This prestigious acknowledgment was the culmination of research conducted in partnership
with the National Biodiesel Board and National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and focused
on different biodiesel blends and their effects on FPT’s latest North America product range.

In particular, the NBB-funded research involved a NEF six-cylinder engine certified to U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, which was endurance-tested at the NREL lab in Colorado.

The final results, presented in Kansas City, showed positive results in FPT Industrial engines’ ability to operate with different biodiesel blends. The project also highlighted the need to approve similar projects in order to expand usage to further reduce the agroindustry’s dependence on fossil fuels.

“I am pleased to see that this partnership generated valuable data for our research and development activities. We also gained recognition in the industry for our efforts. This project really shows what’s possible when we leverage our external partnerships to push forward change in our industries together,”

comments Chris Walters, head of Regulatory Affairs Engine Emissions at CNH Industrial.

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The facility is located in Springfield, Arkansas, in the heart of Birdtown on Highway 9.

“It sits on five acres and is just a short distance from the Ouachita National Forest and the Ozark National Forest. With several mills in the surrounding areas, this allows us to better support our north and west Arkansas customers and grow our business. We are looking forward to the growth of our customers and being able to support them in this new location with Tigercat equipment, parts, sales, and service,”

says general manager Jeff Rains.

Source: Tigercat

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Over the past few years, the sales and rentals of Merlo telehandlers and Rotos have increased significantly. This increased activity has prompted AMS to invest in opening its second location in the Midwest.

“We have many end users and dealers in the Midwest, and on the West Coast, that will greatly benefit from this second AMS location. Similar to our Rock Hill, SC headquarters, this location will provide direct sales, service, and assist with dealer inquiries.”

said Garth McGillewie, AMS president.

Ed Burchett and Blake Barker will manage this location. Both offer extensive construction and lifting industry experience.  The AMS-Kansas location– 599 North Lindenwood Dr., Olathe, KS– is convenient to exit 218 on I-35.

“This central location is a commitment to our dealers and end-users that we are here as partners as they rely on Merlo telehandlers to perform their daily trades. We are here to educate, support, and ensure they enjoy the safe and efficient operation of our equipment.  We look forward to meeting everyone.”

Burchett said.

Source: AMS Applied Machinery Sales

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However, through her work as coordinator of the Harper County Transition to Career Program and its partnership with local AEM member company Harper Industries, Hedlund recognizes it takes the right combination of engaged stakeholders, hard work and good fortune to build a strong workforce pipeline capable of sustaining itself over time.

“We started with – quite literally – nothing,”

said Hedlund.

The challenge at hand

To understand just how impactful the Harper County Transition to Career Program is – and has the potential to be – one must consider just how challenging it’s been for local businesses in and around Harper County to find, train (and eventually retain) workers in the skilled trades. Located in south-central Kansas and just a few miles north of the Oklahoma border, Harper County boasts a population of fewer than 6,000 people, while the Town of Harper itself is comprised of just 1,500 citizens.

“And unfortunately, we’ve found ourselves in a scenario where the workforce available is quite limited, and finding skilled workers has been a challenge for us for a long time”

said Luke Thornton, vice president of operations at Harper Industries, a manufacturer of bale beds, hydraulics, and turf and landscape equipment based in Harper.

“In the past, we’ve tried partnering with our local schools in an effort to start creating a workforce pipeline, but the trouble was, every time we started making some progress and establishing some relationships, an instructor would end up leaving the community, and we’d have to start all over again,”

Thornton added.

Now, however, there’s the reason for hope and optimism – and it’s largely due to the efforts of the Harper County Transition to Career Program and its successful ability to expose young people to careers in the skilled trades, develop their skills and provide access to meaningful work experiences.

“Ultimately, we’re trying to individualize their education, help them establish goals and set them up for post-secondary success,”

Hedlund said.

