Precision Pays

The latest in precision farming technology and techniques are always part of the annual Commodity Classic and this year is no exception.

In addition to the huge trade show featuring the latest equipment and gadgets, there will also be a number of break out sessions dedicated to the latest in precision agriculture, including a panel discussion sponsored by the Precision Ag Institute.

Three growers will share their precision agriculture success stories in a presentation, “PrecisionAg: Know More; Grow More,” on March 3 at Commodity Classic. The growers are Lon Bohn of Gibbon, NE; Don Glenn of Hillsboro, AL and Kevin Stoy from Ashley, IN. See this article from PrecisionAg Works for a preview.

The annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producers will be held March 1-3 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Convention details and registration information are available at commodityclassic.com.

During the recent Commodity Classic which was held in Tampa, FL, I spoke with Ryan Molitor, Raven Industries. Ryan is actually in the background of this photo of their booth. He and I seem to run into each other at shows all over the country and at all times of the year. So I asked him what’s different about this event and what are the farmers he’s talking to most interested in. He says they’re most interested is their OmniRow advanced planter control system. Since the show takes place prior to the new planting season that sure makes sense. He says that the large acreage farmers attending like the features that includes variable rate by individual row. It just provides a lot of flexibility. And of course planting leads into auto steering . . .

You can listen to my interview with Ryan here: Ryan Molitor Interview

Raven is the sponsor of the AgWired iPhone App on which you can find Precision Pays news.

The 2011 Commodity Classic is one for the record books.

Attendance at the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers shattered previous records. Total attendance was more than 4826, breaking the previous record at Nashville three years ago by almost 300. Total number of growers was over 1600, compared to the previous record of 1513 in 2009 in Grapevine. The number of media was down a bit, but still a pretty substantial 126. Next year, Classic is back in Nashville, maybe to set yet another record!

In a show of unity, the leadership of the National Corn Growers Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the American Soybean Association and the National Sorghum Producers issued a joint statement on the federal deficit and debt reduction following the conclusion of the Classic business sessions.

“We note that agriculture made a down payment in cutting spending when the Department of Agriculture directed $4 billion in savings under the Standard Reinsurance Agreement for federal crop insurance toward deficit reduction. We believe any further reduction in discretionary spending should recognize and reflect this contribution. We would also note that agriculture-related programs represent less than one-half of one percent of the federal budget.

“Looking forward, we believe any meaningful approach to deficit and debt reduction in the FY2012 budget must encompass all entitlement programs and all discretionary spending. We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to develop a budget that successfully addresses the need for federal deficit and debt reduction balanced with the need of ensuring a successful agricultural economy.”

Special thanks to John Deere for helping to sponsor our coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic!

2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic

“Balancing Fertilizer Price Risk and In-Field Management to Optimize Yield and Profitability” was the topic of a Learning Session at the 2011 Commodity Classic in Tampa last week, sponsored by John Deere.

Deere’s Pauley Bradley, manager of nutrient applications, had a full house for the session which discussed nitrogen practices today, concerns that fall anhydrous application may not be around in the future, and the “Four R” approach to nutrient stewardship. “Right now, our corn stocks to use ratio is very tight, so yield is important, but we have to balance that with the environmental concerns,” Pauley said. “So we’re trying to maximize yield while having the least amount of environmental impact.”

Pauley says John Deere introduced the 2510 line of nutrient applicators a few years ago, one of which provides a way to apply anhydrous ammonia allowing for more side-dressing or in-season capabilities. “We’ve really tried to focus on the in-crop application, doing a better job of reading the crop’s needs as it’s growing and responding accordingly,” he said.

Find out more here.

Listen to or download an interview with Pauley here: John Deere's Pauley Bradley on Nutrient Management

Thanks to John Deere for helping to sponsor our coverage of the 2011 Commodity Classic!
2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

John Deere introduced a new “integrated suite of solutions” at the 2011 Commodity Classic today, called John Deere FarmSight.

The comprehensive program is designed to meet farm and business needs for today and the future, according to FarmSight director Jerry Roell. “The John Deere FarmSight global suite of solutions uses integrated, wireless technology that links the equipment, owners, dealers, and agricultural consultants to provide even more productivity to your farm or business,” he said during a press conference Friday in Tampa.

The program provides technology solutions in three areas – Machine Optimization, Logistics Optimization, and Ag Decision Support.

