Fighting Worms in Cotton

Carrie Muehling

Cotton growers attending the Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day learned about a number of choices when it comes to worm control.

Growers looking for two- or three-gene traits with high efficacy coupled with proven performance have a wide choice in the Stoneville lineup. TwinLink® is a two-gene Bt trait and TwinLink Plus is a three-gene Bt trait. Both show positive results in third-party trials across the Cotton Belt. TwinLink Plus offers three Bt proteins (Cry1Ab, Cry2Ae and Vip3Aa19) for greater technology durability and improved insect resistance management. It provides improved control over cotton bollworm and armyworms, including fall armyworm, compared to two-gene Bt technologies. Additional proteins in the traits increase the level of control and extend the durability of the trait by improving resistance management. Trials show improved control over cotton bollworm and armyworms, including fall armyworm, compared to two-gene Bt technologies.

“When we brought in TwinLink Plus, that was to really give the grower another alternative to worm control,” said Rachel Walters, Stoneville cotton marketing manager.

TwinLink Plus and TwinLink are packaged with GlyTol® and LibertyLink® traits, in the GLTP and GLT trait packages. Walters encouraged growers using these varieties to continue scouting fields to ensure worm populations are staying below the economic threshold.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Rachel here: Interview with Rachel Walters, Stoneville

2018 Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Cotton

GROWMARK Changes Support Supply Chain Operations

Carrie Muehling

GROWMARK has appointed Rod Wells to the new position of Executive Director, Enterprise Supply Chain Optimization effective August 1. In this role, Wells will lead the overall GROWMARK supply chain organization from the various wholesale divisions through corporately-owned retail divisions and FS member cooperatives to the farm gate. Wells has 31 years of experience with GROWMARK. He most recently served as Crop Nutrients Division Manager. He will continue to report to GROWMARK Vice President of Agronomy Mark Orr. A search for Wells’ replacement is underway.

Joe Tearney has been promoted to Manager, Barge and Rail Logistics, reporting to the Crop Nutrients Division Manager, also effective August 1. Tearney will be responsible for all aspects of barge and rail transportation within the Crop Nutrients Division at GROWMARK. This includes rate negotiations, equipment leases, and barge and rail freight contracting. Tearney has 27 years of experience with GROWMARK and previously served as Traffic Manager in the Energy and Logistics Division.

Cooperatives, GROWMARK

Stoneville Varieties Presentation at Sunbelt Field Day

Chuck Zimmerman

Debbie Brown, Stoneville representative in the Eastern Region, gave a presentation to tour participants during the Field Day at Sunbelt Ag Expo. Her focus was on the top four varieties for the Georgia area.

Debbie points to Stoneville 5517GLTP, 5471GLTP, 5818GLT and 6182GLT as those varieties that will provide cotton growers with the best results. You can find more information about them online.

You can listen to the presentation here: Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day Stoneville Presentation


2018 Milan No-Till Field Day Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Cotton, Sunbelt Ag Expo, Video

Credenz Presentation at Milan No-Till Field Day

Chuck Zimmerman

Lucas Owen, Regional Agronomist, with Stoneville and Credenz products, presented a look ahead to 2019 for soybean growers and talked about the best performing varieties and new ones being launched this year.

He says that Credenz 3841 has been performing well in the Mid-South as well as 4748 LL. New this year are Credenz 4918 LL and 4938 LL. He says growers are being urged to move to the newer varieties which will perform even better than those they’ve been using in the past.

