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December 2012

The December issue of Farm Industry News magazine highlights everything farmers will need to know about input costs in 2013, from seed to crop protection and more.

2013 BUYER'S FORECAST

  • Nov. 29, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Crop protection

    Crop protection costs (not bundled with seed) for the 2013 corn and soybean planting seasons will be slightly higher than they were in 2012, agricultural economists predict. Herbicides “Herbicide prices in the aggregate peaked in 2009, then fell somewhat in 2010 and 2011 before starting to edge upward again in 2012,” says Alan Miller, farm business management specialist, Purdue University. “For 2013, I expect herbicide prices to move slightly higher, perhaps by 1% to 4%.”...More
  • Nov. 29, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Seed

    As seed companies continue to deliver new genetics and trait packages in their seed products, producers can expect to pay a bit more in 2013. While individual pricing packages vary depending on the product mix, industry sources indicate seed will be 5% to 10% higher....More
  • Nov. 29, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Fertilizer

    Midwest agricultural economists agree that fertilizer prices are likely to hold steady before the start of the 2013 cropping season. They also forecast a slight chance for nitrogen (N) prices to dip a bit. Still, outside market forces could alter those projections, particularly if similar events were to occur in 2013 as happened in 2008....More
  • Nov. 29, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Machinery

    Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are forecasting another good year for farm machinery sales. According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) twice-a-year business barometer, the vast majority of companies expect “positive” to “very positive” results for sales revenues in 2013. The exception is the livestock sector, which is bearing the brunt of higher feed prices....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Interest rates

    The current low interest rates should remain low through 2013 and possibly through 2014, according Purdue University agricultural economist Mike Boehlje. He says the U.S. Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates artificially low to stimulate an economic recovery. “Ben Bernanke has said he will continue to keep interest rates low even until 2015,” Boehlje explains. “That is a pretty good indication we will probably have interest rates at this level for the next year....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Farmland

    Despite widespread drought that slammed Corn Belt yields in 2012, farmland prices continue their upward trajectory, though increases in recent months appear to have backed off from the 20-percent-plus annual gains of recent years. Midyear farmland price data from the Chicago and Kansas City Federal Reserve banks, as well as surveys by Illinois and Iowa farm manager and Realtor groups, show farmland price increases of 5 to 10% in the first half of the year, substantially below the pace of recent years....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Farmland myths

    They’re not making any more farmland, right? Wrong. “Don’t believe that myth,” advises Mike Boehlje, an agricultural economist at Purdue University. The Corn Belt hasn’t expanded as if by magic. But the red-hot commodity prices of recent years have stimulated a dramatic increase in new land coming into production around the globe, Boehlje says. In addition, productivity of existing farmland continues to climb as high prices justify more intense management....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    2013 Buyer's forecast: Fuel 1

    While there is no crystal ball for exactly predicting future fuel prices, experts expect that fuel prices in general will remain stable in 2013 and may even be slightly lower than 2012 prices....More

PRODUCTS

  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    Growers could face tax bill from crop insurance payments, 2011 crop income

    Widespread yield loss from the 2012 drought could cause a cash-flow conundrum this spring for many Midwestern farmers — even for those who obtain timely crop insurance payments, says Gary Schnitkey, Extension farm management economist, University of Illinois. As a result, he urges farmers to engage in some early tax and financial planning....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    Seed selection: Don’t base decision on 2012

    When choosing hybrids for 2013, there is a note of caution: don’t let the 2012 growing season be your only barometer....More
  • Oct. 30, 2012
    Article

    FMC receives registration on Anthem herbicide

    FMC has received EPA registration on a new herbicide, Anthem herbicide, a preplant, preemergence and early postemergence herbicide for corn. Anthem provides growers with a tool for broad-spectrum weed control and resistance management along with a low-use rate. Anthem herbicide will allow growers application flexibility during the spring season....More
  • Oct. 22, 2012
    Article

    DuPont introduces Basis Blend herbicide for post harvest weed control

    DuPont’s Basis Blend herbicide has received federal registration approval from the EPA for application after harvest and before ground freeze-up to control tough winter annuals weeds. Basis Blend will replace DuPont Basis 75DF herbicide....More
  • Oct. 23, 2012
    Article

    Accurate anhydrous application with new Hiniker orifice distributor

    Growers may now apply nitrogen with consistent distribution and knife-to-knife accuracy by using Hiniker’s new Variable Orifice Distributor (VOD) with 17 ports....More

TECHNOLOGY

  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    New seed treatments lead to improved seed polymers

    Seed polymers are a bit like force fields: You cannot always see them, but they are there to protect. For instance, Polymers are helping to protect the growing number of active ingredients and biologicals (applied in the form of seed treatments) from dusting off. This not only protects the corn or soybean grower’s investment, but also reduces the seed applicator’s or grower’s exposure to various compounds, say manufacturers of polymers and other seed enhancements....More
  • Oct. 29, 2012
    Article

