Survey: Cover Crops Expand in Acres, Boost Yields

John DavisAgribusiness, Corn, Cover Crops, Soybeans, USDA

A new survey shows that more farmers are planting more cover crops, and that is resulting in bigger yields in corn and soybean fields. The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) ­program, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), says the survey of more than 1,200 farmers revealed that cover crops boosted 2014 … Read More

Farmers Who Grow Enogen Corn for Ethanol to Get Rebates

John DavisAgribusiness, Corn, Ethanol, Syngenta

Growers of Syngenta‘s Enogen corn, especially designed for ethanol production, will get rebates on some of their agricultural equipment. Chief Agri/Industrial Division will provide Enogen corn growers rebates on grain bins and other equipment. A growing demand for high ethanol-yielding grain is creating the potential for corn growers to increase their income per acre. Earlier this year, Syngenta introduced the … Read More

ScoutPro Offers Enhanced Apps Free for a Year

John DavisAgribusiness, Apps, Corn, Soybeans

ScoutPro has released some enhanced versions of the company’s grower applications. And this company news release says growers will have free access to those, including ScoutPro Grower – Corn and ScoutPro Grower – Soy, for one year. Since 2011, ScoutPro has dedicated its work to providing innovative agricultural apps that are designed to save agricultural professionals time while also providing … Read More

Challenging Season for Illinois Growers

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, BASF, Corn, Soybeans, Spraying, Weed control

Central Illinois has definitely gotten a lot of water this growing season so far and corn and soybean farmers are having to adjust their plans accordingly. During a panel discussion at the BASF Midwest Research Farm this week, we heard from a farmer and his team of advisers on just how this season is impacting crops in the region. From … Read More

Mycogen Seeds Move Beyond Drought Tolerance

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Corn, yields

Mycogen Seeds is unveiling a new portfolio of hybrids, bred to handle the challenges of the western Corn Belt.  Designed to help growers manage multiple variables with one solution, the new hybrids feature a strong agronomic foundation of disease and insect control, lack of available water, and extreme heat. “Raising corn in the High Plains is not easy, and growers … Read More

Visiting the @BASFAgProducts Midwest Research Farm

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, BASF, Corn, Crop Protection, Research, Soybeans

Seymour, Illinois near Champaign is the location for the BASF Midwest Research Farm (MWRF), which the company has developed into a showcase for the latest in crop development trials and stewardship practices. “Several years ago we were farming about 45 acres worth of plots at this site and not really doing a whole lot of customer interaction,” said BASF Crop … Read More

Corn Growers Join Lawsuit to Overturn WOTUS

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Corn, Government, NCGA

The National Corn Growers Association is the latest group to join a lawsuit to overturn the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. Chip Bowling, president of NCGA and a farmer from Newburg, Maryland, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are overstepping their limits with the rule. “Farmers need clarity and certainty about their … Read More

Lower Corn Acres This Year

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Corn, Government, NCGA, USDA

Wet weather in the corn belt and plenty of carry over has pushed down the number of acres of corn planted this year. But the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says there’s plenty of the crop for all uses from the grain. Citing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Acreage report, NCGA says total corn planting in the United States … Read More

Corn Farmers Learn About Drones

Cindy ZimmermanCorn, drone, NCGA, UAS, UAV

National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling got a first-hand drone demo in his home state of Maryland last week. The demonstration was one of several educational tours for NCGA board members highlighting advances in technology and sustainability, as well as diversified farming operations. Bowling, left, got a lesson in flying an unmanned aerial system from Matthew Creger of Maryland-based … Read More

High Def Corn Planting

Cindy ZimmermanAerial Imagery, Corn, Planting, UAS, UAV, Video

Via Twitter alert from Robert Frye comes, “Iowa Corn Planting In High Definition.” Robert is obviously a drone pro judging by how he commanded his quad copter to take this gorgeous video. He published it on May 11, 2015. Here’s how he described it on YouTube: A “birds-eye-view” of Jim, Matt and Jay’s 2015 corn planting. Please watch on full … Read More