Tuesday July 18 Ag News

 Fly Issues
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Educator

I have heard many people say, in one way or another: “farming and ranching are not for the faint of heart.”  As we receive more precipitation, other issues arise (hopefully wind or moisture damage are not). Yet, this year, a casual drive near any feedlot or cow pasture attracts our attention to cattle bunching and constant swatting of tails, stomping and hide twitching. Were it not for cooler temperatures aided by low humidity or windy conditions; otherwise, with all the bunching and activity, cattle would have been experiencing more severe stress. Thus, fly issues take center stage this year.

Insect experts indicate that, because of moisture conditions this year, the culprit, in confined areas, is the stable fly. Out on the pasture, both stable and horn flies are affecting grazing cattle.

Stable and horn flies both affect cattle behavior and performance by constantly biting areas around the back or legs (horn flies) or mostly belly and legs (stable flies). Horn flies feed while facing upside down while stable flies feed facing right side up. Horn flies nest in fresh cow manure while stable flies lay their eggs in piles of decomposing organic matter (spilled feed and manure piles).

Based to these distinctions, horn flies may not be as big a problem for cattle in feed yards, but stable flies are while, out on pasture, both horn flies and stable flies can be a problem for cows and calves. The effects of biting and constant activity by cattle affected by flies on performance are well known. Up to 12% reduction in feed conversion efficiency was reported.

Because feedlots rely on manure management systems that depend on settling basins and lagoons, and feed may easily decompose in feed storage or delivery areas despite conscious management, the challenge at the feedlot is to control fly populations at breeding spots. Conversely, it is likely that fly breeding areas on cow ranches are dispersed or not at the ranch; therefore, control of fly populations at the ranch may not be focused on breeding spots but rather on adults.

Complicating these issues is the constant concern of fly populations developing resistance to insecticides. An integrated fly control plan should involve rotation of products available to prevent creating resistance in these insect populations.

Yet another complication at this time in the summer is that many preventive measures less likely to cause resistance, such as use of parasitic wasps or other insects and feed-through insecticides, require “adaptation” periods before fly populations explode. These periods are required for the product (insect or feed through insecticide) to populate (insect) or to mix in manure storage areas (feed through insecticide) ahead of the fly population explosion.

This leaves the feedlot operator or rancher with limited intervention choices: spraying cattle, premises, or resting habitat. Cattle sprays such as synthetic or natural pyrethrins to spray cattle provide short-term relief as these products tend to have low residual activity. Spraying adult site resting areas is effective if operators can cover most of these with a residual spray:  windbreaks, tree lanes, weeds, shaded sides of buildings and fringes of crops, fence lines, feed bunks, and inside buildings. Spinosad (Elector PSP among others) and imidacloprid (contained in Quick Bayt or sold under imidacloprid name) insecticides are effective against adult populations of flies. Of these, Spinosad may not cause resistance because of its singular mode of action.

Lastly, although application to manure piles or other sites where stable flies reproduce may make one think it futile because of continuous loading or unloading of these sites (new manure or feed added to the site), certain insecticides such as neporex or rabon have residual activity. For many of these products with residual activity, a weekly check on larvae (maggot) or pupa (encapsulated fly) around areas where manure or feed accumulate will help determine how often to retreat these areas.

Perhaps when it comes to our conflict with flies on livestock or in livestock facilities, we should have the attitude that they have may won a few battles, but we simply cannot let them win the war.



Farmland Values Show Signs of Stabilizing

While cropland continued to gain value in the first half of 2023, Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) reports signs that the real estate market is stabilizing.

FCSAmerica, a financial cooperative, appraises 63 benchmark farms twice a year to monitor trends in real estate in its four-state territory of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. FCSAmerica’s July 2023 Benchmark Farmland Report was released today.

The chart below reflects the average change in value for multiple land types: dryland and irrigated cropland farms, crop-pasture farms and pasture-ranch operations. The number of benchmark farms appraised in each state is indicated in parentheses.

Benchmark values in the first half of 2023 remained strong in markets where the availability of land was limited and were steadier in areas with a consistent supply. Higher quality cropland also supported higher values, while average to below-average ground saw smaller increases. This is indicative of a more stable market.

