The U.S. corn crop got high marks for quality from the record harvest. The U.S. Grains Council says the corn crop was good, with 88 percent of samples rating at grade No. 2 or better. “This year’s report shows for the second year in a row that the United States has an abundant supply of high-quality corn available to export,” … Read More
Monsanto One Step Closer to Next-Gen Trait Launch
Monsanto is one step closer to getting regulatory approval for its next-generation trait technology used in its soybean and cotton varieties. This company news release says the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), concluding that Monsanto’s Roundup Ready® 2 Xtend™ soybeans and Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton should be fully deregulated. “The final EIS moves … Read More
New App Released for Commodity Classic
Attendees of the upcoming Commodity Classic will have an easier time planning their schedules during the event. The mobile app, which can be downloaded from a variety of operating systems’ app stores, will give attendees fresh information on sponsors, trade show floor events, locations for sessions and exhibits, and other up-to-the-minute information on the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and … Read More
Feds Approve Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Exemptions
In what could be a real boon for agricultural applications, the federal government has granted five regulatory exemptions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations to four companies. This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) news release says the exemptions will benefit those using the aircraft for aerial surveying, among other jobs. “Unmanned aircraft offer a tremendous opportunity to spur innovation and economic … Read More
Genetic Yield Tech Part Of Deltapine Class Of 15
A new root-knot nematode-resistant variety and a full-season variety named after a legendary performer, both offering yield potential better than existing commercial lines, join the Deltapine® Class of 15 as the brand celebrates 100 years of breeding innovations. Monsanto also presented what is expected to be the next big innovation in cotton – the first triple-stacked herbicide trait technology to … Read More
Koch Aquires Mendel Biologicals Business
A subsidiary of Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) has purchased the biological research and development business of Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. “As global population increases so does food demand, and growers are challenged to produce more crops to meet the need,” said Bill Boycott, KAS vice president of biologicals. “The Mendel team has expertise in understanding how plant processes, such as photosynthesis, … Read More
Cotton Council to Hold STAX/Farm Bill Webinars
Cotton growers will get some more information on insurance rates , county yields and information regarding farm programs, when the National Cotton Council (NCC) holds some webinars. This NCC news release says one set of webinars are set for Wednesday, December 17 – one designed for the Southeast region from 9-11 a.m. CST (10 a.m.-noon EST) and one for the … Read More
Trimble Obtains Exemption to Operate UAS
Trimble announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted an exemption that will allow the company to conduct commercial operation of its Trimble® UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution in the U.S. The exemption was granted pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which authorizes the FAA to grant exemptions from FAA rules limiting commercial … Read More
DuPont Pioneer Releases New Corn Hybrids for 2015
Corn growers will have some more choices as DuPont Pioneer has released some new corn hybrids for 2015. This company news release says these locally advanced and tested products are designed to deliver yield consistency and help improve grower profitability in the coming season. “A grower’s seed decision is central to achieving whole-farm profitability,” said Ryan French, DuPont Pioneer senior … Read More
Ag Retailers Precision Ag Panel
One of the key general session panels at the Agricultural Retailers Association Convention was titled, “Meeting the Needs of Precision Growers.” This panel was moderated by Dr. Dave Downey, Purdue University, and included Brad Murray, Meadow Brook Farms, Jeff Wilson, Lone Oak Hog Farms and Byron Seward, Seward & Son Planting/Seward & Harris Planting. The challenge for the group was … Read More