A more comprehensive and consistent system for modeling phosphorus loss is now available, thanks to work by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Phosphorus Index was originally a simple management tool developed to gauge the risk of phosphorus losses from agricultural fields. The original index has since been modified by individual states to incorporate local variations in soils, … Read More
IRM Calculator App
To make updating refuge planting plans easier, the National Corn Growers Association now offers the Insect Resistance Management calculator in a handy mobile application. To find out how the calculator works and why complying with refuge requirements is important to all farmers, Off the Cob spoke with NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chair Jim Zimmermann, a farmer from … Read More
Second Release of Newly Converted Sorghum Lines
The Sorghum Checkoff in collaboration with MMR Genetics (NuSeeds America) and USDA-Agricultural Research Service have released 50 new sources of sorghum germplasm through the reinstated Sorghum Conversion Program. This is the program’s second of three scheduled releases of sorghum germplasm. In June 2012, the program released 44 converted lines that were distributed to 12 public and private entities engaged in … Read More
USDA Rural Development Celebrates Earth Day
As part of USDA’s Earth Day celebration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced support for projects that will improve water and wastewater services for rural Americans and benefit the environment across the country. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today’s announcement is one part of … Read More
Data Management Challenge
Paul Mask, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System assistant director for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources and an Auburn University professor of agronomy and soils, says the promise of precision farming is using technology to gain a clear and comprehensive picture of one’s farming operations to secure the highest measure of farm efficiency and profitability by reducing input usage, insulating against … Read More
New feature for Optimizer 2.0
An agronomy firm whose smartphone application projects corn yields on a daily basis will launch a new function on the app to increase accuracy and reduce data entry. The new function from Advanced Ag Solutions LLC, models anticipated irrigation to reduce data entry for farmers and their crop advisors. It is part of the company’s Optimizer 2.0 app, which recently … Read More
EPA Advisor Aims to Build Trust with Ag
The new senior Agricultural Counselor to the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator held a conference call Tuesday to discuss her background and her role as an advisor at EPA on ways environmental policy may impact growers and the greater agriculture community. Sarah Bittleman accepted the new position with EPA in February after serving Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as USDA Senior Advisor … Read More
ZimmComm Agri-Blogging Opportunities
ZimmComm New Media is now taking applications for students in the agricultural communications field to attend and learn how to “agri-blog” some of the most important industry events held every year. The opportunities will include all-expense paid trips to one or more industry events where students will assist in the compiling of photos, audio and video and posting of activities … Read More
Grocery Store Must See
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Have you started spring planting” Our poll results: Sixty-two percent said No, I’ve Been Delayed More Than One Week, twenty-three percent said Yes, I’m In the Field Right Now, and fifteen percent said No, I’ve Been Delayed by One Week. The late winter storms and heavy rain showers seem to have put a damper … Read More
Registration Open for AgGateway
Registration is now open for AgGateway’s 2013 Mid-Year Meeting, to be held June 17-20 at the John Deere Financial Facility in Johnston, Iowa. At the meeting, AgGateway councils, committees and working groups will move forward on valuable efforts to promote, enable and expand eBusiness in agriculture. These efforts are helping companies to implement supply chain efficiencies in such sectors as … Read More