BASF’s Advanced Seed Enhancement Platform

Cindy Zimmerman

At the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo this week we had the opportunity to learn more about BASF’s Advanced Seed Enhancement platform which includes a number of important products that can accomplish increased emergence and help farmers get more from every acre. Those products include Vault HP plus Integral for soybeans, Stamina F3 for cereals, and Flo Rite Plantability …

ASTA, Audio, BASF, Seed, Video

Sonny Ramaswamy at ASTA CSS 2013

Cindy Zimmerman

The Director of USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture Sonny Ramaswamy gave a presentation on “Setting the Table for a Hotter, Flatter, More Crowded Earth” during the opening general session at the ASTA CSS 2013 on Thursday with a focus on how public sector research and private sector support need to work together to feed our growing population. Ramaswamy …

ASTA, Audio, USDA

ASTA CSS Offers Grain Markets Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman

Once again this year at the ASTA CSS 2013, for the third year in a row now, AgResource Company president Dan Basse looked at the year in review for grain markets and gave his outlook for the future. While there are bright spots, Dan’s overall outlook for the year ahead is pretty sobering, saying the good times may have come …

ASTA, Audio, Corn, Grains, Markets

BASF on Cutting Edge of Seed Enhancement

Cindy Zimmerman

The just released CropLife Foundation report shows just how important seed treatment is becoming for agricultural production and today at the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo we heard how BASF Crop Protection has moved to the forefront of seed enhancement to help farmers get the most out of every acre. “Seed enhancement is one of the fastest growing segments …

ASTA, Audio, BASF, Seed

ASTA CSS and Seed Expo Underway

Cindy Zimmerman

Over 2,500 seed industry professionals are in the Windy City this week to attend the American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo. There are a record number of exhibitors demonstrating the seed industry’s latest technologies, products and services. A New Product Showcase on Thursday will feature products introduced to the industry …

ASTA, Seed

Cover Crop Seed Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

With cover crops becoming increasingly important for farmers to provide nutrients and protect against erosion, different varieties are being developed to address specific needs. At the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago, I learned more about that from Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who is second vice chairman of ASTA. “Our company is very involved …

ASTA, Audio, Conservation, Seed

ASTA CSS 2013 Preview

Cindy Zimmerman

When I talked with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CEO Andy LaVinge at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting the 2013 CSS & Seed Expo was still three weeks away, but all of the sudden it’s next week already! I am heading to Chicago for the 68th annual Corn and Sorghum Seed Research Conference/43rd Soybean Seed Research Conference on …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, BASF, Seed

RFS Hearing Goes 12 Hours, Draws Hundreds

Cindy Zimmerman

Over 140 stakeholders testified at a hearing Thursday on the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to lower the biofuels targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2014, and those opposed to the plan outnumbered those in favor by a ratio of more than two to one. “More than 100 of the 144 speakers support #ethanol, #biodiesel & advanced biofuels,” tweeted …

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCBA, RFA

EPA Hearing on Biofuels to Draw Big Crowd

Cindy Zimmerman

A huge turnout is expected Thursday at a public hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations for 2014. Literally busloads of stakeholders, both opposed to and in favor of cutting the requirements, are attending the hearing at the Hyatt in Crystal City, Virginia. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will be attending with several Iowa livestock producers, …

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, Poultry

Lowering Biofuels Targets Could Hurt Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

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. During a telephone press discussion today about the proposal Iowa Governor Terry Branstad said he was proud of his state’s leadership in biofuels production and …

AFBF, Audio, Ethanol, RFA