The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to comment on the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s (ACEP) interim rule until May 28, 2015. “We extended the comment period for the ACEP rule to give our partners, landowners and the public additional time to comment on a rule that will be used to implement USDA’s premier conservation easement program … Read More
Farm Bureau: Ag Could Really Soar with Drones
Farm Bureau says agricultural drones could really help farmers and ranchers soar to success. This news release says the group submitted comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that focused on performance-based standards for the FAA’s rule on the “Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.” “Drones are the next evolution in American agriculture,” said Dale Moore, AFBF executive … Read More
Corn Growers Provide UAV Comments
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is asking the government to give flight to some unmanned aerial vehicles. The group submitted comments to both the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration about proposed rules regarding the commercial usage and privacy best practices of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In the letter to … Read More
EU Approves 17 Biotech Traits for Import
After the European Commission had just proposed to let European Union (EU) states opt out of the import of food and feed containing biotechnology traits, the body seems to have reversed course a bit and approved 17 biotechnology traits for import. The news was met with guarded optimism from the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) First Vice President Richard Wilkins, a … Read More
Researchers Study Using Wastewater on Crops
A new study will look at the feasibility of using treated wastewater on crops. This news release from the University of California, Riverside says the school has partnered with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem to launch the two-year study they hope will lead to viable and cost-effective regional water reuse policies. Kurt Schwabe, associate professor of environmental economics and policy … Read More
Bayer Celebrates 10th Anniversary of One Ton Club
Bayer CropScience is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the FiberMax One Ton Club and honored 183 growers for hitting the 2,000-pound-per-acre yield during 2014. During its first decade, the FiberMax One Ton Club has recognized 806 cotton growers who produced 2,000 pounds or more of lint cotton per acre on at least 20 acres using FiberMax cotton seed. In 2014, … Read More
Zetor Debuts New 150 Horsepower Forterra HD
Zetor North America has added a new tractor to its offerings. The new 150 horsepower Forterra HD is the company’s most powerful, top of the line tractor. Zetor Tractors has expanded its range of farm tractors for the US and Canadian markets with the 150hp Forterra HD. The objective was to introduce a high horsepower tractor with a four-cylinder engine … Read More
DuPont to Buy Taxon Biosciences
DuPont will buy leading microbiome discovery company Taxon Biosciences, Inc. This company news release says the deal will build on DuPont’s in-house capabilities and market access in both seed and crop protection to discover and commercialize biological solutions for agriculture customers globally. “In 2014, the businesses in DuPont’s Agriculture, Nutrition & Health and Industrial Biosciences segments sold more than $1 … Read More
Granular Buys AcreValue
Agriculture software and analytics company Granular bought farmland real estate evaluation business AcreValue. This company news release says the deal enhances Granular’s service offerings to the farmland market and gives farmers and potential investors valuable information into land values across the country. The free service allows buyers, sellers, agents and other interested parties to browse AcreValue estimates using a map-based … Read More
Bayer Helps Growers CARE for Crops and Bees
Bayer CropScience is continuing a program that helps growers and beekeepers collaborate to help feed a growing planet. With more than $15 billion dollars worth of crops in the U.S. pollinated by bees each year, the CARE program, now in its third year, reflects Bayer’s ongoing commitment to product stewardship, protecting natural resources, enhancing agricultural sustainability and promoting partnerships between … Read More