Values on pasture and ranchland were supported by high demand and limited supply. Since July 2022, South Dakota has seen pasture values rise 12.2%, much of the increase happening in the past six months. Wyoming values are up 15.5% year-over-year. Nebraska pasture, by comparison, is down slightly.

For all agricultural land types, values remain at record highs. The steepest gains occurred in the last half of 2020 through 2021. The market has remained resilient in the past year despite successive interest rate hikes and drought in much of the region.

“The other driver in real estate is farm profitability and the overall financial health of agriculture, which has been extremely strong,” said Tim Koch, executive vice president of business development for FCSAmerica. “Profitability and optimism in agriculture have more than offset the negative pressures created by the increased interest rates.”

Below are state-by-state trends in benchmark farmland values for the first half of 2023:

Nebraska Seven of the state’s 18 benchmark farms increased in value by at least 5%, with two experiencing double-digit hikes, including a northeast Nebraska farm with an 18.3% gain. Nine farms saw little to no change and two declined in value. The year-over-year increase of 8.4% statewide compares to gains of 22.1% and 14.3% in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Iowa Values for 15 of the state’s 21 benchmark farms increased by less than 5%, and four declined slightly. The highest increase was 9.1%, the greatest decline, 6.3%. The overall year-over-year gain of 4.0% compares to increases of 37% and 12.8% in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

South Dakota Values rose by double digits on five of 22 benchmark farms, improving more than 25%. Fifteen farms saw values increase by 5% or less and the remaining two by 5% to 10%. Year-over-year values rose 14% compared to 21% and 17.3% in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Wyoming The benchmark cropland farm experienced no change in value, while the value on the pasture unit increased 1.5%.  

Profit margins continue to tighten because of higher input costs and lower commodity prices. Producers generally are planning for 2023 profits near break-even levels. This could result in a flattening of land values, with some areas possibly seeing a slight decline, Koch said.

“There is lots of liquidity on farm balance sheets and overall leverage is down significantly,” he said. “So even if profit margins, on average, return to break-even levels, the overall financial strength of producers will lead them to stay in the real estate market. We still could see instances of aggressive bidding for the right farm in the right location.”



DR. RONNIE GREEN RECEIVES AWARD OF MERIT, NAYC’S HIGHEST HONOR

Dr. Ronnie Green, former Chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and long-time ag education advocate, was recently selected by Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC) members to receive the Council’s highest honor, the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute’s (NAYI) Award of Merit. Green’s award was presented during a special NAYI awards luncheon on July 12 at UNL’s East Campus Union in Lincoln. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) oversees NAYC and NAYI.

“Throughout his distinguished career, Ronnie Green has mentored, encouraged and inspired countless students to learn about agriculture and consider careers in the ag industry,” said NAYC Advisor Christin Kamm. “This Award of Merit is a token of our appreciation to Dr. Green for his constant support of agriculture, education and the next generation of ag leaders.”

Green grew up on a farm in southwest Virginia. He continued his agricultural studies earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in animal science from Virginia Tech and Colorado State University, respectively. His doctoral program was completed jointly at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in animal breeding and genetics.

In 2010, Green was chosen to lead UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Green then became UNL’s chief academic officer, and, in May 2016, Green became UNL’s 20th chancellor, a role he said has been the pleasure and privilege of a lifetime.

“Dr. Green is dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate about agriculture and has built a legacy in education that is reflected in the faces of NAYI delegates, NAYC members, Nebraska ag leaders, and numerous others who chose careers in agriculture,” said Kamm. “We want to thank Ronnie for his years of service and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Scholarships Awarded to Youth
Scholarships in the amount of $500 each were awarded to two recent high school graduates who participated in NAYI this year as returning delegates. Returning delegates have additional responsibilities during NAYI designed to enhance leadership abilities and organizational skills.

The two scholarship recipients are Conner Snyder of McCook and Caleb Burnside of Stapleton. These two students are planning to attend the University of Nebraska this fall and be a part of CASNR.

NAYI is a week-long event for high school juniors and seniors interested in agriculture. NAYI includes motivational speakers, ag education, networking with peers and industry leaders, leadership experience and information on ag careers. In its 52nd year, NAYI is the longest running program of its kind in the nation.

