Under Sec Scuse Visits Missouri State University

Jamie Johansen

missouri-state-undersec-24-editedThe Missouri State University William H. Darr School of Agriculture proudly hosted the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, Michael Scuse. A luncheon was held where Under Secretary Scuse addressed a room full of leaders in Missouri agriculture. He also met with Missouri State agricultural students for a roundtable discussion and question and answer period.

Most producers across the country are familiar with the three agencies the Under Secretary covers in his job title, the Farm Services Agency, Risk Management Agency and the Foreign Agricultural Service. I had the opportunity to sit down with him and he shared the latest information and his opinion on trade and the implementation of key farm bill programs.

“The discussions are going on right now and hopefully in the very near future we are going to be able to have the votes needed to give President Obama Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Every President since FDR has had TPA and we think it’s important. It gives our negotiators that are working on these deals additional leverage.”

Listen to my complete interview with Under Secretary Scuse where he addresses other issues like TPP, T-TIP and crop insurance here: Interview with Under Secretary Michael Scuse

While addressing attendees to the luncheon, Under Secretary Scuse made one statement twice because of it’s importance. “What happens in 2015 will be one of the most important year in history for trade.”

Listen to the Under Secretary’s complete remarks here: Remarks from Under Secretary Michael Scuse

Find a few photos from the event here: Missouri State University School of Ag Hosts Under Sec. Scuse Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Education, Trade, USDA

New Holland’s Utility Tractors Scream Value

Jamie Johansen

nfms-15-nh-workmasterThe New Holland brand screams value and their line of utility tractors easily falls into that same step. While exhibiting at the recent National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland Agriculture drew in attendees who sought power, efficiency and value all lumped into one tractor.

The New Holland WORKMASTER™ 50, 60 and 70 utility tractors boast a new look and new Tier 4B FPT common rail engines, and the same great value, with features not found in all value tractors.

Todd DeBock, New Holland, shared more about their new line of utility tractors when visiting with Chuck at the event.

“We are really excited for 2015. We have a new family of WORKMASTER’s coming out. They run roughly from 45-62 PTO horsepower and the key thing about this product is the bang for your buck. There is no better value for a mid-range utility tractor in the marketplace. The first thing customers notice about the vehicle is the modern New Holland styling. We gave it a modern day look with it’s appearance, but we have kept the things that are really important for the value-minded customer.”

Learn more about New Holland’s line of utility tractors in Chuck’s complete interview with Todd here: Interview with Todd DeBock, New Holland Agriculture

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Shows, New Holland, NFMS, Tractor

T4 Series Tractors from New Holland

Jamie Johansen

nfms-15-nh-t4Tractors are one of the hottest items for attendees to check out when visiting the National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) and New Holland Agriculture has a few for customers to choose from.

New Holland’s T4 Series tractors have set a new standard for performance and efficiency in a utility tractor. These tractors are now powered by clean-burning Tier 4B engines which improve fuel efficiency and generate greater torque and power to handle tough on the farm jobs. Features include: deluxe VisionView™ cab, ergonomic CommandArc™ console and Dual Command™ transmission.

While at NFMS, Chuck chatted with Alex Booms who is the Marketing Specialist in the Dairy & Livestock Customer Segment for New Holland.

“Our core market is dairy and livestock producers who are our hay and forage customers. The fact that they don’t have to mess with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or have to go into that regeneration process and can keep working is key. Time is money. It’s a great all-around tractor, great haying tractor, great choring tractor. Versatile in a lot of different ways.”

Learn more about New Holland’s T4 series tractors in Chuck’s complete interview with Alex here: Interview with Alex Booms, New Holland

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Machinery, Farm Shows, New Holland, Tractor

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with David Lynn

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features David Lynn, Sr. VP Farm Credit Mid-America.

open-micFarmers are facing a cyclical turn in the industry with a period of lower crop prices, reduced net farm income and a likely increase in interest rates.This week’s guest on Open Mic is David Lynn, Senior Vice-President for Financial Services with Farm Credit Mid-America. Lynn believes the industry is better prepared than in years past to weather the financial downturn. Lynn says farmers are more dependent on crop insurance than ever before and he fears program changes could put more farmers at risk. Lynn believes the uncertain US tax code is a challenge for farmers and says commercial ag lenders would be better served to look for ways to work together to serve rural communities than challenging a lending institution that operates under strict guidelines from the federal government.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with David Lynn, Sr. VP Farm Credit Mid-America

Agri-Pulse

Secy Vilsack to Keynote 6th Commodity Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

classic14-vilsack-stageNot only has Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack set a record as the longest serving secretary in modern history, there’s no doubt he has appeared in more places and events more times than any of his predecessors.

Vilsack will visit the Commodity Classic next week for the sixth year in a row to address the annual convention and trade show for corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers. The secretary will deliver a keynote address to several thousand farmers and ag allies during the event’s General Session on Friday, Feb. 27, in Phoenix, Arizona.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Secretary Vilsack back to Commodity Classic,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “With so much going on in our nation’s capital that impact their lives, the audience will be eager to get his report on the top issues facing our growers, such as trade and the farm bill. He always provides an experienced, deep-inside-Washington perspective.”

The 20th annual Commodity Classic takes place Feb. 26-28, 2015, at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Commodity Classic, USDA

UA Taking Land-Grant Mission South of the Border

Jamie Johansen

ua_logo_ogLast week, nearly 60 representatives from 19 Mexican universities made a visit to the Tucson Village Farm, located on the University of Arizona’s Campus Agricultural Center.

The UA is leading the innovative initiative in partnership with New Mexico State University. The project is called the Red De Extensión e Innovación Nacional Universitaria, also known as Project REINU, and translates to the National University Extension and Innovation Network.

