FMC Talks About Expanded Agreement with Monsanto

Cindy Zimmerman September 9, 2015

FMC Agricultural Solutions and Monsanto last week announced the expansion of an agreement of participation in the Roundup Ready PLUS® Crop Management Solutions platform. The exclusive agreement includes FMC’s Authority® brand sulfentrazone herbicides, and adds FMC’s Capture® LFR® insecticide as a soil-applied insecticide for corn and Hero® insecticide.

“We believe growers should make use of the best technologies available,” said FMC Soybean Segment Manager Flavio Centola. “Monsanto and FMC together can offer farmers those cutting edge technologies to help them fight against weed and pest resistance and reach higher yields.”

Corn Segment Manager Matt Hancock says he likes the way the program helps them position the proper agronomics. “If it’s Authority brand herbicide, or Capture LFR insecticide at plant, or Hero foliar insecticide … we feel like that’s just really good stewardship of our brands and of our products,” said Hancock.

Learn more about how the agreement benefits growers here: Interview with Flavio Centola and Matt Hancock, FMC

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, Corn, FMC

Soybean Donation to Feed Central American Children

John Davis September 9, 2015

The gift of soybeans will feed hungry children in Central America. This news release from the American Soybean Association says the Northern Food Grade Soybean Association (NFGSA), a non-profit organization of nine regional soybean processing companies, donated two 20 metric ton containers of food-grade soybeans to the World Soy Foundation (WSF), with the soybeans being shipped to Guatemala and Honduras to be used by SoyCows to feed thousands of children.

A “SoyCow” is a processing system that can grind and cook whole soybeans into soymilk to make beverages, soya “cheese” (tofu), yogurt and other soyfoods. The SoyCow can process about four pounds of raw soybeans into four gallons of nutritious soymilk in about 20 minutes. The insoluble parts of the bean can be used to enhance the nutrition of local foods, such as breads, patties, stews and other blends.

One in four children in Honduras is chronically malnourished; that rate rises to one in two children in Guatemala. These soybeans will be processed into soy beverages and foods in both countries and served in orphanages, child care centers, clinics and elsewhere to help provide valuable protein to children in need.

NFGSA member companies participating in this donation include Brushvale Seed, Richland IFC, SB &B Foods, SK Food International and SunOpta.

ASA, International, Soybean

MGEX Has Record Fiscal Year

John Davis September 9, 2015

It was a good year trading for MGEX. This news release from the Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) says it set new all-time records in both total volume and electronic volume.

Total volume finished the year at 2,278,559 contracts traded, a 13 percent increase over the previous record set a year ago. This marks the third time ever the Exchange’s total volume has surpassed 2 million in a fiscal year, and the first time it has done so in back-to-back years.

“To accomplish such a milestone in consecutive years is a true testament to the market’s continued confidence in MGEX’s risk management products, as well as to MGEX’s commitment to expansion in the marketplace,” said Mark G. Bagan, President & CEO, MGEX. “The success in terms of total exchange volume indicates a formidable step towards the future for both MGEX and for our membership.”

Electronic volume totaled 1,974,957 during the year, 12 percent higher than the previous record set during the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Of the 12 months within the fiscal year, nine set new individual records for electronic volume.

MGEX said 10 of the top 25 electronic trading days of all time occurred during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

Trade

Elliott Steps Down From NCGA Board

Cindy Zimmerman September 8, 2015

National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Rob Elliott of Illinois has decided to step down from the NCGA Corn Board, effective September 30.

“My last 15 years as an active ‘corn guy’ have been very rewarding for me,” Elliott said. “I am proud to have been a part of my corn organizations in Illinois and on the national level and I’m proud of what we have accomplished together. I’ve worn a lot of hats throughout my career, but I’ve come to realize that the current environment makes it difficult for me to balance all the increasing obligations and expectations. After thoughtful deliberation it seems to be in the best interest of the association if I step aside. I’ve had lots of fun – while working hard, too – and will be tracking all the great progress taking place within NCGA.”

With Elliott leaving the Board, NCGA President Chip Bowling, of Maryland, and Chairman Martin Barbre, of Illinois, will retain their positions in the coming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Wesley Spurlock, a corn grower from Texas, will become first vice president.

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA

Enthusiasm for the New Holland Brand

Chuck Zimmerman September 8, 2015

The new Vice President for New Holland North America, Bret Lieberman, spent quality time during the Farm Progress Show visiting with customers and the ag media. I was one of those media types who got to talk to Bret.

Bret is very enthusiastic for the brand and says that New Holland has introduced some new procedures with their dealer council that includes monthly calls where the company and the dealers submit agenda items for discussion. He says they now have sub committees to address different issues and offer solutions. He says it has already been very effective. He also talks about new products, his team and how the opportunities for the brand are really great.

Listen to my interview with Bret here or watch below: Bret Lieberman, New Holland

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Video

Camso the Road Free Company

Chuck Zimmerman September 8, 2015

It seems like tracks are becoming more popular on large equipment these days. Like the new John Deere 9RX four track machine. Guess who makes those tracks? The answer – Camso. Let me introduce the company to you.

Last week the company announced this new name. Prior to the name change there were two companies Camoplast and Solideal. You can read about the name change here. While I was at Farm Progress Show I visited their exhibit and sat down to talk with Pierre Marcouiller, Chairman/CEO, Martin Lukenbein, Business Line Executive Director, Agriculture and Derek Bradeen, Director of Marketing and Communications.

During our conversation we talked about the history of the company, why they changed their name, what products they offer the ag industry and what they see as the future for off road track products. The company employs 7,500 people in 27 countries. In the ag sector their focus is on the farmer. They encourage farmers who might even be interested in retro-fitting their equipment with tracks to contact their local OEM dealer since they supply products to most of the top farm equipment manufacturers.

