Syngenta has announced that Acuron™ corn herbicide has received registration from the federal EPA. Newly approved Acuron has been shown to control 70-plus weeds, including broadleaf and grass weeds like Palmer amaranth, marestail, giant ragweed, kochia, morningglory and waterhemp. These weeds have become particularly hard for growers to manage. “Current herbicides are losing effectiveness, and it’s not unusual for us … Read More
Corn Growers Provide UAV Comments
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is asking the government to give flight to some unmanned aerial vehicles. The group submitted comments to both the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration about proposed rules regarding the commercial usage and privacy best practices of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In the letter to … Read More
GROWMARK Crop Update
Another 10% of the nation’s corn crop was planted last week, bringing the total now a couple of points ahead of last year but still behind the five year average. According to the latest progress report from USDA, farmers now have 19% of the corn crop in the ground and two percent has emerged, most of it in non-Corn Belt … Read More
Verdesian Can Help Plants Take-Off
At Commodity Classic, Verdesian Life Sciences was showcasing nitrogen enhancement technology developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) that can really help plants Take-Off. According to Kurt Seevers with Verdesian technical services, Take Off® crop nitrogen assimilator helps improve photosynthesis by increasing carbon flow into a plant’s metabolism. “This enhances the formation of amino acids, which perform multiple functions in … Read More
Doane Planting Intentions Survey Results
While USDA is due out with the 2015 planting intentions report on March 31, Doane Advisory Services released its planting intentions report to subscribers and clients on Friday, March 20th, showing a continuation of recent trends toward more soybeans and less corn acreage. Last year’s corn acreage declined significantly in 2014, down 4.8 million acres from the 2013 level, just … Read More
Study Shows DuPont Pioneer Corn Performs in Drought
A new study in the Journal of Crop Science shows how well DuPont Pioneer corn hybrids perform in drought conditions. This company news release says the multi-year study demonstrated the efficacy of Pioneer brand Optimum® AQUAmax® maize hybrid seeds. “Through these and related research efforts, we are making real progress in understanding what contributes to drought tolerance,” said Mark Cooper, … Read More
Corn and Soybean Groups Support Non-GMO Label
Corn and soybean grower organizations applauded the introduction Wednesday of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, legislation that would create a national, science-based labeling standard for foods containing genetically modified organisms. “Farmers and consumers agree on the need for clear, consistent labeling. Labels should be science-based and uniform in all 50 states,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip … Read More
Brock Commodity Outlook at Farm & Gin Show
The 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show once again featured the annual Commodity Outlook from Richard Brock, of Brock Associates. In an interview after his presentation, Brock said he encouraged growers to shift acres to cotton if they’re in a cotton producing area as he sees the downside risk being minimal and upside potential being greater than most are anticipating. … Read More
USDA Report Shows Ethanol Increasing Efficiency
The amount of corn necessary to make a gallon of ethanol is less than previously believed according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report. In this month’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report (WASDE), corn use for ethanol production was projected 50 million bushels lower based on the new Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report recently released by the … Read More
Corn Yield Contest Winner Keeps Pushing
It got a little repetitive at the Commodity Classic corn banquet announcing the national winners of the Corn Yield Contest when Randy Dowdy of Valdosta, Georgia won six of the 18 categories. But Dowdy did make history last year with nearly 504 bushels per acre in his irrigated plot using DEKALB DKC 62-08, and he thinks he can do even … Read More