Purdue Prof on Overlap System for Weed Control

John DavisAgribusiness, FMC, University, Weed control

bryan-youngResistant weeds, the appropriate use of herbicides and integrated weed management strategies are highlighted topics in the new white paper, “Overlapping Residual Herbicides” by Purdue University Associate Professor of Weed Science Bryan Young, pictured here talking weed control strategies at the 2014 Commodity Classic.

“The practice of applying two effective residual herbicide sites of action in combination or the concept of using effective residual herbicides in sequential overlapping applications would both be considered a best management practice to deter the development of herbicide-resistant weeds,” writes Young.

The white paper includes research related to glyphosate-resistance in reference to the three most problematic weeds confronting farmers in the major corn and soybean production areas of the United States: waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and horseweed (or marestail). These aggressive weed species can reduce soybean yields by 40 percent or more and have become problematic for growers due to prolific seed production, continuous weed emergence throughout the growing season, ease of seed dispersal and ease of overcoming or escaping herbicide-based management tactics. Soil applied residual herbicides are the most frequently recommended because of the multiple benefits, which are further explored in the white paper.

“The most common approach to managing herbicide-resistant weed species such as glyphosate-resistant horseweed, Palmer amaranth or waterhemp has been the use of an effective alternative herbicide as a tank-mixture with glyphosate as a residual herbicide preceding a postemergence application of glyphosate, or a combination of both,” writes Young.

FMC Corporation has been promoting the overlap system this year to farmers as a way to control weed resistance.

Planting Progress Zooms Ahead

Cindy ZimmermanCorn, NCGA, Planting, Soybeans, USDA

plant-2015A week ago corn planting was running behind schedule but thanks to the very latest precision technology corn farmers are now 17% ahead of the five year average with 55% of the crop in the ground, according to the latest crop progress report.

“We saw more than one-third of the nation’s corn acres planted in a single week,” said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.

The phenomenal progress included an increase of 38% in Nebraska and Illinois, 41% more in Missouri, 45% in Minnesota and an additional 54% of the acreage in Iowa. “Conditions were nearly ideal in much of the state last week and as a result farmers were able to make tremendous progress,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

“The incredible progress that we saw over the past week is a testament to the old fashioned, hardworking nature of farmers as well as the incredible advantages offered by modern farming technology,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling.

Soybeans also made significant progress in the week, with a total of 13% of the crop now planted.

Funding for New USDA Conservation Partnerships

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, NRCS, USDA

usda-rccpIn Colorado today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of up to $235 million to improve conservation efforts through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

This will be the second round of projects funded through RCPP, the newest conservation tool of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) included in the 2014 Farm Bil. “This is a new, innovative approach to conservation,” said Vilsack. “This initiative allows local partners the opportunity to design and invest in conservation projects specifically tailored for their communities. These efforts keep our land and water clean, and promote tremendous economic growth in agriculture, construction, tourism, and other industries.”

Vilsack made the announcement in Denver at a ceremony for the Colorado Pressurized Small Hydropower Partnership Project, a 2015-funded project that focuses on water quantity resource concerns in Colorado. The project, which will receive $1.8 million in NRCS support alongside local partner investments, will facilitate the conversion of flood irrigation systems to more resource-efficient pressurized irrigation systems with integrated hydropower.

Another project, “The Tri-State Western Lake Erie Basin Phosphorous Reduction Initiative” brings together more than 40 partnering organizations from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana to reduce the runoff of phosphorous to waterways in the western basin of Lake Erie.

Listen to press conference with Vilsack and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/usda/usda-rcpp-5-15.mp3″ text=”USDA Regional Conservation Partnership announcement”]

GROWMARK Spring Fertilizer Update

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Fertilizer, Growmark, Nutrient Management

growmark-fertilizerLower crop prices and a later harvest caused farmers to cut back some on fall fertilizer application last year but supplies are expected to be adequate this spring to meet demand, according to GROWMARK Plant Food Director Joe Dillier.

“Haven’t had a great test of that because of the planting delays we’ve had to date,” said Dillier. “But my guess is that we’re going to be okay on fertilizer supply going through the balance of the spring.”

Dillier says that prices have been volatile but basically steady compared to last year. “Overall, phosphate prices are maybe a little higher than they were a year ago, not much, ammonia is probably in that same category,” said Dillier. “The other products would probably be down a little bit compared to a year ago.”

The fertilizer market is going through a bit of a transition right now, according to Dillier. “It’s anticipated that some time over the course of the next year, there will be some new domestic production come on, probably after this fall,” he said. “So, we’ll have to see how that plays out.”