“REINU is a collaborative initiative of Mexico’s department of agriculture, SAGARPA, to develop essentially an extension service — but a university-based extension service,” said Mike Proctor, UA vice president for global initiatives.

Project REINU will serve Mexico as a national university-based network of scientists and educators to provide resources and educational services across the country. The network will serve as a link between research-based information and communities, as well as youth-based programs similar to Arizona’s 4-H Youth Development program.

There are currently six primary universities in Mexico involved. Each university has satellite offices, totaling 19 extension sites in Mexico. Proctor said the goal is to involve 80 universities in Project REINU by 2018.

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Ag Groups, Education, International

Update on FMC Marvel Herbicide

Cindy Zimmerman

nfms15-fmc-tylerWeed control was a big topic for FMC Corporation at the National Farm Machinery Show last week, and I talked with district manager Tyler Tuttle about how Marvel™ herbicide provides soybean growers with an aggressive tank-mix partner for maximum postemergence control of glyphosate-resistant weeds.

“Marvel is a post emerge, broadleaf herbicide with a very broad spectrum,” said Tuttle. “Use it to kill really tough to control weeds, like lambs quarters, velvetleaf, waterhemp, and pigweed.”

fmc-marvelSince Marvel was introduced in 2013, Tuttle says it has become an effective tool for growers in a weed management program to control resistance. “Performance has exceeded all expectations,” he said. “Marvel allows us to put on a product postemerge to help extend residual and knock out any weeds that might sneak through and it also allows us to mix up modes of action. That’s the key to weed control today.”

Listen to my interview with Tyler here: Interview with Tyler Tuttle, FMC

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Audio, FMC, Herbicide, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS, Soybean, weed management

Narrated Walk Through New Holland Exhibit

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland BoothAt the National Farm Machinery Show New Holland had several new products on public display for the first time. Todd DeBock walked around the exhibit with me to describe what is new from the company this year.

Here on the company’s 120th anniversary you’ll find more machines with New Holland final Tier 4B engines. Some specific models of note include:

  • The new T6 Series all-purpose premium tractors (95 to 125 PTO hp)
  • New Holland’s TS6 Series tractors (90 to 115 PTO horsepower)
  • New Holland’s hardworking T4 Series tractors (86 to 117 engine horsepower)
  • New Holland WORKMASTER™ 50, 60 and 70 (53 – 70 gross horsepower) utility tractors
  • New Holland’s deluxe Boomer™ 46D and Boomer 54D (46 – 54 gross engine horsepower) compact tractors

Watch the video to hear Todd describe these items and more:


2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Tractor, Video

2015 National Ag Day Essay Contest

Jamie Johansen

agday-logo-colorThe Agriculture Council of America has announced the winners of the 2015 National Ag Day video and written essay contest winners. The winners were chosen based on the 2015 theme, Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.

The theme presented an opportunity for students to address how the agriculture industry is rising to the challenges of feeding a growing population. Entrants chose to either write an essay and/or create a video focusing on how today’s growers are overcoming challenges to provide a safe, stable food supply and sustain the significant role agriculture plays in everyday life.

“CHS enthusiastically supports rural youth and is proud to showcase their thoughts and creativity,” says Annette Degnan, marketing communications director, CHS Inc., one of this year’s essay contest sponsors. “The essay and video contests provide the perfect platform for their visions and dreams to be shared with a broader audience.”

The national written essay winner, Theresa Seibel from Roanoke, Virginia receives a $1,000 prize and travel to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner held March 18 at Whitten Patio at the USDA. During dinner, she will have the opportunity to read the winning essay as well as join with industry representatives, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a festive agriculture celebration. Video essay winner, Harshin Sanjanwala from Madison, Mississippi wins a $1,000 prize. Both entries can be viewed online at www.agday.org/media/pr11.php.

This is the 42nd anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on agriculture and the food and fiber industry. The ACA not only helps consumers understand how food and fiber products are produced, but also brings people together to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

The Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, National Association of Farm Broadcasting and Penton Farm Progress Companies.

Ag Day, Ag Groups

Bayer CropScience Presents DiFlexx Herbicide

Jamie Johansen

bayer CropScienceBayer CropScience announces the 2015 approval and registration of DiFlexx™ herbicide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The strength of dicamba is evident, as is the need for a reliable crop safener. In 2013 trials, dicamba controlled 97 percent of broadleaf weeds in corn. That’s why corn growers will appreciate DiFlexx, which brings together dicamba and the highly effective CSI Safener.

DiFlexx controls tough weeds such as Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, ragweed and lambsquarter. It also manages more than 100 annual and perennial weeds, including those resistant to glyphosate-, PPO- and ALS-based herbicides. A fit in both pre- and post-emergence programs, DiFlexx has a wide window of application, from burndown to V10, for ensuring complete broadleaf weed control and flexibility. DiFlexx is tankmix compatible with Corvus® or Balance® Flexx herbicides from burndown to V2, and post with Laudis® or Capreno® herbicides for an extra mode of action on broadleaf weeds.

As the next innovation in crop safeners, the CSI Safener in DiFlexx enables corn plants to better withstand herbicides, which can lead to increased root growth and plant health. The same safener has a history of successfully minimizing crop response, as it has been part of the Corvus and Balance Flexx herbicide forumulations. The safener enables DiFlexx registration for field corn, field corn grown for silage and seed corn, and it can also be used on fallow croplands.

Compared to Status® herbicide, another safened dicamba product, DiFlexx offers many advantages, including: a liquid formulation, pre and post application window, and the ability to safen amide products and the use of MSO or COC in late post applications. DiFlexx also causes less brace root fusing and provides better standability. DiFlexx safens other ALS and HPPD chemistries as well.

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Agribusiness, Bayer, Bees