AgRowers Support Farmers and Rivers

Cindy Zimmerman August 19, 2014

Missouri corn and soybean growers were rowers last week in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of the state’s rivers for agriculture.

The Missouri Corn and Soybean Rowers, also known as the Ag Rowers, spent nearly 77 hours last week paddling their tandem kayak across the state from Kansas City to St. Charles in the Missouri American Water 340 (MR340). The Ag Rowers are sponsored by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC), Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and industry partners.

Teammates MSMC Executive Director Gary Wheeler and MCGA Director of Public Policy Shane Kinne joined fellow paddlers and spectators to test their physical abilities and highlight the river’s relationship with Missouri agriculture. They were among 283 registered kayaks and canoes at the start of the race.

“It was an honor to compete and complete this race representing Missouri farmers,” Kinne said after they landed their kayak on the river bank in St. Charles. “Our goal in competing was to bring some awareness to the benefit of the river to Missouri agriculture. It is a vital resource for corn growers, whether it is transporting grain and other ag products or providing the rich bottom ground needed to grow crops to help feed the growing population.”

Wheeler and Kinne were the 119th boat to cross the finish line after hitting all nine race checkpoints within the allotted time frame. Competitors are allowed 88 hours to paddle the 340 mile course and must finish by midnight tonight.

“Participating in the MR340 provided a unique opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for the river and to highlight the important role this river plays in Missouri agriculture and our state’s economy,” Wheeler said. “It is important we work together to maintain this valuable resource for the benefit of all Missourians – for agriculture, transportation, and recreation, among other uses.”

New Holland FR Self-Propelled Forage Harvester

Chuck Zimmerman August 19, 2014

Here is one serious looking machine. Looking at the New Holland FR Self-Propelled Forage Harvester from the business end it looks like it’s ready to chomp through just about anything you can imagine. During the New Holland Media Day Doug Otto did a walk around for us to explain what’s new in this model.

New Holland has been at the forefront of the forage harvesting world since it introduced its first Self-Propelled Forage Harvester in 1961. The new FR Forage Cruiser line follows in its predecessor’s footsteps by showcasing more than 50 years of innovations. Decorated for its performance, the FR Forage Harvester has received numerous awards for its developments including gold medals for its advanced precision farming technology and a Machine of the Year award from Agritechnica.

These units feature the largest crop channel and cutting components of any forage harvester to date. The only thing that will stop an FR Forage Harvester is the end of the field. The FR can cut in a variety of different conditions and have the ability to process up to twelve rows of corn at the time. We invite you to take a look around at all that the FR Forage Cruiser has to offer. We think you will be pleasantly surprised. We know our customers are.

For those of you who are looking for precision options in all your new machinery this one has plenty for you to consider. Watch Doug explain more.

2014 New Holland Media Day Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Forage, New Holland, Video

Hawaii Pictures by Vincent K. Tylor

Chuck Zimmerman August 18, 2014

In this week’s program we’re going to talk photography. Hawaiian photography with Vincent K. Tylor, Hawaiian Landmark Images. I want to be like Vince! Taking photos in Hawaii!

Hawaii Photography by Vincent K. Tylor

A lot of you in the AgWired community are photographers or at least like taking pictures. I think you’ll enjoy our conversation. I asked Vince what was his favorite type of photography or favorite photo. As you’ll hear him say, that’s a tough question to answer. There are so many photos and so many different situations to take creative photos in.

We didn’t talk about specific equipment or brands in case you’re wondering. The fact of the matter is that great photos are taken by great photographers. It’s all about composition and timing and perseverance. We both agree that when you’re trying to get a specific image you need to take a lot of photos. Hopefully, at least one of them will be okay.

Hawaii Photo Tours by Vincent K. Tylor

Besides taking stock photos or doing custom photo work Vince also operates a photo tour business in Hawaii offering two different types of tours.

Vince will take a tour out to landmark sights in Hawaii and let you take photos of your own. He will also take you out on a portrait tour where he will take your portrait in those landmark settings. Either way you get a fantastic tour and come away with photo memories to take home.

Vince also sells his images via his website. He offers them in many sizes. In addition to photos for framing and hanging he also offers his photos with a stock usage option.

So, all in all, when you need good photography in Hawaii you need to call Vince!

Listen in to this week’s program to hear my conversations with Vince here: Vincent Tylor Photography

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by

Locally owned, globally strong.

Photography, ZimmCast

New Farm Podcasters Tool

Chuck Zimmerman August 18, 2014

The Ampridge MightyMic S. It’s the shotgun mic for your iPhone! I got this one via Photojojo. I did a quick test and it sounds good. I’m going on the road with it this week to put it through more of a workout.

