Thursday April 1 Ag News

CCPPD Plants Seeds of Caution around Power Lines

As farmers make plans to return to their fields for spring planting, Cuming County Public Power District urges farm workers to be particularly alert to the dangers of working near overhead power lines.  Electricity is one of the most overlooked, yet deadly hazards of working on a farm.  According to the National Safety Council, farmers are at an increased risk for electrocution and electric shock injury compared to non-farmers.  In fact, 3.6 percent of youth under the age of 20 who work and/or live around farms are killed each year from electrocution.  CCPPD urges workers to evaluate farm activities and work practices and to share that information with others – an activity that doesn’t take a lot of time but can literally save lives.  By following a few safety rules, these tragic accidents can be prevented.  Start by making sure everyone knows to maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from the lines.

“The minimum 10-foot distance is a 360-degree rule – below, to the side and above lines,” says Willy Anderson, Safety Director at Cuming County PPD.  “Many farm electrical accidents involving power lines happen when loading or preparing to transport equipment to fields, or while performing maintenance or repairs on farm machinery near lines.  It can be difficult to estimate distance and sometimes a power line is closer than it looks.  A spotter or someone with a broader view can help.”

The most common source of electric shocks come from operating machinery such as large tractors with front loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up cultivators, sprayers with large booms, moving grain elevators and any equipment with an antenna.  Handling long items such as irrigation pipe, ladders and rods also pose the risk of contact with power lines.  Coming too close to a power line while working is dangerous because electricity can arc, or “jump,” to conducting material or objects.

Be aware of increased height when loading and transporting tractors on trailer beds. Many tractors are now equipped with radios and communications systems that have very tall antennas extending from the cab that could make contact with power lines. Avoid raising the arms of planters, cultivators or truck beds near power lines and never attempt to raise or move a power line to clear a path.

Remember, non-metallic materials such as lumber, tree limbs, tires, ropes and hay will conduct electricity depending on dampness, dust and dirt contamination.  Do not try to clear storm-damage debris and limbs near power lines or fallen lines.

Overhead electric wires aren't the only electrical contact that can result in a serious incident. Pole guy wires, used to stabilize utility poles, are grounded.  However, when one of the guy wires is broken it can cause an electric current disruption. This can make those neutral wires anything but harmless. If you hit a guy wire and break it, call CCPPD to fix it. Don't do it yourself. When dealing with electrical poles and wires, always call CCPPD.

Even the best laid plans often go awry and CCPPD wants farm workers to be prepared if their equipment does come in contact with power lines.  

“It’s almost always best to stay in the cab and call for help,” Anderson said.  “If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path to the ground and electrocution is the result.  Even if a line has landed on the ground, there is still potential for the area to be energized.  Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until the electric utility arrives to make sure power to the line is cut off.”

Cuming County Public Power District does provide solutions for leaving the cab if necessary, as in the case of fire or electrical fire.

“In that scenario, the proper action is to jump – not step – with both feet hitting the ground at the same time,” Anderson said.   “Do not allow any part of your body to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Hop to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area.”

Once you get away from the equipment, never attempt to get back on or even touch the equipment. Many electrocutions occur when operators try to return to the equipment before the power has been shut off.

Managers should make sure workers are educated on these precautions and danger areas need to be thoroughly identified and labeled.  Call CCPPD or your local utility to measure line height-- no one should attempt this on their own without professional assistance.  Designate preplanned routes that avoid hazard areas and educate other workers on their location.

Farmers may want to consider moving or burying power lines around buildings or busy pathways where many farm activities take place. If planning a new out-building or farm structure, contact CCPPD for information on minimum safe clearances from overhead and underground power lines. And if you plan to dig beyond normal tilling, activities such as deep-ripping or sub-soiling, call 811 to mark underground utilities first.

For more electrical safety information, visit www.ccppd.com  or call the CCPPD office at 402-372-2463.



