Farmall 100A Series Meets Needs of All Customers

Jamie Johansen February 23, 2015

If you walked through the Case IH booth at the National Farm Machinery Show last week you were bound to see their line of Farmall 100A tractors. Denny Stroo, Case IH, was on hand to share his knowledge of the esteemed tractor and Chuck was there to capture it.

“This particular Farmall is a 140A, which is part of the 100A series of tractors. Brand new this year is our cab platform as well as our new engine platform. The new cab gives us the ability to have a really nice ergometry laid out controls along with a couple of nice options. We have a high visibility roof panel that makes loader work very convenient. Another option is the instructors seat.”

Denny shared many other options you can select from to fit your operations needs, whether you are a row crop or livestock customer it seems this line of tractors has something for you. Case IH dealers have been taking orders for a couple of months now and they will start showing up on dealer lots this Spring.

The goal at Case IH was to provide a industry leading, cost-effective product for their customers, Denny believes they have succeeded. Learn more about how you can get your own in Chuck’s complete interview with Denny here: Interview with Denny Stroo, Case IH

Find photos from the event here: 2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Case IH, NFMS, Tractor

More Reaction to Proposed Dietary Guidelines

John Davis February 23, 2015

More comments are coming forward about the recently released Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Farm Bureau and some key politicians are not pleased about what they see as the committee’s overreach in the report that will be used for developing national nutrition policy by the federal government.

Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation says while his group is pleased by the science used in the report, some of the conclusions go beyond what the current committee members would qualify to comment on.

“We are, however, concerned that the report’s lengthy foray into sustainability issues goes well beyond both the group’s expertise and its clearly defined mission. Its conclusions would have benefitted from the contributions of agronomists, animal scientists, ecologists and others with deeper expertise in agriculture and sustainability.

“The report makes many good observations about the need for a balanced diet, but we are troubled that it also repeats alarmist and unsubstantiated assertions about land use first promulgated by a UN agency with scant agricultural understanding. These assertions contradict the views of the UN’s own agricultural experts and fly in the face of decades of scientific consensus. The overall guidelines also ignore easier and more effective ways ordinary Americans can reduce their carbon footprints.”

Stallman goes on to say the report has an “unrealistically pessimistic view of sustainability,” and that colored its views regarding meat in the American diet.

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, (R-Kansas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, expressed similar concerns of the report’s contents.

“This report is disappointing, as it is clear with some of these recommendations, the non-political, science-based process has gone awry. The Dietary Guidelines are an essential part of combating obesity and improving the diets of all Americans, and it is crucial the Guidelines be free from political influence and be completely based in nutrition science. It appears this has not been the case, and that is troubling news. As USDA and HHS take this report into consideration and develop the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, I hope they work to restore integrity to the process and preserve the independent, unbiased and nutrition science-based nature of previous Guidelines.”

A public comment period on the report goes until April 8.

AFBF, Ag Groups, Agribusiness, politics

Soybean Growers Welcome West Coast Port Labor Deal

John Davis February 23, 2015

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is welcoming news of a possible deal worked out to end a labor strike that was wreaking havoc on soybean exports from the U.S. west coast. The group says the reported deal worked out between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) will resume operations at ports along the west coast.

“As business owners, soybean farmers count on a smoothly-operating supply chain to stay competitive. The work stoppage on the west coast is something that continues to have ripple effects not only on soybean farms, but within the processing industry, and especially in the livestock industry that represents the top consumer of soybean meal,” said [ASA President Wade] Cowan.

In the 2014/2015 crop marketing year, U.S. farmers exported 1.77 billion bushels of soybeans, making soy the country’s leading farm export. Soybean meal is also a key feedstock for the livestock and meat export industry, which was disproportionately affected by the stoppage.

“Soybean farmers are proud of the role we play in the nation’s agricultural trade, and proud to be a leader on these issues,” added Cowan. “Disruptions like the one we saw out west have the potential to throw the country’s farm economy into disarray. A devastating impact like that isn’t a bargaining chip. It goes without saying that we are relieved to see a resolution to the dispute, and we encourage both parties to ratify this new contract and get back to work as quickly as possible.”

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ASA, Soybean

Bold New Look for the Case IH Maxxum Tractors

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

Case IH has added a few new products to their lineup this year and Chuck caught up with David Bogan, Case IH, during the 2015 National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) to learn more about their Maxxum tractors.

“As we have moved into the 2015 calendar year we have had to meet those new EPA standards for this horsepower range tractor. This tractor is equipped with the Tier 4 B technology and the Final SCR-only technology that is exclusive to our brand. This means we only treat the emissions after combustion within the exhaust.”

“As you look at this tractor you can see that the styling has changed. It has a very bold, aggressive new look. A new roof cap as well that has LED lightings that are now standard. You can light up the night just like the day.”

The Maxxum tractors were publicly launched during the Cattlemen’s Industry Conference earlier in February, but if you missed them there and at NFMS I am sure you will see at next week’s Commodity Classic.

David suggests farmers and ranchers dig a little bit deeper into the specifications on these tractors to see if it will fit their operations needs. Listen to Chuck’s complete interview with David here: Interview with David Bogan, Case IH

Find photos from the event here: 2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Case IH, NFMS, Tractor

Pennington Named Charles Eastin Award Recipient

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has named Dennis Pennington, Michigan State University Extension, the Charles Eastin Award Recipient for 2015. The Eastin Award honors an individual who stands out as an advocate for accurate communications between rural and urban audiences. The award will be presented at the Celebration of Agriculture Dinner held at USDA in Washington, DC on National Ag Day, March 18, 2015.