NAYI is made possible through generous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. To learn more about NAYC or NAYI, visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/.



Green Plains Announces Technology Collaboration

Omaha-based Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) has announced a technology collaboration with Equilon Enterprises LLC (Shell). This collaboration allows for Green Plains Inc. via Fluid Quip Technologies’ precision separation and processing technology (MSC™) to be used with Shell Fiber Conversion Technology (SFCT). The two technologies will combine fermentation, mechanical separation and processing, and fiber conversion into one platform. This has the potential to create a new process to liberate all available Distillers Corn Oil currently bound in the fiber fraction of the corn kernel, generate cellulosic sugars for production of low-carbon ethanol, and enhance and expand available high protein to produce high-quality ingredients for global animal feed diets. The start of the collaboration dates back to early 2021, after Green Plains completed the acquisition of Fluid Quip Technologies.

“We believe this strategic partnership with Shell will add significant value to our biorefinery platform, potentially ushering in a new era of agricultural processing that maximizes outputs of low-carbon fuels and feedstocks for higher-value markets,” said Todd Becker, Green Plains President and CEO. “MSC is the ideal mechanical separation technology to pair with Shell’s cutting-edge fiber conversion technology, which affirms the quality of the technology portfolio that Green Plains owns and controls through its acquisition of Fluid Quip. This positions MSC as a leading agricultural and biological precision separation technology platform to be used globally.”

Green Plains’ biorefinery in York, Nebraska is the location for both the MSC pilot plant and the SFCT demonstration facility, which will demonstrate the scalability of this technology. Commissioning is expected in 2024 and recruitment efforts are currently underway. Green Plains Innovation infrastructure will be used to accelerate the animal feed validation process.

“We are very pleased to see the construction of our SFCT demo facility underway and look forward to taking our technology to the next stage in collaboration with Green Plains and the deployment of their MSC technology,” said Sinead Lynch, SVP for Low Carbon Fuels at Shell.

Following successful demonstration of the combined technology, and subject to positive final investment decisions, Green Plains and Shell will look for potential opportunities to take this technology platform forward through commercial deployment, beginning with one of Green Plains’ existing MSC facilities, with protein products used and distributed within Green Plains animal nutrition platform, and energy-based low carbon feedstocks and products managed by Shell.



CAP Webinars upcoming

Ag Law in the U.S. Supreme Court
Jul 27, 2023 12:00 PM
Dave Aiken, Professor and Agricultural/Water Law Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This webinar will examine three 2023 decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that are related to agriculture. The first is the California Proposition 12 case, dealing with limiting meat imports into California. Next is another wetlands case dealing with what constitutes Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS. Finally, we will consider a property tax forfeiture case, which will have important implications in Nebraska.

2023 Nebraska Custom Rates Related to Livestock Services
Aug 3, 2023 12:00 PM
Glennis McClure, Extension Farm and Ranch Management Specialist
Jim Jansen, Extension Agricultural Economist

This year marks the first publication of results from a survey of operators and providers for custom service rates related to livestock in Nebraska.

The survey report is divided into sections based on the types of custom services, which include common custom livestock services, custom feed preparation and delivery charges, custom land/pasture maintenance services, fencing and trenching, livestock hauling, haying and baling, equipment rental, and manure hauling and application.

Most services list the number of reported responses, the average reported rate and a range that reflects the minimum and maximum rates reported. Reported rates include charges for the use of necessary equipment, fuel, labor and supplies provided by the custom operator.

This webinar will review the new report, how the information was gathered, and how operators and providers can use the data when deciding on rates.

See the report at https://cap.unl.edu/customrates/livestock.

Register for the webinars here:  https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



 ALEC hosts wide-ranging CASE food science training for Nebraska ag teachers  

Summertime provides an opportunity for teachers to recharge their mental batteries through professional development. Twenty agricultural education teachers from Nebraska and five other states recently gathered in Wayne for such a recharge through intensive multi-day training in food science.

The Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosted the training at Wayne High School, with instructors from around the country. The five in-person sessions, held daily in June followed by two days of virtual training and interaction, were the latest in ALEC’s annual summer training sessions through the national Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) program.