Hear more about John Deere FarmSight from Jerry here: John Deere FarmSight

Here is a video of the introduction at Classic:

2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

The annual Commodity Classic coming up March 3-5 in Tampa provides corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers the opportunity to discover the trends and issues that will have the greatest impact on their industries in the coming year.

“I can’t think of a more comprehensive event organized to benefit farmers than Commodity Classic,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Theresa Schmalshof. “Attendees learn about the latest advancements in production agriculture, discover what government policies will significantly impact the U.S. farm industry and are provided a variety of opportunities to mingle with growers and industry representatives from across the country.”

For example, Commodity Classic will kick off its educational programs on March 3 with an Early Riser Production Session called “Become Eight Percent More Efficient and 19 Percent More Profitable” with speakers Brian and Darren Hefty from Ag PhD TV. Attendees will learn the secrets to increasing efficiency on the farm, from new high-tech equipment options to simple, commonsense practices. Also that day, Commodity Classic Pre-opening Learning Center Sessions will give you the tools to effectively tell the story of agriculture, and how to make your farming operation more profitable.

To take advantage of the lowest registration rate for Commodity Classic, register by the early discount deadline of January 20 at www.commodityclassic.com.

Set sail for Tampa, Fla., March 3-5, 2011 to attend the annual gathering of soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum growers at the 2011 Commodity Classic. Sign up before January 20 and save bushels of value on your registration fees.

This year’s Commodity Classic will feature high-energy discussions at more than 30 educational sessions. Explore a trade show floor packed with the latest products and technology. Hear views on the state of the industry, as well as spend an entertaining evening with the music of Little River Band.

Check out the brochure for all the details and visit the website for registration and more.

This photo was taken of me with Ag Leader general sales manager Mike Olson at the Commodity Classic as we both checked email on our cell phones to prepare for an interview. Amazing what technology we have in our pockets these days! Some people may argue whether cell phones actually make us more efficient, but most of us wonder what we ever did without them – as most farmers who use precision technology wonder how they got along without it in the past.

I talked with Mike about how precision technology saves time as well as money. Sometimes it may be hard to put a dollar value on our time, but when planting or harvesting windows are as tight as they were last year, saving time in the fields is saving money. “When you start implementing precision ag technologies, it’s amazing how much time you can save,” Mike said. “You think of the steering systems. You’re reducing overlap, that’s obvious, but if you can make less passes across the field then it’s saving you time.”

Also, steering systems allow farmers to work longer hours with less fatigue. “So if you have a good window of a dry stretch it allows you to work longer into the night and plant longer or spray longer,” he added. Time savings may be one of those things that’s hard to monetize, “but if you don’t get a crop in, it’s pretty easy to see how much value there is.”

Listen to my interview with Mike from Commodity Classic below.

Commodity Classic Photo Album

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Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Director of Research Tracy Blackmer was one of the presenters for the PrecisonAg Learning Center at the 2010 Commodity Classic trade show. Tracy is head of ISA’s On-Farm Network®, which focuses on precision agriculture tools and technology to collect information that can increase growers’ profits from crop production and I interviewed him at Classic for this edition of the Precision Pays Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology.

The Iowa Soybean Association started this project nine years ago to study both the environmental and economic aspects of farming practices and to help growers find out what works best for them on their operation. Since that time they have expanded into nine other states. “We’re trying to say that growers can use a lot of the precision ag technologies to actually identify which products or practices are working better,” Tracy says. “In Iowa alone we had over 450 replicated trials.”

Listen to the podcast in the player below to find out more about the ISA On-Farm Network®. You can subscribe to the Precision Pays Podcast here.

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This year’s winner of the American Soybean Association scholarship has a passion for precision.

Ben Bellar, a high school senior from Howard, Kansas, was named the 2010-2011 Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Scholarship recipient during the 2010 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California. The scholarship package, made possible through a grant by BASF, included a one-time $5,000 education award, a trip to the Commodity Classic and special recognition during the ASA Awards Banquet. Ben is pictured here at the BASF exhibit on the trade show floor with ASA First Vice president Alan Kemper of Indiana and Nevin McDougall, Group Vice President, North America Crop Protection Division at BASF.

As an active member of the ASA and FFA, Ben has been raising soybeans since he was a child and plans to study agriculture technology management at Kansas State University next year, something he decided when his father “finally broke down and bought a GPS” about six years ago. “I just like days when I can go out there, hit one button, go for half a mile, pull out a magazine and read it until I get to the end of the row,” Ben told me during an interview.

