The highly-anticipated approval of a new kind of chemistry for weed control has finally happened. BASF announced today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration of a new active ingredient, Kixor® herbicide, for use on a wide range of crops and effective on more than 70 broadleaf weeds. Starting this fall, four formulations Powered by Kixor herbicide — Sharpen™ herbicide, OpTill™ …
Barley Bin Builder Winner
Osage Bio Energy, along with co-sponsors Perdue AgriBusiness, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and General Motors, recently announced the overall grand prize winner of the 2009 Barley Bin Builder Yield Contest. Bobby Hutchison of Hutchison Brothers Farms in Cordova, MD, won the grand prize of a brand new GM Flex Fuel pickup truck with his yield of 130 bushels per …
NASS Updates Farmer Computer/Internet Usage
Almost 60% of of U. S. farms now have internet access and the use of DSL has become the most common method of accessing it. The National Agricultural Statistics Service just released its latest Farm Computer Usage and Ownership survey results. Here’s some key findings. Notice how much higher the numbers are for farmers with incomes over $100,000! DSL was …
New Farm and Food Websites
Here are a couple of new online resources to get information about food and farming in the United States today. Both are backed by the Center For Food Integrity. Best Food Facts employs the Food Integrity Index. The Food Integrity Index is designed to provide balanced, objective information to help consumers make informed choices. We have partnered with leading universities …
What Are You Thankful For?
Today, I thought I would share some reflections from my role as a cattle producer, instead of an agriculture writer. Thanks for letting me stand on this soapbox so often… Nowadays, it seems the worries of a farmer and rancher are monumental. High input costs, ballot initiatives, strict regulations, bad media coverage, consumer misconceptions, animal rights activists’ agendas and low …
Purple Potatoes on West Coast
I would roast or fry these. Wouldn’t you? Purple freedom fries! Klamath Basin Fresh Direct, an association of potato farmers along the Oregon-California border, has been awarded exclusive rights to grow and market a new purple fingerling developed by the USDA and three Northwest universities. The potato is called Purple Pelisse, named for an intense hue inside and out that …
Growers Interested in New BASF Herbicide Technology
There wasn’t a big crowd at the BASF Kixor Herbicide Technology plot tour event in Belleville, IL on Tuesday since many were out spraying, but the nearly 30 who attended were very interested in hearing and seeing what the new family of products from BASF could do for them.BASF Southern Missouri and Illinois farmer Eric Doza says he attended to …
Grad Student Makes Kixor Her Career
BASF reps around the country are excited about getting the new Kixor™ technology on the market for growers soon. Tracy Mellendorf, pictured here in the center with other BASF reps at a Kixor field day in Belleville on Tuesday, is a recent graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in weed science and has been working for BASF since …
Kixor Registration Expected Soon
BASF is anxiously awaiting final registration for the herbicide technology known as Kixor™. “It’s going well, the registration is anticipated shortly,” said BASF Tech Service rep Dennis Belcher. “This is kind of a unique registration because it’s actually being reviewed by three countries – Canada, Australia and the United States.” Belcher says once the technology is approved, they will put …
Kixor Kicks Mare’s Tail
BASF is proving that Kixor™ can really kick butt. During a plot tour in Belleville, IL today, growers and dealers got a look at what Kixor™ powered Sharpen herbicide can do to glyphosate-resistant Mare’s-tail. Belleville Research Center station manager Ron Krausz with Southern Illinois University showed off the plot trials. “It is a burndown type product because of its mode …