Archive for May, 2009

New Holland’s experimental hydrogen-powered NH tractor is a key element in a project that hopes to free farmers from the cost of purchased fossil-fuel and allow them to achieve fuel autonomy.

The concept is a natural fit with New Holland’s Clean Energy Leader position, which saw the company lead the industry with its support for 100 percent biodiesel without complicated servicing programs or reduced machine performance.

Based on the popular New Holland T6000 Series tractor, the experimental NH tractor replaces the traditional combustion engine with hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. Compressed hydrogen drawn from a tank on the tractor reacts in the fuel cell with oxygen, drawn from the air, to produce water and electrons. The electrons are harnessed in the form of an electric current, which drives electric motors to power the tractor’s drivetrain and auxiliary systems.

More than just an idea, the NH tractor is a 106 hp working prototype able to perform all the tasks of a T6000 tractor, while operating virtually silently and emitting only heat, vapor and water. The fuel cell generates less heat than an internal combustion engine, offers a consistent output of power and does not produce polluting nitrogen oxides, soot particles or carbon dioxide. The clean operation of the tractor brings added health benefits when working in confined areas, such as barns or greenhouses.

Hydrogen-powered vehicles have been in development for several years, offering many benefits over battery-driven vehicles, which are efficient only in a stop-and-start cycle and take a long time to recharge. The working cycle of agricultural vehicles is similar to a car running on the highway at a constant speed.

Vehicles powered by hydrogen overcome these obstacles by using a compressed-hydrogen fuel to feed automotive fuel cells to generate electricity.

Fuel cells have a long working life and avoid the environmental issues of disposing of batteries, which lose their accumulation capacity during their life. Energy-dense compressed hydrogen can be stored conveniently in a tank, allowing the energy to be stored for an extremely long period and the vehicle to be refuelled quickly.

For more information on New Holland products, contact your local New Holland dealer or visit the New Holland Web site at www.newholland.com/na.

Syngenta Crop Protection has announced that Quilt Xcel fungicide received a Section 3 registration from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Quilt Xcel is a systemic fungicide containing the Power of Two active ingredients to provide both curative and preventive disease control. As the next evolution of elite systemic fungicides, Quilt Xcel offers growers a new standard for long-lasting control of challenging diseases and optimized Plant Performance.

“As the global leader in fungicide development, we are excited to offer the best choice for the most advanced disease control” said Jamie Eichorn, fungicide brand manager with Syngenta Crop Protection. “With Quilt Xcel, our goal is to protect the investment the grower has already made with seed and crop protection inputs, and to help maximize his yield through broader-spectrum disease control and optimized Plant Performance.”

Quilt Xcel offers long-lasting residual control and broad-spectrum disease control, while optimizing the benefits of Plant Performance. These benefits can lead to healthier plants that produce higher yields due to enhanced drought tolerance and better photosynthetic efficiency essential to maximizing yield.

In addition to corn, Quilt Xcel received registration on almonds, bananas, berries, bulb vegetables, carrots, celery, cereals, cranberries, filberts, grasses, mint, pecans, pistachios, rice, sorghum, soybeans, stone fruits, strawberries, and tree nuts.

More information is available from your sales representative, by calling the Syngenta Customer Center at 866-SYNGENTA (866-796-4368), or by visiting www.farmassist.com.

Onset Computer Corporation, the world’s leading supplier of data loggers, has introduced the HOBO U30/NRC Weather Station Starter Kit, a new weather monitoring kit that combines the company’s most rugged, research-grade data logging weather station with a suite of plug-and-play weather sensors.

Ideal for agricultural research, ecology studies, wind monitoring, and other applications, the new weather station kit provides a number of key advantages, including:

Plug-and-play performance: The U30/NRC accepts up to 10 plug-and-play weather smart sensors that can be simply plugged in to the logger and automatically recognized without complicated wiring, programming, or calibration.

Weatherproof design: All system electronics are tightly integrated within a NEMA 6-rated, double weatherproof enclosure ensuring years of dependable operation in harsh environmental conditions.

Easy data retrieval: With the optional HOBO U30 Shuttle, data from U30/NRC systems can quickly and safely be offloaded in the field and downloaded to a PC or Mac for analysis with HOBOware Pro software.

The HOBO U30/NRC Weather Station Starter Kit includes a HOBO U30/NRC data logger, a solar panel for recharging the battery, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction sensors, and a solar radiation shield. It is available immediately from Onset and is priced at $1,400.

