Thanks for a glorious 2014!
We look forward to seeing you down the Agriblogging Highway in 2015.
AgWired on MyFarmRadio
Want to listen to AgWired audio on a brand new channel? Try out MyFarmRadio courtesy of Farm Journal.
All you need to do is download the app to your mobile device and look for us in the on-demand section. We’ll be featuring our regular podcasts as well as special interviews and other types of audio that we hope you’ll be interested in. Got ideas for what you’d like to hear? Feel free to make suggestions and let us know how you like the app!
New Holland Wishing Everyone Happy Holidays
There are many reasons to be thankful this holiday season.
As we head into our 120th year, we can think of many.
Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year.
Abe Hughes, VP New Holland North America and the New Holland Team
Four Industry Trends for 2015
Looking for what some of the trends in agriculture will be in 2015? Well, Bo Warren, director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Agribusiness, has four key ones for you. In this week’s program he talks about them.
Precision agriculture will become more precise
The FAA has been paying close attention to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as the technology has matured and new applications have been developed. The result of all that research will be realized in 2015, when the commercial UAS market will blossom. The most likely initial applications will be in agriculture, where UAS have proven benefits and can be applied in the friendliest conditions.
The proliferation of connected devices in agriculture will drive further efficiencies. 2015 will usher in a new age of precision agriculture.
The southern migration of blueberries will be firm as Georgia takes the lead in production
Georgia recently overtook Michigan as the number-one state for blueberry production. Georgia’s lead will be cemented in 2015 thanks to better farming methods, development of seed genetic technologies with research partners such as the University of Georgia, and further R&D focused on seed production that marries with soil in Georgia.
Other technologies – specifically UAV applications focused on the blueberry industry – will help to increase production.
Big data will coincide with agriculture in ways never before seen
In 2015, we will begin to see all available information at the farm level – such as soil quality and water utilization – merge with information about specific crops and seeds to maximize yield and production. This will result in far fewer resources being used.
Gone will be the days of identifying a single type of seed for an entire farm. For example, new technologies will allow a cotton producer with 1,000 acres of land to analyze his entire field and break it down by specific acre. This kind of hyper-specific land analysis will be enabled by big data and will significantly maximize production levels.
Water utilization will become critically more important
60 percent of fresh water in the United States is used for agriculture. In certain parts of the country, water tables have been depleted to alarming levels. In 2015 we will see a proliferation of technologies that maximize the efficiency of the water farmers use and minimize waste.
Water utilization sensors that are currently being developed will be married with smart farms and connected technologies and apps that give farmers a clear picture of their watering needs. Apps will combine external weather information with sensor-driven, farm-specific information to paint a real-time data picture around a farm’s soil moisture, and provide recommendations to reduce water usage while maximizing crop yields.
Listen in to my conversation with Bo to hear his outlook for 2015 for the ag industry: Agribusiness Trends and Predictions
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Did you find your favorite gadget under the tree?
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What type of gadget is on your wish or to-give list?”
Did you find your favorite gadget under the tree this year? Our results were pretty evenly spread out. I was excited to see many were wanting to utilize drone technology. But the GoPro video camera exceeded all other gadgets. I think that might be what I use my Christmas money on.
Here are the poll results:
- Smart Phone – 12%
- Tablet – 9%
- Hybrid Laptop – 0%
- Wearable Tech – 9%
- Mobile Power Supply – 5%
- Cordless Power Tools – 9%
- Drone – 12%
- Camera – 9%
- GoPro Video Camera – 26%
- Bluetooth Speakers/headphones – 3%
- Other – 6%
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What do you think were the biggest ag stories of 2014?
No matter the segment of agriculture you are involved in, their has been at least one ag story throughout the year that has caught your attention. Let us know which topped your list as the biggest ag story of the year. As we review stories from 2014 I can’t help but wonder what 2015 will bring.
Top AgWired Stories of 2014
It’s that time of year when we take a look at the stats and see what stories were the most read, shared and liked in 2014.
These top ten stories are from our Word Press stats. Taking a look at them, it seems our most popular posts are technology, John Deere and New Holland. But a lot happened in 2014. What do you think were the most important stories of the year?
2015 John Deere Product Launch
iPhone 5S vs Galaxy S4 Mini
Typo Keyboard for iPhone 5s
Typo Keyboard for iPhone review
New Holland agriculture claims world record
New Holland unveils new CR Series Combines
Dairy Carrie Exposes PETA sham
Make your message more personal Julie Borlaug
New Holland features 2014 Diesel of the Year
Wearable Technology – Google Glass
PacificAg Can Help Growers Increase Profits in 2014
The largest and most experienced biomass harvest company in the country is helping growers see increased profits in the emerging biomass markets. The company provides a comprehensive suite of services that allow growers to further diversify their operations and experience additional revenue.
PacificAg started in the residue management business nearly 20 years ago harvesting forage crops for feed in Oregon and CEO Bill Levy says they help growers to further diversify their operations and experience additional revenue.
“For growers I think PacificAg is an easy solution for managing residue,” says Levy. “The grower doesn’t need to invest in capital in both equipment and people necessary to perform the harvest. They can really focus on their primary harvest and let PacificAg come in with the latest equipment and skilled staff and manage that residue to the right level and make sure it’s performed sustainably as well.”
The most recent call for residue management assistance has come from the bioenergy market. “The great thing about residue management is that it’s unlocking value for a grower,” says Harrison Pettit, a partner with PacificAg. “One of the unique things that we do is that we connect and understand a grower’s needs and tailor a residue management program to fit these needs. We’re linking this with a long-term, year round bioenergy conversion plant. So it’s the first time a specific company like PacificAg has been matched with a long-term marketplace. This enables growers to unlock value that hasn’t existed before.”
