#FarmProgressShow Powered by Dieselex Gold

Cindy Zimmerman September 14, 2015

The gold standard for diesel is the fuel that powered the engines at the 2015 Farm Progress Show – as it has for many shows before.

“We’re happy to do that to get our fuel in the equipment to show what it can do,” said Randy Moore with the GROWMARK FS Energy Division of the Dieselex Gold brand.

“Dieselex Gold is a premium diesel fuel,” says Moore. “More horsepower, cleaner burning engines, and more fuel efficient are the biggest advantages of using it.”

GROWMARK FS is so confident that Dieselex® Gold is the best fuel to power and protect engines that they offer the Dieselex Gold challenge. Simply purchase Dieselex Gold and compare it to your current diesel. If it doesn’t deliver superior fuel efficiency, engine starts, horsepower and more, they will reimburse you the difference in price between your fuel and ours. Click here for more details.

Listen to an interview with Randy from FPS: Interview with Randy Moore, GROWMARK FS Energy

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, Biodiesel, Energy, Farm Progress Show, FS System, GROWMARK

Soy-backed Mats Lighten Pentagon’s Environmental Footprint

John Davis September 14, 2015

Soybeans are making the Pentagon a greener place. The United Soybean Board (USB) says the building now greets its employees and 100,000 annual visitors with 108 entry mats that use an environmentally friendly soybean-based material on the backs of those mats.

After [a] 2010 pilot [project], the Pentagon contracted with EcoPathTM in 2011 to replace 82 mats at various entrances with new ones made with soy backing. These new mats performed so well that when it came time to replace the original 82 mats, the Pentagon contracted with Signature Accord to again purchase the EcoPathTM soy-backed mats. The Pentagon recycled the old mats, and added the soy-backed mats to 26 new locations in the building.

Use of the entry mats supports the Presidential Executive Order: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade (EO 13693). Issued in March 2015, the EO complements the laws that Congress enacted for the federal government to set the pace for the nation by buying biobased products, such as those made with soy. It requires federal agencies to include biobased products in at least 95% of all contract actions. Agencies must also set specific annual targets for the number and dollar value of contracts awarded that require the use of biobased products…

USB, the soybean checkoff overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, brought the EcoPathTM mats to the attention of the Pentagon Environmental Office (PEO) and the Pentagon Building Management Office (PBMO). PBMO had identified performance issues with the mats being used in the building and agreed to work with PEO and USB to test the new mats. The old mats often curled around the edges and frequently moved out of place. With EcoPathTM mats, the Pentagon’s experience was that the mats do not curl and are less likely to move. Staff report that they have had no trips or falls since the mats were installed, plus they have the added benefit of being made from environmentally preferable materials.

In addition to being greener environmentally, the mats save some green in the form of dollars saved. Prior to installation of the EcoPathTM mats, the Pentagon “rented” mats that were removed for cleaning and replaced every two weeks. Because the new mats with the biobased backing lasted for years, they save your tax dollars.

Soybean, USB

Register for NAFB Convention and Chance at $100

John Davis September 14, 2015

Something any farm broadcaster could use is professional development and a little extra jingle in their pockets. The National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) is giving you the chance for both, with early registration for its 72nd annual convention in Kansas City, Missouri, Nov. 11-13, 2015, and a chance to win some money.

In addition to getting your spot reserved for all the good stuff you’ll get out the meeting, you can also put your name into a drawing for $100.

The 72nd NAFB Convention has something for everyone, including Trade Talk, professional development workshops on news and blog writing, sales strategies, networking opportunities and more. Early registration ends September 27.

More information is available here.

NAFB

Celebrate National Alpaca Day

Kelly Marshall September 11, 2015

Alpaca Owners Association, Inc. (AOA) is hosting visitors to their member farms and ranches on National Alpaca Farm Days. September 26th and 27h will offer this unique opportunity for exploration and education of the alpaca livestock industry. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the animals in person and experience alpaca products at farm stores. The Association promises something for everyone.