Visit Onset on the Web at http://www.onsetcomp.com.

Producers who’ve been waiting to purchase the latest in high horsepower row crop tractors can now take advantage of outstanding financing opportunities on top models available from AGCO Tractors, Challenger and Massey Ferguson now through June 30, 2009.

Dealers across the country are offering financing as low as zero percent for 60 months on selected models including the Challenger MT500B, MT600B and MT600C row crop tractors; Massey Ferguson 6400, 7400, 8400 and 8600 Series row crop tractors; as well as the AGCO RT and DT Series high horsepower row crop tractors. In addition to the no-interest finance rate, other options include finance waivers plus a cash incentive or low lease payments.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for producers looking for great deals on purchasing some of the industry’s most powerful and reliable row crop tractors,” says Jason Hoult, Product Marketing Manager at AGCO Corp. “Dealers are ready and prepared to work with growers who’ve been holding off on buying the high horsepower tractor they need. In most cases growers will be able to take immediate delivery from dealer inventory and get right to work with their new machine.”

These special offers combined with a broad offering of tractors, including the newest models introduced in February, make it a perfect time to buy horsepower, clean-air technology, innovation and comfort that can be put to work during small grain harvest and through the busy crop production season.

Lease programs on the same models also are available with similar low rates for growers who prefer leasing over purchase as a cash flow and capital management option. These special programs are available through AGCO Finance which offers comprehensive financing programs to meet the individual needs of customers.

Whether a customer chooses to purchase, lease or rent equipment, AGCO Finance can provide a competitive solution to help professional farmers acquire the right equipment to help them grow their business and also improve their management of cash flow and credit lines.

For more information on this offer and financing available on other tractors and equipment, visit your local dealer or http://www.dealsfromchallenger.com, http://www.masseyferguson.com or http://www.agcoiron.com. Each site provides financing and special offer details along with a comprehensive listing of products available and an easy-to-use dealer locator.

All offers are subject to AGCO Finance credit approval. See your dealer for details, other financing options and eligibility requirements. Offers subject to change and available for equal payments only. AGCO reserves the right to terminate the program without notification.

John Deere has announced it has expanded its remanufactured component product line to include the popular 4.5L, 6.8L and 6.9L Tier 3 complete block assemblies (CBAs), with corresponding complete running engines slated for availability this fall.

These engines are remanufactured by John Deere Reman at its Springfield, Mo.,, facility.

The remanufactured 4.5L Tier 3 engines provide a replacement option for John Deere 6030, 6030 Premium and 5M Series Tractors. The remanufactured 6.8L Tier 3 engines service John Deere 7030 Series Tractors, 9560 and 9570 Combines, the 9970 Cotton Picker and 30 Series Self-Propelled Sprayers. The remanufactured 9.0L Tier 3 engines are a replacement option for 8030 and 9030 Series Tractors and other equipment. Each of these engines also covers a variety of OEM applications.

According to Stacy Schroeder, product marketing manager with John Deere Reman, these remanufactured engines are an excellent replacement option for a long list of John Deere models as well as other equipment. “Both complete block assemblies and complete running engines from Reman provide customers with readily available, reliable and economical engine replacement options that can get them back into the field faster than other service alternatives,” Schroeder says.

“In addition, our remanufactured complete engines satisfy all engine performance and Tier 3 emissions specifications. The CBAs come with a one year, unlimited-hour warranty and the complete running engines come with a John Deere warranty of two years or 2,000 hours, which provides customers with even greater peace of mind,” he notes. “Additionally, the money customers save by choosing Reman helps them realize a lower cost of ownership over the life of their machine.”

Each Reman CBA includes cylinder block, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshaft, cylinder head assembly, oil pump and complete gasket set. Complete running engines add fuel and air packages along with the other engine components, and are dyno-tested at the factory before shipment. John Deere remanufactured engines and other parts are available exclusively through John Deere dealers and distributors.

For additional information on John Deere products click here.

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) engineers have successfully tracked the new L5 signal transmitted from a U.S.-based GPS satellite.

More than four years ago, Topcon announced it had receivers capable of tracking L5 signals. Topcon’s current GR-3 and NET-G3 receivers are L5-capable.

The satellite began broadcasting the new signal April 10 and Topcon engineers successfully tracked the signal a few days later. The Air Force testing of the L5 signal is presently from one GPS satellite.