Building a positive perception of the skilled trades

Spreading awareness of good-paying employment opportunities available locally is crucial to the health of any community, but it’s a task often easier said than done. Such has been the case for businesses and area organizations in Harper County. However, in working together, Hedlund, Thornton – along with other stakeholders within the community – have been able to offer job-shadowing opportunities, internships, education, training and more to local students in two area school districts.

And thanks in large part to a budding partnership with Harper Industries – one which led to the successful development of a welding program for students in Harper County – efforts to engage young people in Harper County regarding the value of building a career in the skilled trades have never been more successful.

“We’re very lucky to have some fantastic local instructors who are plugged into our community,” explained Thornton. “Many are from the area originally, and a lot had different careers before moving into education because of their passion for education.”

An Ongoing effort

As she worked to get the Harper County Transition to Career Program off the ground, Hedlund knew it needed support from the community and – perhaps more importantly – the manufacturing industry it sought to serve. So, when she came across AEM’s Next-Gen grant program two years ago, which planned to award five non-profit organizations $10,000 each to assist in the efforts to support the future of the manufacturing and trades workforces, Hedlund jumped at the opportunity to try and secure some much-needed funding for the welding program being developed in collaboration with Harper Industries.

“If there’s one thing that’s needed in our area and across our state, it’s welders. Our schools just don’t have the money right now to invest in a welding program that would allow young people to gain certification through the American Welding Society. So, when I saw the grant, I applied for it and received it, and it allowed us to get started on buying the necessary equipment.”

said Hedlund

Hedlund also pointed the workforce development efforts of AEM member company Vermeer Corporation, which she learned of by attending a conference a few years ago, as a blueprint of sorts for her in developing the Harper County Transition to Career Program. After contacting company officials in the weeks following the conference, Hedlund was able to travel to Vermeer’s headquarters in Pella, Iowa and learn more about how Vermeer is tackling the skills gap and providing opportunities for professional development in its own community.

“I was then able to take what I learned, bring it back to Harper County, and scale it down for Harper Industries,”

she added.

Hedlund also went to work trying to find students for the program, which eventually led to a collaborative partnership between three school districts in Harper County and Wichita, Kansas-based community college WSU Tech. Now, Harper County boasts a welding program with a morning class for 10 students, and plans are in place for it to grow into a two-year program with morning and afternoon class sessions later this year. In addition, efforts are underway to ensure an intern can start at Harper Industries this coming semester to provide additional work-based learning opportunities.

In addition to offering chances to gain real-world experience and obtain certifications necessary for securing full-time employment, the welding program offers students the chance to secure 10 hours of college credit for their first year, and as many as 10 for their second year.

“That’s a really good start for a college degree, if that’s the path they want to take. And without AEM, we could never have gotten started on this program.”

Hedlund continued. According to Thornton, the successful launch of the welding program is largely due to a few key factors: the right timing, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of hard work and collaboration.

“We wouldn’t have had ability to do something like this on our own. The right people driving this makes all the difference,” said Thornton,

he said. Who noted the students from several districts now have access to college-level courses because the welding program instructor has the proper certifications.

“If we didn’t have the instructors we have now – along with the work being done by (Britt Hedlund), I’d be sitting here today still wondering how we could go about making something like this happen. So, having these talented driven people – and having them work together – has been key.”

The proof, however, is in the results. According to Thornton, a Harper Industries intern is poised to graduate from the program in May and seek full-time employment at the company shortly thereafter.

A bright future ahead

“And that’s just the beginning of it. Moving forward, we can expect a greater number of students who are ready to get to work when they get out of high school and, more importantly, have the skills they need to enter the workforce. And to know our students can be part of the work that Harper Industries is doing, and be a part of our community, is just so amazing.”

explained Hedlund.

Manufacturing will continue to evolve with time, and the needs of the companies in the industry will change with it. As a result, it is critical for organizations to be able to connect with the workforce of tomorrow, inspire them to strongly consider a career as a skilled worker, and – hopefully – develop them into qualified employees. It’s a tall task, and it’s one that requires people to come together to develop practical solutions for tackling the skills gap at the community level.

