Nice weather in many parts of the country has growers already in the fields. That comes with many advantages, but early planting also comes with challenges too. Planting into cool, sometimes wet soils can prevent phosphorus (P) from being readily available to the crop, says Todd Carpenter of Verdesian Life Sciences. Phosphorus leads to early root growth and development, creating a more robust … Read More
Three Patents Granted to Eco Agro Resources
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Eco Agro Resources three patents for N-YIELD®, N-BOUND® and the NEON™ family of nitrogen stabilizers. These three are the first of 15 patents currently undergoing the patent process that will protect hundreds of possible combinations of active ingredients like NBPT, DMPP, DCD, Nitrapyrin, and multiple solvent options. “These technologies offer new capabilities and … Read More
AeroVironment Brings Quantix Drone
AeroVironment has been building drones for the Defense Department for 25 years, so when they turned their sights to agriculture, the process was taken seriously. They studied the industry needs for two years, Matt Strein said in our latest ZimmCast, learning exactly what growers wanted. The Quantix Drone offers three key points, Strein says. First, it offers a simple user experience. Second, … Read More
Trimble Introduces VRI Pressure Tech for Center Pivots
Trimble has announced an industry-first technology that gets the right amount of water to the right places. Their new Irrigate-IQ optimal flow variable rate irrigation (VRI) solution allows farmers to use VRI on center pivot systems with a standard pumping system or limited well capacity. In the past a grower couldn’t use VRI on a center pivot without risking damage … Read More
Galen Lee is This Week’s SMART Farmer
Galen Lee’s family has been farming the same piece of ground since the turn of the last century and it’s SMART farming and technology that will allow his family to continue working on that same piece of land in the future, he explains in this week’s edition of the SMART Farmer Podcast. Galen raises sugar beets, asparagus, and peppermint along with dairy … Read More
Rural & Ag Groups Oppose Privatization of Air Traffic Control
The Agriculture Retailers Association, Alliance for Aviation Across America, Crop Life America, League of Rural Voters , National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Council of Agricultural Employers, National Farmers Union, National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, National Women in Agriculture Association, and USA Rice Federation have joined together as the Alliance for Aviation Across America to ask Congress to oppose … Read More
ChemChina Acquisition of Syngenta Approved by US and EU
Both the European Union and the United States approved the acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina last week, and today it was announced that Mexico has also approved the deal. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) granted approval for the deal pending the divestment of three types of pesticides from ChemChina’s subsidiary, ADAMA, because Syngenta is a supplier of the same … Read More
ASTA Commends New Seed Standard
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) passed a final International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) for seed last week. This is a long awaited decision, says the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), one that has become necessary as import requirements for seed have become more restrictive and less science based. “The seed industry is truly global,” said ASTA President & … Read More
Haagen-Dazs Brand Helps Bees Thrive
The Häagen-Dazs Brand® is helping to support bee populations by working together with their farmer suppliers. The ice cream brand has planted one of the largest, privately-funded pollinator habitats on a almond farmer’s land in Chowchilla, California. The “Häagen-Dazs Loves Honey Bees” program was originally launched in 2008 and began with research and educational funding. This new six and a half … Read More
ASTA Offers Stewardship Steps for Treated Seed
The American Seed Trade Association(ASTA) is reminding farmers to follow five basic steps to practice good stewardship of treated seed. Follow Directions: Follow directions on treated seed container labels for handling, storage, planting and disposal practices. Eliminate Flowering Weeds: Eliminate flowering plants and weeds in and around the field prior to planting. Minimize Dust: Use advanced seed flow lubricants that … Read More