Biotechnology and GMO labeling, Waters of the U.S., and soil health were just a few of the issues on the mind of National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention last week. Bowling says corn growers are very concerned about the growing number of initiatives nationwide called for labeling of GMO products, and … Read More
Report: Cover Crops Boost Yield, Benefit Soil
A new report shows that cover crops boost yields while benefiting the soil and other pluses. The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) funded research, carried out by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), surveyed nearly 2,000 users and non-users of cover crops and showed the challenges and benefits farmers expect from cover crops. [Respondents] noted an … Read More
American Seed Trade Officer at NAFB
The first vice chair of American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was in Kansas City last week for a meeting of the Western Seed Association immediately before the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. “It’s the only organization that’s been meeting here longer than NAFB,” said Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who stuck around for another day to do some interviews … Read More
Future for Soybean Production
During the recent Bayer CropScience Corn and Soybean Future Forum in Germany, soybean producers talked about the challenges ahead for farmers. American Soybean Association president Ray Gaesser talked about sustainability, weed resistance and cover crops. “We as farmers really need to be proactive and make sure to protect the technologies we have, because not having those weed management technologies is … Read More
Ag Retailers to Talk Precision Ag, Cover Crops at Conference
Precision agriculture and cover crops are just two of the subjects to be highlighted at the upcoming Agricultural Retailers Association Annual Conference and Expo, December 2-4 at the Sheraton in New Orleans’ French Quarter. To help you navigate these trends, organizers encourage you to navigate over to the conference website and get registered now before the conference rates increase on … Read More
Rice as a Cover Crop in the Everglades
Rice has become an environmentally sensible cover crop option for sugarcane growers in the Everglades Agricultural Area. During the 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action tour last week, we heard about this from the agriculture program leader for the University of Florida Palm Beach County Extension Service, who is aptly named Ron Rice. “It’s much more than a cover crop, it’s … Read More
Grassland Oregon Releases FIXatioN Balansa Clover
Grassland Oregon has released a “next generation cover crop” specially designed to be winter-hardy and set up to 100 units of nitrogen per acre. Grassland Oregon co-founder Jerry Hall says they created FIXatioN to address a number of farmers’ concerns “and the result is a cover crop that outperforms all other clovers in hardiness, biomass and most importantly, nutrient fixing … Read More
ASTA First and Second Vice Chairs
The new officer slate for the American Seed Trade Association includes first vice chair Risa DeMasi of Grassland Oregon and second vice chair Mark Herrmann with Monsanto’s vegetable seed division. DeMasi has the distinction of being the first woman officer of ASTA and her company is very involved in the development of new cover crop species. With her leadership, ASTA … Read More
Great Lakes Tackle Cover Crops
Keeping crop fields covered between growing seasons for corn, soybeans and other cash crops can help improve water quality by keeping nutrients on the farm, a collaborative project led by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) demonstrated. The Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative (GLCCI), promoted cover crops and conservation farming systems to crop producers in the Lake Erie, Lake Huron … Read More
Use Cover Crops? Yes or No?
Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) wants to know if you are using cover crops on your farm. They are wanting input from farmers on cover crops as a conservation option on farms across the county. The survey just takes 10 minutes or less and is for those using cover crops and those who haven’t tried them yet. Your input will … Read More