Syngenta celebrated the grand opening of their new Digital Innovation Lab at the University of Illinois Research Park with faculty members, students, industry leaders, government officials, customers, and company leaders. Attendees toured the lab and discussed the future of digital innovation in agriculture. The new lab is the first of three sites planned for Syngenta’s network. “We are excited to … Read More
Nebraska Governor Highlights Importance of NAFTA
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts asked grain industry officials from Mexico and the United States join him Tuesday for a press conference to highlight the importance of Mexico to U.S. agriculture and how the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has benefited both countries. “Bilateral trade with Mexico has helped grow agriculture in our state over the years,” said Governor Ricketts. … Read More
New Research Proposals from Healthy Hives
Bayer and Project Apis m. have announced the funding of three new research proposals on behalf of honey bee colonies. Financing comes from the Health Hives 2020, an initiative by Bayer North American Bee Care Center that focuses on economic assessment of beekeeping operations, creating best management practices for health, evaluating smart hive technology, and assessing honey bee genetics. The … Read More
Better Seed, Better Life Video Contest
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB), and the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America (Tri-Societies) are sponsoring the Better Seed, Better Life video contest. All graduate and undergraduate students in a plant-science discipline are invited to submit a video focusing on plant breeding innovations and … Read More
Weather Extremes Threaten Nitrogen Loss
It’s either too wet or too dry and any farmer can tell you there’s rarely a happy medium, which is why Verdesian Life Sciences is offering advise on getting the most out of your nitrogen investment despite weather conditions. Often the first challenge is wet weather that prevents growers from getting into the field for pre-plant, top dress or sidedress … Read More
Agrible, Crop Copter Donate to Future of Ag
Agrible, Inc. and Crop Copter are proud to support the Illinois FFA and Illinois 4-H as apart of their campaign to build up future ag leaders and stress their importance to the agriculture community. They took the opportunity at a recent trade show event to make donations as they spoke to the students about what they hoped to see for the … Read More
AgLaunch Announces 2017 Accelerator Companies
There were well over 125 companies interested in the 2017 AgLaunch Accelerator program, but only three will receive $50,000 and three months of intensive business development support. This year’s three companies are: • Microbiometer (Englewood, NJ): Microbiometer is a rapid on-site soil testing tool that measures microbial mass. This means soil health can be assessed quickly and inexpensively, compared to … Read More
Trade Gets A Boost
Senate approval of Ambassador Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Representative gives President Trump a full cabinet. Trade will be getting an additional boost, as Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced that the USDA will soon have an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs to help with the administration’s international trade goals. “Food is a noble thing to trade. This nation has a … Read More
ASTA Hosts Meeting to Discuss Weed Issues
Earlier this week members of grower groups, seed companies, and state officials were hosted by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) at a meeting to find solutions for troublesome weeds like Palmer amaranth. Attendees exchanged ideas for both short- and long-term fixes and stressed the importance of following seed regulations when purchasing. “Weeds like Palmer amaranth move through many different … Read More
Sentera Launches High-Precision Sensor Product Line
Sentera, a leading supplier of complete data solutions to the ag industry, is adding to their product line-up with a new, lightweight sensor. The High-Precision NDVI Single (normalized difference vegetation index) and High-Precision NDRE Single (normalized difference red edge) have improved spectral band separations for more accurate vegetation index measurements. They integrate onto any drone and come pre-installed on the … Read More