During the 2017 Bayer Future Farming Dialog we heard an address from Liam Condon, President, Crop Science, a division of Bayer. Focusing in his speech on sustainable agriculture, Liam Condon also reaffirmed the commitment of the Crop Science Division to investing in innovation and developing customized agronomic solutions for farmers that address their individual needs and challenges. In this context, … Read More
Moving Beyond “Farm to Table” Discussion
During the 2017 Bayer Future of Farming Dialog the first panel discussion focused on Moving Beyond “Farm to Table”: Understanding the Food Supply Chain. Moderating was Stephan Brunner, who works on food chain partnerships for Bayer. Also on the panel are Karen Buch, RDN, LDN, President/Founder, Nutrition Connections; Ben Burgers, Food Safety Manager/Agronomist, Roveg Fruit BV; Andreas Lenz, Managing Director, … Read More
Corvus: Understanding Reactivation
The success of Bayer’s Corvus herbicide goes beyond residual activity. What sets it apart from others in the same class is reactivation, which allows weed control in the absence of moisture, says Mark Waddington, product development manager for selective corn herbicides. “All herbicides take water or moisture or rainfall to control weeds. That’s how you get your residual control. The … Read More
GROWMARK’s FS Simulator Makes Training Fun
GROWMARK’s FS applicator simulator was on display for media this week in Bloomington, IL. The simulator was created as a training module for FS System operators to practice, study, and enhance their ability, knowledge, and safety skills. “To the best of my knowledge, this simulator is the first of its kind in agriculture being used for training,” said Erik Wilcox, … Read More
Biostimulants World Congress Coming to Miami
The use of biostimulants in agriculture has grown dramatically over recent years and could reach $2 billion by next year, but there is still much that needs to be learned about the diverse formulations on the market and being developed that are applied to plants or soils to regulate and enhance the crop’s physiological processes. The 3rd Biostimulants World Congress … Read More
Would Your Soil Pass the Tighty Whitey Test?
The Illinois Corn Growers Association had a head turning display at the 2017 Farm Progress Show centered around soil health. The question is, would your soil pass the tighty whitey test? “Search #SoilYourUndies online and you will find how farmers from all over the U.S. and Canada are taking this approach to learning more about soil health. The better health … Read More
John Deere 5R Series Utility Tractor – Power & Versatility
Offering tractors from 90 to 125 engine hp, the John Deere 5R series tractors were on display at the 2017 Farm Progress Show. Attendees saw first-hand the advanced technology to the utility tractor provides, meeting many farming demands. John Doyle, product marketing manager, took us through key product specs and the ideal customer of this new product offering. “The 5R … Read More
Arkansas Urged to Consider Impact of Dicamba Ban
Soybean leaf cupping seen from suspected dicamba drift (ZimmComm file photo) The Arkansas State Plant Board is considering recommendations for dicamba use in the 2018 growing season that Monsanto calls “unwarranted” and BASF considers to be a “rush to judgement.” On August 24, the state’s Dicamba Task Force voted to recommend a cutoff date of April 15 next year for … Read More
SMART Farmer Robb Fraley
Robb Fraley isn’t our typical SMART Farmer, but after growing up on a small Illinois farm, his work has helped farmers around the world produce food more sustainably with science and technology that has helped increase yields by decreasing threats to crops. That technology is genetic modification of plants, creating GMO crops that are resistance to insects and disease, able … Read More
John Deere Acquires Blue River Technology
Farming just keeps getting smarter thanks to new technology like that being developed by Blue River Technology. It certainly caught the attention of John Deere which just announced acquisition of Blue River. To learn more about what Blue River Technology does and what this means to John Deere and its customers I spoke by phone with Willy Pell, Director of … Read More