The MightyMic S microphone brings big sound from a small microphone. Don’t be fooled by the compact size. This is a high quality condenser microphone that does not need any batteries as it is powered by the device. So you never get stuck doing that big video shoot only to find out the batteries are dead. Just plug it into the headphone jack of your device. Then connect your headphones into the 3.5mm stereo headphone jack on the back of the microphone. While using the optional MoviePro app you can listen to the sound while recording video and adjust the volume. For audio recording just open the GarageBand app and select the microphone input. It works with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and other devices.

The mic comes with a foam windscreen and handy little zip pouch to keep it in. I have become used to using the Zoom Handy Recorder app to record with on my iPhone 5 S and it works fine with this little Mighty Mic S. Now I have multiple mic options for my iPhone which I have been using more and more for interviews on the agriblogging highway.

Apps, Audio, Equipment, Media, Podcasts

College Aggies Online to Launch 6th Year

Jamie Johansen August 18, 2014

Move over animal agriculture nay sayers and detractors, there’s about to be a new crop of “agvocates” in town ready to promote farming and ranching and ensure that all traces of consumer confusion are eliminated. This fall, for the sixth consecutive year, the Animal Agriculture Alliance will launch its annual College Aggies Online Scholarship Program (CAO) to help college students with an interest in agriculture become confident, positive and proactive communicators. Thanks to a vibrant new partnership with Feedstuffs broadcast editor Andy Vance, this year’s program promises to be stronger than ever.

“We are thrilled to welcome Andy aboard to mentor our CAO participants and share his expertise in partnership with one of the Alliance’s most positive and proactive initiatives,” said Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith. “There’s nothing more crucial than helping the next generation of farmers, ranchers and agriculture professionals understand the importance of communicating with consumers.”

Vance will serve as the series’ first Program Mentor, and in that capacity will provide students with practical advice on social media best practices, journalistic ethics, and the best way to communicate with consumers about difficult agriculture topics. Vance will provide a necessary sounding board to this year’s participants as they embark on 11 weeks of challenges meant to force them outside the “ag bubble” and talking to their peers both on campus and online.

“I am thrilled to ‘pay it forward’ by mentoring the next generation of professionals in agriculture,” said Vance of this exciting new collaboration. “After getting to know some of the past CAO participants, I wanted to add value to the program by sharing my experience and insights into the often challenging world of agricultural advocacy and communication.”

This fall’s competition will include new, creative assignments, increased participant interaction with industry experts, and a more comprehensive internship and career database. Individuals and collegiate agriculture clubs can compete in CAO, in challenges ranging from writing blogs and engaging with stakeholders using social media, to volunteering at food banks and hosting “Meet your Meat” events on their college campuses.

The final points from the 11 unique weekly challenges will be tallied in November 2014 and the club with the most points will receive a $5,000 scholarship, national recognition and a trip for two representatives to attend the Alliance’s annual Stakeholders Summit. The first place individual will win a $2,500 scholarship and a trip to Summit.

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Education

BIVI CEO Kissel at North Carolina Swine Seminar

Cindy Zimmerman August 15, 2014

Dr. Albrecht Kissel moved from his native Germany to Missouri in 2011 to become the president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) and this year he had the chance to attend the company’s annual North Carolina Swine Health Seminar.

Trained as a veterinarian, Kissel has been with BI since 1993 and he shared a little bit about BIVI and the company’s dedication to the hog industry. “BI is the largest privately held pharmaceutical corporation in the world,” said Kissel, adding that it got the name when it was founded in 1885 by Albert Boehringer in Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany. The animal health portion of the company is located in St. Joseph, Missouri and the global animal health, consumer and biopharmaceutical businesses account for about 25% of the company’s overall sales of $17 billion.

Kissel stressed BIVI’s research and development investment. “We spend between 10 and 13 percent of annual sales in R&D versus an industry average of 7-8 percent,” he said. “We base our future mainly on organic growth coming out of our own R&D efforts.

“We want to be a knowledge partner to the swine industry,” he added. “So we have developed a pretty high level of expertise in-house that we want to share with the industry.”

Interview with Albrecht Kissel, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica

2014 BIVI NC Swine Health Seminar Photos

Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Livestock, Swine

Propane Stocks Rising But Still Below Averages

John Davis August 15, 2014

Propane uses, especially Midwestern farmers, are hoping to avoid a repeat of last winter’s high prices, low inventories and logistical and infrastructure challenges that caused some real problems last year. The latest information from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that while inventories are below average, they’re above the numbers from a year ago and are trending upwards in the last few weeks.

While inventory levels in the Midwest remain below the five-year average, above-average builds over the past six weeks are an encouraging trend. Last year, propane inventories in the Midwest (PADD 2) for the week ending August 9 were 21.5 million barrels, 3.4 million barrels below the five-year average. This year, PADD 2 propane inventories for the week ending August 8 are 23.4 million barrels, 1.9 million barrels higher than last year, but still 1.6 million barrels below the five-year average. However, in each of the past six weeks, PADD 2 propane inventory builds have surpassed their five-year averages, leading to a steady improvement in stock levels relative to their historical norms…

Last year, demand for propane used to dry crops in the Upper Midwest surged just before the start of winter and, as a result, propane inventories at distribution terminals were low before the start of winter heating season. In addition, distribution infrastructure challenges, pipeline maintenance, and rail delivery delays reduced supplies. This year, inventories are building earlier; however, there have been changes in infrastructure that could impact supply. The Cochin Pipeline, which delivered propane to the Upper Midwest from Canada, has been reversed and repurposed, removing a major source of propane supplies to the region.

