Research Finds Propane Cuts GHG Emissions

Cindy Zimmerman

propane-savesNew research commissioned by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) finds that propane equipment cuts greenhouse gas emissions and reduces fuel costs.

“A Comparative Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Propane and Competing Energy Sources,” prepared by Nexight Group, studied 14 applications to compare emissions from propane-powered equipment with emissions from conventional energy sources such as gasoline, diesel, and electricity.

Among the findings of the analysis was that propane-powered irrigation engines emit 20 percent fewer GHGs than those using gasoline, and 11 percent fewer GHGs than by using diesel.

Propane-autogas-powered work trucks like the Ford F-350 by Roush CleanTech produce 11 percent fewer GHGs than gasoline without sacrificing torque, horsepower or payload. Compared with those using gasoline, propane-powered forklifts produce 12 percent fewer GHGs.

Propane also beats electricity in cutting GHGs. Propane-powered furnaces emit 73 percent fewer GHGs, and propane-powered water heaters emit between 36 percent and 39 percent fewer GHGs than their electric counterparts.

PERC offers incentive programs to help offset the up-front costs of new propane equipment and home upgrades in exchange for performance data and customer feedback. The Propane Farm Incentive Program offers up to $5,000 on eligible irrigation engines, ag heaters, grain dryers, and portable generators. In addition, the Propane Heat & Power Incentive Program offers financial incentives up to $10,000 for eligible propane-powered products, such as standby generators and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

Farming, Irrigation, PERC, Propane

Drones Can Increase Efficiency of Farming

Cindy Zimmerman

ncgadrones1Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), better known as drones, will make farming more efficient, lower operating costs, and reduce their environmental impact. That was the message from National Corn Growers Association Manager of Public Policy Clint Raine to a group of policymakers and reporters during a panel about the applications of UAS technology to the agricultural industry.

“I’m optimistic about the possibilities for UAS technology and what it could mean for farmers,” said Raine. “These devices will make farms more efficient and sustainable. Lowering the costs and environmental impact of farming is good not only for farmers, but also consumers.”

While unmanned aerial systems have many commercial applications, they are expected to have the greatest impact on the agriculture industry – by one estimate, adding more than $75 billion to the economy by 2025. UAS are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, and are currently banned for commercial use. NCGA and other agricultural organizations hope to see that changed.

“If this technology were available for commercial use, some immediate applications include livestock monitoring, crop scouting and field mapping. Being able to use UAS for any of these jobs would increase efficiency on farms and provide instant feedback to the farmer,” said Raine.

Drone technology could be used to detect early pest infestations, crop disease, poor soil health, irrigation levels, and overall crop health. Raine said the technology makes farmers much more efficient, allowing a producer to scout a field in 10-15 minutes in what used to take an hour.

Corn, NCGA, Precision Agriculture

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Wisconsin’s largest craft beer week returns May 1-10, 2015 to celebrate its 5th anniversary.
  • New Holland recently announced that Bridon Cordage will be its official supplier of New Holland-branded plastic twine.
  • Peyton Schmitt of Nichols, Iowa, has been named the Iowa state winner of the 2015 GROWMARK essay contest for FFA members.
  • Agnition announced that it has launched Commence for Soybeans, a microbial catalyst seed treatment for soybeans that stimulates microbial activity for healthier soil and a superior growth environment.
Zimfo Bytes

Commodity Prices Greatest Challenge Facing Farmers

John Davis

agribank-logoA new poll of farm credit leaders says commodity prices are the greatest challenge facing farmers in 2015. This news release from AgriBank says weather and the Farm Bill are also near the top of the list of challenging issues for ag producers.

More than 61 percent of the directors — from the boards of 17 Farm Credit lenders in 15 states and of AgriBank, their St. Paul-based funding bank — said commodity prices are the greatest challenge facing ag producers this year. The directors, most of whom are also farmers or ranchers, indicated the next biggest challenges are input costs (over 22 percent), Mother Nature (more than 7 percent) and Farm Bill implications (nearly 6 percent). Land rents and interest rates were each cited by less than 3 percent of the respondents.

“Prices for corn and other key commodities produced in our region are down dramatically from recent highs to more normal levels,” said Doug Felton, chair of the AgriBank board and a seed and livestock farmer based in Northfield, Minn. “Lower prices will have a direct impact on the profitability of crop producers. The good news is many crop producers are in a strong financial position to weather this turn in the ag cycle. And the livestock industry is expected to continue to benefit from lower feed costs.”

AgriBank conducted the poll during its recent annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Agribusiness

What is Best for GMO Labeling?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Which potential presidential candidate would be best for ag?”

Of the 12 potential presidential candidates included in our poll, only one has officially declared. But two hopefuls have risen to the top of our poll. It seems many believe Hillary Clinton and Scott Walker might have the best interest of agriculture in mind, if elected.

Here are the poll results:

  • Joe Biden – 3%
  • Jeb Bush – 11%
  • Ben Carson – 5%
  • Chris Christie – 1%
  • Hillary Clinton – 22%
  • Ted Cruz – 7%
  • Mike Huckabee – 13%
  • Rand Paul – 4%
  • Rick Perry – 2%
  • Marco Rubio – 3%
  • Scott Walker – 19%
  • Elizabeth Warren – 10%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What is best for GMO labeling?

