Companies Sign for Balance GT Soybeans

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Soybeans, Traits

More than 45 companies have signed on as licensees for the Balance GT Soybean Performance System. The soybeans are higher-yielding, offer elite genetics with double herbicide-tolerant trait stack, and protects agains a wide range of broadleaf weeds and grasses.

“This is exciting news for Balance™ GT,” says Lindsey Seitz, brand manager for MS Technologies™. “With more than 45 licensees already on board and more expressing interest, we’re confident soybean growers will enjoy convenient access to this new soybean technology.”

Balance GT Soybeans have obtained all the necessary import approvals but are not yet available since it is awaiting regulatory approval for Balance Bean herbicide. Those interested in following Balance GT should check out the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for the latest information.

Kubota Introduces Four Utility-Class Specialty Tractors

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Equipment, Tractor

M Series MX5200, photo from Kubota.com

Kubota is welcoming four new specialty agriculture tractors to the family. The new M-Series includes three narrow machines, the M4N-071, M5N-091 and M5N-111, and the M5L-111 low-profile, perfect for orchards and vineyards.

“Through dealer and customer feedback we have learned vineyard and orchard managers are looking for higher horsepower, more versatile tractors. We designed Kubota’s new M-Series specialty models to meet their specific needs and harvest demands,” said Tyler Pittson, Kubota compact and utility tractor product manager. “Take a seat in any one of these new tractors and you’ll understand why they stand out against the competition.”

The new M-Series models feature updated engines, intelligently revamped operator stations and improved hydraulics. The new M-Series specialty models also feature highly versatile transmissions designed to provide superior power and efficiency for the most rigorous specialty environments. The M5L-111 low profile tractor features a telescopic ROPS frame, engineered for work in orchards or other applications requiring a low profile design. The M4N/M5N narrow tractors deliver Kubota’s renowned M-Series power in tractors engineered specifically for work in vineyards, orchards and other narrow environments.

The tractors are now available at your Kubota dealer.

Monsanto, Deere End Acquisition of Precision Planting

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, John Deere, Monsanto, Precision Planting

Deere & Company is disappointed to announce that, under pressure from the Department of Justice, Monsanto Company is ending the 2015 agreement that would have allowed Deere to acquire Precision Planting LLC. A digital collaboration between Deere and The Climate Corporation, along with an expansion of access between Ag Leader and Precision Planting, have also been terminated.

“We are deeply disappointed in this outcome as we remain confident the acquisition would have benefited customers,” said John May, President, Agricultural Solutions and Chief Information Officer.

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice brought legal action in an attempt to block the transaction. Deere and Monsanto were prepared to present their case for approval of the acquisition later this year. May said, “With an opportunity to see this to conclusion, we believe it would have been clear the challenge to the transaction was based on flawed assessments of the marketplace.”

“As a world leader in precision agriculture, John Deere will continue developing technology-based products and services to help customers improve the productivity and profitability of their operations,” May added, emphasizing that customers can still expect an expansion of actionable data available through the John Deere Operations Center and the nearly 75 connected software tools offered.

Sentera Transforms Toys to Tools

Kelly MarshallAerial Imagery, Agribusiness, Data, drone, Scouting

Drones offer much more than just fun (something every farmer knows to tell his bookkeeper) and Sentera is making sure a grower’s investment provides information that translates into crop health actions. Their new Multispectral Double 4K Sensor has five precise spectral bands: blue, green, red, red edge, and near-infrared (NIR) that provide more than double the spatial resolution of competitors. That translates into being able to identify crop issues even earlier and with a higher level of precision.

“The Multispectral Double 4K is an extremely capable sensor. Our intent was to create a solution for the agriculture industry that was both simple to use and radiometrically accurate,” remarked Ryan Nelson, chief mechanical engineer for Sentera. “Designing this product offering was a natural progression for Sentera. We believe it is the best, most effective, easiest to use agriculture sensor for small drones.”

The product will ship this month. Click here to learn more, or visit Sentera’s website to pre-order.

FarmTrade Reports Brisk Sales Activity

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Crop Protection, Website

FarmTrade.com is a service that allows members to view price ranges for eighty of the most highly traded active ingredients (AI) and their equivalents. Membership is free and the site is is seeing brisk business this season.

“A customer bought $30,000 worth of chemicals recently and told us the best quote he had received on the same package of products was $60,000,” says President Jeff Stow. “Check FarmTrade.com before you buy.”

Checking as the season moves on is a good idea, since products like Mesotrione (same AI as Callisto®), Lauis®, Flumioxazin (same AI as Valor® SX), Sulfentrazone (same AI as Spartan®), and Authority® products can drop throughout the season.