There is some concern that with last year’s big crop and yields farmers face some risk by cutting back on fertilizer. “Last spring we saw strong application rates and I think farmers saw the benefit of that…they saw great yields,” said Dillier. “That’s the danger if they go shy on their nutrient program that they don’t get the yields that they want.”

Dillier has more information in this interview: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/growmark/growmark-dillier.mp3″ text=”Interview with Joe Dillier, GROWMARK”]

Soybeans Key Part of NASA’s Earth Day

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Government, Satellite, Soybeans, USB

USBksc1Soybeans were a prominent part of NASA’s recent Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The United Soybean Board (USB) shared how U.S. farmers use science and satellites to grow a sustainable crop that is a rapidly renewable source for food, feed, biodiesel and diverse biobased products.

USB partnered with NASA/KSC to add soy and biobased. For the first time, USB, the National Biodiesel Board and biobased manufacturers were exhibitors [at NASA’s Earth Day event]. USB Customer Focus Action Team Chair John Dodson was a keynote speaker.

“GPS satellite technology is one of the many tools that U.S. soybean growers use to farm with precision,” Dodson said. “Innovation and agriculture grow together. We continuously improve the sustainability of our farming practices and the many products made from U.S. soybeans.

“To shrink their environmental footprint, companies use soy as an ingredient in their products, ranging from carpet backing and turf to paints, furniture and car seats,” Dodson said. “USB and these companies are helping the environment, rewriting America’s petroleum-laden history and creating U.S. jobs.”

Often called the “miracle bean,” a peer-reviewed life cycle analysis supports that U.S. soybeans can collectively remove from the atmosphere the carbon equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road in just one year. Each year, nearly 600,000 independent U.S. farmers plant, grow, and harvest trillions of soybeans.

KSC’s annual Earth Day attracts approximately 5000 employees and guests to the unique facility located on a federal wildlife reserve.

Upland Cotton Genome Sequenced

John DavisAgribusiness, Cotton, Genetics, Government, USDA

cottonA joint effort by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists and their international partners have sequenced the genome of the world’s most widely cultivated and genetically complex species of cotton. This USDA news release says the discovery will make it easier to address increasing threats to cotton by tapping into its natural defenses.

Sequencing the genome of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) will help breeders develop varieties of cotton that are better equipped to combat the pests, diseases and higher temperatures and droughts expected to accompany climate change. Cotton growers have experienced a plateau in yields since the early 1990s, and most commercial varieties lack genetic diversity, making cotton vulnerable to natural threats. The findings will help researchers and breeders in the years ahead develop cotton varieties with improved fiber qualities, higher yields and more tolerance to heat, drought and diseases anticipated due to climate change. Cotton is grown on 12 million acres in 17 states and is a $6 billion crop in the United States.

“There is a vast, untapped reservoir of genes in wild cotton plants that could offer us stronger and more effective defenses to the numerous challenges faced by cotton growers. Sequencing of a genetic standard in cotton gives us the roadmap to identify and tap into that reservoir of genetic variability,” said Chavonda Jacobs-Young, administrator of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). ARS is USDA’s principal intramural scientific research agency.

The studies are the result of nearly a decade of international collaboration. ARS scientists Richard Percy and Russell Kohel (retired) are coauthors and John Yu is corresponding author of one publication. They are based in College Station, Texas. ARS scientist Brian Scheffler, based in Stoneville, Mississippi, is a coauthor of the other. The two teams sequenced the genome of the genetic standard of Upland cotton, Texas Marker-1, which is often used in studies and in developing new genetic lines.

The scientists recently sequenced the two “parent” species of most commercial cotton varieties—an Old World cultivated cotton and a New World wild cotton. The results will allow scientists to analyze two sets of extensive DNA data, compiled independently of each other, compare the results and exploit cotton’s genetic diversity.

Senate Bill Calls for WOTUS Re-do

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, environment, Government, Regulation, water

wotus-senateA bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill Thursday that calls on EPA to develop a new “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) proposal.

The senators, including John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), jointly introduced the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, directing EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue a revised WOTUS rule that “does not include things such as isolated ponds, ditches, agriculture water, storm water, groundwater, floodwater, municipal water supply systems, wastewater management systems, and streams without enough flow to carry pollutants to navigable waters.”

“After working together for months, we’ve introduced a strong bipartisan bill that will protect America’s waterways – and America’s farmers, ranchers and landowners. Our legislation gives the EPA the direction it needs to write a reasonable rule that will truly protect our ‘navigable’ waterways,” said Barrasso.