New FARM Animal Care Guide will help dairies prepare
 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and South Dakota State University Extension have partnered to create a resource binder for dairy producers to prepare for the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Animal Care Program Version 4.

Created by the National Milk Producers Federation in partnership with Dairy Management Inc., the National Dairy FARM Program works with all U.S. dairy farmers, co-ops and processors to demonstrate to dairy customers and consumers that the dairy industry is taking the very best care of cows and the environment, producing safe, wholesome milk and adhering to the highest standards of workforce development.

The purpose of the FARM Animal Care resource guide is to help dairy farms of all sizes prepare for the FARM Animal Care evaluation.

“We knew there was a need for this resource binder. Dairy producers have reached out to us asking how they can prepare for the FARM Animal Care Program evaluation,” said Kim Clark, Extension Dairy Educator at UNL.  

“We wanted to help producers better prepare for and feel confident with the evaluation.”

The resource guide includes resources, tools and standard operating procedures, which can be used to meet each animal care standard set by the National Dairy FARM Program. The binder is divided into sections by topic. Each topic includes a summary sheet to meet that specific standard.

A standard operating procedure template also accompanies each topic with the intent that it can be completed with each dairy farm’s step-by-step processes to meet that standard, or the dairy can develop their own document to meet each standard.

Clark says completing the information in the resource binder does not guarantee each standard is met; it’s only the first step. The FARM Animal Care Evaluator will determine if each standard is met by reviewing documentation and making observations. However, the dairy will be prepared with all the necessary documentation for each standard when the binder is complete.

“Dairy farms of all sizes will benefit from this resource binder,” says Heidi Carroll, SDSU Extension Livestock Stewardship Field Specialist and South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator.

“We want to meet the needs of dairy producers and provide them with the resources to make continuous improvement. This binder is a comprehensive package that processors and field representatives can offer to dairy farms, and it improves communication and clarity about the animal care standards.”

Resource binders can be purchased for $45 plus shipping. Binders can be purchased at the SDSU Bookstore and will be shipped within one to two weeks of ordering. Producers are encouraged to purchase binders now, as FARM Animal Care Evaluators are beginning to return to farms to conduct evaluations and follow-up on any prior evaluation’s corrective actions. Before placing an order for your dairy, farms are encouraged to reach out to their cooperative or FARM evaluator to ensure a copy has not already been purchased for them.

For questions about this resource binder, contact Heidi Carroll at Heidi.Carroll@sdstate.edu or Kim Clark at kimclark@unl.edu.

For more information about the National Dairy FARM Animal Care Program, visit https://nationaldairyfarm.com/.



Selecting Replacement Heifers
Connor Biehler, Beef Systems Asst. Extension Educator

Every year, cow-calf producers make decisions to either buy or keep heifers for the purpose of replacing older or unproductive cull cows. The number of heifers retained or bought can fluctuate based on things such as drought or market prices of feeder cattle and feed commodities, but usually averages around 15-20% of the total herd. The main purpose of replacement heifers is to eliminate thinner cows that are no longer getting bred in a timely fashion and interchange them with younger, more productive females that can generate greater profits over a longer period of time.

Selection of replacements should fall right in line with specific goals of an operation. Replacement females should not be selected on one trait such as a specific phenotype. Similarly, to selecting sires, producers should optimize balance and not attempt to maximize specific traits in females. Most times when a single, specific phenotype is desired and bred for over multiple generations, it ends up causing unintended consequences. For example, if a producer selects for high milk production, it will cause an increase in nutrient requirements prompting a higher feed bill. For every positive action there is an associative negative action, so be sure to not “put all your eggs in one basket” per se.    

There are numerous mindsets when it comes to selecting replacement heifers, but a few things that should be considered in all scenarios include:  
-    Select for low input heifers who possess traits associated with longevity.
-     Evaluate reproductive tract scores. Work with a veterinarian to identify heifers that have narrow pelvises and might have difficulty calving.
-    Select heifers that are older and quicker to reach puberty not just, bigger. Heifers that are born early from the first cycle puts greater emphasis on inherited fertility while allowing for a tight calving interval.
-    Evaluate feet and leg structure and overall conformation. Any problems observed as weanling will only be exacerbated with age and size.  

