Washington’s Ag Center Creates Connections

Jamie Johansen

Ag-Center-high-res-logoWashington’s Agriculture Center of Excellence, housed at Walla Walla Community College, has a sharp focus on fostering connections between ag and natural resource instructors, industry professionals and students. Instructor/Industry networking is essential in the effort to educate students with both the science background and skills needed to be successful in Ag.

In addition to industry professionals voicing their needs, it is also crucial that they be able to contact instructors both about students they are considering hiring, and in looking for qualified employees. The Ag Center is a way to make this happen, regardless of which of these three parties you belong to. The job board, and constant contact with educators, can serve as a tool for industry to find skilled, educated graduates ready to work in the ag and natural resource fields. Planning and hosting events like our annual Precision Ag Conference and FFA competitions allows us to stay up-to-date with both technology and those putting it to use.

Our team focuses not only on connections, but specifically on those that arise in a 2-year college setting. Within this setting, we are a resource to promote agriculture and natural resource education, create and share curricula, and strengthen degree programs. While we encourage articulation agreements between 2 and 4 year institutions, we feel that a 2-year college setting is essential for the success of many students.

What can our team at the Agriculture Center do for you? Housed in Washington State, it may seem that we are limited. When it comes to industry contacts, we understand the need to not be regionally restricted. Our attention is on Washington schools, and on assisting students in finding employment where they can really put their skill to use; anywhere and everywhere. Also, we can serve as a model of the connection between industry and education – essential to the success of the students and their entry into the workforce.

Ag Groups, Education

New Holland Acquisition Expands Crop Protection Capabilities

Jamie Johansen

Guardian FrontBoom_NARCNH Industrial N.V. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of precision spraying equipment manufacturer Miller-St. Nazianz, Inc. (Miller). The assets of Miller acquired as part of the transaction will become part of New Holland Agriculture, a CNH Industrial brand, building on a successful four year manufacturing and distribution partnership between New Holland and Miller in North America that has seen strong acceptance of a differentiated and best-in-class front boom self-propelled sprayer offering.

“New Holland will bring Miller’s proven product portfolio directly into our family for further worldwide distribution which will expand crop production sales in the key markets of the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Eastern Europe and beyond,” said Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland Agriculture.

Headquartered in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, U.S., Miller was founded as a hardware retailer in 1899. Miller has expanded through five generations of family management to become a leading innovator of front boom sprayers. One of the most used pieces of equipment on a farm today, sprayers operate through crop fields to distribute fertilizers and pesticides in the form of droplets. Miller’s manufacturing facilities and 260 employees are supported by a worldwide distribution network.

“We thank the Millers for their innovation and partnership these past years and look forward to welcoming their dealers and employees to the New Holland and CNH Industrial family of companies,” said Abe Hughes, Vice President of New Holland North America. “Their products have been a welcome addition to our crop production offering and we intend to further innovate and develop this important product line in the years to come to continue offering the smart solutions and innovations for which New Holland has been known for nearly 120 years,” he added.

Under the terms of the agreement, CNH Industrial N.V., through its wholly owned subsidiary CNH America, LLC, will acquire Miller’s business in its entirety. The agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, with the goal of closing before the end of the year.

Agribusiness, Crop Protection, New Holland, Tractor

Bayer CropScience CEOs Thrilled with New Center

Cindy Zimmerman

The global and North American CEOs of Bayer CropScience are thrilled with their new facility for biologics and vegetable seeds research and development in West Sacramento.

bayer-biologics-liam“It is a very big deal for us,” said Liam Condon, CEO of Bayer CropScience and Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer CropScience AG. “This is a very big investment … it’s part of our U.S. strategy and our global strategy.”

Condon says they have some of the best and brightest scientific minds working in the new state of the art facility. “If you come out of university, you dream of having a facility like this, so as a scientist you can explore and come up with fantastic new ideas,” he said.

The company plans to invest nearly $1 billion in capital expenditures before 2016 to ramp up research and development. “For Bayer, research and development is the heart and soul of the company,” said Condon. Interview with Bayer CropScience global CEO Liam Condon

bayer-biologics-blome“This is the culmination of our new strategy to bring integrated crop solutions to the farmer,” said Bayer CropScience president and CEO for North America Jim Blome. “We do it by continuing our research in small molecules, in seed and traits, and integrating that with innovations out of biologics.”

