Utilizing Vaccinations for PRRS Virus

Jamie Johansen

BI-PRRS-13-109-editedBoehringer Ingelheim provided the opportunity for the big questions to be asked about the PRRS virus during their recent PRRS Seminar in Chicago. Swine Vet Center’s, Dr. Tim Loula, shared his insight into effective PRRS protocols and how to better utilize ARC programs.

Dr. Loula said that the current vaccination for PRRS could be better, but right now it’s all producers have. His suggestion to this dilemma is a simple mandatory vaccination program nationwide. He also shared that starting local is key and thats the producers and veterinarians. Then it can extend to institutions and the allied industry.

“I made a point in my presentation that we need to be bigger, bolder and have some kind of enforcement mechanism. Maybe the producers themselves vote that they are going to do this on a national level if we are going to see any kind of minimization of the effects of PRRS.”

Listen to my complete interview with Tim here: Interview with Dr. Tim Loula, Swine Vet Center

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

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine, Veterinary

ASTA CSS Session Focuses on Seed Treatment

Leah Guffey

The second general session of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo focused on seed treatments and pollinator health.

11341722875_4d60858bce_qLaurie Adams with Pollinator Partnership discussed the Corn Dust Research Consortium, with a focus on some of the reasons we are seeing a loss in pollinators. With competing pressures for productivity in agriculture and for protection of pollinators like bees and butterflies, the actions of the seed trade have a significant impact on the future. Laurie discussed how sustainability for both high-yield landscapes and ecologically nurturing habitat can be achieved.
You can listen to Laurie’s remarks here Laurie Adams, Pollinator Partnership

11343001153_023dda3fcd_qDr. Iain Kelly with Bayer CropScience focused on seed treatment and pollinator health. Declining pollinator health is currently attracting considerable scientific and media interest. A recent report summarizing the conclusions of USDA’s National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health outlined the various factors contributing to the decline, noting that the parasitic Varroa mite remains the single most detrimental pest of honey bees. Kelly discussed efforts by industry stakeholders to improve bee health, including assessing and minimizing any potential risks from seed treatment.
You can listen to Dr. Kelly’s remarks here Dr. Iain Kelly, Bayer CropScience

11342852675_57d146a25d_q Jane DeMarchi with ASTA discussed the new Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship being rolled out in 2014. The Guide has been enthusiastically endorsed by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the American Soybean Association, and has been shared with both EPA and USDA. As seed treatment technology advances, more resources are developed and the needs of the seed and crop production value chain evolve, Jane says the Guide will be updated to ensure the latest in seed treatment management information for seed companies and growers.

You can listen to Jane’s remarks as well as audio for the video they are using to promote Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship here: Jane DeMarchi, ASTA

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

ASTA, Audio, Bayer, Seed

BASF’s Advanced Seed Enhancement Platform

Cindy Zimmerman

css-13-basf-justinAt the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo this week we had the opportunity to learn more about BASF’s Advanced Seed Enhancement platform which includes a number of important products that can accomplish increased emergence and help farmers get more from every acre.

Those products include Vault HP plus Integral for soybeans, Stamina F3 for cereals, and Flo Rite Plantability Polymers, according to BASF Technical Market Specialist Justin Clark. Listen to him talk about each one here: Interview with Justin Clark, BASF

Justin also gave us a very simple visual demonstration to show the difference that Flo Rite Plantability Polymers make with seed – check it out.

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

ASTA, Audio, BASF, Seed, Video

Prince of Poker Plays BASF Casino

Leah Guffey

11330003084_53d626604b_mYou can always bet on BASF Crop Protection to have a great presence at any trade show and they turned their exhibit at the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo into a Vegas-themed casino, complete with the Prince of Poker.

Scotty Nguyen, one of the 2013 inductees into the World Poker Hall of Fame, shared tips and tricks with attendees at the conference to the enjoyment of all. Scotty is also a philanthropist in his native Vietnam where he sends a portion of his winnings to take care of the homeless and those less fortunate. He’s been in Las Vegas for the better part of three decades making a living at playing a card game.

Listen to my interview with Scotty here: Interview with Prince of Poker, Scotty Nguyen

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

ASTA, Audio, BASF

Sonny Ramaswamy at ASTA CSS 2013

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-css-ramaswamyThe Director of USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture Sonny Ramaswamy gave a presentation on “Setting the Table for a Hotter, Flatter, More Crowded Earth” during the opening general session at the ASTA CSS 2013 on Thursday with a focus on how public sector research and private sector support need to work together to feed our growing population.

Ramaswamy discussed what he calls the “wicked problems” – the societal challenges facing the world, ranging from population to poverty. “The reason I call them wicked problems is you may have the most fantastic technology available to you but you’re not able to deploy those technologies because mere humans become involved in this and we cannot seem to agree,” he said.

