Intellectual ownership of seed technology has long been argued. Some support the free exchange of seed and plant varieties because of the benefits to plant breeders and growers. Others are in favor of intellectual property, which protects a company’s investments. But every issues has pros and cons. To determine the impact of intellectual property protection on seed development Stephen Smith and … Read More
Boll Weevil Hideouts Spotted by Aerial Survey
Scientists for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in College Station, Texas have developed a new technique to discover boll weevil hideouts. Growers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley typically mow cotton plants after harvest and may spray with herbicide to prevent boll weevils from living in the regrowth. Mother Nature fights against this management plan, however, with subtropical, heavy … Read More
BASF Supports Students’ Space Farming Research
Three… Two… One… Launch! This summer three students from the Edith Stein School in Ravensburg, Germany will be sending their science project into space, thanks to the support of BASF. The V3PO project was designed by the students to see if plant cutting can build roots in zero gravity and how those roots might behave over time. Up till now, … Read More
Valent Expanding Agricultural R&D in North America
Valent U.S.A. Corporation has announced they are strategically expanding the research and development program in North America. The new facilities are being created to accelerate discovery and early development testing of solutions for plant protection. This announcement comes on the heels of a research and development expansion by Valent’s parent company, Sumitomo Chemical. The expansion includes a Valent Midsouth Agricultural Research … Read More
Soil Health Institute Names Chief Scientific Officers
For the first time the Soil Health Institute has selected a Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Steven R. Shafer, one of the nation’s top agricultural research leaders, has been selected for this position. “The Soil Health Institute is committed to safeguarding and enhancing the vitality and productivity of our soils. To accomplish this mission, high priority, outcome-driven research and education are … Read More
McCornick Named Executive Director for WFI
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska has announced a new executive director. Peter G. McCornick, an expert recognized internationally for his research in water, food, and the environment, will be taking the reins for the institute on September 1. Currently McCornick is serving as the deputy director general for the International Water Management … Read More
Cold Tolerant Faba Bean Developed
Faba beans are unique in many ways. They have double the protein of wheat and triple the amount found in rice. They contain beneficial amino acids, B-vitamis and micronutrients, plus they benefit the soil. Like others in the pulse family, Faba beans can pull nitrogen from the air for use by the plant. Their sweet, strong sent is attractive to … Read More
The Secret in the Soil
Agriculture’s efforts to better manage water have taken as step forward with the work of Daniel Hirmas, a professor at the University of Kansas. He and his team are using MLT scanners to predict water movement within the soil– a study which could lead to correct predictions of recharge rates of aquifers, predict how areas will react to climate change, … Read More
NCGA Joins with SoAR for the Future of Ag
The National Corn Growers Association recently told us of their new strategic plan to increase demand and improve productivity and sustainability. Now they’re showing us just what it is they plan to do about it. The organization has now joined the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR), a coalition of scientific, consumer and producer groups that seek out sound research policies … Read More
Research Leads to More Food with Fewer Resources
Science and agriculture have been working together to feed a rapidly growing population and increasing yields is one of the most important factors in that food production. Because yields are largely determined by a plant’s reaction to the stresses of drought, climate change and salinization of fields researchers at Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences, the University of … Read More