Educators at the Wayne event received advanced instruction and hands-on training in food storage, handling and preparation. The CASE training also focused on the food system’s relationships with individuals and communities and the connections to the global economy.  

In one lab session, the educators teamed up to create different batches of soda biscuits, then tested the pH to determine how the changes affected pH, texture and taste. In another session, nutrient and calorie analysis of different beverages was the focus. Another lab experience involved varying the key ingredients in a cookie recipe, seeing how the changes affected taste, flavor, texture and aroma.

The training and interaction with fellow ag teachers “strengthened my abilities as an educational professional in regard to curriculum development, classroom management and professional interactions,” said Toni Rasmussen, an agricultural educator with Wayne Community Schools who has taught food science for four years.  

“This course gives me a better curriculum source and better scaffolding as I teach the course in the future,” she said. “In classroom management, I gained ideas on how to organize my classroom and the materials that go with this class.”

She and Caleb tenBensel, an agriculture educator with Broken Bow Public Schools, noted the value from collaboration among the participating teachers. Building relationships with professionals from across the nation during the training “has been a refreshing experience and has given me new ideas for activities that can be implemented in my own program,” tenBensel said.  

The CASE event, he said, “provided an opportunity to enrich my personal teaching strategies, gain practical experience in delivering industry-relevant content, and the ability to network with professionals from across the nation. In our lab groups, we were able to evaluate the curriculum and share ideas for how we may modify lessons to best suit our individual needs and/or potential Extension activities that could be incorporated.”  

The units and lessons for the CASE training were: introduction to food science; food chemistry; food safety; processing and preservation; food health and security; preference and product availability; and food product development.

ALEC has hosted CASE sessions each summer in Nebraska since 2011, with the exception of the COVID years of 2020-21. CASE training focuses each year on a different ag-education subject. Topics include animal science, plant science, environmental science issues, ag equipment maintenance and technology, and agricultural research and development.  

In Nebraska, the training sessions since 2011 “have allowed nearly 200 classroom teachers to gain hands-on experience in utilizing the CASE curriculum,” said Monty Larsen, an ALEC faculty lecturer who provides outreach support for Nebraska agricultural and skilled technical science educators.  

“I enjoyed the hybrid format of this CASE Institute, with five days of in-person instruction and then another two conducted virtually,” tenBensel said. “During our time on-site we were able to walk through each individual lesson and place ourselves in the same mindset as our students. This allowed us to anticipate potential sources of concern or confusion that may arise in the classroom.”

The CASE approach addresses a range of concerns that beginning teachers often face in managing the classroom. The training helped greatly, tenBensel said, by providing “an approximate timeline of lessons, materials needed to complete each lesson, student worksheets and teacher notes, rubrics, methods of assessment, and other supplementary tools designed to support the teacher.”

Abigail Lutjelusche, an ALEC teaching major from Columbus, Nebraska, said she found great value in attending the event. Knowing the complications she will likely encounter as a beginning ag educator “allows me to think through how I wish to offset them and what to do if, and when, they arise,” she said.  

The CASE institute was well structured, said Lutjelusche, who is minoring in Animal Science and aiming to graduate in December 2024. “The ability to conduct each lesson helped me to see how an effective classroom environment functions,” she said. “It has been eye-opening to hear the other teachers place themselves in the shoes of students and express their potential concerns with the curriculum. Building off that, seeing the way we all offered suggestions for improvement and worked together to come up with substitutions, modifications, improvements, etc., was phenomenal.”

Attending the CASE event “allowed me to dive headfirst into the family that agricultural education is, and it’s something that I am truly grateful for,”  Lutjelusche said. “The ‘real’ teachers all welcomed me with open arms, offering advice and support. I cannot express how truly appreciative I am of the way that the ag ed family supports one another.”  



Iowa Reaches Milestone on Wind-Energy Production

Sixty-four percent of Iowa's energy production now comes from wind - a new record for the state, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Green-energy advocates call it a big step along the road to fossil-fuel independence.

Iowa has been a wind-energy leader for decades, but the Iowa Environmental Council Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt said the IEC has a goal of becoming fossil-fuel independent by 2035.

"The energy mix in Iowa has shifted from being dominated more by coal with some natural gas," said Schmidt, "to being dominated by wind with a much smaller fraction of coal and natural gas."