Pennington assists with initiatives throughout the year with several organizations including Michigan State University, Barry County Farm Bureau, Hill N Dale 4-H club and Hastings FFA Alumni. His involvement and advocacy also extends even beyond these organizations as he has a passion for spreading agriculture awareness. He has helped the general public learn about agriculture through educational efforts at the Fair, Ag Awareness Day and online informative videos.

During National Ag Week in 2015, Pennington worked with Hastings FFA students to create local agriculture fact videos that went viral on Facebook and YouTube with thousands of views.

The Charles Eastin Award was previously awarded by the National Farm City Council. In 2013, the Agriculture Council of America assumed the assets and selected programs of the National Farm-City Council.

Ag Day, Ag Groups

Raven’s Hawkeye Nozzle Control System

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

One of the products our friends at Raven were featuring at the National Farm Machinery Show was their Hawkeye Nozzle Control System. Chuck spoke with Raven’s Gary Esselink about what sets this sprayer apart from others on the market.

“The Raven Hawkeye is a sprayer system where we maintain constant pressure through application. One of the things that is becoming a big issue with farmers and applicators these days is the ability to maintain a consistent spray pattern throughout the field. The best way to do that is to maintain your pressure.”

Gary said another nice thing about this product is the ISO product controller that controls all functions of the Raven system. The Hawkeye Nozzel Control is compatible with AGCO, Case, Miller and Apache sprayers.

Learn more about Raven’s sprayer system in Chuck’s complete interview with Gary at NFMS here: Interview with Gary Esselink, Raven

Find photos from the event here: 2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, NFMS

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes February 20, 2015

Lessing-Flynn has created new professional opportunities for members of the team, including Jordan Beynon and Chris Hanson who recently assumed new roles within the agency.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., Arden Hills, MN, is acquiring the assets of FLM+, a leading marketing communications and strategic consulting company with expertise in the agribusiness and rural community sector.
ABS® Global, Inc., the world leader in bovine genetics, reproduction services, and artificial insemination technologies, announces that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 51% of In Vitro Brasil S.A.
Ceres, Inc. announced that its seed product offerings in the U.S. will include three new forage sorghum hybrids, following positive results from commercial evaluations last season as well as new university results released last week that highlighted a number of performance advantages, including the highest milk yield per acre, which is a key metric for dairy operations.

Zimfo Bytes

Former USTR Talks Trade at Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman February 20, 2015

Former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk was the keynote speaker at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) National Ethanol Conference this week where the theme was “Going Global” with an emphasis on exports.

“I want to thank you for your very strong and vocal support for a very smart trade policy for our country over the years,” said Kirk, who served under President Obama in his first term. “You understand the importance of going global.”

Kirk lamented that too many Americans have “gone sour” on international trade, citing a poll that found twice as many Americans said they believe in the existence of UFOs than believed international trade was good for America. “We have got to go out and tell the story of the real benefits of trade,” he said.

Listen to Kirk’s remarks here: Former USTR Ron Kirk at NEC 15

After his remarks, I had the chance to interview Amb. Kirk about agricultural trade issues, such as Japan’s desire to exempt products in the TPP negotiations. Interview with former USTR Ron Kirk

2015 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Exports, Trade

Ag Groups Comment on Proposed Dietary Guidelines

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee submitted their recommendations to the Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA will consider this report, along with input from other federal agencies and comments from the public as they develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015, to be released later this year.

“For decades, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been at the core of our efforts to promote the health and well-being of American families,” said Secretaries Burwell and Vilsack in a joint statement. “Now that the advisory committee has completed its recommendations, HHS and USDA will review this advisory report, along with comments from the public-including other experts-and input from other federal agencies as we begin the process of updating the guidelines.”

A number of agricultural organizations have released their comments on the recent release of the dietary guidelines.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) said the “recommendation that a healthy dietary pattern should be lower in red meat is not consistent with scientific evidence and would be unsound dietary advice.” Their comments continued that same toned as they stressed the importance of lean meat in a healthy diet.

“Lean meat is red meat. Today’s beef supply is leaner than ever before with more than 30 cuts of beef recognized as lean by government standards,” said Shalene McNeill, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Scientist for NCBA. “The protein foods category, which includes meat, is the only category currently consumed within the current guidelines, and it is misleading to conclude that a healthy dietary pattern should be lower in red meat.”

The presidents and CEO’s of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) also released comments. “The essential role of dairy foods, as part of dietary patterns that foster good health outcomes, is supported by the totality of the science — low-fat and fat-free milk and dairy products are a core component of the healthy dietary patterns identified by the Committee.”

“We will provide science-based comments on the advisory report during the current public comment period and look forward to the release of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans policy document later this year.”

Ag Groups, NCBA, Nutrition, USDA

Learn More About Miller’s Line of Sprayers

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

A big announcement came at the end of 2014 when New Holland announced their purchase of Miller. Brands have remained separate, but the duo shared booth space at the recent National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS). Miller had a number of equipment on display and Chuck spoke with Brett Reis to learn more about their product offerings.

“We’ve got a Miller 5000 series 5250, which is our new tier 4 final machine and we also have our Miller Condor GC75. That is our largest model in the mechanical drive machine.”

If you missed Miller at NFMS, you can catch them next week at the 2015 Commodity Classic in Phoenix, AZ.

Learn more about Miller’s line of sprayers in Chuck’s complete interview with Brett here: Interview with Brett Reis, Miller

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland, NFMS

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