For more information on Nebraska Beef Extension or selection of replacement heifers reach me at my office (402)624-8007 or follow my twitter page @BigRedBeefTalk for more information on Nebraska Beef Extension.


    
Ranking places UNL at 21st nationally, 55th worldwide, for Ag and forestry programs

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is home to one of the top agriculture and forestry programs in the world, according to the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject. UNL ranks 21st among U.S. Ag and forestry programs and 55th worldwide, according to the rankings, which were released earlier this month.

“Nebraska is the epicenter of agriculture in the United States, a leader in ag innovation and a partner for agricultural and natural resources research taking place all around the world,” said Mike Boehm, NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor of UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “I’m proud of UNL’s longstanding reputation as a leader in agricultural and forestry programs, and I’m excited about the momentum we’re building when it comes to research, teaching and outreach.”

Nebraska is an ideal agricultural laboratory. It is a world leader in agricultural innovation and food production, and the third largest agricultural economy in the United States. It is also home to seven climate zones, which mirror growing conditions in regions throughout the world. Nebraska researchers are at any time working on approximately 300 research projects throughout the state. Because many research faculty members also hold teaching or extension appointments, exciting new discoveries move quickly from the field or laboratory into the classroom and across Nebraska.

UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources graduated its second-largest class its nearly 150-year history in 2020. Also in 2020, the college welcomed its first cohort of Change Maker scholarship recipients. The college’s goal with this program was to hear from students around the world who dare to dream big and do the extraordinary to address local and global issues such as food security, sustainability and water use. Students selected as Change Makers receive a scholarship, are partnered with mentors, are provided the opportunity to make their big ideas a reality, and are connected through a learning community.

“We strive to prepare students to tackle the big challenges facing our growing world,” said Tiffany Heng-Moss, CASNR dean. “CASNR undergraduate programs prepare today's students for tomorrow's greatest local, state, and global challenges around food, energy, water, and societal systems. Our students are inspired to take their development beyond the classroom and make their mark on the world.”

The QS World University Rankings by Subject evaluates institutions based on four metrics: academic reputation; employer reputation; citations per paper; scholarly productivity and impact.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject are prepared by Quacquarelli Symonds, a leading global higher education company.



CHS Expands E15 Availability Through Additional Terminals

CHS Inc., the nation's leading agribusiness cooperative, will expand access to higher ethanol blend fuels by offering E15 through 10 additional fuel terminals starting in April.

CHS is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an E15 manufacturer and sells E15 as an approved grade of fuel through its Cenex brand retail locations.

CHS plans to offer E15 at the following Nustar terminals: North Platte, Neb.; Geneva, Neb.; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Milford, Iowa; Rock Rapids, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Yankton, S.D.; Wolsey, S.D.; Salina, Kan.; and Concordia, Kan.. CHS has offered E15 through its McFarland, Wis., terminal since January 2021.

"As the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, expanding options for ethanol blended fuel is important for our Cenex brand retailers and our farmer-owners," says Akhtar Hussain, director of refined fuels marketing, CHS. "CHS has always been committed to offering ethanol blended flexible fuels throughout its network of 1,450 Cenex brand retail facilities. Expanding access of Cenex brand E15 at these select terminals further demonstrates that commitment."

To make E15 more accessible, CHS has removed barriers for its Cenex brand retail locations by establishing an EPA-approved misfueling mitigation plan and establishing E15 as a qualifying grade of fuel. CHS also owns two EPA-approved ethanol plants in Rochelle and Annawan, Ill.

"CHS is the only refiner that has an EPA-approved misfueling mitigation plan covering an entire retail network. This partnership with Nustar allows us to offer higher ethanol blends in a broader geography across the Cenex retail network," says Hussain.