The IEC contends that wind is the least expensive source of energy generation, even without considering tax credits or subsidies, and says it is dramatically lower than the costs of coal - especially when accounting for factors such as human health and crop damage from fossil fuel-based energy production.

Large utility companies such as MidAmerican Energy have entered the renewable-energy marketplace but have not moved completely away from fossil-fuel backups.

Alternative-energy producers have faced stiff challenges in Iowa because the land has traditionally been so valuable for agriculture production.

To even install wind turbines, the land has to have what is known as a low corn suitability ratio, which means the acreage will be more valuable to wind farmers than it is to corn farmers.



National Renewable Energy Laboratory Releases Assessment of BQ-9000 Biodiesel Properties for 2022

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released its Assessment of BQ-9000 Biodiesel Properties for 2022 with more data collected than ever before. The annual report is produced under the direction of Clean Fuels Alliance America to document the quality of biodiesel from U.S. and Canadian-based producers that participate in the industry’s voluntary quality assurance program, BQ-9000.

Participants provided monthly data on critical quality parameters to a team of experts who anonymized the data to NREL for statistical analysis. The data collected for 2022 suggests a higher level of quality of BQ-9000 biodiesel for users that blend with petroleum diesel across the U.S., meaning biodiesel production well exceeds the current ASTM specification limits.

Clean Fuels Technical Director Scott Fenwick said the annual assessment is used by entities such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to validate biodiesel quality while supporting the clean fuels industry.

“The results of this assessment have led to the improvement of biodiesel spec ASTM D6751-23,” said Fenwick. “These improvements have allowed major fleets to switch to biodiesel to meet carbon reduction goals and will likely lead to higher blend approvals for some OEMs in the future.”

You can access the full assessment by visiting www.NREL.gov.



WABASH VALLEY RESOURCES STATEMENT ON EPA'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF DRAFT CARBON STORAGE PERMITS

On Friday, July 7, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent to issue two carbon storage injection well permits for a world-scale ammonia fertilizer production facility in Indiana.

"The carbon storage permits are an important milestone that brings the United States closer to industrial-scale, domestic, environmentally friendly ammonia production and moves America's farmers closer to fertilizer independence." said Greg Zoeller, Wabash Valley Resources' vice president of external affairs.

Zoeller added, "The EPA's issuance of the two draft Class VI permits for carbon storage validates our investment to date and our more than five years of research and testing to verify the geology of the injection well sites as suitable for permanent carbon sequestration."

The WVR facility will be Indiana's only ammonia fertilizer plant, producing 500,000 metric tons (MT) of anhydrous ammonia annually. This equals a significant portion of the current annual usage within the Eastern Corn Belt.  Using low-carbon ammonia increases the value of corn and ethanol in clean fuel jurisdictions (e.g., California) and increases market access internationally (e.g., Japan). The region's current supply of ammonia has a high-carbon intensity, which may reduce the competitiveness of corn growers using such ammonia.

In 2019, the Indiana General Assembly identified WVR as Indiana's pilot project for commercial demonstration of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology. WVR will liquefy, inject, and permanently store CO2 in subsurface rock formations at depths of nearly a mile (between 4,000 and 5,000 feet).

With an investment of $1 billion, the project will create hundreds of union construction jobs and high-paying permanent jobs.

"We thank the U.S. Department of Energy and the Indiana General Assembly for their support and vision. This is great news for the people of the Wabash Valley, the agricultural community, and the state of Indiana," Zoeller concluded.



CLAAS Introduces Two New Tractor Lines and Expands Options on a Third

CLAAS is excited to introduce their latest tractor lines: the XERION 12.650 and 12.590, the ARION 660, 650 and 630, as well as row-crop friendly options on the AXION 960 TT and 930 TT. These machines have been developed with extensive input from North American farmers for exceptional productivity, efficiency and comfort. As a leader in the production of tractors, combines, forage harvesters, balers and hay tools, CLAAS is recognized worldwide for its exceptional engineering and farmer-focused solutions.

