Propane Heat Remediation Ideal for Organic Farmers

Laura McNamara

Paul Funk’s heat defoliation of cotton isn’t the only way propane-generated heat is being used. Temp-Air scientist Raj Hulasare says propane heat remediation is an ideal solution for treating bins, silos, and other storage vessels for pests. He adds that propane heat remediation is a particularly viable option for certified organic farms, which are restricted from using many chemicals to …

Audio, Education, Environment, Farming, Propane, Research, Technology

Pest Control with Propane

Laura McNamara

Several experts in the propane industry mentioned the innovative use of propane as an insecticide at the 2007 Propane Technology Forum, but Robert McGee with Texas A&M Agriculture Research is the expert whose presentation focused solely on propane’s capability to eliminate pests. In a brief interview, Robert and I reviewed the main idea of his presentation. You can listen to …

Agribusiness, Audio, Environment, Farming, Propane, Research, Technology

Propane Heat Sanitizes

Laura McNamara

Raj Hulasare with Temp-Air introduced the application of propane heat remediation at the 2007 Propane Technology Forum and Scientist Terry Smith with Mississippi State University has applied that concept to his research in dairy sanitation. Terry and I discussed how propane heat sanitation offers dairy producers a chemical-free option when maintaining the health of their dairy cows. You can listen …

Agribusiness, Audio, Dairy, Environment, Farming, Propane, Research, Technology

Talking Propane

Laura McNamara

The Propane Technology Forum is underway here in Austin, TX. About 100 propane industry experts are on hand sharing ideas about the future of liquid petroleum gas. Industry leaders from across the U.S. are collaborating with other international experts from Mexico and France, focusing on the future of propane growth, marketing and innovation. It’s early in the day, but the …

Environment, Propane, Technology

Dow Agrosciences Says No More Limitations for 2,4-D

Laura McNamara

Dow AgroSciences hasn’t set up camp at the Farm Progress Show in ten years. But, this year, the company says it has some exciting new technology to present and couldn’t skip out on offering farmers in Progress City a first-hand look. Dow AgroSciences Global Corn Business Leader Tom Wiltrout kicked off a press conference introducing the company’s Herbicide Tolerant Traits …

Biotech, Corn, Cotton, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Soybean, Technology

On the Cutting Edge of Cotton

Laura McNamara

The latest innovation in the cotton industry merges two integral processes to offer growers a more efficient production of cotton. And more growers can get their hands on the technology too. Case IH manufacturing has gone commercial with cotton. The machine is the Case IH Module Express 625, which allows growers to save capital, fuel and labor by combining cotton …

Ag Groups, Cotton, Equipment, Technology

No “Stick” in Drumsticks

Laura McNamara

Drummers won’t be pounding out beats with wood if they start using Wheatware products. Nor will they be using plastic. Instead, they’ll be using, you guessed it, wheat. The new biodegradable product line also offers guitar picks, hangars and more. To help protect the Earth’s virgin forests and reduce global warming, Wheatware.com, exclusive U.S. distributor of Wheatware™ products, has donated …

Technology, Wheat

Syngenta Acquires Zeraim Gedera

Laura McNamara

Syngenta expands into Israel as it acquires Zeraim Gedera, an Israeli seeds company. Syngenta believes Zeraim offers an ideal addition to its vegetable seeds business. Syngenta announced that it has agreed to acquire Zeraim Gedera Ltd., a high quality Israeli vegetable seeds company focusing on high-value crops, including tomato, pepper and melon. Syngenta will buy all outstanding shares in the …

Agribusiness, Seed, Syngenta, Technology

CNH Amasses Awards

Laura McNamara

CNH, an Illinois-based agriculture and construction equipment manufacturer has racked up a total of seven awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. It appears CNH excels at engineering innovative designs for its products. CNH (NYSE: CNH) this week won seven awards — more than any other manufacturer — from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers …

Agribusiness, Equipment, Farming, New Holland, Technology, Tractor

Agriculture’s ‘Nobel’ Goes to Purdue Food Science Professor

Laura McNamara

Purdue University Professor Philip E. Nelson has secured this year’s World Food Prize for his innovation in food processing and preservation. Purdue’s Scholle Chair Professor in Food Processing developed technology that enables the transport of processed fruits and vegetables without spoilage. Nelson’s “aseptic bulk storage and distribution” process is credited with revolutionizing the global food trade. More than 90 percent …

Agribusiness, Food, Technology