“The goal, overall, is to try to create a manufacturing pathway for students. The partnerships are so important for a smaller community, and we’re trying to work together to develop our workforce and help the students in the process,”

said Thornton.

“Pulling together multiple manufacturers and multiple schools, trying to work together for the good of the community and the good of the students, I think that’s been the key,”

he continued.

“We had been failing, over and over again, because we didn’t have the right people. Now that we have the right people in the right roles, we’re really starting to make a difference.”

Source: AEM

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Farmobile announced it is working with the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) to further its mission — to support members in their quest to maintain a profitable business environment, adapt to a changing world, and preserve their freedom to operate. The goal of the collaboration is to support agricultural retailers in getting the absolute most revenue out of one of the biggest line items in their P&Ls — their commercial fleet.

“At ARA, we’re fully committed to helping ag retailers increase their profitability and agility in a rapidly changing market. So many industries — like transportation — have been able to effectively leverage data to refine logistics, and with it, improve profitability. We’re excited to be working with Farmobile and others on efforts like these to help members leverage new data technologies for the benefit of their fleet operations.”

said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.

Commercial applicator and tender truck fleets can be difficult assets to manage as a part of an ag retail operation. A range of machine makes and models — often at multiple locations — makes it difficult to easily collect and consume the machine data needed to glean insights and optimize individual machines and full-fleet profitability. Multiple variables in fleet management, from fuel and labor costs to idling time across a mixed fleet, make the process even more challenging for retailers to get a timely, reliable read on the performance and overall return on investment for their fleet.

Real-time data is changing that by giving retailers the ability to derive detailed insights about the performance of their application and tender fleet and convert data into cost savings, operational efficiencies, and potentially incremental revenue.

“ARA has been at the forefront of identifying the trends that are most important to the future success of agricultural retailers. We’re thrilled to be able to be one of the organizations working with them to help retailers realize the full value of agronomic and machine data as power management, logistics, and performance tool.”

said Farmobile CEO Jason Tatge.

”As an association of ag retailers, we are constantly looking for services that provide the greatest value and assistance for retailers here at ARA. ARA’s Fleet Optimization partnership with Farmobile provides retailers the opportunity to reduce expenses and improve efficiencies; therefore, increasing profitability in a very challenging ag economy.”

said ARA Vice President of Membership and Corporate Relations Donnie Taylor.

With the power of comprehensive data collection on a fleet, retailers gain real-time logistics across applicators and tender trucks on a single screen. The data collected and reports generated allow them to identify top-performing machines and calculate cost snapshots in a timely manner. As part of the partnership, ARA is offering a limited-time, members-only exclusive package that includes data collection and LIVE logistics as well as performance and profitability fleet data analysis through Farmobile Services+ for Ag Retail Fleet. Now through March 31, 2021, ARA members can get special pricing on the combination of data technology and Services+ premium consulting services.

Source: Farmobile

The post Farmobile Works with Agricultural Retailers Association to Optimize Profitability in the Ag-Food Supply Chain appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Innovative Grain Systems offers a full line of steel grain storage bins, hopper tanks, high-efficiency dryers, and grain handling accessories from GSI, an AGCO brand and worldwide leader in the grain storage industry.

The dealership management team includes owner Paul Fout, who has 22 years of grain storage industry experience, as well as sales manager Ronald Duckworth and senior project engineer Jacob Olivi, who have over 35 years of combined experience in the grain storage and construction industries.

“Farmers and commercial operations rely on an efficient, dependable grain system to help protect grain quality and maximize profitability. We’re excited about the opportunity to offer innovative, proven storage solutions to customers throughout the mid-South, whether that’s a new, state-of-the-art storage system, a system expansion, or maintenance support.”

said Duckworth.