Listen to this week’s program here to learn all about the new Camso: Camso the Road Free Company

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, ZimmCast

What’s Personally Important to Today’s Farmers?

Jamie Johansen September 8, 2015

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How are farm equipment sales this year?”

The 2015 Farm Progress Show was a huge success and the streets were packed. But with crop prices lower this year, the question was, are people buying? It looks like we have responses all over the board, but leaning towards not so good. Whether you are buying this year or not, you can not deny farm equipment and technology companies have stepped it up this year and are providing their best.

Here are the poll results:

Good – 13%
Not so good – 27%
Steady – 27%
Really down – 20%
Unsure – 13%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What is most important personal issue to today’s farmers?

No one can argue the passion farmers and ranchers have for the products they produce. It is not a job, it is a way of life they proudly live. We want to know what issues farmers today take the most personally. Is it producing a sustainable product, securing the farm for future generations, the ability for new farmers to get started, consumer education or maybe learning and utilizing new technologies? Are there other things…let us know.

ZimmPoll

Engenia™ Herbicide for Cotton

Cindy Zimmerman September 8, 2015

BASF Crop Protection anticipates regulatory approval for Engenia™ herbicide yet later this year, which will provide growers with the most technologically advanced dicamba formulation for control of broadleaf weeds in dicamba-tolerant crops for both soybeans and cotton.

“Like all the other dicambas BASF has made in our 50 year history, (Engenia) is a highly effective post-emergent broadleaf weed control tool,” said Chad Brommer, BASF technical market manager for Engenia, during a recent media event in Tennessee. “The other great thing about Engenia is that is was designed with the BAPMA salt to be the most stable form of dicamba that we’ve ever produced.”

During the Tennessee event, we saw some pretty impressive field trial with Engenia combined with other herbicides to fight resistant weeds. “Engenia is part of a weed control system, which means it does not exist on its own,” explained Brommer. That means starting clean with a good burndown and pre-emerge herbicide with residual, followed by an early post application with Engenia and a grass control component and a layered residual.

Brommer says they believe Engenia will be especially important in the south where pressure from resistant palmer amaranth is especially heavy. “In cotton, we’re often going to have to come back maybe three times to control weeds – pre-emergent, first post, and oftentimes and second post or layby application,” said Brommer. “BASF is in a unique position because we’ve got Prowl® H20 plus Cotoran that can be used pre-emerge, we can come back in dicamba-tolerant cotton with Engenia plus glyphosate plus Outlook herbicide, and then layby you can even come back with glufosinate or Liberty plus Zidua…now we’ve got a whole series of different effective sites of action.”

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Chad Brommer, BASF

BASF Southern Media Event in Tennessee

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Herbicide, weed management

GROWMARK Plans New Young Farmer Program

Cindy Zimmerman September 8, 2015

As a young farmer herself with her husband, Heather Thompson knows first-hand some of the challenges facing the new generation of agriculture.

“My husband and I are just getting back to our own family farm operation,” says Thompson, who is Young Producer Programs Manager for GROWMARK. Some of the challenges new young farmers face include farming with multiple generations, financial concerns, and dealing with legislative and regulatory issues.

As a result, GROWMARK is developing a new program to help young farmers face those challenges, and the first step is reaching out to them to determine their needs. “So we’ll be doing focus groups with young farmers, our member cooperatives, and current board members,” she said. “We’ll spend some time over the winter months developing a year-long program of leadership development.”

While the program will be generally aimed at “young” farmers, Thompson says they have no age limit in mind. “Farming’s changing and the face of farming is changing,” “So, a lot of people in my generation were encouraged to get jobs off the farm right out of school … so a young farmer might really be a beginning farmer.”

The program officially kicked off last month with the program development phase and GROWMARK hopes to have it in place by next summer.

Learn more in this interview from Farm Progress Show: Interview with Heather Thompson, GROWMARK

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, Farm Progress Show, Farming, FS System, GROWMARK

Farmland Brings Ag Lessons to College Students

John Davis September 8, 2015

School’s back in session, and the lessons of agriculture are being brought to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities in the form of the movie Farmland. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the movie, produced with the generous support of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, of which the National Corn Growers Association is a founding affiliate, will be shown along with panel discussions at Columbia University in New York, Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Screenings without panel discussions are planned for four other locations.

“It’s great to see FARMLAND being screened at these universities not traditionally tied to agriculture,” said Missouri farmer and NCGA Corn Board member Mike Geske, who also sits on the USFRA board’s executive committee. “The documentary’s important stories about the challenges facing today’s young farmers can help those who aren’t involved in farming understand the importance of their work and the passion and concern they put into the food they produce.”

The action starts Sept. 10 at Tulane, where the film will include a panel discussion with area farmers and a campus representative, on issues raised in the film as well as focusing on the strategies of farming and sustainability, under the theme, “The Art of Farming.”

Next, a Sept. 14 screening at Columbia looks at farming not as an art, but as a science. On campus that week, there are various information sessions and talks occurring on campus on the earth, environmental science and sustainability. Using this moment in time, highlighting the focus of environmental studies and sustainability will help bring awareness around the film and panel discussion.

Finally, on Sept. 21, Academy Award-winning FARMLAND director James Moll will join a panel at the University of Southern California to focus on issues raised in the film as well as the making of the film and career opportunities in agriculture and film production.

Boston University held a screening with a panel last week, and Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, has one on Sept. 15; Sept. 16, University of Florida, Gainesville; and Sept. 30, Georgetown University, Washington.

NCGA

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