U.S. corn yield and harvest tracker

Here is a neat tool that I discovered over on the Agweb website that I thought was worth bringing to your attention. It's an application that compiles user generated information to track and record harvest progress and yields.

The map is fully interactive and like I mentioned, you can submit your own harvest information and it will update the map the next morning.

I was playing around and as of this afternoon, the highest recorded yield I could find on the map belongs to an area just outside Macon, Nebraska with 244 bu./acre.

Can you beat that? Click the link below to submit your info.

http://www.agweb.com/harvest_map.aspx

Agritechnica!

Wow. That's really the only way to explain the last couple weeks. 10 days, 8600 miles and countless steps taken through out the massive 27 building experience that is Agritechnica. Held in Hannover Germany, this biannual blowout of all things agriculture should really be considered one of the great wonders of the world.

What's that? You weren't able to make the trip? Well you are in luck, I just happened to take a few pictures of some of the coolest things I encountered at the 6 day show. So without further ado, enjoy the sights and sounds (well, mostly sights) of Agritechnica 2011.

Site news - Guten tag!

We are only days away from the world's largest exhibition of agricultural machinery - Agritechnica. And to celebrate the occasion, I have flown over 4300 miles to Hannover, Germany to bring you insider access to not only Geringhoff's display, but the entire show floor. So check back in the coming week for updates to not only the show, but other exclusive Geringhoff news and information.

Prost!

Unique Machines - 4 row Folding Custom Split Corn Head

Back in 2010 Geringhoff released the massive 24 row 20 inch folding corn head coming in at an impressive 41 working feet. This… well… this is not that head. Coming in at 10 feet and folding to a much more manageable 7.5 feet, this Custom 4 row 30 folding Geringhoff split corn head is definitely one of the more unique machines I’ve seen.

Adventures in Service - Eastern US

Geringhoff service log, entry 10-26-11. I received a message from a Geringhoff sales representative for the North Eastern United States. His name, Erik Quanbeck. His mission? To evaluate and support the new Elite Series of corn heads placed in his territory. Here is Erik’s account of his travels:

It's not just a video, it's a "sizzle reel"

After the jump, you will see the newest sizzle reel for the Geringhoff Elite Series of corn heads. This particular version includes footage from the 16 row 22 inch Rota Disc Elite that was featured yesterday on this blog.

Rota Disc Elite in Fergus Falls, MN

According to the USDA, 47% of the nation’s corn harvest has been completed as of October 16th. That is about 19% behind last year’s numbers, but still ahead of the 5 year average.

In the middle of all that harvesting, there is a small fleet of Elite Series heads all across the United States. One of those heads is currently outside Fergus Falls, MN. I had a chance to catch up to Richard Ronnevick of Ronnevick Farms, who was running the head, and ask him a few questions about his 16 row 22 inch Rota Disc Elite.

Introducing the SunLite * Updated with video

September was a big month for Geringhoff releases. The Elite Series head finally made its first appearance at the field demos at the Farm Progress show. There was and continues to be a big buzz over the newest line of corn heads. But, lost in some of that excitement was the launch of another product at the Husker Harvest show in Grand Island Nebraska two weeks later. That is where Geringhoff unveiled their newest product to the masses; The SunLite Sunflower head.

Available for order now, the SunLite comes in two different sizes, a 25 foot model and a 30 foot model. For more information on the head and it’s features go to the product page at Geringhoff’s website.

I had a chance to run with the head in the field outside of Isabel South Dakota. Since it was a new product I was very excited to see the new machine in action. And it did not disappoint. It did a great job of gathering and bringing in the sunflowers. I saw virtually no head loss throughout the day. 

A big thanks to Premier Equipment in Isabel for setting that up. Here are some pictures * and video from the field:

Geringhoff World Travels - Austria

Aside from being one of the fastest growing brands in North America, Geringhoff has long had a large presence in the International world of agriculture. In the first of a recurring feature here on Hoff's Blog we take you to Austria for a look at some Austrian corn harvest. Prost!

You may recognize me from such shows as, The Discovery Channel...

This video is a few years old, but it is still pretty neat none the less. One episode of How Stuff Works on the Discovery Channel tackled farming. In one section of the show they explain how a combine and corn head work. Check the 1:21 mark of the video for a star powered cameo.

Field Demonstration Head to Head Comparison

 

With the 2011 Husker Harvest Days in the books, I think that it would be a good time to take a look back at the well attended field demonstrations and do some comparisons.

I am going to put a spotlight on a few of the chopping heads on display at the demonstrations and with some photographic evidence on how they performed. In this particular case, I will focus on the look of the field and the cut of the stalk in the ground.

These pictures were all taken from the same spot on the field relative to where the head harvested and on the same day. This particular day had 21% moisture with the yield hovering around the 180 bushel mark.

The goal of this exercise is to determine which chopping corn head opened the stalk to allow for decomposition the best. No commentary, bias or spin. You be the judge. Pictures in order of demonstration lineup after the jump:

Husker Harvest Days Field Demonstration - Day 2

Brrrr. It’s a chilly one today at the Husker Harvest Days. But that hasn’t stopped a good sized crowd from again showing up early to the second day of the Field Demonstrations.

Again there were a lot machines lined up to perform in front of the crowd. I still find it impressive to see all the combines in a row.