“We look forward to working in close partnership with customers from initial planning and design through installation and service to help their operations succeed. Our goal is to always achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction by providing consistent high performance and reliability.”

Olivi added.

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Layne Mustian is a senior at Texas A&M University where she is majoring in agricultural communications and journalism and minoring in both agricultural economics and tourism management. Layne’s interest in agriculture grew into a passion at a young age as she watched her father grow and conduct critical research on various crops in the Texas panhandle. In high school, Layne combined her passion for agriculture with communication through youth leadership organizations like FFA and 4-H.

In college, Layne continues to strengthen her agriculture knowledge and communication skills through multiple organizations on her campus including, Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, Texas A&M Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Texas A&M Meat Science and Technology Association and the 2019 Fightin’ Texas Aggie Meat Judging Team.

Layne currently works as the communication student technician at the Texas A&M Natural Resource institute where she helps bring attention to NRI efforts through creating blog articles, managing social media, assisting in collecting communication data and producing curriculum aid for private landowners. After graduation, Layne plans to attend graduate school and eventually pursue a career in the agricultural industry.

In her free time, Layne enjoys practicing her photography skills, traveling with friends, cooking new recipes and reading inspirational novels.

Vice President: Rachel McGreal

Rachel McGreal is a sophomore at the University of Illinois majoring in Agricultural Communications with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Food and Environmental Sciences. Rachel grew up on a family farm in Central Illinois where she enjoyed learning about production agriculture from the cab of the combine alongside her father. She was actively involved in her high school’s FFA chapter where she successfully earned a state championship in the Vet Science and Agricultural Communications contest. In 2018, she was on the FFA National Championship Agricultural Sales team.

While in college, Rachel is involved in Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and Illini Equine Rescue Society. She has broadened her communications skills by taking on a number of different videography and photography projects for some of the colleges and departments within the university. A hobby she picked up from a young age, photography and videography have easily become a passion she hopes to pursue in a future career in the agriculture industry. Rachel would also like to return to the family farm in pursuit of becoming a fifth-generation farmer.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys traveling, photography and videography, helping on the farm, and riding her horse.

Secretary/Treasurer: Lauryn Luttrull

Lauryn is a junior at West Texas A&M University where she is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Media and Communication with a minor in Management. Lauryn has also received her event planning certification.

Lauryn has always had a passion for agriculture due to her family’s roots. She plans to attend graduate school and one day open her own event management company. In her free time, Lauryn enjoys volunteering at Make a Wish through her sorority Chi Omega. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Member Relations Coordinator: Zach Andrews

Zach Andrews is currently a Junior at the University of Arkansas where he is triple majoring in Agricultural Business, Communications, and Leadership. Originally, he is from Camden, Arkansas where he marked the third generation in his family’s registered Hereford cattle operation.

Zach credits his lifelong experiences in the cattle industry and his year serving as an Arkansas FFA State Officer for his passion for the agricultural industry and the people that make it up. After graduating with his undergraduate degrees, he hopes to attend graduate school.

Communications Coordinator: Callie McClay

Callie McClay is currently a junior at the University of Illinois studying Agricultural Communications with a concentration in Advertising. She is also pursuing a double minor in Food & Environmental Systems and Food & Ag Business Management. Having grown up on a farm, Callie has been interested in agriculture from the very beginning. She grew up showing cattle for 4-H and was involved in FFA through high school.

Callie stays busy on campus working as a Media Communications Intern for the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department and as a Social Media Intern for the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications (ALEC) program. She’s also involved in several clubs and organizations. She’s currently the President of the Illini ACT Chapter, Vice President of the UIUC National Agri-Marketing Association and a member of Collegiate Farm Bureau, 4-H House Cooperative Sorority, College of ACES Student Advancement Committee, and an ALEC Ambassador.

This summer, Callie will be interning at Caterpillar as a Corporate Technical Marketing Intern. In the future, she plans to continue working for Caterpillar or an agriculture company in the marketing sector. Eventually, she would like to return to her family’s farm in hopes of being a 9^th generation farmer.

