Landmark Joins New Partnership with Curry Seeds

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy, seed

LSC_Corn SeedlingsLandmark Services Cooperative is proud to announce a new partnership with Curry® Seeds. This new agreement broadens Landmark’s seed portfolio, offering growers additional benefits in plant diversity, insect protection and herbicide resistance.

“We are excited to bring new seed varieties and options to Landmark growers through this new partnership,” says Randy Bump, senior seed advisor for Landmark Services Cooperative. “Much like Landmark, Curry® Seeds provides local solutions through globally-recognized technology and tools. Through this new partnership, our members will have access to the most diverse seed portfolio in our region.”

Four new seed trait packages will compliment Landmark’s long-standing lineup of seeds in 2015. These new seed trait packages have different base germplasm than other seed available in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, giving growers additional options for reducing risk and reaching 300 bushels per year.

New seeds added to Landmark’s seed offerings, exclusively carried by Landmark, include the AcreMax®line of hybrid corn and soybean varieties 1225TM and 1252TM. These seeds were created from unique genetics and were specially selected to thrive in the 95-109 day growing seasons of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

“Planting a diverse variety of seeds is important to prevent putting all your eggs in one basket,” says Joe Slosarczyk, agronomist and certified crop advisor with Landmark Services Cooperative. “When selecting seeds, look for a diverse portfolio that gives you options in genetics, traits and germplasm base. With our new partnership, Landmark Services Cooperative has the most diverse portfolio in our trade territory.”

The new seeds available through Landmark’s partnership with Curry® Seeds join the long-standing lineup of seed available from Landmark Services Cooperative which now includes seed varieties from: DeKalb, Asgrow, Mycogen, Croplan and NK.

Precision Sugarcane Planting

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, CTIC, Video


2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

ctic-14-cane-plantingPlanting at U.S. Sugar Corporation is done with precision, as we found out on the 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action tour last week in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

Steven Stiles, U.S. Sugar farm manager, says cane is a “ratoonable crop” which refers to the stalks that are called ratoons and normally one planting lasts about four years. “The production goes on a linear decline,” he said, with each successive year producing a little less than the year before. Instead of seeds, they plant 2-3 foot cuttings of cane stalk called billets from which the plants sprout.

Stiles explained how they “laser level” and “table top” the fields before planting which helps them in the event of excessive rainfall and flooding. “And when it’s dry…if it’s flat you get a more consistent irrigation job,” he said.

U.S. Sugar’s precision ag manager Scott Berden says they use GPS and auto steer on their planters, as well as rear-mounted cameras so the operator can see how the planting is going behind him. The whole system is monitored by computer through a private on-farm wireless network. “We’re looking at engine health, telematics data on the field, as well as all the field data,” said Berden.

Listen to Steve and Scott explain here or below in the video: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-14-cane-planting.mp3″ text=”Steve Stiles and Scott Berden with U.S. Sugar”]


USDA Helps Farmers Diversify Weed Control Efforts

Jamie JohansenAg Group, USDA, Weed control

USDA_logo_svgAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several steps that the USDA is taking to address the increase of herbicide resistant weeds in U.S. agricultural systems.

“Weed control in major crops is almost entirely accomplished with herbicides today,” said Vilsack. “USDA, working in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, must continue to identify ways to encourage producers to adopt diverse tactics for weed management in addition to herbicide control. The actions we are taking today are part of this effort.”

USDA is announcing several of the steps it is taking to help farmers manage their herbicide resistant weed problems in a more holistic and sustainable way:

– USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer financial assistance under its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for herbicide resistant weed control practices that utilize Integrated Pest Management plans and practices.
– Later this year NRCS will be soliciting proposals under the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program for innovative conservation systems that address herbicide resistant weeds.
– USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will actively promote use of best management practices (BMPs) in design protocols for regulated authorized releases of genetically engineered (GE) crops and will include recommendations for BMPs with the authorization of field trials of HR crops.
– USDA is partnering with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and is providing funds to develop education and outreach materials for various stakeholders on managing herbicide–resistant weeds. The Secretary has directed Dr. Sheryl Kunickis, Director of the USDA Office of Pest Management Policy, as the point person leading this effort with the USDA.

With EPA’s announcement today on the registration of new uses for herbicide mixtures containing the herbicides 2,4-D and glyphosate (in the Enlist® formulation) in conjunction with new genetically engineered crop varieties, farmers are being offered one more new tool to better manage emerging populations of herbicide-resistant weeds in corn and soybeans crops. In its decision for 2,4-D use on genetically modified corn and soybean, EPA has outlined new requirements for registrants as part of a product stewardship program.

Find the complete release here.

Food Dialogue on GMOs

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Food, GMO, USFRA

Mike Pearson Market to MarketWhat do you know about GMOs? Most people not much with the exception that many have been led to believe they are bad. In a recent Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jimmy Kimmel, he took to the streets to ask people what a GMO was and not one person knew, even thought most believed they were bad. In case you don’t know, its a “genetically modified organism” or in the words of 2014 Borlaug CAST Communication Award winner Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, it means genetically engineered.