PacificAg wants to share the benefit of their experience and turn that into long-term returns for growers. If you are a corn, wheat or milo grower who lives within 100 miles of an advanced ethanol biorefinery, is looking for new markets for your biomass and is interested in adding a new revenue stream to your operations, PacificAg wants to hear from you.
Find out more in these interviews:
Interview with PacificAg CEO Bill Levy
Interview with PacificAg partner Harrison Pettit
USFRA Launches Fun How To Video Series
Have you ever wondered how to milk 1,200 cows three times a day? Or gather 50,000 eggs a day? Or how to keep 7,000 pigs feed, watered, clean and happy? Well wonder no more. The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has launched a fun and very informative “How To Farm” series that also looks how no-till techniques can aid in soil health.
Hosted by blogger “ReDefined Mom” Kelly Snyder, USFRA’s online video series illustrates different farming practices – with a fun twist. The featured farmers make their jobs producing our food easy, but behind the scenes a lot of work goes into growing and raising our food. Snyder, a blogger mom of two based in Kansas City, visited four Midwest farms to learn just how farmers and ranchers do what they do every day – and why.
The videos also highlight new technology used on farms and ranches today, and address common misconceptions about food production. The first four videos give viewers an up-close look at just how farmers grow and raise food, including:
- How To Milk 1,200 Cows (filmed with Brian Rexing at New Generation Dairy in Indiana)
- How To Care for 7,000 Pigs (filmed with Art Braundmeier at The Maschhoffs in Illinois)
- How To Use Trash to Help Crops Grow (filmed on Len Corzine’s farm in Illinois)
- How To Gather 50,000 Eggs A Day (filmed with Ron Campbell at Opal Foods in Missouri)
“People know what farmers generally do, but not exactly how they do it. The opportunity to spend time on a farm alongside a farmer is not one that most people get,” said Randy Krotz, CEO of USFRA. “This new online video series brings the farm to your living room, office, kitchen, classroom, mobile device — anywhere you are. Americans have so many questions about food production and the first videos in this series can help address some of those by showing just how farmers are growing and raising food.”
Experts Predict Food Trends for 2015
For the second year, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty members predict the food-related trends that could end up on your dinner plates and grocery store shelves in 2015:
Wow, that’s…pungent: Americans continue to develop a fondness for fermented foods, which often create strong, unique flavors in such products as kimchi, sauerkraut, beer, wine and yogurt. Besides being fun to eat, such foods are said to be good for digestive health. Doug Archer, dlarcher@ufl.edu, 352-392-1784, 352-392-5507.
Cheetos have left the (school) building: School foods will continue to become healthier, thanks to Smart Snacks in School standards that took effect earlier this school year. For instance, a pack of cookies might be replaced by light popcorn; a vending machine chocolate bar by a small serving of peanuts. Those doughnut school fundraisers? Still OK. Karla Shelnutt, kpagan@ufl.edu, 352-273-3535, 352-246-5028.
And they’re eating veggies, too: Getting kids to eat more fruits and vegetables may be as easy as linking Florida farmers with school food service directors, and connecting bona fide chefs to school food directors, to ensure that school lunches taste great. UF/IFAS’ Farm to School team is helping forge these relationships with the hope that students will then ask for fresh foods at home. Danielle Treadwell, ddtreadw@ufl.edu, 352-273-4775, 352-284-8337.
Hot enough for ya?: New and more intense flavors, such as smoky flavor infused into alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, will become more commonplace. Hot foods will become hotter. Doug Archer, dlarcher@ufl.edu, 352-392-1784, 352-392-5507.
No slightly-less-than-perfect tomato left behind: UF/IFAS faculty members are working on postharvest technology and handling practices for the fresh fruit and vegetable industries that will work for small operators, such as those at farmers’ markets. Smartphone apps to help smaller producers make harvest and handling decisions are in the works, as are hot water treatments to reduce decay and boost antioxidants in fresh produce. Jeff Brecht, jkbrecht@ufl.edu, 352-273-4778.
Would you like to downsize that?: “Minimalism” is becoming a new word in food—with smaller portions being offered both at home and in restaurants. The goal is to help folks understand smaller portions lead to better health. Doug Archer, dlarcher@ufl.edu, 352-392-1784, 352-392-5507.
Would you like to downsize that?: “Minimalism” is becoming a new word in food—with smaller portions being offered both at home and in restaurants. The goal is to help folks understand smaller portions lead to better health. Doug Archer, dlarcher@ufl.edu, 352-392-1784, 352-392-5507.
Murray Wise: Different Market Ahead for Farmland
A leading expert in land, auction and agribusiness related transactions says 2015 is going to be a different kind of market for farmland. Murray Wise Associates, LLC says while falling commodity prices will play a role, there’s more at work there.
“This year has been one of transition, with prices varying widely depending on land quality and location. The market has been rewarding the more productive land, but buyers have been less enthusiastic about lower quality land in poorer areas. As to the overall direction, I think we’ll start to get more clarity in the coming months, especially in the Corn Belt,” said [farmland authority Murray Wise, president of Murray Wise Associates].
Low commodity prices have put downward pressure on the market in the Midwest, but Wise said that’s only one of many factors expected to influence next year’s land prices.
“Commodity prices vary a lot year to year, and farmland buyers generally are thinking in terms of a time frame that’s 10 years or longer. So today’s low corn prices are just one of many factors — and a short term one at that,” said Wise. Other considerations include interest rates and the availability of alternative investments. Even international developments play a role, including output of other countries and the Chinese government’s policies for allowing the import of genetically modified crops.
An exception to the cloudy and mixed outlook is Florida, where Murray Wise Associates has sold almost 12,000 acres during the past 24 months. That surge has been fueled by strength in the groves, row crops, pasture and woodland markets.