Bill Qualls has been selected by the Board of Directors as the new Executive Director of ResponsibleAg. His new responsibilities include recruiting for retailer and auditor, monitoring the quality assurance program as well as advising the board. Most recently Qualls has been the Lead Auditor for Global Environmental, Health and Safety at the Eastman Chemical Company. He also serves as …
EDF to Help Reduce Emissions from Ag
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and partners have been awarded a $960,000 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) from the USDA to help almond and corn farmers increase fertilizer use efficiency, improve soil health, reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and expand the potential of fertilizer protocols to generate carbon credits from agriculture. “This project will demonstrate how growers implementing enhanced nitrogen management processes …
Capture Higher Yields with Capture LFR
Corn prices are lower than they have been in recent years, which makes maximum yields more important than ever. FMC Corn Segment Manager Matt Hancock says even with the weather challenges farmers have faced this year, corn yields are forecast to be the third largest ever. “I think that gets back to good, sound agronomics,” said Hancock in an interview …
N-Watch Update from GROMARK’s Dr. Brown
The N-Watch program was developed by GROWMARK director of nutrient management and environmental stewardship Dr. Howard Brown as a tool to estimate the concentration of plant-available N throughout the year. The program started with 45 sites in Illinois and continues to grow. “Currently we are looking at over 900 sites from Nebraska to southern Ontario,” said Brown. “The purpose is …
GROWMARK Provides Fertilizer Update
Lower crop prices and a later harvest caused farmers to cut back some on fall fertilizer application last year but supplies are expected to be adequate this spring to meet demand, according to GROWMARK Plant Food Director Joe Dillier. “Haven’t had a great test of that because of the planting delays we’ve had to date,” said Dillier. “But my guess …
Chicken Litter – A Hot Commodity
Jenny Rhodes, Extension Educator for University of Maryland in Queen Anne’s County and local poultry farmer, was asked to attend the 2015 Chicken Media Summit to talk about chicken manure. For her first 10 years in extension, Jenny wrote nutrient management plans. These plans are state mandated and any farmer meeting it’s requirements must have one for their operation. “In …
New Holland Debuts Guardian™ Injection Toolbar
New Holland has introduced the Guardian™ Injection Toolbar to the Guardian self-propelled sprayer line. The new piece of equipment was on display at the 2015 Commodity Classic and Chuck stopped by to chat with New Holland’s Jason Hardy to learn more about it’s capabilities. The Guardian™ Injection Toolbar applies the liquid fertilizer exactly where the crop needs it most. Farmers …
The Growth of Eco Agro Resources
As we’ve seen in two big announcements this week alone, Eco Agro Resources, which was founded in 2013, is on a fast-paced growth curve. I talked with Andrew Semple, President/CEO, about how his company is having so much success. By the way, Eco Agro Resources’ home office is located in my hometown of Sarasota, FL, although they already have offices …
Eco Agro Resources Teams with Ekompany
US-based Eco Agro Resources today announced an agreement expanding its product range to include Ekote, a line of eco-friendly controlled-release fertilizers by Netherlands-based Ekompany. Ekompany developed Ekote coated mineral fertilizers to reduce carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions as compared to conventional processes and fertilizers. “This new generation of controlled release fertilizer allows macro- and micro-nutrients as well as minerals …
Fertilizer Safety Alliance Announced
Here is the list of organizations involved with today’s alliance signing to advance fertilizer safety. The Agricultural Retailers Association The Fertilizer Institute International Fire Fighters Association National Volunteer Fire Council Ammonia Safety and Training Institute Fertilizer Safety and Health Partners Alliance Occupational Safety and Health Administration Environmental Protection Agency In the photo is Chris Jahn, President, TFI; Dr. David Michaels, …