The ZimmGlass Project

Chuck Zimmerman

Google Glass at ZimmCommLike a story out of the future, except that it is now, comes The ZimmGlass Project. At least that’s what I’m calling it for now. What is it? We’re going to find out together over a period of time in which I experiment with Google Glass! Glass is basically a computer you wear on your face but that’s just just the short description. With its functionalities it is much more and that’s what I’ll be experimenting with.

I am one of the newest members of the Glass Explorers Program. Like Bruce Rasa, I want to find ways that this gamer changer technology can be incorporated into agricultural applications that will improve efficiencies and help farmer and company bottom lines. I’m looking for companies that may want to work on a test project that would include using Glass as part of an existing application or to develop a new one. You can be sure I’ll find a way to incorporate the device into online agricultural and social media.

This will serve as the first in a series of posts on my use of Glass and I welcome feedback and ideas you may have.

If you’d like to see the unboxing photos you can find them here: ZimmGlass Project – The Unboxing Photos

Agribusiness, Technology

International Seed Federation Update

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-css-isfIllinois Foundation Seeds president Tim Johnson is currently serving as the elected president of the International Seed Federation (ISF), which represents seed industry interests on a global level. Tim gave an ISF update during the first general session of the ASTA 2013 CSS last week, first pointing out to attendees that as members of the American Seed Trade Association they are all members of the ISF.

“The International Seed Federation was a merger of two federations in 2002,” he explained. “It used to be the Federation of International Seedsmen and we needed to change that because we are now seed people.” The other organization represented global breeders. “We represent over 238 members in 73 countries, which is 96 percent of all international seed traded globally.”

Tim talked about activities of the ISF this past year, including the 2013 Congress that was held in Athens, Greece and plans for the upcoming Congress to be held May 26-28, 2014 in Beijing. International Seed Federation update from president Tim Johnson

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

AgAccord is Complete

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-berniceThe big topic at last year’s ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo was The Accord, which is an industry agreement developed to provide a mechanism to transition from proprietary biotech events to off-patent or generic biotech events. Just prior to the expo this year, the second part of what is now called the AgAccord was opened up for signature. That is the Data Use and Compensation Agreement or DUCA, as ASTA Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky explains.

“Last year when we were talking about the accord we had just completed the first agreement, the Generic Event Marketability and Access Agreement or the GEMMA, and we have now completed the second agreement – the DUCA…so the AgAccord is now complete,” said Bernice.

The DUCA will become operational once six parties sign, three that hold proprietary regulatory property or have petitioned the USDA to deregulate an event, and three parties that do not hold proprietary regulatory property, such as a seed company or national farm organization. The AgAccord was triggered in anticipation of the very first biotech event scheduled to go off patent at the end of 2014, which is Monsanto’s Roundup Ready trait.

This is a pretty complex issue, but very important for the transition of biotech events to the off-patent market, particularly when it comes to international trade. “We’re really being proactive,” said Bernice. “These are highly regulated products and that regulation has an impact on our exports.” Interview with Bernice Slutsky, ASTA

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Seed

ASTA Chair Looks Ahead to Annual Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

css-13-craigFinally caught up with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) chairman Craig Newman as I was heading out of the hotel to go home Friday morning so I caught a quick interview.

Craig says the expo this year was great with a record number of exhibitors. “In fact, it’s just bulging,” he said. “Sometimes we think that the industry’s consolidating when actually innovation is expanding it.”

Craig is president and CEO of AgReliant Genetics, based in Indiana, so he is pleased to be hosting ASTA’s 131st annual convention in his home state next year. “The meeting will be in Indianapolis and we’ve added a lot of new things,” said Craig. “First is the new ASTA Purdue Leadership Academy which is pre-conference, two and a half days of specialized seed industry training.”

The meeting will be June 11-14, 2014 and Craig encourages anyone with an interest in the seed industry to come and “feel the need for seed!” Interview with ASTA chair Craig Newman

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Happy Hubbard Holidays

Chuck Zimmerman

Happy Holidays from Hubbard FeedsI don’t get tired sharing holiday greetings. This one from Hubbard Feeds.

May peace, happiness & prosperity be yours during this Holiday Season and throughout the New Year!