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“The addition of this new facility will contribute to meet the growing demand of tracks and track systems in the agriculture industry and our commitment to being the best partner for our customers,”

said Christopher Uher, Junction City plant manager.

Junction City is a strategic location for Camso due to its proximity to Camso’s existing manufacturing plant in nearby Emporia, Kan.

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“This strategic partnership leverages the respective strengths of Bobcat and Ainstein to further advance our connected and autonomous technology. Working together, we can evolve autonomous operations and provide our customers with optimal productivity and the ultimate operator experience through sensor technology.”

said Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation at Doosan Bobcat North America.

Doosan Bobcat North America and Ainstein will collaborate to create next-generation radar sensor solutions to detect objects on jobsites when using Bobcat equipment. The radar system developed by Ainstein collects object position data — like range, azimuth, elevation and doppler information — to provide real-time alerts to operators by incorporating a combination of mmWave radar, sensor fusion and artificial intelligence. This technology will enable obstacle avoidance solutions and future technologies that support autonomous operations.

“At Ainstein, we design and develop radar systems that are smarter and more affordable, and offer complete solutions for autonomous vehicles. We are excited to begin our partnership and collaboration with Doosan Bobcat North America.”

said Andrew Boushie, vice president of strategy and partnerships at Ainstein.

The partnership is part of Doosan Bobcat North America’s initiative to identify forward-looking solutions to help equipment owners and operators maximize their productivity, efficiency and safety through innovation and technology.

“As a global market and innovation leader, we strive to provide our customers with the latest technological advancements,” said Honeyman. “Ainstein has shown the technical capabilities and commitment to customize industry-leading solutions for Bobcat. We look forward to a strong partnership to bring the latest innovation to empower our customers to accomplish more.”

Source: Bobcat

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As of Nov. 5, 2019, 52% of corn harvest was complete, according to a USDA report. That progress was 23% behind the five-year average. Harvest is proceeding at a slow, but constant, pace, providing consistent demand for propane used in crop drying.

“The propane industry is in the middle of three key issues,” says Adam DeLawyer, vice president, CHS Propane. “A wet spring delayed harvest, causing a demand for dryer gas across a large geography where normally there is a more gradual harvest from south to north. Add to that a wet crop that needs more propane to dry. And a much colder-than-normal fall means our owners and customers need home heat for homes and livestock facilities earlier than usual.” 

The high demand for propane is being felt by Midwest farmers, whose propane is primarily sourced from Kansas, Texas and western Canada and transported by pipeline, rail or truck. The issue is not a propane shortage, according to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). Instead, the challenge is getting propane to the right place at the right time. NPGA says the supply issues are caused by limits on the safe transportation of propane from supply points, as well as limits on pipeline capacity.

The NPGA says the propane industry is tracking rail and pipeline distribution to help move propane during peak demand periods.

“CHS Propane has been planning throughout the past year for a number of scenarios, strategically placing propane product and working closely with propane marketers,” says Dennis St. Aubin, director of marketing for CHS Propane West Region Sales and Energy Equipment. “Our planning was intended to exceed our customer needs, but demand has greatly exceeded anyone’s expectations.” 

To help meet demand, the CHS Propane supply team works closely with suppliers and pipeline and rail terminal partners to flex our infrastructure to get propane gallons where they are needed the most. CHS Propane partners with CHS Transportation to help serve customer needs. The efforts resulted in record volumes being moved to customers and owners by CHS Propane in late October and early November. “Our number-one priority is safely working to meet our owners’ and customers’ needs,” says Patrick Hessini, vice president of CHS Transportation. 

In addition to regular communication with your propane supplier, DeLawyer says preventing future issues will require a closer look at propane storage. “Continued expansion of retailer storage and on-farm storage will be critical to meet the farmer’s ability to harvest crops at today’s increased yields and rates,” he says.

Source: CHS Inc.

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