Iowa's Beef Industry Rolls Out Cattlemen Care Campaign

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) are launching a Cattlemen Care Campaign as a way to highlight the value of beef production in our local communities across the state.  

On March 19, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation declaring the month of April “Meat on the Table Month,” in support of Iowa livestock producers. Gov. Reynolds calls upon Iowans to purchase meat from our many meat and poultry processors or retailers.  

Modern beef production is among the most complex food systems in the world. Cattlemen continually invest time, energy, and resources to further develop their management and marketing skills. Working together, each segment of the beef supply chain aims to enrich the environment through responsible use of natural resources—not just for today, but also for the future. The result is a delicious and nutritious source of protein we can all feel confident in serving family and friends.

Throughout the months of April and May, the Iowa Beef Industry Headquarters invites beef producers and consumers across the state to join our effort in sharing how beef contributes to a healthy diet, and how Iowa’s cattlemen work hard to feed a growing population, while being conscious caretakers of land and resources. We’ll also highlight the integral role local restaurants and food service providers play in helping Iowans celebrate life milestones and cherished memories over exceptional beef entrees. The final pillar of the campaign will focus on cattlemen giving back to their communities.   Beef production today represents time honored traditions with integration of the world’s most advanced technology, resulting in a premium beef product Iowans can celebrate.

We encourage Iowans to join us in sharing the benefits of beef and beef production throughout the months of April and May. 



Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig to Speak on Conservation

Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 7 at noon with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

Naig will discuss conservation, water quality and his vision for Iowa during the webinar. He also will discuss the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and explain how Iowans are working to meet the nitrogen and phosphorus loss reductions outlined in the strategy.

"This is a great opportunity to learn more about the state of conservation and water quality efforts in Iowa, including successes and challenges,” said Hilary Pierce, extension outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms. “We encourage people to watch the webinar live, so that they can submit their questions to Secretary Naig."

Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on April 7:
    Click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.
    Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.
    Or, join from a dial-in phone line: dial +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923; meeting ID 364 284 172.
    The webinar also will be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

Webinar participants will be able to submit questions for Secretary Naig during the webinar through the Zoom software.



USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products February Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 376 million bushels in February 2021. Total corn consumption was down 19 percent from January 2021 and down 22 percent from February 2020. February 2021 usage included 91.0 percent for alcohol and 9.0 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 2.76 million bushels, down 16 percent from January 2021 but up 5 percent from February 2020. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 333 million bushels, was down 20 percent from January 2021 and down 23 percent from February 2020. Corn consumed in February 2021 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90.9 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.41 million tons during February 2021, down 20 percent from January 2021 and down 23 percent from February 2020. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 885,932 tons in February 2021, down 15 percent from January 2021 and down 31 percent from February 2020.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 217,605 tons during February 2021, down 23 percent from January 2021 and down 23 percent from February 2020. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 169,005 tons in February 2021, down 21 percent from January 2021 and down 22 percent from February 2020.

Soybeans:
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.93 million tons (164 million bushels) in February 2021, compared with 5.90 million tons (197 million bushels) in January 2021 and 5.26 million tons (175 million bushels) in February 2020. Crude oil produced was 1.93 billion pounds down 16 percent from January 2021 and down 3 percent from February 2020. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.44 billion pounds during February 2021 decreased 9 percent from January 2021 but increased 1 percent from February 2020.



Number of Grain Bin Entrapments Fell Last Year

A minimum of 35 grain-related entrapments were documented in 2020 in an annual report released in mid-March by the Agricultural Safety and Health Program at Purdue University. Of those, 20 cases ended in fatalities, and 15 were non-fatal.

The number represents a 7.9% decrease from the 38 entrapment cases reported in 2019.

The 35 entrapments documented in 2020 were higher than a running five-year average (31.0 cases per year and was the sixth highest of the past six years.

Nevertheless, the five-year average continues to drop from its peak of 40.4 in 2011.

