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Contract savvy As more products with valuable output traits come out of the crop technology pipeline, so, too, should come new opportunities for ag retailers and growers. Preserving identity MANY CONTRACTS that retailers make with processors to deliver specialty grains specify that the retailers must have identity-preserved (IP) capabilities, Wireless grain COMMODITY Resource Corporation (CRC) based in Caledonia, NY, is one of a growing number of operations that are working to bring bulk commodity handling To expand or not to expand EXPANSION THROUGH merger or acquisition has been taking place in the ag retail industry for some time now. Some mergers and acquisitions have gone relatively Grain storage spillover LIKE MANY grain-handling businesses, Buckingham Cooperative, near Waterloo, IA, needed to react quickly last year to find enough storage space to accommodate New from Farm Progress Pile driver, grain auger: Brandt offers two new pieces of equipment to make grain handling easier. The new Pile Driver eliminates the hassle of moving Grain gobbler More and more country elevators, ethanol plants and dealerships are finding a need to store corn in gigantic piles. This makeshift storage plan solves Communicate 24/7 Creative agricultural retailers have learned that the Internet, once feared to be the potential source of unwanted competition from afar, has turned out Computers don't get tired The sole purpose of Tri-State LLC, located in Fairmount, ND, is to supply either raw or blended fertilizer for other retailers. For that reason, it has PRODUCTS New fertilizer grades Honeywell has launched two new grades of Sulf-N ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-24S) and improved quality specifications and supply for Software developers and suppliers 2005 AGRIS Corporation 800/795-7995; Fax: 770/238-5205 E-mail: info@agris.com; sales@agris.com Web site: www.agris.com What's new: AgroGuide is an agronomy One up on Wal-Mart AN IMPORTANT part of the success of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is attributed to its sophisticated inventory management systems. In the world Inoculant application system PIONEER HI-BRED International says silage producers can save time and wear and tear on their choppers by using its patented Appli-Pro Super Low Volume Pollen blocker HOEGEMEYER HYBRIDS, a regional seed company based in Hooper, NE, appears to have found a way to prevent cross contamination of pollen from genetically Super sprayer MODERN Flow Equipment reinvented its big sprayer line from the ground up. Built for high-acreage growers and custom applicators to service both large State-of-the-art facility SYNGENTA SEEDS recently celebrated renovations to its Phillips, NE, corn production facility. The $4.7 million project increases the plant's seed-conditioning Highlights from Louisville farm show THE NATIONAL Farm Machinery Show held February 15-18 in Louisville, KY, had a record-setting attendance year, with more than 312,000 people visiting the A boom in control AUTOMATIC BOOM section control is emerging as one of the most popular features on high-tech sprayers. As controller manufacturers have added this option Aerial detective DEALERS INTERESTED in applying variable rates of crop inputs based on current crop conditions have another service option in 2006, courtesy of John Deere Friends of the environment THE DECISION to invest in new storage and handling facilities in the last few years has reaped rewards for Eastern Farmers Co-op and Farmers Elevator Spiral stairway BROWNIE'S NEW Safe-T-Max spiral stairway system is made of all-galvanized steel and modular construction for easy installation. Smooth, circular, 1-in. Signal interrupted? THE TEMPORARY loss of a base signal on a guidance system no longer means lost work time. John Deere Ag Management Solutions (AMS) recently received a Be your own weatherman Dynasen For remote monitoring, Dynasen's custom-built Sens-Alert systems offer three choices: a radio-controller interface unit (RCIU), digital cell phone Buy big, run hard, work smart In an era of higher costs and increasing competitive pressures for custom application services, Meadowland Farmers Cooperative has relied on a three-pronged Next level of guidance When lightbar guidance systems came on the market a few years back, agricultural retailers and custom applicators quickly saw their potential to improve both application quality and the quantity of work that could be accomplished in a day Mobile office pro When Mark Hinze began operating a computer-based office out of his pickup truck in the mid-1980s, he was among the first agronomists to adapt delicate computer electronics to the harsh field environment Wireless controls guide pivots A NEW GPS-guided irrigation control system from Reinke helps growers keep track of year-round pivot activities and ensures correct alignments with the Droplet size control CONTROL OF spray droplet size is critical for minimizing the risk of drift, says Scott Bretthauer, University of Illinois Extension specialist in application Invaluable service WHY SHOULD ag retailers sell services? The resulting customer interaction is invaluable and helps create long-term ties that are difficult for competitors Invaluable service WHY SHOULD ag retailers sell services? The resulting customer interaction is invaluable and helps create long-term ties that are difficult for competitors The great (driverless) race IT TOOK two tries over two years and a doubling of the prize money from $1million to $2 million, but in October 2005, the DARPA Grand Challenge found Rubber track undercarriages New design increases track longevity LANDLUVR SYSTEMS offers rubber track undercarriages for pulled equipment such as auger carts, sprayers, spreaders, Pro-Chute helps fill the planter Snap the new Pro-Chute discharge chute onto a bulk seed box and watch seed slide smoothly into a planter or planter fill equipment. The Pro-Chute, from Cover-All offers hybrid COVER-ALL Building Systems introduces a new building with a clean exterior design, unique shape and low roof line. Called the Meridian Building, the new Interactive Web site DOW AGROSCIENCES has developed an interactive Web site to help show corn growers how soil-applied herbicides can benefit corn weed-control systems. Visitors Five tips for better coverage TEEJET SPRAY Products, a division brand of Spraying Systems Company, introduces a wider range of spray nozzles and tips for targeted pesticide application. Budget proposal unfairly targets farm bill There's a popular old adage that says, If it isn't broken, don't fix it. That saying came to mind in early February when the administration released a Design inspiration AN EXCELLENT company Web site is much more than a billboard in cyberspace. Instead, it creates an inviting and easy-to-use environment where prospective Online design TEST YOUR ideas for a building or building site at a Web site that offers a free interactive building design tool. FBi Buildings, a post-frame construction