As the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was concluding its annual seed research conference and trade show in Chicago last week, word came that arrests had been made in two separate conspiracies to steal seed and trade secrets of U.S. companies. Arrests were made in two different cases last week. A Chinese national working for the Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group …
USDA Press Conferences
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held two press conferences the week of December 9, 2013 on two totally different subjects, but both times he was asked his thoughts about Congress not getting a farm bill done. On December 11, Vilsack was joined by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus in announcing a joint “Farm-to-Fleet” venture to make biofuel blends part of …
2013 ASTA CSS and Seed Expo
Over 2,500 seed industry professionals attended the American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo in Chicago, December 10-13, 2013. This meeting is truly “where seed business gets done” with a large trade show and informational meetings focusing on legal and legislative issues, biotech and organic seed concerns, phytosanitary regulations, emerging diseases …
NuFarm Introduces ChampION++ Fungicide
Nufarm announces the launch of ChampION++ , a fungicide/bactericide that controls key fungal and other diseases in a wide range of high-value crops such as citrus, walnuts, grapes, tomatoes and peppers. ChampION++ is a new dry formulation (Dispersible Granule) of copper that features consistently smaller particles and other unique formulation attributes to provide more thorough coverage – and thus better …
NuFarm Introduces “CATS” Herbicides
Nufarm announces a new line of herbicide products that will offer soybean, cotton, peanut and corn growers effective, economical options for controlling herbicide resistant/tolerant weed species at all phases of the growing season. The CATS (Combating Troublesome Species) herbicide line will provide a range of solutions that will deliver control of numerous herbicide-tolerant or –resistant species in soybeans, corn and …
BASF Advanced Seed Enhancement Portfolio
In order to help growers maximize yield potential and get the most out of every acre, BASF offers its complete portfolio of Advanced Seed Enhancements including inoculants, colorants, and biological and chemical seed treatments. BASF provided an overview of that portfolio at the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo on December 11. BASF at ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo …
NAMA Agribusiness Leader & Marketer Awards
Nominate the cream of the crop – Agribusiness Leader of the Year and NAMA Marketer of the Year. Check out a list of current and past winners for Agribusiness Leader of the Year and NAMA Marketer of the Year. Winners of these prestigious awards will be honored at the 2014 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 9 – 11, Jacksonville, Florida. Celebrate the …
Conference on Improved Testing of Liming Materials
On 12 November 2013, members of the U.S. agricultural lime industry met near Iowa State University to discuss improving the measurement of limestone reactivity to better predict pH changes in soils. The goal of this conference was to compare current practices with other developed methodologies to determine if there are opportunities to improve measuring limestone reactivity in soils among a …
Patriot Renewable Fuels, Rep. Bustos, Fight for RFS
On November 27, 2013 Patriot Renewable Fuels, based in Annawan, Illinois hosted a Renewable Fuel Roundtable with special guest Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL). In addition, the biorefinery broke ground on its $10 million 4-5 million gallon biodiesel plant that will use the corn oil produced from ethanol plant to produce biofuels. Listen to Rep. Cheri Bustos full remarks here: Check …
Testimony from EPA Hearing
Over 100 stakeholders, many from the agricultural industry, testified at a hearing Thursday in Crystal City, Virginia on the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to lower the volume obligations for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2014. Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen Testimony – Patriot Renewable Fuels Testimony – Iowa Governor Testimony – Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) Testimony –
Concerns about Impact of Lowering RFS
Representatives from state government, the agriculture community, and the ethanol industry all say the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuels requirements would have a negative impact on agriculture and rural economies. A telephone press discussion about the proposal held on Wednesday featured comments from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, American Farm Bureau economist Matt Erickson Renewable Fuels …
Advanced Biofuels Industry Previews EPA Testimony
The Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA) hosted a call today to preview their testimony that will be delivered during EPA’s public hearing on December 5, 2013 about its proposed 2014 renewable fuel volumes as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The EPA is also accepting comments on its proposal to in part, slash advanced biofuel requirement along with slashing all …
Analyst Summarizes Canada Crop Report
Canadian farmers harvested record crops this season, according to the December report from Statistics Canada. Production of most field crops increased in 2013 compared with 2012 as yields reached a number of record highs. Both canola and wheat production reached record levels in 2013. Analyst Bruce Burnett with the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) summarized the report and his take on …
The Chicago Farmers Rebrands Farmland Fair
The Chicago Farmers annual Farmland Investment Fair has been rebranded for 2014 as simply “The Farmland Fair” with a continued focus on the connection of social media and farmland investment. The Chicago Farmers 2014 Farmland Fair – “Where People Come To Learn, Connect and Understand Farmland” – will be held on February 1, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. …
Veterans Enter Fight for RFS
Two new organizations have entered the fight for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) today as concerns about the future of the RFS deepen with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 2014 renewable fuels volumes going south. VoteVets.org and Americans United for Change held a press teleconference to announced their participation in the counteroffensive against what they are calling, “Big Oil’s …