"With innovative features and a bold design, these tractors will become the go-to choice for farmers looking to take their productivity to the next level,” says Frans Reijmers, CLAAS North America Product Manager – Tractors. “We have taken into account the valuable input our customers have given us, and we are excited to see how these tractors will deliver on their needs."

The newest models in the manufacturer’s impressive tractor lineup are the XERION 12 Series and the ARION 600 Series, both of which have been designed to offer exceptional capacity and operational comfort in their product ranges. The XERION boasts power, durability, efficiency and comfort, vaulting it to the top of the class in the high-horsepower 4x4 range. The ARION is an excellent choice for those who require a sturdy and efficient tractor capable of handling many challenging tasks. Whether looking to maximize productivity or optimize performance, CLAAS has poured every ounce of ingenuity and know-how into building a lineup that turns heads – full of clever features that help do the work for you while offering a variation of power for any application.

UNMATCHED HYDRAULIC FLOW, SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER AND EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT: THE XERION 12 SERIES
When the CLAAS XERION tractor lineup was first introduced in North America nearly a decade ago, its fixed-frame design, CVT transmission and quiet, comfortable cab were clear differentiators in a category filled with manually shifted, articulated alternatives. The all-new XERION 12 Series still gets its inspiration from the original 5000/4000 models, but everything about it is bigger – built to tackle the largest air seeders, tillage equipment and grain carts the industry has to offer.

The new tractors are available with an incredible 653- or 585-hp engine. That power, coupled with an industry-leading hydraulic flow rate of 140 gallons per minute, makes the XERION 12 Series the perfect tractor for today’s modern commercial farm. It also comes standard with a purpose-built continuously variable transmission (CVT) – the only one available in its horsepower range. A new, heavy-duty axle system has replaced the earlier series to handle higher horsepower and heavier loads.  

When it comes to driving on the road or working in the field, producers now have the option of ordering the new XERION 12 Series with 36- or 30-inch TERRA TRAC units on all four corners. This option helps reduce ground pressure, prevent compaction, lessen vibration and increase traction. If wheels are what you prefer, 800/70 R42 duals are available with a footprint of up to 42 inches.

Finally, the capacity of the XERION 12 Series is not limited to horsepower and hydraulic flow. The capacity inside the cab is also of note, with more than 20 percent additional legroom than its previous models. Supported by a four-point suspension and a sound-dampening design for added comfort, the cab is not just a workspace, it’s a space that works.

VERSATILITY IN A POWERFUL, REFINED PACKAGE: THE ARION 600 SERIES
The ARION 660, 650 and 630 multipurpose tractors are efficient and comfortable options for producers looking to handle a long list of tasks. Available in a horsepower range of 165- to 205-hp and equipped with a continuously variable CMATIC transmission, the ARION 600 Series offers superior fuel economy for mowing, tedding, raking, baling, loading, filling, tilling, cleaning, spreading, hauling and feeding – just to name a few. With a maximum transport speed of 31 mph and a lift capacity of 17,600 pounds, the ARION 600 Series is capable of making short work of many chores on the farm or ranch.

ARION also offers a four-point suspension for a smoother ride, along with a front PTO and three-point hitch. When used in conjunction with the CLAAS FL150 hydraulic self-leveling loader, the ARION can lift 7,546 pounds of material up to 15 feet high.

A highly spacious, ergonomically designed cab is available for superior operator comfort and excellent visibility. Its 12” CEBIS touchscreen display puts essential controls at the operator’s fingertips. The combination of versatility, power and comfort make the ARION the perfect all-around workhorse.

UPGRADED ROW CROP OPTIONS: AXION 900 TT SERIES
CLAAS has introduced a new option for the AXION 900 TT lineup, first released last year. The AXION 900 TT – TERRA TRAC option – is now available on 18-inch belts on 88- and 120-inch centers, in addition to the previous track widths of 25, 29 and 35 inches. The AXION 960TT and 930TT models, which are equipped with a four-mode, continuously variable CMATIC transmission, offer 445 and 355 hp, respectively.

“We are excited to bring these latest technologies to the market, with a focus on strength and efficiency,” says Eric Raby, Senior Vice President ­– Americas, for CLAAS. “The introduction of the new XERION and ARION tractor lines and row-crop technology for our AXION line adds game-changing productivity for farmers throughout North America.