Ivan Di Federico, TPS senior vice-president, engineering, said, “It is expected to be several years before the L5 signal is operational. Topcon’s receivers are ready to utilize the new signal once it is operating and when there are enough satellites transmitting the signals to improve positional quality.”

Topcon receivers can also receive GPS/GLONASS L1/L2 as well as GPS L5.

In an official announcement, the U.S. Air Force has cautioned the L5 signal is still under development and that quality and accessibility of the signal is not guaranteed.

Di Federico said, “Tracking the L5 signal is a testament to the hard work, expertise and dedication of Topcon’s corps of engineers. Starting more than four years ago, our engineers made sure that when the L5 signal became active, our receivers could track it.”

He said the L5 signal was received at the Topcon Technology Center in Moscow. The satellite signal was tracked over a three-hour period at the highest satellite elevation. He said the signal was received with the energy potential of 55 dBHz.

Topcon engineers have been closely monitoring the progress of the new satellite from its launch, Di Federico said. “Any time new signals are available for use, it benefits our customers who depend on precise positioning information in the fields of agriculture, surveying, civil engineering, construction, GIS, and telematics.

“The more signals a receiver can pick up, the better the accuracy a customer can get on every job.”

He said, “While tracking the signal confirms Topcon equipment’s ability to use the L5 signal when it is ready, we will continue to monitor the improvements to the GPS constellation and implement any adjustments needed to the firmware as additional new signals come online.”

For additional information visit http://www.topcon.co.jp/eng/.

K-Mag, a unique three-in-one combination fertilizer produced by The Mosaic Company, is celebrating its 70th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, K-Mag continues to look to the future with plans for an expansion to the Carlsbad Production Facility as well as the unveiling of a new logo.

“K-Mag has stood the test of time for 70 years,” says Don Purvis, Carlsbad Plant Manager. “Advances in equipment and technology and the steady streamlining of operating practices have enabled us to achieve continuing gains in productivity. We are excited about the future and look forward to more new growth and expansion opportunities.”

Since 1939, K-Mag has been mined and processed at the Carlsbad, N.M., facility — where the world’s largest and purest deposits of langbeinite ore are found. Langbeinite, a potassium magnesium sulfate mineral, was one of the last minerals formed as water evaporated from the large, ancient ocean that is now New Mexico.

“The K-Mag Premium grade granulation plant had an initial capacity of 200,000 tons per year, which was increased to 400,000 tons per year through progressive improvements. The capacity will be raised even further to 600,000 tons per year,” says Purvis. About 275 people work underground in a variety of mining functions. With mine openings in excess of 4,000 miles, the Carlsbad facility is a veritable underground city that operates around the clock, seven days per week, in a constant environment of 74°F.

K-Mag produced at the Carlsbad facility is available in three different grades – Premium, Granular and Standard depending on the cropping situation and specific needs of the dealer or grower.

Granulated, Premium grade offers many advantages including less abrasiveness, lower bulk density, more uniform particle size and a larger SGN number, which makes it more compatible with other blended materials. About half of the finished K-Mag product is delivered to U.S. markets, with the rest destined for international markets. Click here to learn more about specifications for each grade.

“We are proud of K-Mag,” says Dan Froehlich, Director of Agronomy for The Mosaic Company. “It is a unique fertilizer with a three-in-one combination of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S), all present in the water-soluble sulfate form. The sulfate form allows for immediate nutrient uptake. And, in spite of the increase in crop nutrient prices over the last two years, fertilizing for optimum yields with K-Mag is an exceptional value to growers and can still produce a profitable return investment,” he adds. Other unique K-Mag traits include a neutral pH so it won’t acidify the soil, and a low chloride content – less than 3 percent – so it won’t harm sensitive crops. It also blends well with most common fertilizer materials and is balanced for efficient crop production. “Balance in soil fertility management should always be the goal and K-Mag can be an important tool in helping to reach that goal,” says Froehlich.

With changes over the past 70 years in the climate, soil conditions and the economy, K-Mag has been a crop nutrient constant that growers know they can count on. And while also known as Sul-Po-Mag and S-P-M in selected geographies, K-Mag will now be marketed as one brand throughout the world. In continuing to change with the times, and in celebration of 70 years, K-Mag is introducing a dynamic new look with an updated logo. “The new logo reflects the superior quality, high performance and reliability that people have come to expect from K-Mag,” says Barb Kula, vice-president of marketing for Mosaic. “The new logo’s distinctive dots are a visual reminder that K-Mag is a three-in-one nutrient that delivers potassium, magnesium and sulfur in every granule. But we realize that K-Mag is much more than a logo. It is about people who are dedicated to producing the highest-quality product, providing the best customer service and offering quality agronomic support to growers throughout the world.”

