Ceres, Texas A&M Partnering in High-Biomass Sorghum Production

Laura McNamara

Biofuel development and marketing is getting a boost. Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station of The Texas A&M University System are collaborating in high biomass sorghum production for biofuels, through an exclusive, multi-year joint research and commercialization agreement. These plants are not designed to produce grain, but rather vast amounts of biomass — the raw …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Education, Ethanol, Farming, Research, Technology

ConocoPhillips CEO to Talk of ‘Shared Energy Future’ in Detroit

Laura McNamara

The Chairman and CEO of ConoPhillips will speak on “Our Shared Energy Future” before the Detroit Economic Club on Wednesday October 3, 2007. James Mulva will discuss current U.S. energy policy and layout plans for incorporating renewable fuels at Burton Manor in Livonia, MI. In a speech titled, “Our Shared Energy Future,” Mr. Mulva will describe the shortcomings of current …

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, Environment, Ethanol, Technology

K-State Research Developing Biosecurity Tracking Software for Cattle Producers

Laura McNamara

Software enabling cattle producers to safeguard the health of their herds will soon be online. Researchers at Kansas State University are developing software that will help producers maintain secure feedlots and give them an informational database for understanding the impact of specific diseases. The feed yard security project is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Kansas …

Farming, Livestock, Research, Technology

Agritechnica Hands Out Innovation Awards

Laura McNamara

Agritechnica organizer Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft – German Agri-cultural Society has awarded 7 Gold Medals and 33 Silver Medals for leading innovation in agriculture. Agricultural companies worldwide submitted a total of 331 innovations to DLG, making this year’s submissions the highest number of submissions in twelve years. “This can be assessed as a clear indication that agricultural machinery manufacturers are starting an …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Equipment, Farm Shows, Farming, John Deere, New Holland, Technology, Tractor

Lower Insurance Premiums for Farmers Using Monsanto Hybrid

Laura McNamara

Monsanto says its latest agreement with the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation means farmers can opt to have their insurance premiums slashed by up to 24 percent in four states. Monsanto is launching an innovative crop insurance pilot program with its hybrid corn seeds. A new pilot program recently approved by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) will provide farmers an …

Agribusiness, Corn, Farming, Research, Technology

CropLife America Elects Board Members

Laura McNamara

Leaders from top crop science companies monitor pesticide management regulation as newly elected and re-elected board members of CropLife America. CropLife has elected its new Board of Directors. Eric Wintemute, president and chief executive officer of American Vanguard Corporation, was elected chairman of the Board of Directors of CropLife America, the nation’s largest trade association for pesticide manufacturers, formulators, developers …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, BASF, Research, Technology

CropLife Rewards Pesticide Excellence

Laura McNamara

The nation’s largest trade organization for agriculture pest management, CropLife, has named the recipients of its annual awards for excellence in pesticide development. The CropLife awards are meant to recognize responsible and effective use of pesticides to provide a safe, affordable and abundant food supply. Fourteen recipients of 2007 CropLife America industry awards were honored in six categories for excellence …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, BASF, Research, Technology

Fending Off Body Odor With Corn

Laura McNamara

Inventive ag producers have come up with yet another way to use corn in an eco-friendly way. Dupont and Tate & Lyle are now offering corn-based deodorants. The DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products joint venture today announced that it is providing its innovative Zemea(TM) renewably sourced propanediol (Bio-PDO(TM)) product to Terra Naturals Inc., a personal care company, that has …

Ag Groups, Corn, Environment, Technology

Dow AgroSciences Earns International Recognition

Laura McNamara

The United Nations has recognized Dow AgroSciences‘ latest breakthroughs in technology with an innovation award. Dow AgroSciences is the latest recipient of the Montreal Protocol Innovators Award for its work in developing alternatives to chemicals that harm the ozone. Dow AgroSciences LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), has been named a winner of the United Nation’s Montreal …

Environment, Technology

DuPont Funds Biofuel Projects

Laura McNamara

A million dollar pledge from DuPont means Iowa State University can begin development of its “New Century Farm.” The farm will be the center for biofuel and biomaterial farm production research on the Iowa State campus. DuPont has announced a pledge of $1 million to the Iowa State University (ISU) New Century Farm, the first research effort in the United …

Ag Groups, Farming, Research, Technology