Camso Expands Ag Track Systems Manufacturing

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Camso

Camso, formerly Camoplast Solideal, is relocating its manufacturing plant in Peosta, Iowa to support the increased demand for their agriculture track systems. The new location is across the street from the old, but will offer 240,000 square feet to accommodate growth.

“Relocating gives us the opportunity to grow our Peosta manufacturing and storage footprint by 55%, and allows us the chance to increase our production capacity,” explains Patrick Fortin, Plant Director for Peosta-Agriculture at Camso.

The company anticipates making the transition without interrupting product availability.

Perdue Answers Questions From NAFTA to Wildfires

Kelly MarshallAudio, Government, USDA, Video

Yesterday newly confirmed Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue spent his third day on the job visiting the USDA office in Kansas City, Missouri. He also addressed members of the press, answering questions on topics from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to wildfires.

“I was a grain trader, and President Trump is a trader,” Perdue said when asked about the recent news that NAFTA is being rethought.   “When you said ‘he was going to do that,’  he uses statements many times from a  negotiating perspective, so saying something was contemplated is not the same thing as saying something was done, or going to be done.  I think the ultimate outcome is really what we’re interested in, and I think what you read in the news today regarding Mexico and Canada’s agreement to come to the table quickly, to renegotiate this years old trade affair will be helpful to producers of all kind in America, both in the agriculture sector and the manufacturing sector.”

“This president likes to do the deal,” Perdue added.  “I’m persuaded he has the leadership and tenacity to make a good deal for Americans.”

Overall NAFTA has been good for farmers, Perdue said, but there are areas that need to be reevaluated.  The agreement has been a net benefit overall.  Certainly it’s been good for grains, but it’s been a negative balance for crops like fruits and vegetables, and that’s something Trump and Perdue want to see changed.

“We grow stuff very, very well.  My job as USDA Secretary of Agriculture is to go around the world and make sure we’re able to market and sell the products we grow very well,” Perdue explains.

Perdue also answered questions about the farm bill and SNAP program, staffing possibilities, the recent wildfires, and his priority for the USDA.  Listen here or watch the video to hear the complete press conference: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/Perdue_Audio.m4a” text=”Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue”]

Watch the video:


New CRISPR-Cas Website from DuPont Pioneer

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Dupont Pioneer, Gene Editing

DuPont Pioneer has launched a new website to help inform about CRISPR-Cas technology. The site highlights how gene editing can improve plants and help produce more and better food with fewer resources.

“Acknowledged as a breakthrough in biology, the public conversation about CRISPR-Cas technology across human, animal and plant applications is growing,” said Neal Gutterson, vice president, Research & Development, DuPont Pioneer. “At DuPont Pioneer, we want to be an active participant in this important dialogue and make information about our crop research and product development activities with CRISPR-Cas easily accessible.”

The website includes a video, webinar replay, and frequently asked Q and A, along with news releases, science manuscripts, and a glossary of CRISPR-Cas terms.

Register for ASTA Now

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASTA, Events

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has announced their 134th Annual Convention. The conference is scheduled for June 21-24 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The theme will be “Voyage of Better Seed” with a focus on policy development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.

Sessions include: Consumer Food Trends Panel, featuring member of major food companies; International and Domestic Policy Outlook, covering trade and regulatory activities; and Seed and Research Facility/Plant Tours of a packing plant and Syngenta’s Seedcare Institute.

New Holland Sets World Record

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Harvesting, New Holland, Soybeans

 New Holland‘s CR8.90 combine has set a new World Record.  In just eight hours a total of 16, 157 bushels of soybeans were harvested in the Bahia State of Brazil.

“Setting the world record for harvesting 16,157 bushels of soybeans is an achievement we’re very proud of and it demonstrates the power and productivity of the CR8.90”, stated Dan Valen, Director of Product Marketing North America. “Similar to the CR10.90 smashing the World Record for wheat harvesting in 2014, the CR8.90 delivered an exceptional performance in setting this record. Both of these accomplishments reinforce the New Holland CR Series and Twin Rotor™ technology as best-in-class, worldwide.”

The record was set on April 5, 2017 on the Villa Panambi farm.  Three quarters of an inch of rain had fallen that morning, making moisture high, while the temperature ranged from 77 to 82.4 degreed Fahrenheit.  Between 10:30 am and 5:30 pm, 222 acres (90 hectares) were put through the CR8.90, averaging 2,020 bushels/hour and 72.6 bushels/A of beans.  You can watch the feat on YouTube.