Of the 2020 entrapments, 57% ended in a fatality, a rate higher than the five year-average.

The state with the most number of grain entrapments in 2020 was Illinois with 10 cases.

Illinois was followed by North Dakota (5), Minnesota (4), Indiana (3), and South Dakota (3).

Overall, entrapments were documented in 11 states, the majority of them in the Midwest.



Finding Funding for New Uses of Corn — A CUTC Special Session

The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to announce a special session of the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) focused on funding for research, development, and commercialization of new uses for corn.  This special session will bring together a panel of experts from both the public and private sectors to discuss funding across the RD&C spectrum from bench level to financing new capital at existing facilities. This free online event is scheduled for 10:00-11:30 Central Time on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

“One of the key aspects of CUTC is to build a community of researchers and other stakeholders who are focused on new technology.  COVID limited our ability to bring this group together, so this session is a good opportunity to have an informational program that is of interest to our entire CUTC audience and keep this community engaged and cohesive,” said Randy DeSutter, Chair of the Sustainable Ag Research Action Team.

Funding is an essential component of innovation at every stage, and the panelists are uniquely suited to address a broad range of funding aspects.  Drs. Valerie Reed and Tim Conner will describe programs at the Department of Energy and the USDA.  Mr. McAfee and Mr. May will provide insights on funding mechanisms in the private sector and how to apply them to  fund business growth and other needs successfully.

“We are very excited to have panelists of such high caliber and think that our audience will be able to learn a great deal regarding funding innovative projects to extend uses for corn,” said DeSutter.

NCGA would like to thank our sponsors, Fluid Quip, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, ITOCHU, Kansas Corn Commission, Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association whose funding has helped make this effort possible.

Additional information, including how to register for the program, can be found at ncga.com/ncyc.



U.S. Dairy Products February 2021 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.04 billion pounds, 1.1 percent above February 2020 but 8.1 percent below January 2021. Italian type cheese production totaled 444 million pounds, 0.9 percent below February 2020 and 7.6 percent below January 2021.  American type cheese production totaled 425 million pounds, 1.6 percent above February 2020 but 10.3 percent below January 2021. Butter production was 186 million pounds, 1.3 percent below February 2020 and 11.5 percent below January 2021.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with February 2020)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 186 million pounds, up 17.1 percent.
Skim milk powder - 29.6 million pounds, down 23.0 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with February 2020)
Dry whey, total - 77.0 million pounds, up 0.7 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 84.2 million pounds, down 3.7 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 37.4 million pounds, up 5.0 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with February 2020)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 55.0 million gallons, up 4.7 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 34.1 million gallons, up 2.6 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.61 million gallons, down 13.8 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.26 million gallons, up 2.5 percent.



USDA Announces April 2021 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced loan interest rates for April 2021, which are effective April 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs.

Operating and Ownership Loans
FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for historically disadvantaged producers, including beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for April 2021 are as follows:
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 1.500%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 2.875%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 2.500%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 2.500%

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low. Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.
    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 1.125%
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:
        Three-year loan terms: 0.250%
        Five-year loan terms: 0.750%
        Seven-year loan terms: 1.250%
        Ten-year loan terms: 1.500%
        Twelve-year loan terms: 1.750%

FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster assistance options.



New X Series manure spreaders and 9016-HD high dump cart offer hard-working features and benefits.

Operators trust Art’s Way Manufacturing equipment to live up to its tagline: How Work Gets Done. That’s why the company is constantly evolving its products to be stronger, smarter and more efficient. New enhancements on Art’s Way X Series manure spreaders and the 9016-HD high dump cart were designed for intuitive operation and built for powerful performance.

