New Seed World Editor

Cindy Zimmerman

classic14-julie-dCongrats to Julie Deering (née Douglas) who has been named new editor of Seed World.

We just saw Julie last week at the Commodity Classic and Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum, where she was busily gathering content to use in upcoming Seed World issues. This probably means we will get to see her again at the American Seed Trade Association annual meeting and seed expo this year. That’s where we first made her acquaintance, before Mike Deering married her and moved her to Missouri where he is head of the state cattlemen’s association.

Julie is thrilled to join the Seed World team. “The seed industry is at the heart of innovation, making better use of technology and data,” she says. “There’s an enormous challenge that looms over the seed industry, but there’s never been a more exciting time to be a part of the industry.”

Her new job will be to lead the editorial direction and provide the execution that is required to maintain the publication’s reputation as the leading source of information for the global seed industry. She previously served as managing editor for Top Producer and director of communications for the American Seed Trade Association.

Media, Seed

iCropTrak Releases Rapid Scouting Enhancements

Chuck Zimmerman

iCropTrakMobile precision technology continues to evolve. iCropTrak just announced the release of Rapid Scouting Enhancements in Version 4.1 of their award-winning iOS Mobile Farm Management app iCropTrak. This comprehensive update for farmers and scouting professionals offers Rapid Observation and Action Item “one-tap” data entry aimed at easier, faster and more efficient use of your time in the field. The image is an example of Rapid Entry Observations.

In addition to Rapid Scouting enhancements like Rapid Observation and Action Items, the new iCropTrak includes a series of augmented map functions to make field understanding fast and easy.

Map Annotations to provide additional map reference data.
Work Order Status Annotations to provide where and what quickly.
Follow Me Upgrade to keep you on the map at any speed.
Map Sketch to allow you to draw on the map and save results for reports.
Recent Forms puts field history in chronological order.

Version 4.1 includes the first mobile parts of the upcoming MyJohnDeere.com integration: On-demand data downloading. On-Demand let’s you download only the data you need for the time you need it, then remove it from your iPad when done to have space for other efforts. At multiple gigabytes per field for planting, as-applied, and harvest data, On-Demand provides users control over their data and provides the first peek at the new user definable statistical legends that colorize the data on the fly based on its attributes.

Aaron Hutchinson, Cogent3D President shared the company’s excitement regarding this release stating: “The One Tap Observation capability to mark weeds, pests, and diseases is a labor break-thru in a market where every click is money. ”

Agribusiness, Precision Agriculture

Preserving Our Nations Cotton History

Jamie Johansen

farm-gin-14-anna-mullinsExecutive Director of The Cotton Museum, Anna Mullins, was present at the 3rd Annual Season Starter Party during the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show and sat down with Chuck to share what the museum offers to visitors.

Anna has a strong history in agriculture specifically centered in the south. She grew up around cotton and started her career in ag media working for Cotton International Magazine. There she met a number of cotton traders who were intimately involved in creating the museum and continuing to support it.

“Our museum endeavors to cover the entirety of cotton history. But we focus on the history of the U.S. cotton industry and more specifically on how Memphis was founded as a cotton port and how the cotton industry shaped this city. It covers everything from slavery and share-cropping to modern day cotton growing.”

The museum hosts a party every year during the Gin Show and they consider it a fun way to kick off the growing season. It also it a great opportunity for growers across the south and ag industry reps to take in the lush history cotton has on the U.S.

The Cotton Museum operates on memberships and corporate sponsorships. If you are interested in helping to support their efforts in preserving our nations history checkout their website at MemphisCottonMuseum.org

You can listen to my interview with Anna here: Interview with Anna Mullins

2014 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage is sponsored by FMC

Ag Groups, Audio, Cotton, FMC

2014 Bayer Sustainability Award

Kristin Liska

bayer-aif14-awardDuring the ninth annual Ag Issues Forum last week, Bryan Boll of Minnesota was the recipient of the 2014 Bayer Young Farmer Sustainability Award. Bryan believes the key to sustainability is to look at your operation individually and see areas in which you can improve.

I interviewed Bryan about the award and what sustainability means to him. Interview with Bryan Boll, Bayer 2014 sustainability award winner

Bryan is the fourth recipient of this award. Pictured with him here are 2013 winner Jeremy Jack of Mississippi on the left, and the CEO and president of Bayer CropScience LP, Jim Blome.

Jeremy also participated on a panel during the Ag Issues Forum on how today’s farmer CEO are re-shaping modern agriculture. He believes “sustainability has got to be the action plan” for every farmer in the future. Interview with Jeremy Jack, Bayer 2013 sustainability award winner

Below is a video that introduces Bryan and what he does on his operation.

bayer-issues-button2014 Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Science, Sustainability, Video

Angel On My Shoulder

Melissa Sandfort

ResizedImage951393623387436Today Aunt Jeanette writes:

When I left early last Sunday morning to make the acquaintance of our newest grandson, I knew the weather was questionable. When traveling to the western Nebraska Pine Ridge area this time of year, bad weather is almost expected. I usually like to drive on Highway 2 because it is slower paced than Interstate 80. However, being anxious to see the family I haven’t seen for two months and also meet our new grandson, I opted for I80.

The farther west I traveled, the worse the driving conditions became. Slush, ice, snow, fog, caution signs on the interstate – this trip is definitely not going to make the list of the top ten smartest things I have ever done! Probably the worst thing was that everything was the same color. My normally red car was coated with ice, slush, snow, and salt, making it a dirty gray, just like every other vehicle on the road. The sky and road surface all blended together into that same gray color.