Case IH WD5 Series Windrowers Now Support Honey Bee® WSC Draper Heads

For small grain and canola producers, consistency and efficiency are keys to a successful harvest. To help growers achieve reliable results, Case IH announces a collaboration with Honey Bee® Manufacturing to allow WSC draper heads to connect to Case IH WD5 series self-propelled windrowers. Honey Bee brings their draper head technology for greater capacity, which maximizes efficiency across a range of conditions.

“This collaboration unlocks the draper potential of the WD5 series windrowers for small grain and canola producers,” said Brian Spencer, Case IH marketing manager for hay and forage products. “It’s vitally important producers have the tools they need to adapt and produce consistent results during swathing. The Honey Bee draper heads for self-propelled windrowers help operators take control with exceptional cutting in a simple, reliable design.”

Using easy in-cab control of two shifting decks, operators can deliver crop left, right or center with the double swath option. Additionally, the SCH Easy Cut system provides smooth cutting action. The Honey Bee draper heads also eliminate gouging and crop scuffing with adjustable castering gauge wheels.

These new draper heads save time moving from field to field with integrated transport. This allows for quick and convenient field to road conversion, so operators spend more time in the field.

“Every minute a machine sits idle cuts into producers’ bottom lines,” Spencer said. “The Honey Bee draper heads include heavy-duty rollers for a longer service life. They can also quickly replace reel fingers with only pliers and a wrench to get the equipment back in the field faster.”



New Holland Launches New Durabine™ 413 PLUS Disc Header for Speedrower® PLUS Windrowers

New Holland Agriculture North America has introduced the new Durabine™ 413 PLUS disc header for Speedrower® PLUS Series self-propelled windrowers. The new header features a cut width of 13’ 1” (4.0 m), offering customers a new head size option to choose from to fit their needs. It also provides greater maneuverability, fast dry down time and close cutting.

“The new Durabine 413 PLUS compliments our Durabine™ Series disc header lineup well by offering customers a new choice to enhance productivity and provide greater maneuverability on-road and in-field,” says Melissa Kelly, livestock & dairy segment lead for New Holland Agriculture North America. “When combined with the productivity, precision and performance of our Speedrower® PLUS Series self-propelled windrowers, customers will have a fast-moving and fast-mowing combination.”

Built in New Holland, Pennsylvania, the Durabine 413 PLUS disc header features the same cutterbar and conditioning systems featured on the Discbine® 313 PLUS center-pivot disc mower-conditioners.

“We’re utilizing proven, commercial-grade components like the MowMax™ II PLUS modular cutterbar and the 125-inch-wide (3175 mm.) chevron-pattern steel or rubber conditioning rolls to give haymakers a new option for more productivity,” says Josh Harkenrider, commercial hay & forage product marketing manager for New Holland Agriculture North America. “Windrower owners with sickle headers in search of greater capacity and center-pivot disc mower-conditioner owners looking to step up to a windrower without upgrading other equipment like their rake now have a new option to consider.”

With a cutting width of 13’ 1” (4.0 m), the MowMax II PLUS modular cutterbar delivers the cleanest, closet cut yet from New Holland. To ensure as much crop is cut as possible, a cutting height as low as half an inch (12.7 mm) is achievable, just like the rest of the Durabine PLUS Series. To save customers’ valuable time, the QuickMax™ knife-change system is standard along with the ShockPRO™ hubs for added protection. As a result of its size, the Durabine 413 PLUS has an overall width of just 13’ 6” (4.11 m).

“It’s perfect for traveling down tight roadways, entering through gates at the field and maneuvering in small fields or around obstacles,” Harkenrider says.

From the cutterbar, crop is transferred directly into a 125-inch-wide (3175 mm.) chevron-pattern steel or rubber roll conditioning system without requiring an auger.

“The cutterbar and conditioning system widths provide a cut-to-conditioning ratio that promotes fast dry down,” Harkenrider adds. “In light or late-season crops, operators can also swap the sheaves to slow the rolls from 750 rpm to 640 rpm, just like the Discbine PLUS Series center-pivot disc mower-conditioners.”

