The 2012 corn crop delivered many of the problems that were foreseen throughout last year’s growing season. Decreased yields, variable quality and mycotoxins have affected livestock production throughout North America. However, this crop may still be causing trouble as we dig deeper into the storage bins. Alltech’s 37+ Program surveyed 329 samples from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2012. Only … Read More
Balchem Launches Real Science Initiative
Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ: BCPC), the global leader in choline chloride and precision release nutrient technologies, announced the creation of a new grant-based research program, the Real Science Initiative. The program will offer funding to university and related research institutes to support new research projects in animal nutrition, performance and health. Grant pre-proposals must be submitted by August 1, 2013. Complete … Read More
Auxins Could Help Crops Beat Heat and High Salinity
The plant hormones called auxins are well-known for stimulating development of roots and other structures, and now University of Florida scientists have shown that auxins help plants cope with environmental stresses. “Our findings show there’s a possibility of manipulating plant stress tolerance with auxins,” Rathinasabapathi said. “It may be possible to administer auxins to crops at critical stages of growth … Read More
Projects Promote Sustainability for Corn Growers
Farmers are accustomed to adjusting to the twists and turns of growing seasons on a short-term basis, but long-term planning is more difficult, according to climate field specialist Laura Edwards from South Dakota State University’s Extension office in Aberdeen. The Climate and Corn-based Cropping Systems Coordinated Agricultural Project explores ways that corn growers can adjust their cropping practices to make … Read More
Hybrids Perform Well With Delayed Planting
Growers across the Corn Belt are either anxiously waiting to get into their fields or are in the early stages of planting their 2013 corn crop. If cool, wet weather continues, planting will be delayed for many growers and prompt questions about switching to earlier season hybrids. Long-term research studies from DuPont Pioneer and several universities show that adapted, full-season … Read More
More R&D from BASF Acquiring Becker Underwood
The recent acquisition of Becker Underwood by BASF is more than just putting the two companies together. It means more research and development as each is able to look at the other’s advancements and see how they might be able to combine products for maximum efficiency “Both companies are bringing together a lot of existing technology that we’re starting to … Read More
Precision Ag Has Implications On Food Security
Precision agriculture promises to make farming more efficient and should have an important impact on the serious issue of food security, according to a new study published in Significance, the magazine of the Royal Statistical Society and the American Statistical Association. Spatial variation is at the core of precision agriculture and geostatistics. All aspects of the environment — soil, rocks, … Read More
New CAST Report Examines Nurtrient Use
Research, planning and implementation of the proper use of nutrients could shape food production and yields in the years ahead. A new paper from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology examines the process shaping the current nutrient situation and the resulting requirements as world food production evolves during the next 40 years. Two of the authors of the report, … Read More
CropLife Previews Precision Seed Study at ASTA
As we reported here last week, CropLife Foundation (CLF) is publishing a comprehensive report next year on “The Role of Precision Seed Protection in Modern Crop Production”. CLF chairman of the board Jay Vroom presented preliminary findings of the report last week at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference 2012 & Seed Expo. “Precision … Read More
New Report on Benefits of Precision Seed Protection
CropLife Foundation (CLF) announces that it will publish a comprehensive report in spring 2013 entitled “The Role of Precision Seed Protection in Modern Crop Production.” The report closely examines research from case studies conducted throughout the U.S. and outlines the benefits of using pesticides for sustainable crop production. Preliminary findings of the report were presented at the American Seed Trade … Read More