The flow of traffic had slowed dramatically. Nobody was going much faster than 55 or 60 miles per hour – except the semi that passed me. The driver had barely gone around me when he edged back in a little too quickly. Instinct told me to tap my brakes to avoid having the front of my car clipped by the trailer. Everything would have been okay – except for a nasty patch of ice. I slid into the other lane, my car spun sideways, and I took an unexpected side trip down into the median. I could not get out immediately, but when I saw an opportunity, I returned to the westbound left lane. There was no choice but to get back into the flow of traffic and keep going.

Now, I know there had to be an angel on my shoulder. How else can I explain the fact that there were no cars or trucks when I was sliding across lanes or returning to the interstate? My Uncle Keith used to say he had angels watching over him during his lifetime. He must have been watching and sent one of his angels to help me out just when I needed it!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Bayer Session on Year of Food and Farmers

Leah Guffey

One session at the Bayer Crop Science Ag Issues Forum last week called 2014 the “Year of Food and Farmers” talked about an upcoming National Geographic series and a documentary movie – both featuring agriculture.

bayer-aif14-dimickDennis Dimick, Executive editor, Environment for National Geographic, shared their exciting plans for the eight-month series focused on food and agriculture, beginning in May. Dimick spoke about our growing population and how our need for food is the single biggest threat to the environment that we face today. “There is a growing need to recreate the connection to the production side of where food comes from,” he said. Dimick says the series will include topics such as farming the sea, malnutrition, genetics and how diets have changed over the course of time.

You can listen to my interview with Dennis here: Interview with Dennis Dimick, National Geographic

classic14-krotzJoining the discussion with Dennis was Randy Krotz, executive director of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, who talked about Farmland: The Movie and showed a couple of clips. The documentary offers first-hand glimpse into the lives of young farmers and ranchers, connecting the audience to real farmers’ stories of their high-risk/high-reward lifestyles. Randy says the movie is scheduled to be released this spring.

Listen to or download the discussion with Randy and Dennis here: Bayer Ag Issues Forum, National Geographic and USFRA

2014 Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Commodity Classic, USFRA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Monsanto Company announced that it has been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” by FORTUNE magazine.
  • American Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President and Treasurer Julie Anna Potts and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer presented Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson with AFBF’s “Golden Plow” award on Wednesday during Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s National Legislative Conference.
  • Syngenta announced that ELATUS, a breakthrough foliar fungicide, has been approved by the Brazilian authorities.
  • Merivon fungicide from BASF has received registration for use on almonds in California.
Zimfo Bytes

Classic Farmland Movie Stars

Cindy Zimmerman

classic14-usfra-farmlandCommodity Classic went to the movies last week with a sneak preview of the feature length documentary “Farmland” which will debut later this month.

The media was allowed to watch, but not report on, the movie – but we are able to meet and talk with some of the stars who took part in a press conference at Classic with the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). The guy in the middle here is not one of the stars, that’s USFRA Executive Director Randy Krotz – he just wishes he were as talented and good-looking as the farmers in the film!

The four pictured here, from left to right around Randy, are David Loberg of Nebraska, Ryan Veldhuizen of Minnesota, Leighton Cooley from Georgia, and Brad Bellah of Texas. Listen to them talk about themselves and their experiences with film director James Moll in the making of “Farmland.” – Farmland Movie Press Conference


2014 Commodity Classic Photos

Audio, Commodity Classic, Farming, USFRA

Bayer Develops Seed Treatment for SDS

Cindy Zimmerman

bayer-ilevoDuring the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum and Commodity Classic last week, Bayer was pleased to announced they have applied for EPA registration of ILeVO, the first seed treatment developed to address Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS).

“We’re anticipating federal registration fourth quarter of 2014 for planting in 2015,” said Seed Treatments Product Manager Dave Byrum.

classic14-bayer-riggs-byrumJennifer Riggs, Bayer SeedGrowth product development manager, says people think of SDS as a late season disease, but they have found that is not true. “The infection of the fungus into the plant happens at the seedling stage,” she explains. “So ILeVO does a very good job of protecting that very critical zone from the fungus.”

Dave and Jennifer talked about this exciting new development during a press conference, and Chuck interviewed both of them during the Ag Issues Forum. Take your pick – or take them both!

Interview with Dave Byrum and Jennifer Riggs, Bayer CropScience Bayer CropScience ILeVO press conference

2014 Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Commodity Classic, Seed, Soybean

FMC’s Solutions for Southern Rice Growers

Jamie Johansen

farm-gin-14-don-johnsonDon Johnson is FMC’s Tech Service Sales Manager for the Southern Region. Chuck met up with him during the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis last week and talked about what FMC has available for rice farmers. Don also reminded attendees as they walked through their booth that FMC has a wide product portfolio that includes something for all crops.

Obey was launched in 2013 and has dual modes of action. Obey provides effective weed management for Southern rice growers fighting barnyardgrass and hemp sesbania. It also offers the flexibility to be used in a sequential (split) application program with Command® 3ME herbicide.

“Our universities have been supporting FMC the last three or four years trying to get that window expanded in order to manage resistant barnyardgrass in rice fields and now we are happy to announce this year that we finally got that expanded for the growers.”

As growers know barnyardgrass is the number one yield robber in rice fields. Fighting resistance has been an uphill problem for years, but with the use of these two FMC products growers have a solution.

“This show is more than just a cotton show. It is a gin show as well. It has been expanded to cover all crops. FMC also is diversified in the crops we cover whether it’s soybeans, corn, rice or cotton. We have products that cover each crop.”

You can listen to my interview with Don here: Interview with Don Johnson

2014 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage is sponsored by FMC

Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, Herbicide, Rice