Visitors can also learn how alpacas are a green business opportunity, as they are animals that are sensitive to their environment in every respect!

While most alpaca farms welcome visitors throughout the year, National Alpaca Farm Days are sure to include special activities and educational opportunities.

You can view a complete list of participating farms and ranches at www.AlpacaFarmDays.com.

Ag Groups, Events

Ag Day Poster Art Contest

Chuck Zimmerman September 11, 2015

Hey kids. Get your artistic skills ready. It’s time for the Ag Day Poster Art Contest.

The National Ag Day Poster Art contest is designed to showcase the talents of young artist who share a passion for modern agriculture. A winning original piece of art will be chosen as the Official National Ag Day poster. The contest is open to all amateur artists enrolled in high school or college. Judging will be conducted under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Contest theme: Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet

Go to the Ag Day website for full rules and to see what the awards will be. Maybe I’ll see you in Washington, DC next year on Ag Day!

Ag Day, Ag Groups

CropLife America Selects Green Thumb Winner

Kelly Marshall September 11, 2015

After a month-long Twitter contest, CropLife America (CLA) is pleased to announce the winner of the Green Thumb Challenge. Jennie Schmit, @FarmGirlJen, has won an Apple Watch for her submission of her green thumb–literally! The challenge was for advocates to paint their thumbs green and post a creative shot on Twitter. Many contestants submitted thumbs painted like farm animals, at a fair, working on the farm, and many other inspired ideas, but Schmit’s is truly original. Her photo captures her thumb inside a green tomato in a field red ripe tomatoes and the caption “@CropLifeAmeria 30+ tons of tomatoes per acre (preferably not free)! #GreenThumbContest.”

“So many people are involved in the process of getting healthy food from the farm to your plate,” stated Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “The Green Thumb Challenge helped people from across the literal food chain unite to support the many food production methods that growers use today. A recent report from the United Nations showed that the number of people experiencing hunger has decreased by 795 million people over the past 25 years, despite exponential population growth.1 The crop protection industry supports the continual development of herbicide and other crop protection technology to make sure we can produce healthy food for all in a way that preserves our land for future generations.”

In celebration of the conclusion of the Green Thumb Challenge, CLA is making a $5,000 donation to the Food Recovery Network (FRN), an organization that connects students across the country to fight food waste and hunger. Through the work of the Food Recovery Network, 814,325 pounds of food have been donated to people who are hungry.

“Food Recovery Network is pleased to have been a part of the Green Thumb Challenge to help educate the public about our food system and to jumpstart thinking about how and what we grow, eat and throw away. Through coordination, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability, we can get healthy food to everyone and reduce our impact on the environment in the process” states Regina Northouse, FRN’s executive director. “We need to work together to make food production more efficient and sustainable, by implementing practices such as food recovery and food waste reduction, in order to continue to reduce hunger worldwide.”

America’s farmers are becoming ever more efficient in food production, using less land and fewer resources. You can read more about sustainability efforts at www.CropLifeAmerica.org.

Sustainability

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes September 11, 2015

Lessing-Flynn is proud to announce that Farmers Mutual Hail has won the 6th Annual Battle of the Brands competition.
With Asgrow and DEKALB anticipating high yields this fall, farmers are encouraged to share their success with others on social media using #MyFarmMyYield on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
DuPont announced that five employees have been named DuPont Fellows for their outstanding technical expertise and leadership.
Join the Ohio NAMA Chapter at the Ohio Farm Science review in the Tobin Building for a social gathering on Sept. 22 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Zimfo Bytes

NCGA, BASF Team Up for Ag Scholarships

John Davis September 11, 2015

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and BASF Corporation are teaming up to hand out ag scholarships. This news release from NCGA says they are now accepting applications for five $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field during the 2016-17 school year.

“The future of agriculture as an industry depends upon keeping our best and brightest interested in ag careers,” said Tom Haag, chairman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team. “As a part of our commitment to the industry’s future, NCGA partners with BASF to offer scholarships to help tomorrow’s leaders reach their educational goals. This program is an investment in not only their future but also our own.”