Propane market participants have responded to the events of last winter and the Cochin reversal by diversifying supply sources. Instead of relying on propane delivered from Canada via Cochin, the region will now rely more on several existing pipelines to deliver propane north to the Upper Midwest from Conway. Additionally, propane rail capacity in the region has expanded via new propane rail terminals throughout the region. Finally, existing distribution terminals have added tanks, thus expanding storage capacity.

The report goes on to say that there will be continued infrastructure challenges for winter propane deliveries in the Midwest and the Northeast will have to rely on imports from Canada. In addition, an expected record corn harvest this year could put pressure on supplies again in the form of propane used for crop drying, but that will depend on fall weather patterns and harvest timing. How cold the winter is will as be the the most important and most difficult-to-predict factor influencing the propane supply-demand balance this winter.

Propane

IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Picked

Chuck Zimmerman August 15, 2014

Ten participants have been selected for this year’s IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism award. The award supports the winners’ participation in an IFAJ congress and in an intensive journalistic boot camp-style workshop. This year’s boot camp takes place September 2-3, prior to the IFAJ congress in Scotland.

Our very own Amy Roady has been selected so I’ll see her in Scotland in just a few weeks! Congrats Amy.

Amy Roady, The United States, is communications director for the Illinois Soybean Association. In this role, she leads the association’s communication and outreach efforts to educate, inform and influence board members, farmers, industry stakeholders and consumers. She serves as publisher for Illinois Field & Bean and also maintains strong relationships with media and agriculture groups to promote the soybean checkoff program.

Ag Groups, Alltech, IFAJ, Journalism, Media

Dairy Carrie Exposes Latest PETA Sham

Chuck Zimmerman August 15, 2014

The world’s beloved AgShill Heiress Dairy Farmer Carrie Chestnut Mess, aka Dairy Carrie, is once again showing her brilliance as she has just pretty well slam dunked PETA and their latest dairy cow (bull) manure video release. As of now her revealing story has been visited over a quarter million times. With your help in spreading the word how about we make that over a million? Can do?

You can read her post to see links to what this is all about if you don’t know. What PETA didn’t consider, because who knows if they even have a coherent thought, is that a real dairy farmer would see through their sham video. Here’s an excerpt from Dairy Carrie’s story:

I started talking to other dairy farmers about this video and how there was absolutely no defending it when I realized something… The barn they show really is unbelievably dirty… as in so dirty that you have to ask yourself if what they are showing you is really real.

As I watched the video again I realized that the cows themselves were telling me the truth…

Yes PETA people, farmers love and know their animals so well they can tell you what’s going on with them just by looking at them. Bet you didn’t know that.

So, help spread this around if you can. It only takes a minute to tweet or share a link to the real story. And, btw you reporters who took this at face value and reported it from the PETA release, you really should do your job which would be a little research to get some reaction from a dairy farmer like Dairy Carrie!

Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Dairy

STAR Energy Powering up for Farm Progress Show

Cindy Zimmerman August 15, 2014

It takes a lot of energy to power the annual Farm Progress Show and that’s where GROWMARK FS STAR Energy shines.

Retail fuel manager Jason Stauffer, who we talked with at the 2010 Farm Progress Show in Iowa, says it takes them awhile to prepare for the event. “It starts about the second or third week in July,” he said. “We offer both the gasoline and the diesel fuel, which is our premium Dieselex Gold, during the construction of the Farm Progress Show, during the show, and then during the tear down part of it.” Which adds up to about eight weeks total.

How much fuel they use actually depends on the field demonstrations, which you might recall were cancelled last year in Illinois and a few years ago in Iowa. “You have a good show where we’re able to do field demonstrations, consumption can be in excess of 16-18,000 gallons,” said Stauffer. No demos cuts that total about in half.

Attendees at the show this year will be able to learn more about STAR Energy. “We’ve expanded our booth… to show the public what really STAR and the FS companies are about here in Iowa,” he said. “We’re bringing the energy games aboard which allows us to use technology to interact with different energy lubricants and fuels that we provide.” They are also bringing in the fuel trailer to demonstrate the system they’re using to power the show.

The FS STAR Energy exhibit will be located on lot 1302 this year, featuring digital farm games and a Nitrogen Management display with representatives from Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative on site.

Learn more about STAR Energy and what they will be doing at Farm Progress Show here: Jason Stauffer interview

Audio, Energy, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK

Page 871 of 2,353
←
1
...
870
871
872
...
2353
→