Can Farming Become More Techie?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What are your thoughts on cellulosic ethanol?”

As the possibility of cellulosic ethanol grows it looks like popularity will as well. We may be far from buying it at the pump, but people still seem to be excited about the technological innovation.

Here are the poll results:

  • Innovation making it happen – 43.2%
  • Very important renewable fuel – 21.6%
  • Still years away from commercial market – 27%
  • Will never work – 2.7%
  • What the heck is it? – 5.4%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How can technology make farming even better?

We’ve been covering lots of precision farming conferences this summer, from the recent Precision Aerial Ag Show in Illinois, to this week’s International Conference on Precision Ag in California, to next week’s InfoAg Expo in St. Louis. Sometimes it seems like farming can’t get any more technological – but can it? What would you like to see on the farm that has yet to become commercially available?

ZimmPoll

Meet the Grandparents

Melissa Sandfort

IMG_5642I took the first “AgWalk” on June 22, 2010. Since then, we’ve walked 246 times. I honestly can’t believe I’ve found that much to write about, but just like the weather, every day changes and is a new day with something new to share with our readers. As most of you know, my Aunt Jeanette has joined in the fun and it truly has become a family affair.

But I got to thinking the other day that as many stories as we’ve told about my grandparents, I’m not sure you’ve ever seen them. That happens with my work, especially since my office is out of my home. I speak with people on the phone, conduct interviews and “meet” them via email, but never see their faces. You’ve heard my grandparents’ voices but here they are for you to meet! This photo was taken soon after my daughter was born, just about exactly two years ago.

I hope in June four years from now, I’m giving you yet another update on my grandparents, and that I’m still sharing their stories. And I hope you have come to enjoy and cherish our stories, our history and my family.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Farm Aid 2014 in North Carolina

Cindy Zimmerman

farm-aid-14The year was 1985 when the first Farm Aid concert was held – the height of the farm crisis. It was thought to be a one-time event, but it has been carried on over the years by organizers Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp and this year’s event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in Raleigh, N.C.

“In North Carolina and across the Southeast, family farmers have struggled to stay on the land, but they have also pioneered new roads to economic sustainability. This region knows the value of its farmers and offers increasing opportunities for new farmers to build a strong regional food system,” said Farm Aid President Willie Nelson. “On the Farm Aid stage Saturday, September 13, we’ll celebrate family farmers and the healthy communities they’re growing for all of us.”

Farm Aid 2014 will feature Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews — with Tim Reynolds — as well as Jack White, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jamey Johnson, North Carolina’s own Delta Rae, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Carlene Carter, Pegi Young & The Survivors, and Insects vs Robots.

Tickets go on sale August 1.

Find out more here.

Events, Farming

Ag Leader Focuses on Seed, Water, and Nutrient Management

Leah Guffey

The first Ag Leader Technology Tech Meets Dirt Road Tour around Illinois is now history now and it seems like it was a big success. I attended the event near Peoria and was able to chat with presenters in each of the main focus areas – seed, water, and nutrient management.

_DSC0034Matt Cannon, a farmer from central Iowa, talked about planter performance and how to get the most out of your planter. “Two of the biggest issues we run into on the farm are seed meter performance, getting seed singulated so each seed has the best opportunity to grow and also placement – what adjustments we can control on the planter to get the best seed depth and even emergence,” he said. Interview with Iowa farmer Matt Cannon

_DSC0024SMS Software Product Manager Aaron Friedlein discussed the benefits of tiling for farmers in the Midwest. Ag Leader water management solutions like Intellislope® Tile Plow Control System makes installing tile easy, eliminating the need for complicated laser surveying equipment. “Tiling gets rid of the excess moisture that’s in a soil profile,” he explains. “That allows the plant to have more oxygen in the soil which helps it better utilize nutrients and get deeper roots.” Interview with Aaron Friedlein, Ag Leader

_DSC0063Finally, Ag Leader North America Sales Manager Mike Olson talks about the ability to apply nitrogen more efficiently with the latest Ag Leader technology, which allows farmers to really determine where to apply while running throughout the fields for the most accurate rate of application and most cost effective opportunities. “The thing we showcased the most was our Opt-Rx crop sensor technology,” Mike told me. “The sensors will go through and measure the crop health and we will put more nitrogen down where the crop is not as healthy and back down on the areas that are healthy.” Interview with Matt Olson, Ag Leader


Ag Leader Technology Meets Dirt photo album

Ag Leader, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Seed, Technology, Water

Foundation for Food and Ag Research Formed

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the creation of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, and the appointment of a 15-member board of directors.

pam-jThe 15 voting members of the board include a former agriculture secretary, a number of university professors, a representative from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, an executive of Cargill, and one farmer – National Corn Growers Association Chairwoman Pam Johnson of Iowa.

“Advancing American agriculture cannot be done without advancing the critical research to make sure we increase production in an economically and environmentally sustainable way,” Johnson said. “As someone who has long held an interest in ag research and has long believed in its importance, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my country and my industry in this foundation.”

