Syngenta is hoping that a settlement reached last week over atrazine in water supplies will help the farmers who depend on the herbicide that is more than 50 years old. The proposed settlement agreement will cost the company $105 million and still requires court approval but the hope is that it will “end the uncertainty and expense of almost eight …
Iowa Great Grower Pleased with Progress
Another of our 2012 BASF Great Growers is Steve Miller of West Union, Iowa in the northeast part of the state. He farms with his dad Henry and is pictured here with his adorable son Cam – the picture of a true family farm! I was actually supposed to interview Steve and his dad back in the freezing December of …
Alltech Launches Crop Science Business
Alltech launched their Crop Science business during the 2012 International Symposium. During a lunch time press conference we heard from (r-l) Geoff Frank, CEO of Alltech Crop Science; Robbie Walker, Regional Director of Europe and the Middle East for Alltech Crop Science and Jon Carloftis, award-winning garden designer, garden writer, television guest, author, and lecturer. Alltech has actually been in …
Mixed Results on Controlling Resistant Weeds
With all the talk about herbicide-resistant weeds this year, some farmers are still not concerned about the issue, according to our most recent BASF Production Poll. 37.5% of respondents said they don’t have resistant weeds (at least not yet!). However, the same number said they would be using a mix of methods to control or prevent resistance – pre-emergence herbicide, …
BASF Survey Confirms Glyphosate Resistance
Farmers are responding to the threat of glyphosate resistance, according to results from a recent national BASF survey. The survey found that about four out of five farmers plan to alter their weed control programs in 2012 due to resistance issues. More than 50 percent of farmers surveyed acknowledged the existence of glyphosate-resistant weeds in their fields, and many of …
Kip Cullers First in New BASF Great Growers Series
We are starting a new series today for BASF Crop Protection called “Great Growers” where we will be following the progress of four farmers throughout the growing season from pre-plant to harvest. Our first interview is with one of the most famous farmers in the country – Kip Cullers of Purdy, Missouri. To call Kip a “great grower” is an …
EPA Denies NRDC Petition
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied a 2008 petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) seeking to cancel 2,4-D herbicide registrations and revoke all the tolerances for use. “The impact of this decision should not be understated,” said Jim Gray, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. “EPA’s comprehensive review of one of …
BASF Promotes Applicator Training
Fighting herbicide resistant weeds depends as much on the proper application techniques and equipment as it does on using the right products. BASF Crop Protection has partnered with application technology specialist Dr. Bob Wolf, retired Professor Emeritus of Kansas State University, to help growers get the most out of their pesticides by using best application practices with the On Target …
FMC Waiting on Registration for Anthem Herbicide
Like waiting on ketchup to come out of the bottle, FMC Corporation is eagerly anticipating the registration of new pre-plant, pre-emergence and early post Anthem herbicide. “The label is pending for sometime in the fall of 2012 or into 2013,” FMC Technical Service Representative Joe Reed told me during an interview at the National Farm Machinery Show last week. “As …
FMC Captures Patent for Capture® LFR® Insecticide
Just in time for the National Farm Machinery Show this week, FMC Corporation received a U.S. Patent for its Capture® LFR® insecticide formulation. The patent is called “Insecticidal Compositions Suitable for Use in Preparation of Insecticidal Liquid Fertilizers” and refers to Capture LFR insecticide formulated to directly mix with liquid fertilizers and water, providing optimum compatibility. The “LFR” part stands …