You can listen to the presentation here: Milan Field Day Credenz Presentation


2018 Milan No-Till Field Day Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Conservation, Soybean, Video

Animal Ag Bites 7/30

Carrie Muehling

  • North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® (NAIDC) recently elected new leadership, including one new board member and several new board officer appointments. Newly elected to the 15-person volunteer NAIDC Board of Directors is Dr. Alex White, faculty of Virginia Tech’s Dairy Science department, and lecturer in the Ag Economics department. The NAIDC Executive Committee for 2018-19 includes chair Maurice Eastridge, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and vice chair Mark McCullouch, Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Millport, N.Y.
  • Challenges to changing antibiotic use in food animal production and the associated economics, data and policy issues will be the focus of a workshop Sept. 6-7, 2018, at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service is organizing this workshop in collaboration with Farm Foundation. There is no charge to participate in this workshop, but registration is required by close of business on Aug. 30, 2018.
  • In the spirit of continuing its dialogue with the Food and Drug Administration on the rules and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the American Feed Industry Association submitted comments to the agency on its draft guidance on Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals. The 38-page comments affirm the animal food industry’s commitment to a “full and successful implementation of FSMA” across its varied industries but urges the agency to take a flexible approach when regulating under this rule.
  • AgriLabs® announced the commercialization of KLEBVax™ SRP®, the first vaccine licensed for dairy cattle to prevent mastitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. KLEBVax SRP, which features Siderophore Receptor and Porin (SRP) technology, gives veterinarians and producers a new tool to prevent disease and reduce antibiotic use. A similar vaccine using Klebsiella SRP bacterial extract was previously offered as an autogenous product by AgriLabs in partnership with Epitopix®.
  • Dairy Farmers of America is helping bring innovative products to the dairy case. This week, the Cooperative announced an investment in MOPRO Nutrition (MOPRO), an all-natural, high protein, low sugar, whole milk Greek yogurt infused with whey protein combined with probiotics. MOPRO positions itself as a smarter replacement for protein bars, protein shakes and regular Greek yogurt.
  • The time is approaching for this year’s International Brangus Breeders Association Fall Conference, which will be taking place in Tyler, Texas on September 27th-29th. All members and cattle enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. For more information visit www.gobrangus.com.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites, Beef, Dairy

Stoneville Varieties at Milan No-Till Field Day

Cindy Zimmerman

The Milan No-Till Crop Production Field Day is one of the most far-ranging agricultural field days in the nation. This year’s event started out with cool weather and a good crowd.

“Although we’ve diversified the field day program over the years, our goal remains the same as the first No-Till Field Day — to provide farmers with in-depth information that will help them maximize productivity and exercise stewardship,” says Dr. Blake Brown, director of the UT AgResearch and Education Center at Milan.

Dr. Brown talks about the field day in this interview. Interview with Dr.Blake Brown, UT Institute of Agriculture Research

Lucas Owen with Stoneville was at the field day to talk about new varieties. “One of the hot topics right now across the cotton belt is worm control with these Bt traits,” said Owen. “Stoneville has been one of the market leaders bringing forward new traits.”

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Lucas Owen, Stoneville

2018 Milan No-Till Field Day Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, Conservation, Cotton

Peanut Growers Pleased with Farm Bill Provisions

Cindy Zimmerman

Peanut industry lobbyist Bob Redding spoke with those gathered at the 2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference about key provisions in this year’s farm bill. Important items Redding discussed included a $535 reference price and $355 marketing loan, as well as a separate peanut payment limit. Redding also spoke about storage and handling provisions, which he called a target in this year’s bill. He also said timing is critical with mid-cycle elections again on the horizon.

“Getting a five-year farm bill done and in the bank is important for our business. Very, very important,” said Redding, noting that an extension would complicate things for peanut producers.