The research funded by the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research will address issues including plant and animal health; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; agricultural and food security; and agriculture systems and technology.

Corn, Farm Bill, NCGA, USDA

NPPC President Elect Arrested at Capitol

Cindy Zimmerman

wpx14-nppc-prez-electThe president-elected of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) was arrested at the U.S. Capitol today with a 9-mm Ruger handgun in his bag.

Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and part of family-owned Prestage Farms of South Carolina, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license. Reports indicate Prestage has a concealed carry permit in South Carolina but the charge carries up to five years in prison in the District of Columbia.

*UPDATE* No comment from NPPC except to say Prestage was not on “official” organization business at the capitol Wednesday. However, a National Hot Dog day lunch was held for Congress Wednesday, sponsored by the American Meat Institute, which is closely affiliated with NPPC. Prestage was wearing a name tag to indicate he was there with some organization, but he has also held leadership positions and is involved in a number of organizations, including the National Turkey Federation, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Since he is the president-elect of NPPC, it would behoove them to make some kind of statement on his behalf.

NPPC, Pork

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • United Suppliers, a wholesale supplier of crop protection and crop nutrient products, has selected Swanson Russell to develop a brand architecture system for its proprietary and manufactured products.
  • The North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA) announces that, in conjunction with the Cervid Livestock Foundation, it is sponsoring research at Kansas State University to develop an all-new testing protocol for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
  • More chickens are crossing the road and on to consumers’ plates, according to new research presented at the National Chicken Council’s Chicken Marketing Seminar in Greensboro, Georgia.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, together with the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative, announced a new online business training resource for rural entrepreneurs and Farm Bureau members.
Zimfo Bytes

Get Healthy with ZimmComm Basket

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmComm ARC/AMS Auction BasketIf you’re going to the Agricultural Media Summit keep your physical fitness in mind. A public service message from ZimmComm.

Actually, we have donated a ZimmComm basket to the Ag Relations Council/Ag Media Summit Silent Auction. The items can be seen online now. Our basket contains:

Fitbit Flex
Typo Keyboard for iPhone 5/5S (I have used it – in mint condition) – still have your Blackberry but want an iPhone?
3 ZimmComm “Celebrating Ten Golden Years” t-shirts (M, L, XL)
@ZimmComm Tweets Uright candy jar filled with healthy candy
2 ZimmComm eyeglass holders
Golden ZimmComm power bank
Golden ZimmComm mobile stylus
Assorted other ZimmComm goodies

Bid often and bid high. All proceeds benefit youth programs by ARC and AMS.

If you can find me at the AMS All Star Sports Famous Welcome Party on Sunday evening I might have a ZimmComm swag bag item to share. See you there.

AgWired’s coverage of this year’s Ag Media Summit is being sponsored by FMC and New Holland. Thank them, Thank them very much!

Ag Media Summit

Make Plans for Canada’s 21st Outdoor Farm Show

Cindy Zimmerman

cofs Starting September 9, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) returns to Woodstock, Ontario after an extremely successful 20th anniversary last year.

The annual three day event is arguably Canada’s largest and top farm show. Best known for interactive outdoor demonstrations in the field, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) continues its 20-year tradition once again with a full line-up of new technology demonstrations.

In the Livestock Central area, there will be a fully functional dairy barn showcasing Lely and DeLaval robotic milking systems in a side-by-side comparison. In the popular Southwest Demo field, new agricultural equipment of all sorts will be in action, including live demonstrations featuring Corn Stalk Baling, Vermeer Biomass Equipment, Cover Crop Tillage, high speed Tempo Planters and Corn Silage Harvesting.

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show also offers more than 750 exhibitors across 100 acres – including more than a dozen live commercial crop plots. To learn more about Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show visit www.outdoorfarmshow.com, follow @outdoorfarmshow on Twitter or call 519-822-2890. Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show will be held on September 9, 10 and 11, 2014.

Events, Farm Shows

CTIC Tour to the Everglades

Cindy Zimmerman

If you ever wanted to see the Florida Everglades up close and personal, here is your chance!

ctic-evergladesLettuce, sugar cane and owls will be just a few of the crops and creatures seen on this year’s Conservation in Action Tour, hosted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC).

Early-bird registration is now open for CTIC’s seventh annual tour, which showcases innovative farmers and their conservation agriculture successes. This year’s tour will take place Oct. 14-15 and provide an in-depth look at the unique story of the approximately 700,000-acre Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), which is located south of Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

ctic-fl-tourMore than 250 tour participants will hear from government and industry representatives, researchers and local producers as they take an up-close look at the EAA’s conservation practices. They also will learn about the area’s muck soils, which present distinct opportunities and challenges in conservation, erosion control and nutrient management, as well as get an up-close look at specialized water management systems used in the EAA, such as regulated storm water treatment and sub-surface irrigation.

We’ll be there and hope you will join us for what could be the most interesting Conservation in Action tour yet! The price is right too. Just $75 for CTIC members and $100 for non-members, $25 for producers, media, federal/state employees and students.

Find out more here.

Conservation, CTIC