Applicants for the NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program must be entering at least their second undergraduate year or any year of graduate study, and they or a parent or legal guardian must be an NCGA member. Scholarship applications must be postmarked on or before December 11, 2015.

Scholarship winners will be announced in early 2016 and will receive, along with a parent or guardian, free travel and lodging to attend the 2016 Commodity Classic in New Orleans, Louisiana, to be recognized at the NCGA Banquet and have the opportunity to learn more about modern agriculture. This is the ninth year for the partnership between BASF and NCGA.

BASF, Commodity Classic, NCGA

Guardian Sprayer Displays Impress at FPS

Lizzy Schultz September 10, 2015

The New Holland team was busy showing off some exciting new products at their Farm Progress Show booth this year, especially after the company’s acquisition of the precision spraying equipment manufacturer Miller-St. Nazianz, Inc last December.

The first thing customers saw as they walked up to the booth was an impressive 135 foot Guardian Boom Sprayer that stretched across the entire booth space.

“There’s a lot of cool features that we’re highlighting on our new Guardian sprayers at the show,” said New Holland Marketing Manager Jason Hardy in an interview at the Farm Progress Show, “These are really impressive because of the ground clearance. That’s the key feature on them. Especially getting into late season corn, their clearance is the talk of the town.”

Another product on display was the new Guardian Injection Toolbar, which allows farmers to apply liquid nitrogen between corn rows and beneath soil roots, minimizing crop burning: “It allows customers to get in and apply liquid nitrogen when the corn needs it most, in between that four and eight leaf stage. It’s a really neat product, we’re getting a lot of interest in it,” said Hardy.

The booth also showed its support for the newly-acquitted Miller brand, displaying a Miller Nitro 5300 Sprayer with added some newly added features and options.

“Miller is part of the New Holland family and we’re really proud of that, we wanted to create awareness of that” said Hardy, “So far it’s been a great relationship. We’re supporting that dealer network and those customers as well, and we’re still going to be building the product in red for those individuals.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jason:
Interview with Jason Hardy, New Holland

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Farm Progress Show, Harvest, New Holland, Uncategorized

Ag Lenders Study from @BASFAgProducts

Lizzy Schultz September 10, 2015

BASF has released the results of a 2015 study examining the role and influence agricultural uncertainties, such as volatile markets, weather, and disease, have on the current agricultural-lending landscape, and how growers can plan to place themselves in the best position to receive a loan.

BASF surveyed agricultural lenders, asking them about their outlook for next year, and how they’re approaching farm financing decisions. The key finding centered on the undeniable value of a grower who, regardless of uncertainties, can maintain an efficiency-centered mindset, provide a proven history of success, and also has a plan for success in the future.

“Eighty-eight percent of lenders said that if a grower brings in a plan to maximize their opportunities and mitigate their risk, they would factor that into their decision making about operating lines of credit in farm financing,” said Brady Spangenberg, BASF Market Intelligence & Research Manager, during an interview with AgWired at the 2015 Farm Progress Show, “That’s really the key. Ag lenders are looking at the long term, how a grower has managed the swings over the past 10 years and still has been consistently successful year in and year out.”

BASF is hoping that the study will help farmers see the importance of protecting their bottom line by using different tools that help make their operation more efficient by increasing yield potential, reducing costs, managing risks, and taking advantage of historically low interest rates.

“We conducted the study because we’re always interested in what’s going on in the agriculture industry at large. We’re partnering with growers and retailers, their concerns are our concerns,” said Spangenberg, “No matter what the weather brings, no matter what the markets bring, growers and the agricultural industry are delivering food to their tables, and we want to help make sure they feel successful at the end of the season.”

More information on the 2015 study: Efficiency In Agriculture – Protecting a Grower’s Bottom Line

Listen to my interview with Brady here:
Interview with Brady Spangenberg, BASF

2015 Farm Progress Show Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Farm Progress Show, Farming

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