Because GMO’s are such a misunderstood technology and a hot topic the U.S. Ranchers & Farmers Alliance (USFRA) hosted a Food Dialogue event in conjunction with CAST and the World Food Prize. “GMOs and the Consumer Mindset: Does Perception and Marketing Outweigh Science?” was moderated by Mike Pearson, host of Market to Market on Iowa Public Television. Panelists included Julie Kenney, farmer and CommonGround volunteer; David Sutherland, activist, blogger and founder of VeganGMO; Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, University of California-Davis, department of Animal Science; and Jay Byrne, president v-Fluence Interactive.

The dialogue focused on two main topics: what consumers believe about GMOs and how to get the facts into the conversation and more specifically how to get scientists, like Van Eenannaam, more involved in the conversation.

One issue that all the panelists noted was that in the debate, the “experts” have no expertise. They are anti-GMO advocates from various walks of life who have self-proclaimed themselves experts but don’t understand the data or more specifically refuse to acknowledge the data. And what is unnerving, explained Byrne, is that people who are reading about GMOs are taking the word of these experts including high profile media such as Dr. Oz, host of the Dr. Oz Show.

Speaking of media, all the panelists agreed that the media were in part to blame for the mis-information being proGMO Food Dialogues Des Moinespagated about GMOs. They don’t do their research and they don’t understand science. Sutherland noted that the story of GMOs being fine “is not sexy” and thus is ignored.

Kenney added that when speaking to “mom bloggers” when they come to the farm they had the view that GMOs were bad but after seeing firsthand how food was made, many of them became “conflicted” as to which message was the truth.

Sutherland, Byrne and Kenney all stressed that in their roles, the people they are speaking with have no science-based facts and stressed the need for more scientists to speak out. However, Van Eenennaam said that its hard to scientists to speak out when they are attacked and many have difficulty discussing their research in ways consumers can understand.

Yet despite these challenges, Byrne said that this debate will run its course and if the facts continue to be presented by respected people, such as the work Kenney is doing with CommonGround and the work Van Eenennaam is doing on behalf of the scientific community, GMOs will ultimately become accepted and no longer a front line issue.

Rice as a Cover Crop in the Everglades

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, Cover Crops, CTIC

ctic-14-riceRice has become an environmentally sensible cover crop option for sugarcane growers in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

During the 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action tour last week, we heard about this from the agriculture program leader for the University of Florida Palm Beach County Extension Service, who is aptly named Ron Rice.

“It’s much more than a cover crop, it’s a cover crop that really fits in with the whole philosophy of phosphorus reduction and best management practices that all the growers are implementing,” said Rice.

Dr. Rice says that rice provides two important benefits. First, it serves as a habitat for bird populations. In addition, the rice fields act like mini storm water treatment areas. “Water and phosphorus concentrations that are coming in as irrigation, that phosphorus gets taken up in the rice plant and then the water leaving the rice fields is lower in phosphorus than the irrigation water than brought it in,” he explained.

Learn more in this interview: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-14-rice.MP3″ text=”Interview with Ron Rice, University of Florida”]


2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

Almond Board Announces Bee Management Practices

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Bees

Screen Shot 2014-10-20 at 11.09.38 AMAs part of an ongoing commitment to honey bee health, the Almond Board of California released a comprehensive, set of Honey Bee Best Management Practices (BMPs) for California’s almond industry.

Developed with a wide array of input from sources including the almond community, beekeepers, researchers, California and U.S. regulators, and chemical registrants, the BMPs represent the Board’s most extensive educational documents to date to ensure that almond orchards are and remain a safe and healthy place for honey bees. The documents lay out simple, practical steps that almond growers can take together with beekeepers and other pollination stakeholders to protect and promote bee health on their land and in the surrounding community.

The release builds on decades of work by the almond industry. Since 1995, the Almond Board of California has invested almost $1.6 million – more than any other crop – on research related to honey bee health, on subjects including Varroa mite and other honey bee pest and disease management, nutrition and honey bee forage, impact of pesticides, and technical assistance for beekeepers. Almond orchards are often honey bees first source of natural pollen after the winter, and honey bee hives routinely leave the almond orchard stronger than they arrived.

“Nobody is a bigger fan of honey bees than almond growers. Without bees, there would be no almonds. And without almonds, bees would lose a vital source of nutritious natural pollen,” said Richard Waycott, CEO of the Almond Board of California. “These Best Management Practices are another significant milestone in our decades-long commitment to protect bee health and preserve that mutually beneficial relationship.”

“With these Best Management Practices, the Almond Board is responding strongly on honey bee health and, in particular, pesticide use and considerations during bloom,” said Dr. Eric Mussen, UC Davis Extension Apiculturist Emeritus. “Their recommendations actually go far beyond the almond orchard, providing important insights for all crops when it comes to promoting honey bee health.”

Bayer Showcases Food Chain Partnership at PMA Convention

Cindy ZimmermanBayer CropScience, Food

bayerBayer CropScience showcased its latest global Food Chain Partnership projects at the PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo this past week. The annual conference brings together decision makers at every level of the produce supply chain, including growers, importers and exporters, processors and retailers.