For more information about K-Mag, visit KMAG.com or contact your local Mosaic representative.

Growers can minimize the risk of lower corn yields now by scouting for pests, say experts from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business.

Because of wet conditions in many areas of the Corn Belt this spring, late planting may become an issue. Insects tend to thrive in wet, cool soil conditions, so monitoring fields for insects as soon as the crop emerges is very important, says Paula Davis, Pioneer senior manager for insect and disease traits.

“Early insect scouting should be a major consideration in managing corn pests,” Davis says. “Once the seed comes up, monitor for any signs of insect damage.”

Insects such as white grubs, black cutworms, wireworms and armyworms are ones to watch for early in the growing season.

“From April to May, significant captures of black cutworm moths have been reported in several states including Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky,” Davis says. “Growers throughout this region should watch for signs of leaf feeding and cutting.”

Young black cutworm larvae feed on weeds such as mustards and other biennials. Ideally, removing weeds 10 to 14 days or more ahead of planting will reduce the survival and risk of additional egg-laying.

Two pests, wireworms and grubs, would have been a bigger issue if corn was already planted and the temperature turned cold, according to Davis. “There haven’t been many reports of these two insects yet because of delayed planting in many areas. These insects are more active in cooler, moister soil conditions, and once it gets warmer they go further down into the soil, lessening their impact.” Growers should watch for signs of damage once corn begins emerging. For wireworm and white grub damage, look for stand reduction. White grubs feed on roots of seedlings, which will cause irregular stands since pruning takes place on the roots.

Armyworm moth flights have been reported in Missouri, Indiana and Illinois. “Armyworms are attracted to grassy areas, such as pastures and cereal crop fields,” Davis says. “We tend to see more of these in southern areas, like Missouri, southern Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and southern Indiana. Growers in these areas should watch for armyworms as they tend to migrate from grassy areas to cornfields.”

Even though western bean cutworms usually aren’t active until late June into July, it is never too early to prepare. Western bean cutworms are moving eastward, and recently expanded into Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Ontario, but the western areas of the Corn Belt also should continue to monitor the pest.

With all of the insect challenges growers face, there are solutions. One is choosing a hybrid with the appropriate traits. The Herculex line of technologies protects growers against a number of corn pests. Corn hybrids with Herculex I and Herculex XTRA technologies have very good protection against black cutworm, as well as western bean cutworm.

There also are insecticide seed treatments available, as well as insecticide applications. DuPont Asana XL insecticide provides longer-lasting control of cutworms, armyworms and other corn pests, and it can be used as a preventive treatment before or at planting in fields that have a higher risk of cutworm infestation. It is also an excellent choice for postemergence applications in conjunction with a scouting program.

Tillage practices are part of the equation for pest management, and no-till operations tend to have a higher likelihood of pest challenges. Weed management and scouting also should be considered because of insects that are attracted to weeds.

“We want to provide solutions for growers so they can reach the greatest yield potential,” Davis says. “It is important to scout for pests throughout the growing season, especially early, because insects are small and easier to maintain and manage with insecticides.”

If a grower has indicators of an insect issue, he or she can contact a local Pioneer agronomist to identify the issue and recommend specific follow up.

For additional information about our company or our products, check our worldwide Web site: http://www.pioneer.com or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/pioneerhibred.

A select group of Southern farmers are getting an advance look at Monsanto’s new Genuity VT Triple PRO corn technology this season.

While the new second-generation technology won’t be broadly introduced until 2010, between 100 and 200 farmers across the South are participating this season in a limited commercial demonstration of Genuity VT Triple PRO, which provides the industry’s first-ever dual modes of action for controlling above-ground insects.

The technology offers higher yield potential as well as improved grain quality through superior control of ear-feeding insects, which can result in reduced levels of mycotoxins.

“Genuity VT Triple PRO provides broad-spectrum insect protection against target pests, including corn borer, while adding two previously uncontrolled pests — corn earworm and fall armyworm,” explained Andrew Duff, Corn Traits Marketing Manager for Monsanto. “This next-generation technology sets a new standard for consistency, as well as enhanced durability and reduced potential for insect resistance.”