X Series manure spreaders
Operators who do the tough jobs want to make sure they’re done right the first time. Recent improvements to Art’s Way X Series manure spreaders help them do just that. Top features include:
1. ISOBUS-compatible rate control system: Gives operators real-time control to adjust application rates and gate height on the go. The exclusive system by Raven Industries Inc. makes it easy to produce readouts, which are designed to fulfill the increasing need for application documentation.
2. Choice of box sizes: Ranges from 500 to 900 cubic feet heaped capacity to meet the needs of a variety of operations. The X500 has a single axle, straight sides and a single apron drive gearbox. The X700 and X900 have tandem axles, dual drive gearboxes and flared sides.
3. Unique vertical beater placement: Sends out a consistent spread behind the machine, reducing the chance of clumps or dead spots when hauling load. The vertical beaters are removable, making it possible to haul forage, silage, snow, compost and hay by simply removing eight bolts and disengaging the driveline.
4. Flared sides: Provide a base for the bucket and a lower loading height. They also deliver extra capacity and prevent spillage compared to competitive spreaders with straight sides.
5. Dependable protection: Peace of mind comes with the X Series with its limited lifetime apron chain warranty. This plan with will repair or replace any defective link or section at no cost for the original purchaser.

“Our X Series manure spreaders are built tough to handle just about anything,” said Art’s Way Engineer Izac Roberts. “These time-tested machines have seen some pretty serious upgrades to offer the edge when it matters most. And if that isn’t enough, we have a limited lifetime warranty on important components, like our apron chain.”

9016-HD high dump cart
The Art’s Way 9016-HD high dump cart can be pulled along a harvester to collect forage, peanuts, sugar beets, corn, soybeans, hemp and more, making it ideal for any operation. Top features include:
1. Lift capacity: Lifts and unload 40,000 lb. — 10,000 lb. over the competition. The massive undercarriage and counterweight establish a wide-stance stability eliminating worry in the unloading process. Adjustable axles ensure proper weight distribution.
2. Versatility: Converts from a right to left dumping machine in a matter of hours. The optional weigh scale system allows operators to easily monitor their load.
3. Exterior frame: Eliminates the chance of materials getting stuck inside the smooth interior.
4. Maneuverability: Provides accessibility where semi-truck hauling is sometimes impossible thanks to two-wheel design. It’s hitch rotation allows for smooth transport to conquer rough terrain and flotation tires help prevent soil compaction.

These robust, industrial features benefit operators. “The new 9016-HD is our biggest one yet, with a capacity of 40,000 pounds. For comparison, our nearest competitor only has a 30,000-pound capacity,” said CEO David King. “And with frame on the outside, there’s no ‘ribcage’ on the inside to trap materials. The result is a reliable, versatile, high-performing powerhouse.”



AGCO and EZ-Drops to Bring Y-Logic Premium Nutrient Delivery System to RoGator Application Sprayers

AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced today a strategic collaboration between its AGCO Parts division and Kirkland, IL-based EZ-Drops. The agreement provides AGCO’s RoGator® dealers in North America exclusive parts access to Y-Logic™, a new dealer-installed premium nutrient delivery system by EZ-Drops for the RoGator LiquidLogic® and legacy liquid systems.

RoGator self-propelled sprayers are used by many North American farmers and custom applicators for highly accurate and efficient fertilizer application, as they implement innovative ways to stretch their fertilizer dollars to make every drop count. "Excess nitrogen negatively affects both the environment and farm profitability. One of the simplest ways to reduce nitrogen without sacrificing yield is to move nitrogen application closer to the time crops need it,” says Darren Goebel, director of Global Agronomy and Farm Solutions at AGCO.

The new nutrient application system with patent-pending quick-attach, pivot-mounts by EZ-Drops is now available at AGCO RoGator dealers for all factory boom sizes up to 120 feet, and all row widths regardless of how nozzle boom spacing is configured. “RoGator is a highly-customizable platform for the farmer and custom applicator, and it’s innovative aftermarket solutions like Y-Logic by EZ-Drops that allow our customers to extract maximum value out of their machine to apply product to the field in the most efficient way possible.” says Nick Scates, parts marketing specialist for Application Equipment at AGCO Parts.