Agricultural organizations are voicing support for the bi-partisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act introduced in the U.S. House recently. What do you think is best when it comes to the labeling of GMO’s? Should it be mandatory or voluntary? Should it include all foods? Should states decide? Let us know your opinion.

ZimmPoll

2015 Ag Media Summit Program First Look

Chuck Zimmerman

Ag Media Summit 2015Planning on attending the 2015 Ag Media Summit? Good. Still considering? The first schedule with topics and speakers for the sessions has been posted to the AMS website. It’s not a final schedule so you might want to check it periodically.

Online registration begins May 1.

Headquarters Hotel:

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch
7500 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Scottsdale AZ, US 85258

To make your online hotel reservations at the Hyatt
click here: https://aws.passkey.com/event/11186616/owner/6765/home

Ag Media Summit

Propane Grain Dryers Increase Efficiency

Cindy Zimmerman

propane-grainFarmers at Commodity Classic were showing increased interest in upgrading their grain dryers to high efficiency propane units.

Cinch Munson with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) says their research shows that a new propane grain dryer can result in 50% efficiency savings. “PERC has worked with a number of grain dryers manufacturers over the past few years to upgrade the efficiency of grain dryers on the market,” he said. In addition, PERC offers incentive programs to help farmers with the purchase price of a new grain dryer. “There’s also other grant programs available to help people purchase high efficiency grain dryers,” said Munson.

In this interview, Munson also talks about more interest in propane-powered lawnmowers and propane heating systems for animal containment facilities and greenhouses: Interview with Cinch Munson, PERC

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Energy, Grains, PERC, Propane

Ag Groups Support Non-GMO Label Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

pompeoAgricultural organizations are voicing support for the bi-partisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act introduced in the U.S. House Wednesday by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC).

The bill includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through an accredited certification process. “Our goal for this legislation remains to provide clarity and transparency in food labeling, support innovation, and keep food affordable,” said Pompeo.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) supports the creation of a national labeling standard to “give consumers the information they need while avoiding the unnecessary confusion and added cost of a patchwork of state laws,” said AFBF president Bob Stallman. “The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 would clarify the FDA as the nation’s foremost authority on food safety and create a voluntary labeling program run by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the same agency that administers the USDA Organic Program.”

The Agricultural Retailers Association also endorsed the legislation. “Agricultural retailers are optimistic the broad support of this bipartisan proposal will lead to quick passage of the bill,” said Daren Coppock, ARA President and Chief Executive Officer. “A patchwork of labeling laws would be untenable for farmers and food companies, and result in less clarity for consumers.”

“Introduction of this legislation is a first step towards passage of a federal law to keep the authority to set safe, reasonable and national labeling requirements regarding GMOs with U.S. government agencies that have decades of scientific and regulatory expertise in this area,” added Coalition for Safe Affordable Food spokesperson Claire Parker.

The National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association are also in support of the bill and urge Congress to pass it quickly.

AFBF, Ag Groups, ARA, ASA, GMO, NCGA

Deere Updates 3E Series Compact Utility Tractors

Cindy Zimmerman

OverallThe 2015 John Deere 3032E and 3038E compact utility tractors feature some new customer-driven updates for added convenience, comfort and ease of use.

The 3032E and 3038E are equipped with powerful, emissions-compliant Final Tier 4 engines with 31.1 (22.3 kW) and 37.3 (27.4 kW) horsepower, respectively. A hydrostatic transmission with Twin Touch™ pedals provides operators with simple, comfortable-to-use controls to find the right speed for the job at hand. It’s as easy as pressing a single foot pedal to go forward and another foot pedal to go in reverse. Automotive-style cruise control is optional. Intuitive controls are color-coded (orange for throttle and shifting; black for hydraulics; yellow for power take-off (PTO)) for easy operation.

Both models feature a flat, uncluttered, open station operator platform. A new, higher back seat provides added comfort for long days of work. A foldable, certified rollover protection structure (ROPS) is designed to provide easier storage. Without tools, the operator can manually fold the safety device down for easy parking in a garage or shed. The exhaust system was moved from the top of the tractors and now runs parallel to the ground for improved visibility and a cleaner look.

Four wheel drive comes standard on both the 3032E and 3038E, which are part of the emerging E Series Tractor lineup designed especially for rural property owners, equine and small-scale livestock operations looking for a machine designed to handle a variety of tasks.

Equipment, John Deere, Tractor

FarmHer at Ag Day

Chuck Zimmerman

FarmHerDuring last week’s Ag Day Activities in Washington, DC I met Marji Guyler-Alaniz, FarmHer, Inc. during the Celebration of Agriculture dinner. Earlier in the day Marji participated in a Google Hangout with USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and Dr. Linda Young, Chief Mathematical Statistician and Director of Research and Development of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The discussion was about how women are represented in agriculture – both in statistics and in images. Then a selection of photographs featuring women working in their various roles in agriculture, taken by Marji Guyler-Alaniz, was featured on public display at USDA.

Marji says she takes pictures to “update the image of agriculture to include women.” The photos she takes and publishes helps recognize the important role women perform in agriculture. She takes pictures on all kinds of farms all over the place. She hopes to expand the area she can work in.

Listen to my interview with Marji here: Interview with Marji Guyler-Alaniz

National Ag Day Photo Album

Coverage of National Ag Day Activities is sponsored by
Coverage of National Ag Day Activities is sponsored by Growmark
Ag Day, Farming