Listen to my interview for a short summary and his 50 minute presentation for more details:
Interview with Sonny Ramaswamy, USDA-NIFA ASTA CSS presentation by Sonny Ramaswamy, USDA-NIFA

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

ASTA, Audio, USDA

Attending Any Winter Events?

Talia Goes

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do you plan to make any year-end equipment purchases?”

Our poll results:

·         No. Not this year:  35%
·         Yes – Planting equipment:  18%
·         Yes – Sprayers:  12%
·         Yes – GPS/guidance:  12%
·         Yes – Hay equipment:  6%
·         Yes – Harvest equipment:  6%
·         Yes – Tillage:  6%
·         Yes – Other:  6%

Looks like most of the farmers out there are either up-to-date on equipment or satisfied with what they have. Are things like Farm Bill uncertainty holding you back?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Which winter farm shows/events are you planning to attend?” Are you planning to get out of the house to browse new products and services this fall and winter or wait and see what spring brings? Let us know!

ZimmPoll

Bayer Showcases Innovation at ASTA CSS 2013

Leah Guffey

asta-css-bayerCorn and soybean growers in the Midwest face varying challenges every year, depending on weather, pests and diseases. Visitors to ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo this year were able to see many of the tools offered by Bayer CropScience to address those challenges.

According to Brad May, strategic business lead for seed growth, some of their highlights at the expo this year include new seed treatment technology, new technology coming online in 2015, and an overview of their Bayer SeedGrowth Centers. Brad says the ASTA event is “the ultimate of expos” with the major decision makers in the seed industry in attendance, which is why they are one of the organization’s strategic partners. Bayer will be capping off its presence at the Seed Expo and conference this evening with a reception featuring country music artist Jerrod Niemann.

Listen to my interview with Brad here: Interview with Bayer CropScience, Brad May

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

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Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Bayer

Nufarm Takes on Trees, Nuts, Vines and Veggies

Chuck Zimmerman

Rob SchwehrDuring Nufarm’s recent farm media tour, Rob Schwehr, took time to highlight one of the newest expansion areas the company has taken on.

Rob is the Marketing Manager for the tree, nut, vine and vegetable (TNVV) segment of Nufarm. He shares in an interview why the company pursued this new endeavor and what we can see coming down the pipeline.

“Nufarm has historically been known as a herbicide company. Over the past few years we have looked into expanding our portfolio and have added insecticides and fungicides. Now with our antibiotics, copper we are trying to consolidate our portfolio and grow the segment of the business that is targeted around the TNVV crops.”

The growth in those segments is what has led Nufarm to expand in these non-traditional areas. They are looking to launch a new product in their copper portfolio as well as other exciting things growers can look forward to seeing in the coming year.

You can listen to my interview with Rob here: Interview with Rob Schwehr

2013 Nufarm North America Headquarters Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Nufarm, Vegetables

ASTA CSS Offers Grain Markets Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-css-basseOnce again this year at the ASTA CSS 2013, for the third year in a row now, AgResource Company president Dan Basse looked at the year in review for grain markets and gave his outlook for the future.

While there are bright spots, Dan’s overall outlook for the year ahead is pretty sobering, saying the good times may have come to an end for corn. “A year ago we had corn prices above $7 with flirtations to eight,” he said. “We’re now looking at Chicago markets with corn prices near four. We think the best we can do at least for the next 6-9 months is maybe getting back to something like four and a half.”

Basse points out that the United States only needs to produce a corn crop of 13 billion bushels to meet demand. “That’s the big concern for the US farmer down the road,” he said.

On kind of a bright side, Dan expects North America to be “energy self-sufficient by 2020” but that is largely due to fracking to reach new deposits of crude oil and natural gas rather than biofuels. “Ethanol, which was deemed to be the savior from Mideast oil, is no longer going to have that spot at the table,” he said, adding that the industry has “reached its zenith.”

Basse covered a number of important topics in his presentation, including whether the bull market in ag commodities is coming to an end, the mature biofuels industry, pressure on farmers to plant less corn, the high cost of production for U.S. farmers, and – of course – the farm bill.

Listen to my interview for the condensed version and his 30 minute presentation for more details:
Interview with Dan Basse, AgResource ASTA CSS presentation by Dan Basse, AgResource

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

ASTA, Audio, Corn, Grains, Markets

Happy Holidays from MGEX

Chuck Zimmerman

Happy Holidays from MGEXIt’s that time of year again. Happy Holidays time.

It’s now an AgWired tradition to share some of the many wonderful messages we receive. So let’s start with the Minneapolis Grain Exchange.

Wishing you health and happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year.

All the best to you, your family, and your organization,

Mark G. Bagan
Jesse Marie Green
Layne Carlson
James Facente
Blake Tiedeman

MGEX

Agribusiness