Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 4, 2015

U.S. Wheat Associates welcomes Amanda Spoo as Communications Specialist in its Arlington, VA, headquarters effective March 9, 2015.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs announced the convening of an expert task force, ahead of the Global Food Security Symposium 2015 on April 16 in Washington, DC, to examine the important role the agriculture and food system can play in promoting health and alleviating malnutrition.
The farm and ranch families of Farm Bureau raised more than $1.2 million and donated a record of nearly 42 million pounds of food to assist hungry Americans as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program in partnership with Feeding America.
More than 150 attendees from 25 states and Puerto Rico participated in the 2015 National Farmers Union College Conference on Cooperatives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, over the weekend

New Holland’s Flexi-Coil® P Series Air Carts

Jamie Johansen March 4, 2015

On display at the 2015 Commodity Classic was New Holland’s Flexi-Coil® P Series Air Carts. The redesigned carts have an unprecedented number of patent-pending features for all operations. Chuck met up with New Holland’s Trevor Rempel, Global Product Marketing Manager, on the trade show floor to learn more about the rather large piece of equipment.

“We started with a completely clean sheet of paper on this and completely redesigned the entire air cart line. What we wanted to do is touch back to that Flexi-Coil heritage. You will notice that the Flex-Coil logo and name is more prominent with this air cart now, both in our marketing materials and on the cart. The reason is we want to build on the legacy that made Flexi-Coil one of the leading air-seeding companies in the world. And that is simplicity, innovation and durability.”

New Holland’s Flexi-Coil® P Series Air Carts include:
– Seven models, multiple configurations, huge grain tanks up to 950 bushels
– Industry-leading distribution system for unmatched accuracy
– Blending flexibility: distribute or combine any tank to any run
– IntelliView™ IV plug and play: takes the guesswork out of rate setting
– Accurate section control option: eliminates double applications of seed and fertilizer
– EZ Flow headers: gentle seed handling can increase yields

Listen to Chuck’s complete interview with Trevor to learn more about what Flexi-Coil can offer your operation. Interview with Trevor Rempel, New Holland

Photos from the event can be found here: 2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, New Holland, Seed

Record Breaking #Classic15

Cindy Zimmerman March 4, 2015

The 20th annual Commodity Classic was one for the record books.

Total attendance was 7,936, more than 600 over the previous record, 7,325, set in 2014. Other records broken were the number of growers, at 4,328 (compared to 3,874 in 2014); and the number of first-time attendees, at 1,409 (compared to 1,261 in 2014). Additionally, the trade show featured an all-time high of 355 participating companies, representing a record 170,500 net square feet of booth space. In 2014, 301 exhibitors used 126,200 net square feet.

Next year’s meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producers will be held in the Big Easy March 3-5 when the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and many of its members will be joining the event – which means it can only get bigger!

AgWired’s 2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album has almost 700 photos from the event and most of our coverage is compiled on AgNewsWire – with an extra page added as we keep posting more stuff!

Thanks to our sponsors for helping us bring it all to you – please feel free to download and utilize any content!

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

AEM, Ag Groups, Commodity Classic, Corn

GROWMARK Report on Perception & Commodity Pricing

Jamie Johansen March 4, 2015

A new report from GROWMARK Research demonstrates how commodity market capital flows distort our perception of the effect that news has on commodity prices.

“News, Money and Prices” shows that money flows constitute an independent causal force on prices that have a life of their own; they represent additional demand. Often, it is not the news causing prices to rise; it is that the news comes out while prices are rising. “Money flows move prices regardless of what the news is or whether there is any news at all,” according to Kel Kelly, GROWMARK economic and market research manager, and author of the report. Additionally, he shows that price responses to news are more than four times greater during periods where money flows are taking place than when they are absent.

The study indicates that what is often perceived as news events roiling markets are more often just catalysts for investors to implement pre-planned buy and sell decisions. Seeming price-altering news events are instead usually just the effect of large quantities of money flowing in and out of markets merely because it has been created and is readily available for such purposes.