Listen to or download that interview in the player below and thanks again to John Deere for sponsoring our coverage of this year’s Commodity Classic.

Commodity Classic Photo Album

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The first-ever PrecisionAg Learning Center at Commodity Classic was a big hit with growers at the trade show.

According to the PrecisionAg.com there was a steady stream of attendees asking questions, sitting in on presentations, and chatting with growers who use precision technology. Among the presenters were Idaho grower Robert Blair and Iowa grower Dennis Friest, Craig Smith from Kansas State University and Tracy Blackmer, Iowa Soybean Association Director of Research.

The Learning Center also offered growers the opportunity to register for great giveaways provided by PrecisionAg partners. In the photo to the right, Mike Olson with Ag Leader Technology is drawing the winning name for an Ag Leader InSight Display. The winner was John Kelly of Hutsonville, Illinois. Other winners are listed here on the PrecisionAg site.

Check out our previous post on the PrecisionAg profit calculator unveiled at Classic. The Guidance & Section Control Profit Calculator is specifically designed to help growers understand their return on an investment in this technology.

Thanks again to John Deere for sponsoring our coverage of this year’s Commodity Classic.

Commodity Classic Photo Album

At Commodity Classic in Anaheim, CA, Jared Hayes, John Deere, was showing attendees what the company is offering to growers in the area of precision ag.

With spring almost here and planting just around the corner I asked him what’s new from the company. Jared says one of the big things with planting which is becoming more important every year is automatic section control via their Swath Control Pro. He says this allows for a reduction of input costs while also allowing for the use of multiple products.

At Commodity Classic John Deere was showcasing their full line of AMS products. Jared says the show provides them an opportunity to find out what growers are looking for in future product offerings.

You can listen to my interview with Jared below:

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Spring is just around the corner – the time when a farmer’s fancy turns to thoughts of planting.

Growers stopping by the Ag Leader Technology booth at the Commodity Classic trade show last week definitely had spring on their minds. General sales manager Mike Olson says they talked a lot about what growers need to know to get precision farming equipment ready for the season. “The biggest thing is to get the stuff out early and start going through it,” Mike told me. “You need to bring the monitor out and download all the data from last year, make a back up, and then get it set up for this year. Make sure all your field names are in there, your boundaries, and make sure all your firm ware is updated.”

Mike says updating is important because all companies bring out new features that make things more efficient and easier. Listen to Mike’s interview below and talk to your local Ag Leader dealer for more pre-planting tips.

Commodity Classic Photo Album

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Precision is the name of the game when it comes to farming these days. It’s getting hard to find a farmer anymore who doesn’t use auto steer at the very least – and the options to save resources, time and money just keep growing.

At the New Holland exhibit at Commodity Classic, I talked to Matt Ahrens about some of the products they offer for growers and a program they have that can help farmers see exactly how they can benefit from using different types of precision solutions on their own operations. “We have a website – PutYourFarmOnTheMap – and on that website we have a cost savings calculator and you can go in and put your input costs on their, how much fuel usage per acre depending on implement width, and you can see what kind of savings you can get,” Matt said. “The good thing with that is that it’s their numbers, their input costs, so they get to see what their savings are.”

Matt also demonstrates the new AgGPS® FM-1000™ integrated display working with the Trimble Field-IQ in the video below. You can find out more about New Holland’s product line-up and more on the website PutYourFarmOnTheMap.com.

Commodity Classic Photo Album

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack gave the keynote address during the general session at the 2010 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California on Friday and focused on the achievements of American agriculture.

Comparing agriculture in this country to gold medal winners and hall of fame inductees, Vilsack talked about the amazing productivity of our producers. “These are people who plant 240 million acres of our land, they are the most productive farmers in the world,” Vilsack said. “They help to produce 108 billion pounds of protein a year that feed 300 million Americans and many millions around the world. In my lifetime, they have gone from one farmer feeding 20 folks, to one farmer feeding 150 folks. They’re responsible for a trade surplus at a time when we talk mostly about trade deficits.”

You can definitely give credit to farmers for taking advantage of advancements in precision technology and biotechnology for those accomplishments!

Listen to Vilsack’s speech in the player below.

Commodity Classic Photo Album

Thanks to John Deere for sponsoring our coverage of this year’s Commodity Classic.

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