“No one wants cleaner water or better land conditions than the families who live on American farms,” said Donnelly. “That is why it is incredibly important that the EPA rewrite the Waters of the United States rule with input from the people who live and work on the land and alongside these waters every day.”

The bill will be referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works . Similar legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., and Bob Gibbs, R-Ohio.

Agriculture groups are already responding positively to the move urging Congress to act swiftly, before the rule is final, so agencies can re-craft the rule to ensure it is practical and addresses the concerns of farmers, ranchers and business owners across the country.

Audio of press conference: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/government/wotus-bill.mp3″ text=”Senators introduce bill to revise WOTUS”]

Vermeer Gets Equipment Dealer’s Choice Award

John DavisAgribusiness, Equipment, Machinery

dealerschoiceDealers sure like ag equipment maker Vermeer Corporation. The Iowa-based company has been named “Dealer’s Choice” in the Ag/Shortline Manufacturer category for the third consecutive year by the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA).

“Our customers spend so much time interacting with our dealer network on a day-to-day basis, continuing to support that network is key to maintaining our high quality standards at Vermeer,” said Vermeer Executive Vice President and CMO, Mark Core. “Gaining this recognition three years in a row shows Vermeer is truly dedicated to providing great support to our customers.”

The Dealer Choice Awards are based on results from NAEDA’s Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey, given annually to equipment dealers throughout the country. The survey, which was conducted in February, asked dealers to rate up to five manufacturer lines they carry in 12 key categories, including: Overall Satisfaction, Product Quality, Product Availability and Product Technical Support. Over 6,000 total evaluations were collected from North American dealers, up from approximately 3,800 evaluations last year. Vermeer was honored to have been rated so highly by our dealers among these categories, taking the number one spot in ten of the 12 categories.

Yield Lab Adds APSE to Company

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness

yieldlabThe nation’s largest agriculture technology business accelerator is adding a company that will bring cost efficient production of RNA for agricultural applications. The Yield Lab is adding APSE to its first cohort. APSE begins participating in the Yield lab accelerator programming this week in St. Louis.

APSE is a company that is developing an innovative and very inexpensive way of manufacturing RNAi. RNA is the pattern that is used to direct the manufacture of proteins. When targeted, RNAi prevents the pattern RNA from expressing. This could potentially be used to alter plant characteristics such as herbicide resistance or used to control insect pests.

Dr. John Killmer, CEO of APSE commented, “We at APSE are very excited to be a part of Yield Lab. Their program for entrepreneurs is unique and will be an important component of APSE’s commercial success moving forward. APSE is making systematic progress in our production technology to bring cost effective RNA for RNAi applications in broad acre agriculture.”

The Yield Lab’s mission is to promote solutions for a healthier, more sustainable future though the Yield Lab portfolio.

“The Yield Lab is thrilled to have APSE on board. We have been assessing APSE and the progress they have made in St. Louis and believe they are at the perfect stage for the Yield Lab to accelerate their business development,” said Thad Simons, managing director of the Yield Lab.

The Yield Lab runs a nine-month program that supports emerging AgTech companies with up to $100,000 in funding, an agriculture-specific curriculum, one-on-one mentorship, free workspace and networking opportunities.

Bayer CropScience Research to Improve Bee Colonies

John DavisAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Bees, pollinators

healthyhivesA new research initiative from Bayer CropScience looks to improve the health of honey bee colonies. Healthy Hives 2020 will be conducted over the next five years and will bring together a cross-section of bee health stakeholders from multiple sectors, including academia, government, agriculture, business and the beekeeping community.

Bayer CropScience is organizing a two-day workshop on June 2-3, 2015 with the goal of determining present honey bee health conditions in the U.S. and setting three tangible and assessable initiatives to improve honey bee health by the year 2020. The best ideas from the inaugural meeting will become part of an action plan that will include sponsored research through collaborations with various organizations as well as research conducted directly by the North American Bayer Bee Care Center.

“While the overall number of honey bee colonies in North America is increasing, they are being impacted by a wide range of factors, including disease, lack of forage and invasive pests like the Varroa mite, among other major stressors,” said Dr. David Fischer, director of Pollinator Safety at Bayer CropScience. “The goal of Healthy Hives 2020 is to define the current status of honey bee health in the U.S. and establish priorities with measurable goals to improve the health of honey bees through collaboration with some of the country’s most recognized pollinator health experts.”

Along with Healthy Hives 2020, Bayer is also working to tackle one of the major issues facing pollinators today: lack of forage. The Feed a Bee initiative is working with individuals and organizations across the country to grow 50 million flowers and to increase bee forage areas. As bees are working harder to pollinate crops, they need more food and food diversity.