Spring 2014 Pre-Planting Checklist

Melissa Sandfort

Insights WeeklyAlthough spring hasn’t fully arrived in many parts of the country, the polar vortex days are thankfully behind us. That means we’re all getting antsy for the warm, sunny days of May. Until then, this would be the ideal time for pulling the planter out of the shed to ensure your planting setup is ready for trouble-free field operation.

The first step will in getting ready for spring will be powering on your display to manage data, update firmware and create a backup. Nick Ritland, Ag Leader hardware tech support representative, gives a high-level check-list of some things to keep in mind before you get to the planting season.

Listen to Ritland explain

Current display firmware can be found here and should be updated prior to the start of the season. Guidance firmware can be found here.

Once your display is ready, move to the components located on the planter. Each of the links below will give you a step by step guide to confirm your clutches, population monitoring, hydraulic drives and Hydraulic Down Force are working as they should.
• SeedCommand Pre-Season Checklist
• Planter Task Controller Quick Reference Sheet
• Clutch Control Module Quick Reference Sheet
• Seed Tube Monitoring Module Quick Reference Sheet
• Planter Population Monitoring for Kinze PMM
• Hydraulic Seed Control Quick Reference Sheet
• Hydraulic Down Force Quick Reference Sheet

Ag Leader also recommends looking over the physical components and setup of the planter. Ritland reviews some of the key “to-do” list items.

Listen to Ritland explain

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Ag Leader, Agribusiness

Ag & Energy Highlight Next Farm Foundation Forum

John Davis

farmfoundationlogo3Our friends at Farm Foundation will host another one of their thought-provoking discussions, this time, talking about the energy and agricultural markets and their relationship. Titled, “Geopolitical Uncertainty in Agriculture and Energy Markets,” the April 9 Forum will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EDT.

Current political unrest in numerous locations across the world is having a profound effect across agricultural and energy markets and generating supply chain uncertainties.

The April 9 Farm Foundation® Forum will examine the potential consequences of sudden policy changes, production issues, and unforeseen price fluctuations in a turbulent global marketplace. Panelists for this Forum will include:

Former U.S.Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman will moderate the panel.
Vincent Smith, scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and professor at Montana State University.
Gary Blumenthal of World Perspectives, Inc.
Brian Oleson, professor at the University of Manitoba.
Charles Doran, professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

There’s no charge for the forum, and you can register to attend here. In addition, a webcast, including audio and slides, is available here.

Farm Foundation

Can Farm Movies Help Public’s Image of Agriculture

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How will you celebrate Ag Day?”

National Ag Day is nothing new to the agriculture community, but that doesn’t weaken the importance of it’s purpose. Our poll results showed an even spread of those heading to D.C. to celebrate Ag Day, participating via social media and taking a farmer to lunch. It was also evident that there were many state and local events happening nationwide. Others shared that eating good food while toasting American farmers was on their schedule. We all took part in festivities no matter big or small.

Our poll results:

  • In Washington DC – 21%
  • State or local event – 17%
  • Through social media – 21%
  • Take a farmer to lunch – 21%
  • Other – 13%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you think farm movies can help the public image of agriculture?”

National Ag Day activities were special this year because of of two great documentary films about farming. There was a private advance screening of Farmland and the national premier of The Great American Wheat Harvest for those lucky enough to get a sneak peek. There is no question we in the agriculture community need to stop sitting on our hands and tell our ag story so it is not told by others inaccurately. Are these movies doing just that? Do you think farm movies will help improve the public’s opinion of agriculture?

ZimmPoll

“Down to Earth” Examines Sustainable Farming

Jamie Johansen

Indiana’s “Down to Earth” documentary examines the world of sustainable farming. Small-farm issues in a big-farm world are the central theme of a new documentary created by students at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. The film is focused on promoting a more sustainable and locally based food system for our country.

Fourteen students spent the fall creating “Down to Earth” as part of a semester-long immersive learning experience at the university’s Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry. The 35-minute film spotlights an east central Indiana farmer, Kyle Becker, and his passion to implement sustainable farming methods to help heal his land in Mooreland, Ind., while providing healthy food to people throughout the region. Included in the film are dozens of interviews the students conducted with prominent players in the national sustainability movement, including Will Allen, CEO of Growing Power, Juli Obudzinski of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Joel Saltain, whose Polyface Farms was featured in both Michael Pollan’s best-selling book “Omnivore’s Dilemma” and the 2008 documentary “Food Inc.”

