The USDA has created a YouTube video featuring new ways to control the pink bollworm. The pest has nearly been eliminated in the U.S., but flare-ups threaten the $100 billion dollar cotton industry. The solution? Moths. When outbreaks are detected sterile moths can be released to mate with the pink bollworm, preventing offspring. Watch the full video to see the … Read More
Next Generation Smart Commercial Drones
Big Market Research has completed a new study of Smart Commerical Drones. This next generation of drones will have better technology, support high quality video, improved stability, reliability, and navigation, softer landings, longer flights, and the ability to carry loads. The term “smart” can be applied to drones that have sensors and software which allows for automated response to a … Read More
K State Researchers Uncover New Genetic Markers
Kansas State University wheat scientists, in cooperation with scientists from Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic, are calling their study of wild wheat genes “a breakthrough.” The research is the first completed study of a chromosome in a tertiary gene pool. The study was published in The Plant Journal on Sept. 27 “What we did is develop a strategy that … Read More
Precision Ag Bytes
Melissa Hughes of Organic Valley has been selected to serve as president of the Organic Trade Association‘s Board of Directors. She was chosen for the second year in a row by her fellow board members. Digi-Star announces Kevin Klubertanz has been appointed as president of Digi-Star and RDS Technology. Klybertanz has been with Digi-Star for 20 years and now accepts … Read More
Hagie Introduces Next Generation Sprayer
The 2016 DTS10 is the newest, most innovative applicator in the Hagie Mfg. product line. It is lightweight, rugged and self-propelled for the next generation of applicators. The sprayer is a state-of-the-art machine, capable of widening the application widow and maximizing productivity. It is the smallest applicator with a high clearance frame, 1,000 fallow capacity, and boasts the industry’s lightest … Read More
Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. Acquires Herbicide Assets
DuPont Crop Protection has announced the sale of it’s Hexazinone product and mixture product business to Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. (TKI). Assest in Brazil were excluded in the sale and financial terms have not been disclosed. Hexazinone is a broad spectrum herbicide created for use on crops like alfalfa, blueberries, pineapples and sugarcane. It is marketed under the brands Velpar, Pronone, … Read More
Covering Bases with Cover Crops
When we think of crops we think of food, but there dis another very important type of crop in the agricultural world– cover crops. “Cover crops are usually planted between the regular crop production periods,” says Hanna Poffenbarger, a graduate student in the department of agronomy at Iowa State University. Poffenbarger did graduate work on cover crops at the University … Read More
Researcher Discovers Link in Understanding Pest
Nematodes are a billion dollar threat to agriculture each year. Plant scientists at the University of Missouri and the University of Bonn in Germany have discovered that nematodes use a specific hormone to help them feed on the plant. This discovering could allow scientist to develop plants with resistance to the pests. “Cell cycle regulation is a key aspect of … Read More
DuPont Pioneer Hosts #YieldHero Sweepstakes
Harvest is underway and DuPont Pioneer has launched a social media sweepstakes campaign. Growers are invited to tweet a harvest photo of their Pioneer brand products using the hashtag #YieldHero. Weekly winners of the sweepstakes will receive a Yeti cooler. One grand prize winner will receive a trip for two anywhere in the United States. The contest began September 11 … Read More
Corn Harvest is Underway
18 reporting states report that corn harvest in now underway. The USDA reports that 18 percent of the corn crop has been harvested as of Sunday. The crop condition reports remain the same– 68 percent of corn is rated at good or excellent while 22 percent is considered to be in fair condition. Predictably the southern states, including Kentucky, North … Read More