Casey & friends are back just in time for spring planting. In this just released book, Planters & Cultivators, by Holly Dufek and the 4th in the series, Casey and her lively friend Tillus the worm teach kids how to plant seeds and the importance of soil health. The CASE IH cartoon equipment characters are very content at Happy Skies … Read More
GMO Answers Stands Up For Science
The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the controversial legislation surrounding GMO labeling were hot discussion topics at the 2016 Commodity Classic, with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressing the issue during the event, as well as several commodity groups. In the trade show, the Council for Biotechnology Information (CBI) had a booth dedicated to GMO Answers, an … Read More
#Classic16 Partners with Ag PhD
The grower education experience during Commodity Classic 2016 (#Classic16) taking place in New Orleans March 3-5, 2016, is getting even better this year with a partnership between Commodity Classic (CC) and Ag PhD. As part of the collaboration, Ag PhD will promote CC farmer workshops through its various communications and outreach platforms. In addition, Ag PhD’s Darren and Brian Hefty … Read More
New Education Materials Available about Weeds
You can now find newly updated materials about weeds on the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) website. The fact sheets are available to download for free. New offerings includes information that helps identify similarities and differences among several categories of weeds, including so-called “super weeds.” A new definition of “weed” has also been endorsed by the WSSA. “There are … Read More
CHS Foundation Scholarships Available For Students
The CHS Foundation invites new and existing college students with agriculture or energy-related interests to apply for scholarships to help further their education. Both high school and existing college students are invited to apply for a variety of scholarship opportunities. The CHS Foundation will award more than 300 scholarships in 2016. One hundred $1,000 scholarships will be made to high … Read More
Record Student Poster Presentations at #ASTACSS
The American Seed Trade Association has stepped up its efforts to “Seed the Future” with a new generation of seed industry professionals, which resulted in a record number of students participating in the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo last week. “We designed the entire Thursday program this year to be a one day event for student track…and it just … Read More
UC Davis Seed Biz 101 Held in Chicago
The UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center completed another successful session of the Seed Business 101 course last week in Chicago, held in conjunction with the ASTA CSS 2015 conference. The participants represented a wide range of companies with regional, national and international reach. Seed Business 101 is a one week course designed to expose participants to the five functional areas … Read More
Grant Given for Study of Soil to Understand Drought
In the fight against drought a team of researchers from the University of California, Riverside are looking into an overlooked tool: soil. The team, lead by assistant professor of environmental sciences, Samantha Ying, have received a $1.69 million grant to study how soil relates to water use by a crop during drought. The grant is one of four given by … Read More
NCCPB Awards Scholarships at #ASTACSS
Three graduate students received scholarships during the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo this week from the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders (NCCPB). The organization presents the scholarships annually to outstanding graduate students in the field of basic, applied, or developmental research in genetics and plant breeding. The students recieve $2,500 for their education, plus a travel allowance to … Read More
UMass Amherst Finds Promise for Increased Crop Yields
A “double agent” peptide found by molecular biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst may open doors to improving crop yields without increasing fertilizer use. The peptide, found in alfalfa, was discovered by scientists who study nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plants. Early reports indicate that alfalfa may be able to use the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, rhizobia, more efficiently. Lead author and postdoctoral … Read More