    John Deere Field Connect system helps producers monitor soil moisture

    With water management becoming an increasingly important factor in crop production, John Deere has introduced Field Connect to provide site-specific water management data for facilitating the decision-making process surrounding irrigation practices.  With site-specific information, producers are able to efficiently utilize irrigation inputs, which can result in fuel savings and additional yield potential.  The Field Connect system continuously logs soil moisture data from probes installed in fields and transmits the data to a website that users can access remotely....More
  • Oct. 29, 2012
    Article

    Palm-sized receiver adds GPS/GLONASS to smartphones, tablets

    The SXBlue III-L GNSS palm-sized receiver from Geneq Inc. turns any Bluetooth-compliant smartphone, handheld, tablet, laptop or notebook computer into a fully capable GPS/GLONASS device. Out of the box, it can attain 10cm accuracy using OmniSTAR’s G2 or HP service or 1cm accuracy when connected via cellular or UHF radio to an RTK network....More
  • Nov. 9, 2012
    Article

    AMVAC updates SmartBox closed-delivery system for precise insecticide application

    AMVAC has updated its SmartBox closed-application and handling system, including new features such as a large-format 5-in. color display, a new user-friendly menu-driven interface, simplified cabling and by-the-row control capabilities for application flexibility. “The entire system has been streamlined for easier installation and easier control in the field,” says Nathaniel Claussen, technical manager for the SmartBoxclosed delivery system....More
  • Oct. 29, 2012
    Article

    Redtail Cartography harnesses Google Earth to pinpoint RTK coverage

    Redtail Cartography’s new RTK signal mapping service offers precision ag providers and their customers a graphic depiction of coverage from radio-based RTK systems. It uses Google Earth to show high- and low-accuracy coverage areas, as well as coverage gaps resulting from hills and other topographic impediments. The service is designed to help precision ag providers communicate, improve and expand coverage of RTK base stations, and to assist farmers and other mobile RTK users in quantifying coverage from semi-permanent or mobile base stations....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    Save on replacement costs for diesel particulate filter with new do-it-yourself cleaning kit

    K-Line Industries, manufacturer of special service tools for OEMs and OEM dealers, has come out with a portable cleaner for use on tractors equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to control pollution. The portable DPF cleaner allows farmers to clean the DPF filter themselves to reduce the cost and transport time involved in taking it to their dealers to be cleaned....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute forum identifies ag industry’s innovation needs for future

    The Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) recently hosted a forum aimed at identifying the agriculture industry’s innovation needs for the next decade. About 30 agriculture leaders from across Saskatchewan, Canada, gathered to give their input on the future of the industry, covering such topics as crop characteristics, rural population challenges, genetically modified crops, labor and technology. Some of the key needs identified at the meeting included:...More

TRENDS

  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    E15: The year in review

    E15 cleared the final regulatory conditions imposed by the EPA in 2012, but its path to market has not been smooth sailing. Earlier this year, the Grocery Manufacturers Association filed a lawsuit against EPA, suggesting that the agency overstepped its authority under the Clean Air Act when it granted partial waivers allowing E15 to be used in certain engines. However, on August 17, the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with the EPA, confirming its partial waiver approval for E15....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    Industry Insider: Hottest topics in tillage

    Anyone shopping for tillage equipment likely has come across Curt Davis, marketing manager with Kuhn Krause, a full-line manufacturer of tillage equipment. Davis can be found frequently at farm shows, answering questions about the company’s newest tillage tools on display. We asked Davis what topics will be important to cover in our upcoming publications. Q. What is the trending topic in tillage right now?...More
  • Nov. 13, 2012
    Article

    Penton Media buys Farm Progress from Fairfax Media 2

    Penton Media today acquired Farm Progress from Fairfax Media Limited of Sydney, Australia, significantly expanding its agriculture sector footprint to become the largest and most diversified agriculture information business in North America, offering live events, digital products, data, marketing services and publications. This acquisition directly supports a key Penton strategy of increasing investment in existing sectors that offer strong long-term growth potential, and it more than doubles Penton’s position in agriculture, which becomes the company’s largest sector group....More

GOOD BUY

  • Dec. 3, 2012
    Article

    Variable-width axle for self-propelled sprayers allows for on-the-go width changes

    Changing axle widths on self-propelled sprayers to accommodate different fields and crop widths is not a convenient task. But the Italian sprayer manufacturer Bargam has solved the problem. The company designed an axle that allows on-the-go width changes from the cab. The new variable-width axle is available in two sizes, from 60 to 70 in. and from 70 in. to 85 in., both at center wheel. The sprayer must be moving when making the width change. An electronic control system is included to ensure safe operation....More
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