During the New Holland agricultural journalist trip I attended last week we were bussed out to La Bellotta Sustainable Farm to see tractors in action and have a chance to ride and drive them. In this photo Willie Vogt, Penton/Farm Progress, is taking his turn in a new T7 Series tractor. At my first stop we watched Sigurn Ghyselen, New … Read More
Innovative Name Change for BIO
The Biotechnology Industry Organization will soon become the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. The new name, which will be officially launched next year, was announced this week by BIO’s new Board Chair, Ron Cohen, CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. “I’m pleased to announce that the BIO Board has approved a change to BIO’s name,” said Cohen during the 2015 BIO International Convention. “Still … Read More
Help Research Out – Take Precision Farming Survey
I have been asked to help out Phil Bolton who is working on his Ag Econ Masters thesis. It involves a survey on the adoption of precision farming. Can you help out too? Take the survey or share it with someone who can. I know he’d really appreciate it. Take survey here: Precision Farming Survey Here’s some information from Phil … Read More
ASTA Annual Meeting in DC
The 132nd annual meeting of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is being held this week in Washington DC where members of the industry will be talking with lawmakers about issues important to them. ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne says it is a chance for them to raise awareness about the seed industry with elected officials. “We will be … Read More
Georgia Beekeeper Honored with Bayer Bee Care Award
Georgia beekeeper Paul Vonk has won the third annual Bayer CropScience Bee Care Community Leadership Award. Paul has worked to improve pollinator health by educating the beekeeping community using HiveTool™. His open source software provides a noninvasive way to analyze colony health. The system motors bees and allows keepers to manage hives with real time feedback on conditions. The data is also … Read More
FIGARO to Present at 2015 Agri-Water Workshop
The EU-funded FIGARO precision project has designed DDS, -Decision Supporting System to improve irrigation management. They have been invited to present the precision irrigation system at a special workshop on coping with climate change and water scarcity at the Expo Milano 2015. Dr. Adriano Battilani, senior researcher at the Canale Emiliano Romagnolo (CER) research institute in Bologna, Italy and a FIGARO … Read More
The Buzz About Pollinators
June 15-21 has been declared Pollinator Week by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). In conjunction with the USDA–NRCS, US Forest Service, the Pollinator Partnership, and others the group is celebrating what may seem like annoying insects. “Pollinators play a critical role in our everyday lives, and it’s important that we work to protect their habitat,” says NACD President Lee … Read More
Corn Farmers Learn About Drones
National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling got a first-hand drone demo in his home state of Maryland last week. The demonstration was one of several educational tours for NCGA board members highlighting advances in technology and sustainability, as well as diversified farming operations. Bowling, left, got a lesson in flying an unmanned aerial system from Matthew Creger of Maryland-based … Read More
Topcon Buys NORAC
A California-based precise positioning products maker is buying a pioneer in the use of ultrasonic sensing in the agricultural industry. Topcon Positioning Group has acquired NORAC Systems International in a move that looks to build efficiencies in the precision field. “For more than 40 years NORAC has created innovative solutions to improve efficiency on the farm. Its automated boom height … Read More
Live Drone Demo at Alltech Crop Science Day
Attendees of the recent Alltech Crop Science open day in Ireland were treated to a live drone demostration as part of the seminar that focused on increasing efficiencies on-farm with precision technology. Also highlighted was the importance of research trials, and global crop production practices, as well as a walkout to examine trial fields. “The Alltech Crop Science research program … Read More