The corn was testing at around 21% moisture today. And the Geringhoff continued to impress and turn heads. The stationary knives were taken off the demo head, which really explodes the stalk. Photo highlights of the days work after the jump:

Husker Harvest Days Field Demonstration – Day 1

Husker Harvest Days Field Demonstration – Day 1

What started out as a chilly morning turned into a gorgeous day at the Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Nebraska. In addition to a busy display, Geringhoff was participating in the Field Demonstrations. Running a current generation 12 row 30 inch folding Rota Disc corn head on a Case 7120 Axial Flow combine. 

A large crowd was gathered well before 11:00 am this morning to catch a glimpse at the impressive machinery on display. As the demo’s started the crowd gathered as close to the safety rope as they could in order to get a good look. The one thing the rope couldn’t protect you from was the guys firing high velocity t-shirts into the crowd with what I can only assume was a rocket launcher.

The show reported the corn testing at 19% moisture with the corn yielding between 135 to 200 bushels.

Overall a good day on the lot and in the field. Here’s hoping the success and good weather carries over to the next few days. 

Pictures from today's demonstration after the jump:

Husker Harvest Days and Big Iron Preview

Next week Geringhoff will be at two of the summer's premiere farm shows. First, come find us at the aemsco building at the Big Iron Farm Show where we , along with 800 other agricultural exhibitors will be showing our newest products for the over 80,000 attendees. So come check us out starting September 13th.

http://www.bigironfarmshow.com/index.php

And over 490 miles south, we will also be exhibiting at the Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island NE. The world's largest and and totally irrigated working farm show. We can be found at booth # 819, as well as in the field demonstrations every day. We will be demonstrating a current generation Rota Disc corn head. I will be providing daily updates from the field so if you can't make the show personally, make sure you check in daily.

http://huskerharvestdays.com/main.aspx

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and if your at either show stop by and say hello to our friendly sales representatives.

Rota Disc Elite turns it up to 11

Here is some pretty rocking footage of the Rota Disc in action at it's introductory field demo at the Farm Progress Show last week.

Turn it up to 11 and enjoy! \m/

Hoff's Preseason Maintenance Checklist

Depending on your location, harvest is either just around the corner or in full gear. That got me to wondering what kinds of steps are recommended for keeping your Geringhoff head in tip top shape. Like a luxury car, some proper maintenance is required to keep your machine running smoothly and properly. So I asked a Geringhoff service expert to compile a preseason maintenance list for me.  And as your loyal blogger/ servant I feel it is my obligation to share that with you.

Full maintenance list after the jump:

Farm Progress Show 2011 Wrap-Up

It was a hot humid afternoon at the third and final day of the 2011 Farm Progress Show today, but that didn’t stop the large crowd from coming out to the show to visit the over 450 exhibitors.

Thanks to anyone who stopped by the Geringhoff booth over the last few days to say hello. Geringhoff is nothing without our amazing customers.

There was another good crowd gathered at the field demonstrations to see the industries most impressive pieces of machinery, and catch a last glimpse at the Elite Series sneak preview.

Geringhoff followed up their strong showing in twin row corn the days before with another great run. Back in traditional 30 inch rows the Geringhoff showed why it remains one of the most trusted names in stalk destruction. Now, this being a “Geringhoff” related blog I can see how you may think I am being a little biased, so I will let the pictures after the jump do the talking for me:

Farm Progress Show twin row wrap up

The dust has settled from day 2 of the 2011 Farm Progress Show’s field demos, and the twin row portion of the demonstrations are in the books.

The Geringhoff Elite Series corn head continued its impressive introductory run with another great day, speeding through the twin row planted corn with ease.

Going where no corn head has gone before

Greetings again from Decatur Illinois, home of the 2011 Farm Progress Show. Before the field demos got under way today around 11:00 am, the combines and heads were in the field harvesting and making sure that all their settings were right. Other than some corn being a little wet, conditions were generally good and everyone was cruising along fine. That was until this:

There was some down corn in the demo field that was causing some problems. That is where Geringhoff stepped in. Where all the other combines and heads turned in for the morning, the Geringhoff said BRING IT ON.

The Rota Disc Elite with ICF Sweeper went in “head” first and made short work of the corn, leaving nothing but a finely chopped field behind it. After a meal like that you would think that the Geringhoff would be full and content, but with the real deal field demos around the corner, that surely isn’t the case.

Stay Tuned...

We are locked, loaded and ready for the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. Come by and see us on the corner of East Progress Ave and Ninth Progress Street. Lot 905.

And while your there, make sure to stop by the Field demonstrations daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM to catch a sneak peak at the future of harvesting.

www.hoff2012.com

Also, check back through out the week for updates throughout the show.

See you there!

Here we go...

You are about to become a part of history. Since 1888 Geringhoff has done a lot of things. In 1957 we were the first to mount a single row on the front of a military vehicle to harvest corn. In 1964 we revolutionized harvest by being the first to place lawn mower style blades under the row unit. In 1997 we introduced the leading stalk destruction technology known as the Rota Disc. Just last year we introduced a 24 row 20 inch folding corn head.

But all of that pales in comparison to today, for today is Geringhoff's first ever blog entry!  Hoff's Blog is designed to keep you in touch with anything and everything that is happening in Geringhoff's world and harvest in general. So check back often and we will do our best to keep you informed with insider access to the industry like no one else!