In addition, because of its dual modes of action, Genuity VT Triple PRO has been approved for a reduction in the refuge requirement for corn borer in the South from 50 percent to 20 percent. This means farmers can protect more of their acres with higher yielding Genuity VT Triple PRO compared with non-Bt corn hybrids.

Duff said farmers participating in the limited commercial demonstration were selected based on their interest in trying new technologies. They will scout their fields this summer for corn earworm, send kernel samples to Monsanto for grain quality analysis and provide yield data at harvest.

Participating farmers are planting small demonstration plots of the new triple-stack technology in DeKalb brand products. In addition to above- and below-ground insect control, the technology also provides the Roundup Ready 2 weed control trait. “We’re suggesting they split their planters between Genuity VT Triple PRO and corn products containing first-generation insect traits in order to evaluate how the technologies perform,” Duff explained.

According to Chism Craig, Monsanto Technology Development Manager, the new product performed well in field trials conducted by Monsanto last season. “We not only saw great protection against the pests that were previously controlled, but we also saw very good ear protection against corn earworm and saw a reduced level of mycotoxins and fewer aflatoxins,” he noted.

South Texas farmer Samuel Sparks participated in Genuity VT Triple PRO test plots in 2008 and is also involved in the 2009 commercial demonstration program. “As a VT Triple PRO grower last year, I’ve seen the benefits of the new technology up close,” Sparks said. “I could immediately see the difference. It produces more yield and we don’t have to worry about insect and weed control as much. Plus, the refuge reduction will benefit everyone. We’re always looking for something new to try that will increase profitability, and I look forward to growing more Genuity VT Triple PRO in the future.”

Another participant, North Carolina farmer Clifton Paul, is also enthusiastic about Genuity VT Triple PRO. “We had a test plot last year and it showed improved yield and insect control compared to competitive products,” said Paul, of Grantsboro, N.C. He added that he likes to be on the forefront of new technology. “It’s not hard to see how it benefits you. It’s the direction the industry is going.”

Ty Parker, Monsanto local field advisor in western Tennessee, is working with a group of his farmer customers who are planting the new technology for the first time. “This is an opportunity for them to get a first-hand look at Genuity VT Triple PRO before it is out in the field on a large scale,” he said. “Participating in the demonstration plots will allow them to see how this technology can be utilized on their farm so they can gain the maximum benefits from it through faster adoption.”

Genuity VT Triple PRO will be introduced across the South for the 2010 growing season.

For additional information about this technology, or Monsanto’s entire Genuity family of traits, visit http://www.genuity.com/.

AutoFarm announces a new kit that will allow Raven Viper Pro owners, who want to add GPS automatic steering, to upgrade their current system to include FarmPRO DGPS or RTK steering.

Upgrading Viper Pro to FarmPRO DGPS will allow hands-free steering using WAAS or OminSTAR XP or HP correction. Upgrading to add FarmPRO RTK will allow sub-inch accurate vehicle placement with trip after trip, season after season repeatability.

Both Viper Pro-to-FarmPRO upgrades, DGPS or RTK, include the patented AutoFarm multi-antenna roof module with Logic7D technology. Logic7D technology is the key to precise position and orientation for sub-inch accurate vehicle placement. It also offers unique adaptive control capabilities that calibrate to the dynamics of specific vehicles, whether sprayers and spreaders, tractors or combines.

“When you combine the leader in hands-free GPS steering with the leader in application control, you get the FarmPRO system; the total solution to managing productivity and profitability,” says John Bressler, AutoFarm senior marketing manager.

The Viper Pro-to-FarmPRO upgrade offers the following AutoFarm GPS steering features:

• WAAS to RTK steering accuracy.

• Logic7D technology for unmatched steering accuracy.

• Reflex Technology that minimizes downtime due to loss of GPS signal.

• AutoCalibration of steering application functions.

• Easily mounted on most makes and models of vehicles.

• Easily transferred across vehicles.

• Remote engage options.

• Supported for use on articulated tractors.

“Viper Pro owners are already running the state of the art in variable rate control, section control and boom management,” adds Bressler, “the Viper Pro-to-FarmPRO upgrade brings them leading edge technology for hands-free GPS steering with a choice of accuracies.”

AutoFarm can be found at http://www.gpsfarm.com or by calling 1-877-947-7327.