A jury in California reached a unanimous verdict Tuesday that the herbicide Roundup was a significant factor in causing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to develop in a second person. Another jury reached that conclusion last year and awarded the plaintiff $289 million. The verdict is the first phase of the trial in the case of 70-year Edwin Hardeman. The trial will now … Read More
Bayer Discusses Integration With Monsanto
There were lots of people at the Farm Progress Show this week wearing different hats – or shirts – as a result of Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto, which just became final-final this month. There were former Monsanto people now working for Bayer and former Bayer people working for BASF now, and let’s just say it will take some time before … Read More
Precision Ag Bytes 7/3
Monsanto Company and Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, announced the companies have reached an agreement on an expanded license for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology for soybeans. Through this non-exclusive, royalty bearing license, Corteva Agriscience will offer U.S. and Canadian growers additional weed control flexibility through broader access to Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology across its North America seed … Read More
Bayer Looks Forward to Monsanto Closing This Week
Bayer intends to complete the acquisition of Monsanto this Thursday, June 7, following the receipt of all required approvals from regulatory authorities. “The acquisition of Monsanto is a strategic milestone in strengthening our portfolio of leading businesses in health and nutrition. We will double the size of our agriculture business and create a leading innovation engine in agriculture, positioning us … Read More
EPA Announces New Dicamba Rules
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced new requirements for the use of dicamba formulations “over the top” to further minimize the potential for drift when applying to dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. EPA worked worked with impacted states and land-grant universities, as well as Monsanto, BASF and DuPont on measures that will allow farmers to make informed choices for seed purchases … Read More
Executive Address From Liam Condon, Bayer
During the 2017 Bayer Future Farming Dialog we heard an address from Liam Condon, President, Crop Science, a division of Bayer. Focusing in his speech on sustainable agriculture, Liam Condon also reaffirmed the commitment of the Crop Science Division to investing in innovation and developing customized agronomic solutions for farmers that address their individual needs and challenges. In this context, … Read More
Arkansas Urged to Consider Impact of Dicamba Ban
Soybean leaf cupping seen from suspected dicamba drift (ZimmComm file photo) The Arkansas State Plant Board is considering recommendations for dicamba use in the 2018 growing season that Monsanto calls “unwarranted” and BASF considers to be a “rush to judgement.” On August 24, the state’s Dicamba Task Force voted to recommend a cutoff date of April 15 next year for … Read More
SMART Farmer Robb Fraley
Robb Fraley isn’t our typical SMART Farmer, but after growing up on a small Illinois farm, his work has helped farmers around the world produce food more sustainably with science and technology that has helped increase yields by decreasing threats to crops. That technology is genetic modification of plants, creating GMO crops that are resistance to insects and disease, able … 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
4-H Challenges Students to Tackle Soil Health
Students in the midwest are tackling the challenges of healthy soils as part of the 2017 4-H Ag Innovators Experience (4-H AIE) activity. Sponsored by Monsanto, the two-part challenge was developed by The Ohio State University and focuses on soil composition, impacts of tillage, and new ways to farm. Teams of students in 4-H clubs, camps, after school programs, and enrichment … Read More