Down to Earth: Small Farm Issues In a Big Farm World from Down to Earth on Vimeo.

Ag Groups, Sustainability, Video

Going Once…Going Twice…SOLD!

Melissa Sandfort

imageThis week Aunt Jeanette writes:

…to the great-great-grandson of the original homesteader.

Approximately one month ago, Dan and I attended a land auction and came home as the proud owners of 160 acres of farm ground that has held his family’s roots for several generations. In 1870, Dan’s great-great-grandfather and his bride traveled in a covered wagon from Pennsylvania to the Little Blue River valley in south central Nebraska where they homesteaded and began farming. The piece of land we purchased came into the family in 1915 and is just a mile east of the original homestead.

The fertile soil in the Little Blue River Valley made a perfect place for this young couple to begin farming and raise a family – two sons and two daughters. (Now, just between you and me, I had to learn to love this flat, treeless land where the creeks and rivers seem to flow on the surface of the ground. Believe me, it was not love at first sight! I grew up in the southeast corner of Nebraska where there are hills, abundant trees, and creeks and rivers that are cut deep into the earth, providing endless entertainment for my two brothers and me while we were growing up.)

image2The layout of this newly purchased farm is perfect for center pivot irrigation. The pivot is being built as you read this and hopefully it will be up and running by irrigating season. Although farming practices have changed dramatically in the last century and a half, the basic goal remains the same – to be good stewards of the land that has been entrusted to us. The ability to irrigate crops, the knowledge of which herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer to use, and which seed hybrid is appropriate for the type of soil are all integral pieces of this farming business. Up-to-date equipment and technological knowledge are also helpful in keeping up with the ever-changing times.

Family farms and heritage are becoming a thing of the past as children and grandchildren move away in search of “the good life” and choose to sell their land. However, for Dan and me, “the good life” is right here, embedded in the soil his ancestors called home. I am grateful Dan and I happened to be in the right place at the right time and circumstances allowed us to keep this piece of 99-year-old history in the family.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Farmland Movie Advance Screening

Chuck Zimmerman

FarmlandNational Ag Day Activities was special this year because of of two great documentary films about farming. Last night it was a private advance screening of Farmland, directed by James Moll, with major support from USFRA. In the photo (l-r) is Randy Krotz, CEO, USFRA, James, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Bob Stallman, President of American Farm Bureau Federation. There were a lot of dignitaries on hand including two of the young farmers featured in the movie. Both Sec. Vilsack and Bob Stallman who is Chairman of USFRA made opening comments before we watched the movie. I spoke with Bob and James and you can listen to their comments below.

The movie gives you a very close and personal look into the lives of six very different types of young farmers who talk about the challenges of becoming farm owners/managers. There is no narration. The story is told completely by the farmers and the imagery of them at work. It is a real family story too and there are some very emotional scenes in the movie. If you haven’t been able to see it yet please do when you get a chance.

Farmland has a deal with D&E Entertainment for the film to first be distributed to 60 major market theaters beginning May 1. Keep an eye out for it in your area and think about calling your local theater to see if they would schedule it.

In case you’re wondering, the film features these farmers:

Leighton Cooley, Georgia
Brad Bellah – Texas
David Loberg – Nebraska
Sutton Morgan – California
Margaret Schlass – Pennsylvania
Ryan Veldhuizen – Minnesota

You can listen to my interview with the Bob here:Interview with Bob Stallman

You can listen to my interview with the James here:Interview with James Moll

You can find photos from all National Ag Day activities, including the Farmland premier, online here: 2014 Ag Day Photo Album

Coverage of National Ag Day is sponsored by BCS Communications

Ag Day, Audio, USFRA

Great American Wheat Harvest Premier

Chuck Zimmerman

Great American Wheat HarvestThe National Premier Screening of The Great American Wheat Harvest movie took place yesterday as the first of many National Ag Day activities. On hand were the stars of the documentary that include:

Jim Deibert – JKD Harvesting
Jim & Tracy Zeorian – Jim Zeorian Harvesting
Dan, Kristy, & Emma Misener – Misener Family Harvesting
Lee Petersen – L. Petersen Farms
Eric Wolgemuth – Wolgemuth Harvesting

I spoke with this group of awesome and passionate custom harvesters before the film premier. I asked them about their experience of being filmed for the project. They all really enjoyed working with the producer, Conrad Weaver, and believe he truly captured their livelihood as it really is. They hope the non-farm public will feel what they feel.

