- The National Pork Board has given its approval to a $51 million budget and operating plan for 2008 that addresses five critical issues facing the U.S. pork industry. The board approved the 2008 budget and plan at its meeting in Des Moines Nov. 13-14. The budget now goes to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for final approval. The five critical issues are: The competitive advantage for U.S. pork; the safeguard and expansion of international markets; domestic pork expenditures; the trust and image of the U.S. pork industry; the development of human capital.
- DuPont and Evogene Ltd. announced a research collaboration to improve drought stress tolerance primarily in corn and soybeans. Under the agreement, DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred has exclusive rights to several genes discovered by Evogene for improving these traits. The candidate genes were discovered by Evogene’s most advanced in-silico gene discovery technology called the “ATHLETE.” Pioneer will evaluate the licensed genes in its elite corn and soybean germplasm to measure the benefit in its commercial products.
- Spectrum is offering NEW plastic horseshoes at no additional cost until the end of the year. Spectrum Technologies, Inc. manufactures and supplies affordable field measurement technologies that help growers make better decisions on crop inputs. To receive a free catalog complete with hundreds of climate, soil, and plant health monitoring devices, call (800) 248-8873 or visit the Web site.
