Brandt launched the new 8200 Contour Commander heavy harrow. The new Kuhn MDS xx.1 series fertilizer spreaders, available in working widths of 33′ to 59′ and capacities of 17.5 to 67 cubic feet, replace the prior MDS 5 series. A new CAST paper examines the science and regulation of food from genetically engineered animals. Download the full text here. AgWeb, …

Syngenta announces the registration of Besiege insecticide for use on cotton, tobacco and pastures. Fresh Produce Locator, a new website created to make the procurement process of selling and buying produce easier and more efficient, is eager to welcome its newest selling members. Online followers can track the 2011 wheat harvest with family-owned, custom wheat-harvesting crews as part of the …

Lextron, Inc. and Animal Health International, Inc. announced the close of their transaction and completion of the merger. NSF Davis Fresh has changed its name to NSF Agriculture to more accurately reflect new services that include GlobalGAP certification and food safety services for livestock, poultry and egg production operations. Dr. John Varty is setting out to chronicle how and why …

Skyline Exhibits has issued a new white paper: “Best Trade Show Marketing Practices.” Bayer CropScience announced that Jim Blome has been named as President/CEO and Head of Crop Protection for the North American region, effective July 1, 2011. AgraQuest Inc. announced a new use for REQUIEM 25EC insecticide in leafy vegetables in California authorized under FIFRA Section 2(ee). The Global …

Fisher Hog Farms, a pork production operation near Middletown, Mo., has received the first-ever 2011 Missouri Environmental Steward Award. Kansas Speedway announced that SFP has signed a multi-year deal to sponsor the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway starting in 2012. The Pork Checkoff announces the release of a new software tool for pork producers – the …

The AgChat Foundation announced details of its second annual Agvocacy 2.0 Conference, Aug. 22-23 in Nashville, Tenn. The Agricultural Retailers Association is currently accepting nominations for the Agricultural Retailer of the Year Award. Online voting is open for the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest hosted by American Farmland Trust. Cast your vote for your favorite market. The Ohio State University’s …

Beck’s Hybrids announces that Jim Zimmer has joined the company to focus on the strategic development of Beck’s growing business. Farmers Edge has been ranked 11th by PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success in their annual ranking of Canada’s Top 200 Fastest-Growing Companies. Pioneer Hi-Bred announced it has closed the acquisition of Doebler’s PA Hybrids, Jersey Shore, Pa., as part …

Pro Management has announced that Kevin Howell of Stratford, Okla., has become its Show and Event Coordinator. Bette Lu Lerwick, Albin, Wyo., is Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2011. Calcium Products, Inc. has purchased the former Monsanto seed warehouse in Aplington, Iowa. Jonathon Lawrie, Ph.D., has joined the North Carolina Biotechnology Center as executive director of the Western …

Leica Geosystems announces several updates for a range of Ag guidance products. After successfully raising more than $100,000 in the first year of a new grassroots campaign that provided funds to local FFA chapters throughout the country, Red Brand fence (Keystone Steel and Wire Co.) (www.redbrand.com/) has announced its decision to make this campaign an annual event. Koch Agronomic Services, …

Syngenta announced that it has received cultivation approval for its MIR162 trait, branded Agrisure Viptera, from the Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. Farmers must decide whether to plant row crops or take the prevented planting payment from their crop insurance policy. University of Illinois agricultural economist and farm management specialist Gary Schnitkey has provided calculations to help farmers choose the …