You can listen to my interview with the harvesters here:Interview with Custom Harvesters

The film is now ready for prime time and Conrad is busy working on distribution. Later this year we’ll also be able to order a copy of the movie. I’ll announce that when we get the details.

You can find photos from all National Ag Day activities online here: 2014 Ag Day Photo Album

Coverage of National Ag Day is sponsored by BCS Communications

Ag Day, Audio, Harvest, Wheat

USFRA Next Generation of Farmers Panel

Chuck Zimmerman

USFRA DialoguesOne of the National Ag Day activities taking place in Washington, DC was a USFRA afternoon panel discussion on “The Next Generation of America’s Farmers and Ranchers.” The panel was hosted by our good friend Sara Wyant.

The event featured very personal stories from young farmers and ranchers on the challenges they face in taking over their family business. They talked about what it means to take on this responsibility in today’s environment, including some of the business and perception challenges they face and their opinions on key issues. They also addressed the challenges and opportunities for the next generation of farmers, as well as steps that can be taken to inspire more people to become involved in agriculture.

The panelists included:

• Leighton Cooley, 4th generation poultry farmer and Farmland documentary subject, Roberta, Ga.

• Will Gilmer, 3rd generation dairy farmer and USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching, Lamar County, Ala.

• Peter Liebhold, Curator, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

• Joel Mathiowetz, Corn, soybean, pea and lamb farmer, Executive Director of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, Morgan, Minn.

• Seth Pratt, University of Idaho Agriculture student, Future Farmers of America, Blackfoot, Idaho

You can listen to the dialogue here:USFRA Next Generation Panel

You can find photos from all National Ag Day activities online here: 2014 Ag Day Photo Album

Coverage of National Ag Day is sponsored by BCS Communications

Ag Day, Audio, USFRA

2014 USPB Grower Survey Results

Jamie Johansen

UsPotatoBoardLogoComing out of the January 2005 Grower Survey, 73% of U.S. potato growers rated the job being done by the United States Potato Board (USPB) as “excellent or good.” By many standards that level of support for an industry organization is very strong.

In the summer of 2006, the USPB Industry Communications and Policy (ICP) Committee and Staff Department were created with the goal of segmenting communications, by each of the five production segments. In January 2009, when the next Grower Survey was conducted, 83% of U.S. potato growers rated the job being done by the USPB as “excellent or good,” an unprecedented 10% point jump, thereby, validating the new USPB Industry Communications strategy.

With the completion of the 2014 Grower Survey and the presentation of the results to the full Board at the USPB’s 42nd Annual Meeting, March 12, in Colorado Springs, CO, 88% of U.S. potato growers now rate the job being done by the USPB as “excellent or good.”

Noted USPB Vice President, Industry Communications and Policy, David Fraser, “While the 5% point jump to 88% is truly outstanding, and we are extremely pleased with this proof USPB Industry Communications programs are, indeed, successfully informing the industry of the ongoing programs, activities and success of the USPB’s efforts to build demand for potatoes and potato products, both domestically and globally, an even more remarkable number to us was the fact growers rating the job being done by the USPB as ‘excellent’ more than doubled from 13% in 2009 to 27% in 2014!”

For more information on this report or to read the full release check out uspotatoes.com.

Agribusiness, Potato

MorganMyers Launches Digital Food IQ Quiz

Jamie Johansen

morgan_myersFor more than 30 years, MorganMyers has built a world-class reputation for building, protecting and promoting brands that help feed the world. The agency’s commitment to working with outstanding food and agriculture companies has given it the chance to work with some great brands over the years. So, naturally, the agency wanted to show solidarity with, and raise awareness for, the agriculture industry by doing something special on National Agriculture Day.

To celebrate, MorganMyers has launched a digital Food IQ Quiz that is designed to raise awareness of some interesting information surrounding food and the agriculture industry.

“This has been a passion project for the team at MM,” said Tim Oliver, MorganMyers president. “Even though our staff is made up of some of the savviest people in agri-marketing, we all learn new and surprising things every day and we wanted to share some of the most interesting things with others.”

Ag Day, Agribusiness, Food, Marketing