Agribusiness, Cooperatives, GROWMARK, Research

3D-Printable Home Based Food Production System

Jamie Johansen March 4, 2015

A Texas patent holder and inventor has launched a collection of 3D printable objects that function as key components in a non-electric, home-based food grow system that can be operated for pennies. The story of the invention can be found at FoodRising, a project of the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center which is donating 250 grow systems to schools across America.

The Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box grows enormous quantities of food without using electricity or soil. It requires no weeding and uses no pumps, motors or complex parts of any kind. It grows highly-nutritious, mineral-rich foods using about 1/20 the water of conventional agriculture and about half the space of soil gardening.

Mike Adams, also known as the “Health Ranger,” developed the system based on the work of Professor Kratky and gives away the 3D printable parts via downloadable files at FoodRising. Adams is also distributing DIY videos that instruct people on how to build their own systems using inexpensive parts and common tools. Pre-built systems are offered for sale at Supply Source.

“The Maker movement is about empowering people with innovative, grassroots solutions that can substantially improve the quality of their lives,” Adams explains. “This Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow System allows people to produce their own mineral-rich, better-than-organic foods for mere pennies.”

Mike Adams is a science lab director and food activist who tested numerous grow technologies (such as hydroponics and aquaponics) before developing the Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box. It’s based on a concept taught by Univ. of Hawaii professor B. Kratky, and it’s called a “constant bottom feeding non-circulation hydroponics” system.

The system requires an automatic self-watering float valve to function correctly, so Adams designed a 3D printable float valve that uses readily available parts to function: A pencil eraser, a paper clip, a garden hose washer and a discarded vitamin bottle. The 3D printed parts can be printed from filament that’s made partially out of recycled plastic landfill trash, allowing people to “transform trash into food production systems,” explains Adams.

Agribusiness, Food, Technology

Doing What is Right for the Pig

Jamie Johansen March 4, 2015

Animal welfare continues to be at the forefront of discussion throughout the swine community. And Dr. Angela Baysinger’s talk at Boehringer Ingleheim’s Swine Health Seminar hit on just that. Pig welfare and doing what is right for the pig centered discussion on crates and pain mitigation in castration and tail docking. I had a chance to speak with Dr. Baysinger following her presentation and before we got to the nitty gritty, we quickly bonded over our home state…Missouri.

“The swine industry has been changing since the time I started raising pigs in the 70’s. The pendulum has swung from outdoors to pen gestation to crates and now it is swinging back. Everything in life changes over time and we as a swine industry are just going to change and adapt to what we need to do, but it is what’s best for the pig that we need to keep focus on.”

Dr. Baysinger said many of the issues on the farm include getting the message to the barn and remembering changing doesn’t mean caving. She also said that people are the most important thing we tend to forget. People are the foundation for care of the pigs. People should feel empowered to speak when they see something wrong. Training and education are key and she adds that we need to remember that they aren’t simply hired hands anymore. The key is to have a better understanding of the world in which we operate.

Listen to my complete interview where she touches on the future and discusses some conversations she has had along the way to providing a better understanding of pig welfare to producers, vets and the consumer. Interview with Dr. Angela Baysinger, PIC

Find all the photos from the event here: 2015 BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

New Holland Grape Harvesters

Jamie Johansen March 4, 2015

AgNet West Radio Network reporter, Sabrina Hill, spoke with New Holland’s Jarrod Angstadt at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA about their Braud grape and olive harvesters. These harvesters are now available in North America directly from select New Holland dealers.

“We’ve got some great features with the SDC shaking system as well as the Noria buckets and the various cleaning systems like the destemmer and Opti-Grape™, which is new this year.”

Jarrod said the new commercial activity in North America allows New Holland to increase the number of dealers that can sell the harvester, which means better parts and service availability for customers. In Sabrina’s interview, Jarrod walks us through the machine highlighting specs and benefits to growers.

