis. Dan is an agronomist, farmer and now consultant for CHL. Plant Sap Analysis is basically a blood test for plants that detects nutrient deficiencies three to four weeks sooner than traditional tissue sampling and CHL has the U.S. license for this technology.

“I heard about the technology in 2014. I wanted to try it out so I submitted some samples at two different times and compared it to the more traditional tissue testing. I found that with the sap analysis said my nutrient levels were more deficient and the tissue testing was always sufficient. That made me concerned.”

Dan said the benefits of the technology is the early detection. They also look at a number of other components in the sap that help determine how healthy the plant actually is related to it’s yield and productivity.

“I organized a project with the University of Illinois to look at both corn and soybeans fertilized and unfertilized. We are taking samples during the season to see how well sap analysis is picking up and reflecting what the plant is doing.”

Learn more about the research Dan is conducting with CHL and the University of Illinois in my complete interview: Interview with Dan Davidson, grower and CHL Consultant

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Nutrition

EDF to Help Reduce Emissions from Ag

Joanna Schroeder September 17, 2015

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and partners have been awarded a $960,000 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) from the USDA to help almond and corn farmers increase fertilizer use efficiency, improve soil health, reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and expand the potential of fertilizer protocols to generate carbon credits from agriculture.

“This project will demonstrate how growers implementing enhanced nitrogen management processes on both annual and perennial crops can participate in carbon markets, setting the stage for significant reductions in nitrous oxide emissions,” said Sara Kroopf, agricultural project manager at EDF. “This is a win-win for the environment and for growers’ bottom lines.”

The program builds upon a California Air Resources Board (CARB) cap-and-trade market approved for rice growers earlier this year, a carbon offset protocol for crop-based agriculture. EDF will work with growers across the U.S. to develop a multi-farmer pilot project which will demonstrate and quantify how growers can alter farming practices to prevent nitrogen losses to the air and thereby reduce nitrous oxide emissions.

Farmers spend up to 50 percent of their input costs on fertilizer, even though on average, only 50 percent of fertilizer applied is absorbed by crops. The excess fertilizer runs off into waterways where it can lead to algae blooms and decreased water quality, and is released into the air in the form of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas (GHG) 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Nearly 75 percent of U.S. nitrous oxide emissions come from agricultural activities such as applying fertilizer and other cropping practices.

“Agricultural retailers are more interested in sustainability than ever, because it reduces risk and provides a competitive advantage,” said Matt Carstens, Vice President of United Suppliers, a cooperative of 560 locally controlled agricultural retailers who operate nearly 2,500 retail locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. “That’s why we created the SUSTAIN™ platform, which combines a set of proven, effective tools that improve nutrient efficiency and a reduction in soil erosion, while enhancing productivity. USDA’s support will help bring the platform to scale across the Midwest.”

Agribusiness, Corn, Fertilizer, Sustainability

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Dr. J.B. Penn

John Davis September 17, 2015

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Dr. J.B. Penn, Deere and Company Chief Economist.

A golden era in U.S. agriculture appears to have passed. In this interview you’ll hear Dr. Penn’s thoughts on a new economic normal for U.S. agriculture, including his perspective on renewable fuels, and insight into a pending domestic interest rate increase. Dr. Penn discusses the challenge Chinese authorities face in managing a slowing instead of a growing economy and how their success or failure affects U.S. agriculture.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Dr. J.B. Penn, Deere and Company Chief Economist.

Agri-Pulse, Audio, John Deere

Heroes, Bloggers and New Holland Brand President

Cindy Zimmerman September 16, 2015

New Holland Agriculture Brand president Carlo Lambro welcomed the Heroes and Bloggers from around the world attended Expo Milano this week for a special get together.

“Our heroes represent the millions of men and women all over the world who are working on the theme of the expo which is feeding the planet,” said Lambro, who also recognized the agricultural bloggers in attendance as those who provide the “voice and the visibility” of the farmers to the general public.

The bloggers here represent Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, South Africa, UK and USA and we all had the chance to sit down and ask Carlo some questions. Among the topics he addressed was New Holland’s commitment to sustainability, which is what their pavilion at Expo Milano is all about. “We are a clean energy leader,” said Lambro, pointing to the prototype methane-powered tractor on display at the pavilion. “Methane is one of the cheapest fuels that can be found,” he noted. “In North America, we’re working more on the ethanol side.”

Listen to Carlo’s discussion with the bloggers here: Carlo Lambro, New Holland Brand President

2015 New Holland Heroes & Bloggers Days

Audio, New Holland, Video

AgLink Creates MentorBoard

Kelly Marshall September 16, 2015

AgLink, an agricultural networking website that promotes collaboration, has launched their “Build the Bench” mentoring campaign. Named the MentorBoard, the site was designed to connect ag veterans to students and young professionals to encourage the creation of mentor/mentoree relationships.

Also in the works is a collaboration with CSU Fresno to establish a scholarship for students taking advantage of this program. The company plans to expand to other colleges and universities over time.

“Build the Bench” mentor board can be found at www.aglinkca.com.

Agribusiness, Education

Case IH Launches Optum Tractor Series

Lizzy Schultz September 16, 2015

Case IH beefed up its forage lineup this month with the new Optum tractor series, which was publicly launched at the 2015 Farm Progress Show. The Optum tractor joins the company’s complete line of hay and forage equipment, including updates across its Puma® and Maxxum® series offerings.

“The Optum is targeted to be a heavy duty haying tractor, for those conventional hay producers and large operations,” said Dave Bogan, Case IH marketing manager for Puma® and Maxxum® tractors, in an interview at the Farm Progress Show, “But it has other uses as well. It can be configured as a row crop tractor, especially with the new 4.75 front axle we have, which allows us to put duals up front, and it can be a great tractor for transport and haulage operations.”

The Optum fulfills a new horsepower requirement, with PTO horsepower ranging from 240 to 270 hp, which boasts a power-to-weight ratio that highlights the versatility of the series: it is optimal for a wide variety of applications, such as haulage, tillage, mowing and baling, showing the same level of performance with a large square baler or grain cart as it does with a midsize planter or seeder.  

“I’ve kind of coined a term that it’s a ‘compact, high-horsepower tractor,’ with its size-to-weight ratio,” says Bogan of the Optum’s versatility.

The Optum also features a modern, redesigned look, including a grille and roof cap with LED lighting, and a spacious SurroundVision cab that offers 63.2 square feet of glass.

Case IH will start producing the 2016 model in October, so expect to see them showing up on dealers lots around the holidays and into early 2016.

Listen to Chuck’s Interview with Dave here:
Interview with Dave Bogan, Case IH

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Case IH, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, Forage, Harvest, Hay, Tractor

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