“To continue to meet the needs of our growers, we must first understand the needs of the food value chain and those consumers at the very end of it,” said Silke Friebe, head of global Food Chain Management at Bayer CropScience. “Having this understanding allows us to provide growers with the tools to meet those needs, from planting to harvest and storage.”

“Bayer CropScience is focused on providing growers with new technology and expertise in seeds and crop protection,” said Rob Schrick, strategic business management lead for horticulture at Bayer CropScience. “That’s why we’re putting more than a billion dollars a year into research and continually providing new products that improve the health, quality and yield of crops.”

During Fresh Summit, representatives from Bayer CropScience discussed the Food Chain Partnership’s impact on the produce market, as well as the wide range of solutions available to fruit and vegetable growers.

Propane Supplies Much Better than Last Winter

John Davispropane

propane-logo1Last winter’s propane shortages that hit farmers and rural residents hard for their business and home heating needs should not be repeated this winter. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is citing U.S. Energy Information Administration information that expects a warmer winter and a propane stocks up 17 percent from a year ago in the Gulf Coast and Midwest, along with a 12 percent increase in production from 2013.

“These are positive signs,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, “but our industry is working hard to ensure our customers are prepared. Propane retailers across the country remain focused on safety and encouraging customers to consider early fills, automatic refills, and payment programs now before cold weather hits.”

PERC launched a $5.5 million consumer safety and preparedness campaign in early September directing residential heating customers and agribusiness operators, among others, to propanecomfort.com. On the site, propane customers can take a quiz to determine if they are prepared for winter and review energy efficiency tips. Visitors can also sign up for news updates from PERC.

“Preliminary numbers for the campaign show that nearly 20,000 customers have already taken advantage of our online resources and we expect to see continued engagement as we get closer to winter,” said Willis.

PERC will TV ads through Thanksgiving in 30 states most affected by deliverability challenges and temporary price increases last winter.

The Nose Knows: Bugs’ Sense of Smell Turned Against Them

John DavisFruit, USDA

noseknows1Odors that certain bugs can sense and are attracted to are being used to control the pests. This article from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the blend of odors that attracts spotted wing drosophila flies (SWD) has been developed into a new lure product for improved monitoring and control of these tree-fruit and berry pests.

The blend is a combination of four different chemicals found in the aromas of both wine and vinegar. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist Peter Landolt and research associate Dong Cha, along with their Oregon Department of Agriculture colleagues, isolated the chemicals and evaluated them extensively in laboratory and field trials.

Based on those findings, Trece, Inc., in Adair, Oklahoma, commercially formulated the compounds into a novel blend and controlled-release lure, which is marketed under the trademark “PHERO-CON SWD,” along with a related trap.

According to Landolt, with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Wapato, Washington, farmers and pest managers need improved methods of attracting, monitoring and managing the flies to prevent potential losses of cherries, berries, grapes and other fruit crops. The lure’s availability should provide growers with better information to use in making pest-management decisions, such as where, when or whether to spray.

SWD flies can be awfully tough on a fruit crop, as the female SWD flies deposit their eggs beneath the surface of host fruit, where subsequent larval feeding causes it to soften, bruise and wrinkle. While lures with wine and vinegar isn’t a new way to try to control the pests, this is the first time there’s been a top-down examination of which chemical constituents in the liquids’ aromas attract specifically these flies.

TekWear Selected for Ag Accelerator Program

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Apps, Company Announcement, technology

Screen Shot 2014-10-16 at 4.50.43 PMTekWear, LLC is one of 11 ag technology start-up companies selected to participate in the premier three-month VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 entrepreneurial development program in Louisville, Ky. The program supports early-stage ventures that increase agricultural resource efficiency and helps find business solutions to challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural, low-wealth populations.

Bruce Rasa, CEO and founder of TekWear, LLC, says being selected for VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 is a tremendous opportunity to be exposed to and learn from the best business minds, investors, and industry experts in the country. Rasa and three core staff members will be participating in the three-month program, the 28th such program launched by Village Capital worldwide.

“Entrepreneurs who participate in this peer-review program receive the top-level business coaching and mentoring needed to take their companies to the next level,” Rasa explains. “Few business-development incubators in the country provide the intensive training and exposure VilCap USA does, or have shown the success this program has had in supporting early-stage agricultural technology ventures.”

TekWear, LLC, a leading developer of apps for wireless wearable devices used in agriculture, joins 10 other young ag venture companies all focused on finding, developing or marketing innovative products, or providing solutions to a wide variety of agricultural and food production challenges. In addition to the business development training, two participating businesses ranked highest by their peers will each receive a $50,000 investment from Village Capital and Radicle Capital. VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 is part of the SOURCE Initiative, which is a nationwide partnership between Village Capital, The Hitachi Foundation, and Investors’ Circle. The program receives further support from the Blue Sky Network and VentureWell, as well as a powerful network of Kentucky-based mentors and advisors.