Listen to Sabrina’s complete interview with Jarrod here: Interview with Jarrod Angstadt, New Holland

The harvesters are manufactured in Coex, France, and are supported by New Holland’s world-class parts distribution system. The five models, which vary in frame size and capacity, include the 9040M, 9060L, 9090L, 9090X Vine, and 9090X Olive. They complement New Holland’s line of speciality tractors for vineyards, orchards and groves, including T4V and T4F Series narrow tractors and TK4000 track tractors, which are designed to fit between tight rows and provide confidence on hillsides and slopes.

Agribusiness, Audio, Harvest, New Holland

Interest in #Propane at #Classic15

Cindy Zimmerman March 4, 2015

Farmers were showing quite a bit of interest in propane power at the 2015 Commodity Classic – everything from irrigation engines and grain dryers, to greenhouse heat and lawn mowers.

“There’s new propane equipment on the market that’s very efficient,” says Cinch Munson with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), who adds that the benefits are numerous.

“Propane engines cost less than a Tier 4 diesel upfront – 30-40 percent less,” said Munson. “Guys are saving 75 percent in some cases on operating those engines.” A new propane grain dryer can result in 50% efficiency savings.

In addition, Cinch says there are incentives that make switching to propane even more attractive.

Find out more at propane.com and in this interview with Cinch: Interview with Cinch Munson, PERC

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, Commodity Classic, Energy, PERC, Propane

USTR Update at #Classic15

Cindy Zimmerman March 4, 2015

photo credit: Meghan Grebner, Brownfield

U.S. Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Darci Vetter updated farmer leaders and the media on trade issues at the 2015 Commodity Classic last week, particularly on the need for Trade Promotion Authority to move current negotiations forward.

“There are groups on the right and on the left that would say that Trade Promotion Authority is not the way to go,” she said, but it is critical to negotiating both the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

“While I can’t tell you everything that’s on the table I know there’s a really good deal for agriculture in TPP, a huge opportunity for agriculture in TTIP,” said Vetter. “But unless (TPA) is in place, I can’t get it across the finish line.”

Vetter noted that exports to Europe have been declining and a trade agreement under TTIP would be beneficial in working out mutual regulatory and approval processes for biotechnology traits. And TPP she says needs to move forward because other countries are in the process of making bilateral agreements with Japan.

Listen to Vetter’s comments here, thanks to Meghan Greber with Brownfield Ag News who supplied us with the audio and photos. Darci Vetter, USTR Ag Negotiator

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, Commodity Classic, Exports, Trade

Analyst Talks Risk at BASF #ScienceBehind15

Cindy Zimmerman March 4, 2015

As it does every year, the weather will play a major role in the price for corn and soybeans in the future. Market analyst Arlan Suderman of Water Street Solutions gave some of his thoughts on price points for the grains in the coming year during the BASF Science Behind media event last week in Phoenix.

His models show favorable, above normal temperatures for this season, which would most likely push up the yields for corn and soybeans and push down their prices.

“If we get the weather and acreage I expect for corn, we’ll see corn prices in the mid-$3 range,” with the low possibility of above-trend yields possibly pushing corn to the low $3 range. Arlen said soybeans are expected to yield about the same, and could see prices in the low $9 range, with the risk of big stocks pushing those prices all the way down to $6 beans–devastating for a lot of operations.

As far as managing the risks corn and soybean farmers face in these market fluctuations, Arlen applauded what BASF is doing to help producers.

“I’m glad to see them recognize the situations farmers are in,” he said. “To help share the risk is a win-win for both sides. [Farmers] need to have a smart plan of risk management, and that comes down to your marketing and partnering, and what BASF is offering allows farmers [to better manage the risks and market their crops to their best advantage].”

Interview with Arlan Suderman, Water Street Solutions

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

2015 BASF Science Behind Photos

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Markets

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