2011 Farm Ranch Management

PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT MODULE—Abilene Machine, Inc., one of the largest U.S. distributors of tractor and combine replacement parts, is pleased to announce the addition of Performance Enhancement Modules, which can boost horsepower on your diesel equipment by up to 35 percent and save fuel at the same time.

Up until now, if producers wanted to retrofit an existing hopper bottom bin with an aeration system, they faced the daunting decision of either cutting a large hole into the hopper cone to insert the aeration system or disassembling the entire system and inserting it into the bin in small pieces, where it would then have to be reassembled piece-by-piece. Now, with the Grain Guard Retro Rocket, producers can move the entire main duct into the bin in one piece, right through the manhole opening at the bottom of the hopper cone, without any cutting or disassembling. The Retro Rocket features a unique collapsing design, allowing it to move into a bin through an opening that's even smaller in size than the Retro Rocket.

RENEWABLE ENERGY—Agricultural Engineering Associates has for nearly four decades used technologies and services that yield maximum opportunities to profit from manure and other organic (waste) products from crop and livestock production. Anaerobic digestion is a process that makes natural BioGas from manure and other putrescible organics. A new Integrated bioMass Utilization System (IMUS) has been developed and proven over a decade of research specific to making BioGas from open feedlot and dairylot manure.

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture launched a new, interactive website that invites the general public to celebrate the contribution of century farms to the heritage of our nation. Century farms are those farms that have been in operation under the same family for more than 100 years. Appropriately named "Agriculture's Lasting Heritage," this website tells the story of American farm and ranch families who have shaped the history of our nation.

Adding to the trend by developers of new varieties of wheat to actively protect farmer's access to quality wheat seed, a formal court action to protect the unique genetics of Tam 111 wheat seed was instituted by Syngenta Seeds, Inc. as licensee of Texas AgriLife (a part of the Texas A&M University System). This court action recently resulted in a settlement for PVP infringements relating to TAM 111 wheat. In the settlement, John Hartwell of Texline, Texas, admitted infringement on the rights granted Texas AgriLife and Syngenta through the federal Plant Variety Protection Act. Hartwell, a custom seeder, farmer, custom combiner and seed salesman, sold unauthorized seed of TAM 111 wheat. Harold Koehn, also of Texline, Texas, conditioned the infringing TAM 111 wheat seed.

AgriPro, a division of Syngenta Seeds, Inc. is making certified seed available for two new wheat varieties this Fall. CJ is designed for the central Kansas and Nebraska corridor, and SY GOLD is created for intensive management situations with growers looking to maximize yields.

Equipment breakdowns during spring's work are always bad, but waiting for the brand-name manufacturer to ship a part to the local dealer makes it worse. Farm equipment salvage yards like All States Ag Parts (ASAP) take the waiting out of the picture. With millions of rebuilt and select used parts on hand at ASAP, tractors, combines and even planters can be up and running the next day.

We can all blame a bullish commodity market, domestic and global economic problems, inflation, poor weather conditions, increased global grain demands and a wealth of other issues for volatile grain prices. However, all of these issues are beyond cattlemen's control as they look to keep their businesses going and make a profit.

QUANTUM GROWTH—Quantum Growth enhances nutrients for soil optimization. The bacterium maximizes nutrients' ability to enhance the soil. Quantum Growth binds the nutrients and fertilizer in the soil to retain water and to prevent runoff pollution. A healthy soil food web is necessary for optimum plant stability, growth, and yield. Quantum formulations replenish and feed essential soil biology to restore and enhance the soil food web. For more information, call Ameret LLC at 913-888-5248 or visit www.ameretorganicquantumgrow.com.

Lextron, Inc. and Animal Health International, Inc., which also did business under the name "Walco," recently announced the close of their transaction and completion of a merger.

Stamina F3 Cereals fungicide seed treatment has received EPA registration for seed treatment use on small grains, including wheat, barley, rye, oats and triticale.

ALL AROUND SQUEEZE CHUTE—The All Around squeeze chutes by Blattner Feedlot Construction are full of features to make your job safer and easier. These heavy-duty manual chutes will fit any operation. Whether you're a rancher, feedlot operator or veterinarian, these chutes will fit your operation.

HYDRAULIC DECK PLATE KITS—Clarke Machine, Howard, S.D., announces that Aftermarket Hydraulic Deck Plate Kits are available for John Deere 40 and 90 Series Corn Heads and Case-IH 1000 Series Corn Heads. Make your older head perform like a newer corn head.

Demand for U.S. farmland is dramatically higher than a year ago, and everyone is watching closely for indicators of any market correction. Rising grain prices continue to make land a profitable investment. As a result, landowners are using profits to acquire land, and investors continue to take notice looking for opportunities.

SPREADER TRAILER—FORCE Unltd., Oelwein, Iowa, introduces their spreader trailers. Units are available in multiple lengths of either the Agforce or the Pro-Force box capable of handling 10 to 25 tons. For spreading mainly fertilizer, urea and lime the Agforce would be a good fit. The Pro-Force is capable of spreading high rates of lime, urea and fertilizer plus litter and other hard to manage materials.

GAP ZAPPER—Just roll out the GAP ZAPPER and attach it to an existing electric fence system or to a stand-alone fence charger for a permanent or portable livestock and/or wildlife guard. The GAP ZAPPER is a flexible rubber mat, made of two layers:

The right hay trailer should fit your equipment, your use, and your budget. When a farmer or rancher has to clear fields of round hay bales before moisture ruins them, there's nothing that does the job like a hay trailer. What kind is best for you depends on your equipment (tractor or pick up), your use (bale size, quantity, and labor), and your budget.

MOBILE GRAIN CLEANING—Greenbank, Inc., a mobile grain cleaning company, is offering a newly updated truck and cleaner. The company has always worked to maintain a high standard for their equipment and uses modern technology to increase efficiency and productivity in the field in order to provide the best possible service to customers.

Just like the GPS in the transportation and agriculture industries, hydrogen is the latest innovation for the two largest industries in the world, agriculture and transportation. The emerging hydrogen technologies available today have rendered the old resources and techniques as obsolete as the modern GPS has made the compass.

NEW DAAY BIN PADDLE SWEEP—The New Daay Bin Paddle Sweep makes the job of emptying grain bins safer and easier. This sweep has no dangerous augers and simply moves the grain with flexible rubber paddles. The sweep has an explosion-proof, all-weather, quick-change motor, along with foam-filled, run-flat tractor tread tires. It is designed to be fully submersed in grain and can be manufactured to fit inside almost all grain bins available today. With the flexible rubber paddles, almost all of the grain is swept from the bin floor. The sweep can be variably driven by a VFD and moves the grain gently and evenly to the sump. You can watch a video of the sweep in action at www.koykermfg.com. For more information about the New Daay Bin Paddle Sweep, call 800-456-1107.