If pepper spray can protect a person from an assault, maybe it can protect plants, too.
That’s why researchers at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) have licensed a unique plant protection product to keep deer and rodents from eating up the ornamentals.
UMD scientist Tom Levar (pictured) adapted a chemical used to deliver medicines through the skin to a natural hot pepper concentrate that is delivered through the roots of young plants, making them inedible. Tablets with the delivery formulation are placed near the roots of a plant and, when watered, release a natural hot pepper concentrate known as capsicum that is absorbed by the plant.
“This is a great application because capsicum is very safe and very effective,” said Levar. “There is no genetic modification. Eventually the plant will outgrow the capsicum treatment, but it lasts much longer than spray repellents.”
Repellex USA has licensed the technology from the university and company president Elizabeth Summa says it is game-changing. “We’re excited because there really is no other systemic deer repellent like this. It goes right into the plant, and doesn’t wash off like spray deterrents.”
“We did a lot of testing, mostly with tree growers in nurseries where they have a huge problem with mice eating away at their plants,” said Summa. “We think professional growers and homeowners will find value in planting two tablets with their trees and not having to worry about their investment.”
The product has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for registration. Once approved, it will be available to commercial growers and shipped to retailers, likely in time for the spring planting season.
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Known in farming circles as a “soybean celebrity,” Cullers has established world records for soybean production at 139 bushels per acre in 2006 and 154 bushels per acre in 2007. He’s also placed numerous times in the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Corn Yield Contest with consecutive first-place finishes in the Irrigated Class. 
BASF also wants to remind growers that they have a chance to be one of 10 to win an iPod nano® just by learning about their Kixor® herbicide technology.
Taylor Brown and Gene Millard have been selected for induction into the NAFB Hall of Fame this year. 
Dr. Gary Allee (right), University of Missouri Professor of Swine Nutrition, was presented with the Novus International 2010 Distinguished Professor Award by Novus VP of research and development Dr. Chris Knight.
Dr. Dennis Ingram, Associate Professor at Louisiana State University’s School of Animal Sciences, was presented with the prestigious Poultry Science Association (PSA) Novus International Teaching Award. The award is the top honor for exceptional teaching by the association. “The goal with this award is to recognize poultry faculty members whose sustained excellence inspires their colleagues, incite academic curiosity and raises student awareness as to the impact their future careers will have on the larger world,” said Dr. Scott Carter, Global Poultry Market Manager, Novus International. In addition, Carter says they were thrilled that Novus’s Technical Manager, Andrew “Drew” Giesen was named a PSA Fellow, which recognizes members of the Poultry Science Association for professional distinction and contributions to the field of poultry science without concern to longevity.