Y-Logic’s efficiencies extend beyond its agronomic benefits and also include easy installation and removal capabilities, which are designed to save operators valuable time. “Y-Logic’s ease of use and accuracy is the new industry standard. This premium system is light weight, folds from the cab, is self-guided by the crop, and the heavy-duty stainless-steel breakaway spring and hydraulic fittings, along with high-wear tips make it durable,” says Andy Blackmer, EZ-Drops co-founder.

When it comes to the performance of the system, it stays on target so well that the manufacturer recommends using half the drops that other systems call for. “We are crop-guided, because our flexible, yet rigid, distribution tubes at the bottom put gentle pressure on the crop and deliver nutrients on target to the base of the plant,” says Jeff Heinsohn, the company’s other co-founder. Because of this, the system is lighter, doesn’t weigh the boom down, and allows for a full boom installation on a system as wide as 120 feet.

Goebel confirms that Y-Logic’s capabilities align with the overall value provided by the RoGator application system: “In-season nitrogen application with Y-Logic by EZ-Drops puts nitrogen where it is needed, when it is needed, maximizing crop yield and minimizing losses to the environment."



Farmobile Awarded U.S. Patent for Farm Data Collection and Exchange System

Farmobile LLC, Agriculture’s Independent Data Company™, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued  U.S. Patent No. 10,963,825, entitled “Farming Data Collection and Exchange System.”

The patent is directed to a cloud-based farming data collection and exchange system capable of capturing, processing and sharing machine-generated data while being used for farming operations, such as fertilizing, planting, spraying or harvesting crops on a field. The patented online system includes a relay device installed in the farming vehicle that automatically receives, stores and processes detailed machine and agricultural data captured by the machine during farming operations.

The patented technology enables real-time collection, tracking, monitoring, sharing and monetizing of critically important farming operation data. As described in the patent, this includes activities such as: how much seed, fertilizer, water and pesticide were used on a particular field; how often the field was treated with a particular chemical; which parts of the field were left untreated; the weather conditions during the farming operation; the equipment used to perform the farming operation; the equipment settings activated and/or deactivated during the farming operation; and which field was treated during the farming operation. The patent claims priority back to the 2013 patent application filed by co-founders and inventors Jason G. Tatge, Heath Garret Gerlock and Randall Thomas Nuss. The patent expires Sept. 22, 2034.

“This latest patent is similar to a patent we have in Canada. It further strengthens the position of our ag data innovations in the U.S. market and re-affirms our ability to unlock the data farmers need to create more value for their farms and, more broadly, the future of the ag-food ecosystem,” said Farmobile CEO Jason Tatge. “When we’re able to leverage high-integrity data as a system-of-record, we not only empower our customers to make better decisions, we help them find additional revenue-generating opportunities with those data sets. For example, as carbon credits become more of a regulatory focus, our customers will be able to use these interoperable data sets to recoup costs based on the sustainability of their operations.”

In addition to this U.S. patent, Farmobile’s patent portfolio continues to grow. In 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office issued the Canadian Patent No. 3076652 (“Distributed Transaction-Based Security and Tracking of Machine and Agronomic Data”) and, in 2019, the USPTO issued U.S. Patent No. 10,491,608 (“Distributed Transaction-Based Security and Tracking of Agricultural Machine and Agronomic Data”) to Farmobile. These patents granted Farmobile the exclusive right to use blockchain (distributed ledger technologies) in Canada and the United States, respectively, to track electronic agricultural data sets through associated exchange transactions.

“We’ll continue to push the boundaries of how data technology can transform agriculture,” said Farmobile Chief Technology Officer Chris Schibi. “When we speak with farmers, ag retailers, agronomists and other ag-food partners, we are consistently seeking ways to help the industry adopt interoperability standards to improve information sharing and operations across third party aggregation systems. With each new patent, Farmobile helps the industry establish a foundation of high-quality, ground-truthed data.”

For more information about Farmobile and the benefits and values of a collect-share-monetize farm data strategy, visit http://www.farmobile.com.