As day one of the GEAPS Exchange wraps up, here is a quick recap of today's Idea Exchange held in Louisville, KY. The session was split into two sections: "Why Don't They... I Did," a presentation of member case studies, and "What's New?," a new product showcase. The following covers "Why Don't They... I Did" and the first part of a three-part series covering the new product presentations.

iPad App for Project Management, Customer Communication

In the “Why Don’t They . . . I Did” segment, CTEC AG COO Arthur Moeller talked about the iPad app the company designed that gave it "a control measure to document efforts of [its] crews as the work all over the country.”

• The app makes it easier to generate accurate reports and document project progress.
• With each crew ‘ops’ manager armed with an iPad, the company can digitally integrate efforts across the country.
• There’s also a benefit from using digital mobile tools to interface directly with customers.

Paul DelFino of Opportunity, Inc, in Jupiter, FL, partnered with the company on the app. They chose the Apple platform, he explained, because the system can easily integrate photos with the report templates. C-TEC AG is a family of companies that provide engineering, construction and repair services to ag facilities.

What’s New?... In insect control

During the event's "What's New?" new products presentation, insect control seemed to be a hot area for innovation this year. Here is a brief recap of the new products unveiled at 

Grain protection

Centynal, a new product offered by Central Life Sciences, offers stored grain products protection. This broad-spectrum product kills on contact, offers some residual activity and can be used directly on grain. Randy Scott, market development manager for the company, pointed out that the product is effective on larval to adult stage insects and is effective with a one process application “on the grain stream as it goes into storage. Their site www.bugfreegrains.com offers more information.

Prevents, controls insect populations

Onslaught Fast Cap Insecticide is labeled for general use and treating empty bins, reported Jerry Heath, product manager, from The Industrial Fumigant Company. The industry will need to rely more on “prevention and protection versus grain treatments and fumigation," he said. Controlling populations in empty bins is a start. The product is effective on spiders and scorpions (good news, there!) and offers broad spectrum control of insects.

Tracks phosphine resistance levels

Phosphine resistance is growing in insect populations, pointed out David Mueller, from Insects LimitedInc/Fumigation Service & Supply. Pests such as flat or rusty grain beetles, lesser grain borers are showing resistance. The company offers a lab test to help the grain industry track resistance level and the spread of resistance. That knowledge, he says, will help companies make smarter decisions on dosage and duration of fumigations, select different products if needed.

“It’s important to know if failed fumigation is from resistance or other factors,” he noted.

Additional show coverage will be posted. Please check back.