Listen to Redding’s entire farm bill presentation here:
SPGC18 presentation by Bob Redding, peanut industry lobbyist

2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

See all the content from the 2018SPGC on the Southern Peanut Growers Conference blog

Audio, Peanuts, SPGC

Zimfo Bytes 7/27

Carrie Muehling

  • The 2018 Iowa State Fair is around the corner and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation has numerous activities with partners planned at Farm Bureau Park with prizes totaling over $100,000 to help celebrate its centennial. New this year is an interactive Farm Strong® mural, inspired by the #WhatLiftsYou Wing campaign craze that has swept the nation. The mural was created by Amy Putney, Iowa artist and Art Director at Sticks Object Art and Furniture. Visitors to Farm Bureau Park can show how they’re Farm Strong by posing in front of the brightly colored mural, sharing their photo through social media and tagging it #CenturyStrong.
  • Swanson Russell has been selected to serve as the agency of record for the Nebraska State Fair. The agency will provide comprehensive marketing services for the State Fair account including traditional advertising, digital placements and social media strategy.
  • Lygos, a biotechnology company based in Berkley, California, recently announced the closing of $15.5 million of Series B financing. Lygos was a winner of the first ever Consider Corn Challenge, an open innovation contest put on by the National Corn Growers Association.
  • Syngenta announced Eric Boeck has joined its U.S. Seeds business leadership team as Head of Marketing. Boeck will lead Marketing for the growing business, which is focused on delivering unique, innovative, localized products and services to growers who are demanding choice, leading technology and trusted agronomic advice.
  • The IDEAg Group LLC announces Emma Sullivan of Morgan, Minnesota, as the winner of Farmfest’s first National Anthem Singing Contest. The Farmfest contest was announced earlier this summer. Contestants were asked to apply on the Farmfest website (www.Farmfest.com) and attach a YouTube video to be considered.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service ends all data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture on July 31. Anyone who received the Census questionnaire is required by law to respond by that date, and they can complete the form online at www.agcensus.usda.gov or by calling toll-free (888) 424-7828.
  • The National FFA Organization selected 16 students from throughout the United States as finalists for its 2018 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience. Visit FFA.org/stars for more information about the American Star Awards.
  • Challenges to changing antibiotic use in food animal production and the associated economics, data and policy issues will be the focus of a workshop Sept. 6-7, 2018, at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service is organizing this workshop in collaboration with Farm Foundation. There is no charge to participate in this workshop, however, registration is required by close of business on Aug. 30, 2018.
  • The Land O’Lakes, Inc. Board of Directors announced its selection of Beth Ford as President and CEO of one of the nation’s largest food and agricultural cooperatives and #216 on the Fortune 500. Ford assumes leadership of the company following the retirement of Chris Policinski. Ford will assume the role of President and CEO effective Aug. 1.
FFA, NCGA, Syngenta, Zimfo Bytes

ASTA Responds to EU Ruling on Gene Editing

Cindy Zimmerman

The European Union Court of Justice ruled this week that gene edited crops should be treated the same genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The court ruled that “organisms obtained by mutagenesis are GMOs within the meaning of the GMO Directive,” however it does not apply to gene-editing techniques which “have conventionally been used and have a long safety record.”

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), which advocates for the new plant breeding technology, says the decision “sets a dangerous precedent that could impede global trade and stifle innovation for the future.”

“The ECJ’s decision is based solely on the plant breeding method, without taking into account whether the end-product could have been achieved through more traditional means. Even very small improvements made to a plant would be subject to burdensome regulation under the court’s definition. This would be a huge blow to the continuing evolution of plant breeding innovation and the tremendous promise it holds for a more sustainable and secure global food production system.”

AgWired Precision, ASTA, International, Plant Breeding, Seed

AMVAC THIMET Helps Fight Tomato Spotted Wilt

Cindy Zimmerman

AMVAC insecticide THIMET is a tried and true organophosphate for the control of sucking pests, mites and other major insects in a wide variety of crops, including peanuts.

AMVAC technical service rep Wen Carter says THIMET also helps protect against tomato spotted wilt virus. “Over the past 4-5 years we’ve seen an increase in incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus in peanut production…even with resistant varieties,” said Carter.

AMVAC was a sponsor of the 20th annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference last week.

SPGC18 interview with Wen Carter, AMVAC

2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

Southern Peanut Growers Conference Blog

AgWired Precision, AMVAC, Peanuts, SPGC