Blome says they jump started their presence in biologics with the acquisition of AgraQuest, Inc. in 2012. “We realized this is a growing trend so we invested heavily in this new facility to give our researchers plenty of room to bring plenty of innovation to the ag markets.”

The new West Sacramento site has the capacity to house up to 300 employees and they are almost halfway there already, most of which were already with the company at the previous smaller facility nearby at UC Davis. Interview with Bayer CropScience North America president and CEO Jim Blome


Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

Bayer CropScience Cuts Ribbon for the Future

Cindy Zimmerman

bayer-biologics-ribbonWest Sacramento officials joined Bayer CropScience executives Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new $80 million dollar integrated research and development facility for biologics and vegetable seeds.

“This really fits into our strategy to invest in innovation here in the U.S.,” said Bayer CropScience global CEO Liam Condon at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “This is a global site so what comes out of here will help, first of all is going to help West Sacramento, second it’s going to help California, third it’s going to help U.S. agriculture, and at the end of the day it’s going to help global agriculture.”

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon believes strongly in Bayer’s mission and is proud his city is playing an important role. “If we’re going to solve the world’s, our country’s and our community’s most significant challenges … it’s going to be led by Bayer CropScience here at this facility.”

Bayer bought an existing building to speed up the process of getting it on line but there was still extensive construction and improvements done – all of it in less than nine months. “This is the kind of project we love, we are as impatient as the Bayer CropScience global team in making this happen,” said Cabaldon.

Mike Millie, the West Sacramento site manager, was very grateful to the city of Sacramento and the construction team that made this happen so quickly and safely. “We had 65,000 man hours of work and not one safety incident,” he said.

We’ll hear from Condon, Millie, Bayer North America President and CEO Jim Blome, and several others who are excited about this new facility in upcoming posts. Listen to remarks from the grand opening here: Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Grand Opening


Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Protection

Another Good Year for GROWMARK

Leah Guffey

15113815505_2e3649883e_mSolid volume growth in GROWMARK business units produced record sales for the cooperative for the 2014 fiscal year, as numbers reported last week at the annual shareholders meeting in Chicago reveal.

Retiring GROWMARK CEO Jeff Solberg reported estimated sales of $10.2 billion, with pretax income estimated at $180 million, which once again exceeds the key financial target of 12 percent return on capital. An estimated $90 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member cooperatives and farmer-owners. “The GROWMARK System has spent the year strengthening the foundation of excellent products and services that the FS brand is known for: taking care of business but also Building on the Best and Bringing You What’s Next,” said Solberg.

The Seed Division had an excellent year with 3.5 million units of corn and soybeans shipped, thanks in part to a well-managed program called “Member Millions,” which has brought a lot of attention not just to selling seed but ensuring an adequate supply and providing timely delivery.

Plant Food also had a very good spring season as position and risk management captured income opportunities, along with higher volume movement. In the GROWMARK Retail Grain business segment, volumes recovered from the drought of 2012, but markets did not provide the opportunity to meet expected profitability. In spite of this, grain recorded sales volume of 200 million bushels and pretax income of $5 million. GROWMARK’s commitment to the grain business works to ensure there is a farmer-owned grain marketing system in our GROWMARK territory.

2014 GROWMARK Annual Shareholder’s Meeting Photo Album

Agribusiness, Cooperatives, GROWMARK

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Veterinarians and producers now can protect pigs against two of the most virulent types of Salmonella with a single, convenient oral dose administered by the drinking water or oral drench.
  • DuPont Pioneer and the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) are continuing their support of agriscience education through a grant program aimed at training teachers and supplying equipment and resources to elevate the rigor of agriculture and science curricula.
  • Throughout the month of August and this upcoming fall, the Georgia Peanut Commission will be sponsoring peanut promotional advertisements with major sports teams in north Georgia.
  • The American Bankers Association National Agricultural Bankers Conference – now in its 62nd year – will be held at the Hilton Omaha and Century Link Center Nov. 9-12.
Zimfo Bytes

New Holland Refined DuraVee Hay Rakes

Joanna Schroeder

new-holland-hayrakeNew Holland has made some great refinements for its 2015 version of the DuraVee Trailing Wheel Rakes . The equipment offers easy adjustments, strengthened components and durability.  To learn more about DuraVee Trailing hay rakes, Chuck Zimmerman attended a media event just before the Farm Progress Show where he was given a preview of the improved features from Mike Sevick.

