The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made $17.5 million available for wetland conservation on agricultural grounds. This agency news release says USDA is now looking for voluntary partners who want to protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on the farmland. “USDA has leveraged partnerships to accomplish a great deal on America’s wetlands over the past two decades, [Agriculture Secretary Tom] … Read More
Iteris Displays ClearAg at #ASTAannual
One of the companies reaching out to seed industry professionals at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting last week in DC was Iteris, spotlighting ClearAg™, a decision support application for precision farming. “We take weather and we apply it to agriculture,” said Iteris sales engineer Chris Davis explaining ClearAg. “Typically the data you get from the weather service … Read More
ASTA Celebrates Great Annual Meeting in DC
American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) president and CEO Andy LaVigne is pleased with the turnout of industry members at the 132nd annual meeting in Washington DC this week and with the reception they have received on Capitol Hill. In his opening session welcome, LaVigne said he was especially thrilled to have Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack address the meeting despite his … Read More
ADAMA and Phytech Team Up
ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd. and Phytech, an Israeli agricultural technology company, have begun a partnership for the global commercialization of Phytech’s PlantBeat System. The system is an alert-driven mobile platform that integrates crop health data and environmental data to give real-time recommendations, generally for irrigation. The analyzed data alert is given in real-time, helping farmers with daily decisions. Pilot projects … Read More
Software Company Wins Iowa Farm Bureau Award
A global company headquartered in Iowa is being recognized for its innovative software and data solution products, as well as their support of rural Iowa. Kingland Systems software and data is the new recipient of the Iowa Farm Bureau Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur award. Kingland Systems, with satellite offices in Ames and Dalian, China, is used in more than 150 … Read More
ASTA Chair Ends Year on High Note
It’s been a busy year for John Schoenecker of HM Clause as chairman of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). One priority for the organization has been to develop a communications strategy and Schoenecker says they have moved forward with that plan in the past year developing a new video message that stresses the importance of seeds in our daily … Read More
Potential Monsanto/Syngenta Merger Creates Controversy
As Monsanto is seeking to acquire Syngenta, company leaders say the deal would lead to better products and innovative solutions for farmers. Monsanto is currently seeking constructive engagement with Syngenta in regards to the potential deal. Monsanto President and COO Brett Begemann says the acquisition would help better meet the world’s agriculture demand. “We’re seeing a lot of opportunity driven … Read More
Pope Francis’ Encyclical Looks at Ag & Technology
Addressing all persons living on the planet, Pope Francis’ LAUDATO SI on Care for Our Common Home, calls on mankind to address climate change and heal earth. Throughout the encyclical he looks at human’s interactions with earth, one of which has caused climate change. He writes that our lifestyles of a “throw-away” society – consumption and waste – must change or humans will … Read More
Ag Secretary Kicks Off ASTA Annual Meeting
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stressed the importance of the seed industry to American agriculture and the nation as a whole during an address kicking off the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting on Thursday in Washington DC. “Clearly the seed industry has been responsible for an extraordinary increase in productivity in American agriculture,” said Vilsack. “But more than that, … Read More
Hearing Shows Support for Labeling Bill
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing Thursday that demonstrated an urgent need to pass the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act this year to create a uniform national food labeling standard for products made with genetically modified organisms. Among those testifying at the hearing in support of the bill for agriculture was GROWMARK president … Read More