New Study Shows Value of Neonics

John DavisAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Insect Control, Insecticide, Pesticides, Syngenta

A new study shows just how valuable neonicotinoid insecticides are for farmers in North America. The research, commissioned by Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A. Corporation and others under the umbrella coalition called Growing Matters, documents the value of neonicotinoids to agriculture as well as residential and urban landscapes, and the significant implications if these products were no longer available. The … Read More

Monsanto Transforms Plant Breeding

John DavisAgribusiness, Monsanto, Research, seed

Monsanto has announced a $20 million investment in integrated technology centers as part of its global breeding program that will help feed a hungry, growing world. This company news release says these tech centers will use continuing advancements in data science, genomic breeding methods and predictive analytics to further enhance seeds and unlock untapped yield potential. “We are at a … Read More

NAGC, AgIDG Partner to Accelerate Ag Tech

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA, Research, technology

A group that furthers science for agriculture has partnered with another group that looks to bring new tools to farmers that will accelerate the commercialization of agricultural technology. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the partnership between the National Agricultural Genotyping Center and the Ag Innovation Development Group. The technologies created will increase farm production, improve sustainability and increase … Read More

$3,000 Grand Prize in World Ag Expo Video Contest

John DavisAg Group, Video

A $3,000 grand prize is being offered in the World Ag Expo contest for the video that best answers the questions, “Where Would We Be Without Farmers?” The videos are due for submission by December 1, when they will be evaluated by a panel of judges and then posted on www.WorldAgExpo.org for the public to vote for their favorites. “Farmers … Read More

FFA Part of How FMC Invests in Farming’s Future

John DavisAgribusiness, Education, FFA, FMC, Youth

Illustrating its commitment to investing in farming’s future, FMC Corporation is helping youth education through support of FFA. “To continue America’s leadership in agriculture, we need to engage students now,” said John Kasper, FMC Agricultural Solutions North America commercial business director. “FFA prepares students for more than 300 careers and reaches more than 600,000 members. Our support can make a … Read More

New Holland Seeds of Life Series Highlights Farm Heroes

John DavisNew Holland, seed, Video

New Holland has unveiled a video series called “The Seeds of Life Series.” Below is the trailer for the series. This is part of the overall involvement New Holland has with Expo Milano 2015 where the company is building a “Sustainable Farm Pavilion.” The video series is a storytelling project for the Heroes who feed us all. Farmers feed the … Read More

More New Products for USDA BioPreferred Program

John DavisFarm Bill, USDA

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to move some new products into a preferred procurement initiative for federal agencies. USDA is using the 2014 Farm Bill to justify making available some new, biobased forest products in the BioPreferred® program, along with some other traditional biobased products and other mature market products, which have been produced in innovative ways. “Today, … Read More

USDA Hands Out $18 M+ in Small Biz Research Grants

John DavisAgribusiness, USDA

Small businesses in the ag sector are getting quite a boost, as the federal government gives out more than $18 million in small business grants. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is giving the money in the form of 100 grants through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to companies for high … Read More

Agronomy Big Driver in GROWMARK’s Big Year

John Davisagronomy, Energy, Growmark, renewable energ

Agronomy was a big reason GROWMARK had one of its best year’s ever this year. This company news release says Fiscal Year 2014 was in the top five income years in company history, with volume records in agronomy, coupled with significant investments in information management technology and infrastructure improvements leading to the success. Marshall Bohbrink, vice president and chief financial … Read More

Interviews Highlight Initiatives to Feed 9 Billion by 2050

John DavisAg Group, International, Research

It will take some great ideas to get the agricultural community able to produce enough food to feed an expected world population of 9 billion by 2050. And sharing those ideas is the idea behind the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) FutureFood 2050 set of interviews. Agriculture thought leaders like animal scientist Temple Grandin and BrightFarms’ founder Paul Lightfoot are … Read More