Some key features include:

  • Tailorability – A grower has various options to be best his needs.
  • Supportability – Numerous support options can be tailored to fit needs. For example, rear walking tandem axles can be equipped on 12 wheel and larger rakes to significantly improve floatation and trailing ability.
  • Selectability – All DuraVee raking wheels come with 55″ raking wheels but can be selected for use with 60 inch rake wheels. The rakes also come with optional center raking wheels.

Sevick said the DuraVee is for professional hay makers and features seven different models with raking widths from 17’5″ to 36’to fit any grower’s need. Learn more by watching this quick ProCart video featuring Sevick.


View the Farm Progress 2014 Flicker photo album.

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New HollandCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by FMCCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by AgLeader
Agribusiness, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, Hay, New Holland

On Track with Bayer CropScience Biologics

Cindy Zimmerman

bayer-biologics-preopenThe California Railroad Museum was the venue for Bayer CropScience to gather with friends and dignitaries in the warm up show for the grand opening of the new Biologics and Vegetable Seeds Research & Development Center in West Sacramento, California.

Liam Condon, CEO of Bayer CropScience and Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer CropScience AG, made a connection between the California railroad and the company. “The railroad here started in 1862…and in 1863 Bayer was founded,” he said. “We’re proud about our heritage and very excited about our future.”

The future in biologics for Bayer will head down the tracks today with the official opening of the new R&D center, which Condon says will be the global headquarters of this important segment of their business. “We’ve got a fantastic group of people who are just so excited about developing new innovations to tackle some of the huge challenges we’re facing in agriculture,” he said.

Also speaking at the opening reception Tuesday night were James Blome, President & CEO for Bayer CropScience LP (North America), and Sacramento site leader Mike Millie. Stay tuned for interviews from all the players here in Sacramento and find out more about what this new center means to them and to the future of agricultural production.

Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Opening reception remarks
Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Protection, Seed, specialty crops, Vegetables

A Look at New Holland’s Discbine

Joanna Schroeder

Jordan Milewski New HollandNew Holland gave media a sneak peak of their new products during a media day prior to the Farm Progress Show held in Boone, Iowa. One of the technologies the attendees were able to see was the Discbine and they learned about the new features from Jordan Milewski, brand marketing managing, Crop Preparation.

In the video below, you’ll learn about some of the features including:

  • Ability to turn a standing crop into fast-drying windows of swatch with Discbine disc mower-conditioners.
  • Option for roll or flail conditioning featuring easy roll adjustments, tapered flails and adjustable conditioning hood.
  • The Discbine line ranges from seven-disc models that cut a nine-foot swatch up to 12-disc models that sweep through more than 15 feet at a time.

“One of the changes for 2015 is we now have the option of what’s called the quick max knife system,” explained Milewski. “Quick Max allows an operator to easily and quickly change his knifes. With the tool you take blade changes from minutes to seconds.”

Check out how it works….

View the Farm Progress 2014 Flicker photo album.

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New HollandCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by FMCCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by AgLeader
Agribusiness, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Video

Chris Novak Named NCGA CEO

Joanna Schroeder

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has announced the appointment of Chris Novak as CEO of the association. He will be replacing Rick Tolman, who announced earlier this year he will be retiring after 14 years in the helm. Novak is currently the CEO of the National Pork Board (NPB) and will begin his tenure at NCGA on October 13, 2014.

novak_chris“We’re thrilled to have Chris join us at NCGA,” said NCGA President Martin Barbre, a corn grower from Illinois. “He has all the right qualifications to take the reins of this growing organization and keep it moving in the right direction, continuing the tradition of success we saw under Rick Tolman.”

Prior Novak’s time at NPB, from 2004 to 2008, he was executive director of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance. Novak also has served in positions at Syngenta and the American Soybean Association, and worked on Capitol Hill.

“We’re grateful to Chris for his leadership these past several years,” said Dale Norton, National Pork Board president. “With Chris’ guidance, our Pork Checkoff team built stronger relationships with pork producers across the country, with our state pork associations and with our partners in the food chain. Chris brought a spirit of collaboration that served our organization and our industry well.”

Novak added, “I am very excited about this opportunity to work with a terrific team of grower leaders, state affiliates and the NCGA staff. With a record corn crop predicted for this year, corn farmers must work together to build new markets that keep up with our increasing productivity. I’m looking forward to working with the team to meet this challenge.”

Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA