DuPont (NYSE: DD) and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory today announced they have entered into a multi-year research collaboration for crop genetics research on yield enhancement and development of enabling technologies in corn, soybeans and other important agricultural crops. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “We’re eager to tap into the creativity of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists and put …

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has announced that Larry Brown, vice president educational programs, is retiring from the organization in September, after 30 years of service. Brown started working at USPOULTRY in 1977 as the director of communications. He is currently in charge of the annual USPOULTRY seminar series and student educational programming. “I have enjoyed working with Larry …

Founders of the Farmers Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW) report that the new co-op is providing the state’s farmers and agri-businesses with affordable, quality health insurance at a faster rate than was originally projected. We have easily surpassed the 1,000-member mark after only a few months of our April 1, 2007, unveiling. Originally the goal was to be at our …

Monsanto’s DEKALB Genetics and John Deere are supporting the formation of a new grower group for customers in the Great Plains area. The Great Plains Canola Growers Association (GPCGA) will provide representation, education, promotion and leadership support to canola producers primarily in the states of Oklahoma and Kansas. “As a wheat farmer for many years, and now as a canola …

Dr. Angela Baysinger, DVM, of Bruning, Neb., has joined the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., (BIVI) swine division as a field veterinarian providing technical support for Nebraska, Kansas and other key accounts in the western U.S. She earned both her bachelor of science and DVM degrees from the University of Missouri, as well as a master’s degree in epidemiology from the …

The Progressive Agriculture Foundation is partnering with the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to develop curriculum to educate residents of rural America about underground utility safety and the importance of safe excavation practices. The information will be delivered during Progressive Agriculture Safety Days. “The CGA works hard to ensure public safety and environmental protection when working with underground utilities,” says Randy …

Pro-Act Microbial has launched an updated version of its website. The new layout is even easier to navigate and includes more facts about their services in the agricultural and aquaculture markets. The most notable new addition to the Pro-Act site is a video. The eight-minute video explains the basics behind their system and shows the many economical and environmental benefits …

Thanks to a new incentive package, timed-event ropers at the 2007 World Championship Appaloosa Show will compete for more than $40,000 in added cash and prizes. This year’s show is set for Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. Contestants in five open and non-pro roping classes will divide a cash purse of $10,500. Fund donors include Mike …

Markstone Capital Partners, a leading private equity fund Chaired by Elliott Broidy, confirmed reports that Syngenta AG (NYSE:SYT) has agreed to acquire Markstone portfolio company Zeraim Gedera Ltd., a high quality Israeli vegetable seed company. Zeraim focuses primarily on high-value crops, including tomato, pepper and melon. Syngenta will acquire all outstanding shares in the company from Markstone for consideration of …

BASF and Cibus, a US plant breeding technology company, have announced that they have reached a collaborative agreement to develop and commercialize non-GM herbicide tolerance in oilseed rape and canola. Cibus’ proprietary gene conversion technology, known as the Rapid Trait Development System (RTDSTM), will be used to enhance the CLEARFIELD® Production System in oilseed rape and canola. The joint project …