Easy access to the cutterbar and drive components makes maintenance simple. Like a Discbine® 313 PLUS center-pivot disc mower-conditioner, the Durabine 413 PLUS also has poly bifold upper shields that are easy to lift and impact resistant to avoid dents from foreign objects. The roll drive door is made from durable poly and has a steel plate at the bottom for added protection. Material overlap keeps the curtains in place without clips or magnets.



Register Now for the 2023 Angus Convention

With the theme of “Experience Angus Convention”, this year’s convention promises unparalleled educational opportunities, industry insight and a solutions-based trade show. Registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2023 Angus Convention, the premier event for cattle producers and industry professionals.

This year’s Angus Convention will take place from Nov. 3 to 6 at Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. For the first time, Angus Convention will be held in the Southeast.

“While the average consumer may think of beaches and amusement parks when they think of Florida, we know the state is rich cow country,” said Mark McCully, chief executive officer of the American Angus Association.

Attendees can look forward to a lineup of engaging sessions, renowned speakers and interactive workshops. Not to mention the large variety of tours this year makes it a family-focused event.

Sign up for the National Angus Tour to learn more about Florida’s cattle industry or attend Beef Blitz to get a closer look at how beef makes its way to consumers. Other tours being offered include Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, Wild Florida and more. “Being in Florida, we knew that members might want to bring their families for a few days to experience the sights,” said Caitlyn Brandt, director of events and junior activities.

The first gathering of all attendees will be at the Grand Opening of the trade show on Friday evening. One of the highlights of the general sessions will be a session focused on genomics. “Genomics has transformed how we think about breeding cattle today. But it’s not just the Angus world that has seen change,” said McCully.

Throughout this year’s Angus Convention, educational sessions will introduce topics for attendees to learn more about production practices, new technologies and marketing. Angus University sessions on Sunday morning are designed to pique the interest of any size cattlemen from across the country.

With production topics like Artificial Insemination (AI) best practices, fly control and parasite resistance, association members are encouraged to invite their commercial cattleman customers. “The convention isn’t just for Angus breeders,” said Brandt. “All users of Angus genetics will find something of interest.”

Early bird registration for Angus Convention 2023 is now open, with discounted rates available for those who register before July 31. Attendees can visit the official convention website at www.angusconvention.com to secure their spots and access additional information about the event, including the schedule, tours, accommodations, and exhibitor details.



FarmSense Selected as a Top Finalist in Bayer's Prestigious Grants4Tech Pest Monitor Challenge

Today, agtech startup FarmSense, announces its selection as a top finalist (one of three) in Bayer's 2023 Grants4Tech Pest Monitor Challenge. A global competition, FarmSense has been invited to the four-day finalist event, which will be held in Germany September 4th-8th, 2023 to demonstrate the capabilities of its FlightSensor™.

Bayer describes the goal of the competition as a search for "novel technologies to detect and identify above and/or below ground pests in crops at an early infestation stage, enabling an optimized application of crop protection solutions." [Source]

"The FarmSense team is thrilled to be named a top three finalist in Bayer's 2023 Grants4Tech Pest Monitor Challenge. We're confident that our FlightSensor has the potential to transform the agriculture industry and we're excited to demonstrate those capabilities to everyone involved in the competition," said Dr. Leslie Hickle, FarmSense co-founder and CEO.

During the event the three finalists will demonstrate their technology capabilities for Bayer leadership, multiple media outlets, and representatives from industry leaders, startups, and research institutions. The winner will be announced on the final day of the event. A secondary monetary prize will be awarded to finalists who's solution fulfills an additional list of stringent criteria established by Bayer's review panel. Lastly, finalists who demonstrate a promising and convincing solution will be considered by Bayer for further collaboration and implementation.

FarmSense's award-winning FlightSensor™ utilizes patented technology, computational entomology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time analytics to improve insect monitoring and crop management efforts. The FlightSensor is a revolutionary step forward in pest management, saving growers time, labor, money, and reducing the need for pesticide use while improving crop yield.

About FarmSense: Founded in 2016, FarmSense helps farmers simplify pest management and take the guesswork out of insect monitoring. The company's patented technology, using their FlightSensor™, provides real-time insect counts and classifications, giving immediate access for farmers to make mission-critical decisions on crop and pest control.