This isn’t the first time Steve Sonka has been a keynote speaker at Info Ag in St. Louis, Missouri, but last time he spoke he focused on Big Data. Today his message has changed. “Big data is only part of the opportunity in production agriculture,” Sonka told me. “I talked today about digital ag. What that refers to is the … Read More
Bayer Building on Credenz Momentum
Credenz® soybeans continue to build momentum. This year, Bayer released 10 new Credenz soybean varieties with smart genetics and even more are expected for 2018, pending label approval for Balance® Bean herbicide later this year. “We’re launching a new trait, the Balance™ GT soybean, which will be an exciting new trait for growers to use for managing resistant weeds,” said … Read More
Congressmen Talk Farm Bill at Peanut Meeting
U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Austin Scott (R-GA) both shared their perspectives on the new administration, gridlock in Congress, and the outlook for a 2018 farm bill at the 2017 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Saturday. “It’s going to be a tough fight, I don’t want anybody to fool themselves,” said Rep. Rogers about getting the next farm bill passed … Read More
Teachers Offered a Day on the Farm
The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (MSR&PC) has partnered with U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to start a program to help urban teachers learn more about agriculture so they can teach it to their students. To kick it off, educators in Minneapolis and Sacramento are invited to take a farm tour at the end of August to engage … Read More
Bayer Hosts Field Day in Dekalb
Farmers and retailers gathered near Dekalb, Illinois on Tuesday for the Bayer Innovation Plus Tour. Bayer Technical Development Rep Daren Bohannan says the event focused on corn and soybeans and included presentations on disease observations, selective corn herbicide trials, Balance GT soybeans, ILeVO Seed treatment & PPO Herbicides, Liberty weed control, new Credenz products and more. “We got planted late … Read More
New Propane Irrigation Engines Available
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has partnered with Origin Engines to develop new 5.7- and 6.2- liter engines, EPA-certified and optimized for industrial applications like irrigation and power generation. Pete Stout, Origin Engines PERC invested in the research and development of Origin’s new engines, providing industry expertise and financial support through the research, development, and testing process for … Read More
Monsanto Call Provides Perspective on Dicamba Developments
Monsanto held a media briefing Thursday to provide perspective on recent developments with dicamba herbicides. Monsanto chief technology officer Dr. Robb Fraley and Lisa Safarian, vice president of Monsanto North America, both participated in the call and answered questions from reporters. “Monsanto spent years developing XtendiMax® with VaporGrip® Technology to minimize the potential for off-site movement,” said Safarian. “Like many … Read More
House Ag Hearing on Specialty Crop Innovations
The House Agriculture Committee heard testimony Wednesday on technology and innovation in specialty crops as input toward the making of the 2018 farm bill. “As we look at the farm bill through the lens of the current farm economy, innovation and technology will remain essential for farmers and ranchers to continue producing more food and fiber with fewer resources,” said … Read More
Bayer Showcases InVigor® Canola Hybrids
The canola was in full bloom for the Bayer Showcase Plot Tour this week in North Dakota, soaking up the spotlight on the latest InVigor® canola hybrids. U.S. InVigor Sales Lead Kristie Sundeen says the Liberty Link trait canola hybrid just celebrated 20 years on the market and the most recent hybrids with pod shatter reduction technology are gaining in … Read More
Showcase Plot Tour with Bayer in North Dakota
I did a whole lot of PT on my recovering shoulder today out in a field west of Minot, ND today. It was a Bayer Showcase Plot Tour and a beautifully sunny day, with lots of wind. Glad I brought my wind screen for the Golden ZimmComm Microphone! The focus was on cereal crops as well as products for soybeans, … Read More