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

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

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

FMC Talks Cotton at Mid-South Farm & Gin Show

John Davis March 4, 2015

Farmers in the cotton belt are ready as the new season’s field prep work is underway in some areas. During the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis, Tennessee, Chuck caught up with Rusty Mitchell with FMC, who talked about some new products his company has for cotton and other row crop farmers.

“The big interest in cotton as with any of the row crops in the Mid-South is Palmer Amaranthus control,” Rusty said. “We are introducing a new product this year in our Anthem Flex, applied in cotton post-direct, giving farmers another option to apply a residual type of product that will provide them season-long or continued long control of grasses and Palmer Amaranthus, as well.”

Another new product from FMC this year includes the 3RIVE 3D (which Rusty is standing next to in the picture). It’s a platform that integrates formulation technology, application technology and active ingredients to increase net planting speed, in-furrow protection and early season success.

“For those individual farmers that may not necessarily be interested in putting out a starter, pop-up type fertilizer, but yet still want the technology of an insecticide in-furrow, you can use this equipment and cover 500 acres in one filling, making it very, very efficient,” Rusty said.

You can also see video of 3RIVE 3D in action here.

Listen to more of Chuck’s conversation with Rusty here: Interview with Rusty Mitchell with FMC

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Cotton, Equipment, FMC

BASF Excited About 150th Year

Cindy Zimmerman March 4, 2015

BASF Crop Protection‘s 9th Science Behind media event last week focused on 150 years of the company’s existence and how they are excited for the future.

“The fun part of working for BASF is there’s always a full pipeline,” said Technical marketing specialist AJ Woodyard, who hosted the annual event this year focused on The Science Behind the Right Chemistry, appropriate for “The Chemical Company.”

AJ says they always appreciate the participation of the media at the Science Behind events to help get the message of what they are doing out to the farmers.

Listen to my interview with AJ here: Interview with AJ Woodyard, BASF

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

2015 BASF Science Behind Photos

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic

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