Happy Holidays

Your friends at Hubbard

Agribusiness

What’s Next for ARC?

Jamie Johansen

BI-PRRS-13-116-editedBoehringer Ingelheim’s, Dr. Dale Polson, wrapped up their PRRS Seminar with answering the question of, “What’s Next for ARC?”

Dr. Polson works to development strategies for services and products at Boehringer Ingelheim. His talk at the seminar was themed on the “Playing the PRRS Behavior Game.” He shared that PRRS honors no boundaries and that it’s also about many other diseases that challenges the pork industry. The old methods of simply taking care of our own, needs to be thrown out the window. We need to adopt the ‘better together’ model that he suggests.

This method has lead Dr. Polson to suggest renaming the ARC program to Area Coordinated Disease Control. He says collaboration is the key.

“The one word that is in the set of four words is the most important and that’s the word coordinated. It’s the idea that it’s too general, in my opinion, to call it Area Regional Control. We need something that specifically describes one of the key tenants of the approach and that’s the reason for the word coordination.”

Later in my interview with Dr. Polson he talks about the goals of control, elimination and then prevention of PRRS and where the industry needs to head for the future.

Listen to my complete interview with Dale here: Interview with Dr. Dale Polson, Boehringer Ingelheim

Here are photos from the event:2013 BIVI PRSS ARC&E Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Season’s Greeting from Joyent

Chuck Zimmerman

Happy Holidays from JoyentHave a Happy Holidays from Joyent. If you’ve ever wondered how or why ZimmComm websites like AgWired.com are always up and work so well then just think Joyent.

Season’s Greetings from our team to yours.

Looking back with appreciation for your business and looking forward to supporting your success in the coming new year.

Henry Wasik

Internet

Tips from Tech: Winterizing your Ag Leader Investments!

Melissa Sandfort

Insights WeeklyThe time has come to winterize your equipment from the fall months of harvesting, tillage and fall application. As the season comes to an end, it’s important to take care of your investments, whether it is harvested crops, machinery or your precision equipment. Here are some helpful hints from Ag Leader’s tech support team:

Harsh temperatures can lead to problems if the necessary precautions are not taken to keep your monitor in working order. Cleaning the touch screen of your display should be the first step you take in preparing for winter. When dust accumulates on the display it can cause damage to the touch screen. If you have a dirty screen, we recommend cleaning the screen by blowing the screen off using non-direct air. Also, you can use Windex or an electronic cleaner with a soft, non-abrasive cloth to wipe down the display screen. Most importantly, remember to never spray the screen directly with cleaner but instead spray the cloth used in your cleaning process. Finally, remove the display from the vehicle. The preferred place to store a display would be inside the house, in a dry location. A heated shop is also acceptable. Displays can be stored in a large Ziploc bag, or any other sealed container. We recommend this because it will keep unwanted moisture from causing damage to the display.

displayCustomers using yield monitoring systems, require a couple more steps before being completely ready for winter. Begin by cleaning out your EMU (Elevator Mount Unit) on your clean grain elevator. Pull out the two retaining pins located at the bottom of the EMU and thoroughly clean out the chamber inside remembering to check for any obstructions in front of the proximity switch.

Removing the flow sensor mounted at the top of the clean grain elevator and placing it in a sealable container is strongly recommended. The reason we suggest this step is due to a soft protective potting material used on the load cell of your flow sensor which can be easily damaged by rodents. Rodent damage happens to flow sensors more than you think, so don’t let them get to the flow sensor. You should also run through the cabling located on your combine as suggested earlier to identify any issues you may have.

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Ag Leader, Agribusiness

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  • Dawson Tire & Wheel has announced the promotion of Terry Morris to Sales and Marketing Administrator overseeing all sales and marketing activity companywide.
  • Mark your calendar now for the 2014 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, June 2-4, 2014.
  • A recent survey of farmers and ranchers by American Farmland Trust and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows the need for Congress to pass the Farm Bill, according to Andrew McElwaine, President and CEO of AFT.
  • Farmers who purchase cost-saving propane-fueled farm equipment in 2014 will again be eligible for up to $5,000 in purchase incentives through the 2014 Propane Farm Incentive Program.
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