AGCO Corporation will premiere the Fendt Momentum Virtual Crop Tour at 10 a.m. EST Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, on Fendt TV. The program, airing on YouTube, will recap findings from the fifth year of AGCO Crop Tour on-farm planting demonstrations designed to help producers improve stand establishment and optimize yields.

Jason Lee, AGCO agronomist, and farm solutions specialist, says:

“The goal of the AGCO Crop Tour is to help growers understand how soil and equipment interactions impact crop establishment, growth, and yields. Through the Virtual Crop Tour, growers can see the difference best planting practices can make on their farms. Proper planter settings and the right agronomic decisions for field conditions can help them attain the even emergence and consistent stands needed for optimum yields.”

Producers are invited to register for the event, request updates before the premiere, and set reminders to watch from their phones, tablets, or computers at bit.ly/AGCOVCT. While the program will be available online in the future, on November 20th growers will have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers in real-time from AGCO agronomists and product specialists.

The 2020 AGCO Crop Tour on-farm locations were planted with pre-production models of the new Fendt Momentum planter in side-by-side plots. Some locations included plots to demonstrate how the planter’s Load Logic weight-management system combines with Precision Planting technologies to deliver planting accuracy while limiting soil compaction.

The AGCO Virtual Crop Tour will include educational segments on:

• The effect of various planting depths on seedling emergence, plant population, and yield
• The yield benefits of seed spacing accuracy versus skips and doubles
• Correct row-unit downforce
• The impact of soil compaction and pinch rows on stand establishment and yield
• Reducing compaction at planting

Live answers to viewer questions will be provided via the chat function during the event.

The 2020 AGCO Crop Tour plots were planted at Pontiac, Illinois; Stewartville, Minnesota; Casselton, North Dakota; Baltic, South Dakota; and Chillicothe, Ohio, to demonstrate best planting practices and soil compaction management in a variety of soil and field conditions.

Traditionally, growers and dealers would have been invited to in-person plot demonstrations in July and August. This year in consideration of customer health and concerns about COVID-19, AGCO filmed observations at the plots to virtually share agronomic knowledge gained from the 2020 AGCO Crop Tour. In-season field reports are available at fendt.com/us/planters/crop-tour, with future updates noted on Twitter @Fendt_NA. Follow the hashtags #AGCOCropTour and #FendtMomentum.

Source: AGCO

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It’s the leading symposium for the military-to-agriculture movement – the growing movement to support the veteran men and women who choose to continue their service to the country by feeding it. The gathering returns for the sixth year.

A national non-profit that helps veterans pursue careers in agriculture, FVC mentors members of our Armed Forces who seek new ways to stay in communities they left in order to serve. When FVC was established in 2008, no one was connecting veterans with the farming community. Today there are more than 250 organizations supporting this movement. The Stakeholders Conference brings all the players together.

Founder Michael O’Gorman said:

“A study showed that ever-increasing numbers of our all-volunteer military are coming from rural areas. We want to help them have a meaningful career when they return home. Farming has become their new mission.”

FVC has assisted thousands of veterans with everything from equipment and grants, business plans, training, and peer collaboration.

The conference connects veterans who are geographically isolated and sometimes separated from access to services. It’s a forum for members to share their stories – their triumphs, struggles, lessons learned, and successes gained. It also serves as an introduction to resources available to veterans – from government, higher education, and partner organizations. Farmer veteran members benefit from exchanging ideas, and building their own community, together as individuals with unique goals, but in a united spirit of camaraderie.

America’s farmer veterans have been severely impacted by Covid-19. This year’s conference features two days of resources crucial to members during this time, through education, workshops, distinguished speakers, guest panels, networking, and development of FVC’s 25 state chapters.

FVC welcomes veterans – including those still serving – who are currently farming, interested in farming, or just want to learn more about the movement. They also welcome non-veterans who would like to show their support of these brave men and women and tune in for agricultural education.

Natalie Monroe, Communications Director, said:

“While nothing can replace the energy of an in-person gathering, we are thrilled that this likely will be the largest gathering of our community. A virtual platform means every single one of farmer veterans has the real possibility of attending without having to travel away from their farms. They can even tune in from the seat of their tractor!”

Even in this virtual capacity, FVC has plans for attendee interaction so that the experience is beyond simply tuning into a screen.

With the whole nation taking a new interest in the health of our rural communities and economies, the collaborative effort of these farmer veterans becomes even more important for making a greater impact in their home towns.

FVC member Rachael Taylor-Tuller of Lost Peacock Creamery in Washington reflects:

“I think people who join the military feel called to be part of something bigger than themselves. Farmers are the same way. When you’re in the military, you’re helping keep your community safe. When you’re in farming, you’re helping keep your community fed. You go from national security to food security. I am very proud to call myself a farmer and I consider it an honor to nourish my neighbors.”

Source: Farmer Veteran Coalition

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