Trait Deregulation Clears Way for BASF Engenia™

Cindy Zimmerman

We’ve been talking with BASF about Engenia™ herbicide since 2012 and now that USDA has deregulated a dicamba-tolerant trait for cotton and soybeans the path has been cleared for the exciting new product to be offered for growers this year.

basf_edited-1According to our friends with BASF, a registration decision for Engenia herbicide to control broadleaf weeds post-emergence in dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans is expected to follow this deregulation shortly.

“BASF has leveraged more than 50 years of technical expertise with dicamba to develop Engenia herbicide,” said Scott Kay, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection, BASF. “Engenia herbicide will provide a much-needed new tool to help growers manage weed problems in dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans.”

In more than 300 research trials completed in 2011 and 2012, Engenia herbicide demonstrated effective control of resistant broadleaf weeds. When Engenia herbicide is used with other BASF residual herbicides, it has shown more than 95 percent control of both grasses and problematic broadleaf weeds.

As a key part of the dicamba-tolerant cropping system, Engenia herbicide will be used to help protect yield potential and manage increasingly complex weed challenges. According to 2012 field research trials, Engenia herbicide has been shown more effective than 2,4-D on key broadleaf weeds, such as Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, marestail and common and giant ragweed, and provides up to two weeks of soil residual activity to control weeds before they emerge.

Read more from BASF.

Agribusiness, BASF, Crop Protection, weed management

Andersons’ New Campaign Focuses on Diversity

John Davis

TheAndersonLogoGrain, ethanol, and plant nutrient company The Andersons is emphasizing the diversity it brings to agribusiness. This news release from the Ohio-based company says its new brand campaign “And Beyond” includes a refresh to the corporate website www.andersonsinc.com and associated promotional materials.

“The ‘And Beyond’ campaign builds on the equity of the previous ‘And’ theme that we’ve had in place for about six years,” says Tom Waggoner, Vice President, Marketing and Operations Services. “This campaign provides a fresh perspective that keeps our brand moving forward. The theme highlights that The Andersons goes beyond the ordinary with our market expertise and beyond expectations in the strong relationships we form.”

With various business groups operating in 21 states across the country, the “And Beyond” campaign reflects The Andersons as a diversified, yet united, company. Although serving diversified industries, the business groups share a strong commitment to grow enduring relationships through extraordinary service, a deep knowledge of the market and a knack for finding new ways to add value as the company has done for nearly 70 years.

In addition to the ag sector businesses, The Andersons is also involved in railcar leasing, turf and cob products, and consumer retailing.

Agribusiness, Ethanol

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Swanson Russell welcomes four new account service team members: Megan Bollish, Erin Prohaska, Jessica Lightner and Belinda Wright.
  • broadhead, a leading marketing communications agency connecting the interests of urban and rural consumers, has announced the promotions of six members of its team.
  • There will be a Peanut Revenue Insurance Workshop following the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, Thurs., Jan. 15, 2015, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Small Auditorium at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center.
  • Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., announced that James Iademarco has joined the company as its President and Chief Operating Officer.
Zimfo Bytes

BASF Wins Two ‘Product of the Year’ Awards

Jamie Johansen

basf_edited-1BASF was recognized as the winner of two ‘Product of the Year’ awards at the 23rd Annual National No-Tillage Conference in Cincinnati. Headline AMP® fungicide won for the ninth consecutive time in the fungicides category, and Sharpen® herbicide won for the second consecutive time in the herbicides category.

“Headline AMP fungicide continues to be the fungicide market leader for corn growers, delivering more bushels per acre than any other product on the market,” said Caren Schmidt, Ph.D., Technical Marketing Manager, BASF. “Headline AMP fungicide has set the industry standard for disease control and Plant Health in corn crops.”

On-farm field trials from 2013 show Headline AMP fungicide delivers 11.7 bu/A more than untreated corn. In addition, 83 percent of the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) 2013 National Yield Contest Winners used a BASF fungicide on their operation in 2013.

Sharpen herbicide drives burndown of tough weeds three-to-five times faster than 2,4-D or glyphosate – an important feature for many no-till growers.

Sharpen herbicide is powered by Kixor® herbicide technology, which features a unique chemistry that provides foliar and soil activity on today’s toughest weeds.

“An effective burndown is important for fighting resistant weeds in no-till fields,” said Mark Oostlander, Technical Market Manager, BASF. “Sharpen herbicide controls over 70 broadleaf weeds, including glyphosate-resistant weeds, and gives growers a clean start so they can stay clean throughout the season and increase yield potential.”

The No-Till Product of the Year award winners are selected each year by No-Till Farmer readers. No-till and conservation tillage growers vote for the products most valuable to their farming operation in 13 different categories, including fungicide and herbicide products of the year.

Agribusiness, BASF, Fungicide, Herbicide

Farm Bureau Supports Military Veteran Farmers

John Davis

farmvetcoalition1The American Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Diego featured a workshop for convention attendees on why creating effective mentorship relations for veteran farmers is so important. “Dedicated, Disciplined and Determined” highlighted some of the work of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

According to Michael O’Gorman, executive director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, a few years ago there were more than 40,000 groups in the U.S. with “veteran” in the name but not one committed to helping veterans in agriculture. O’Gorman said the coalition supports veterans’ freedom to farm in whatever manner they wish to pursue.

Jamie Critelli, a veteran and greenhouse farmer in New York, said most veterans are familiar with planning, which helps equip them for farming.

“It’s not easy farming,” acknowledged Critelli. “Being in the military, you face many challenges. The environment in agriculture can be equally challenging at times,” he said.

Listen to O’Gorman and Critelli talk about farmer vets here: AFBF Farmer Veteran Coalition Workshop


2015 AFBF Convention photo album

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

Potato Growers Select 2015 NPC Leadership

Jamie Johansen

image005 copyAt the National Potato Council’s (NPC) 2015 Annual Meeting, held January 9-10, 2015, in Orlando, Florida, Dan Lake from Lake Seed, Inc. of Ronan, Mont., was elected to serve as NPC’s president for 2015 and to lead the council’s Executive Committee.

NPC delegates also approved Jim Tiede from American Falls, Idaho, as First Vice President and Vice President of the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee.

Additional members of the Executive Committee include: Cully Easterday of Pasco, Wash., as Vice President of the Trade Affairs Committee, and Dwayne Weyers of Center, Colo., as Vice President of the Grower and Public Relations Committee. Two new members of the Executive Committee were elected: Larry Alsum of Freisland, Wis., as Vice President of the Finance and Office Procedures Committee and Dominic LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine, as Vice President of the Environmental Affairs Committee. NPC’s 2014 president Randy Hardy of Oakley, Mont., will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as the Immediate Past President.

Ag Groups, Potato

Iowa Poultry & Egg Industry Adds New Leader

Jamie Johansen

ia-egg-olsonThe Iowa Egg Council and Iowa Poultry Association have hired Randy Olson as executive director. Olson will navigate the state’s poultry and egg industry through a changing environment as it adjusts to new food safety standards and other requirements.

“In a national search, Randy Olson rose to the top with his strong background in agriculture and vast array of experiences to bring to the table,” said Rich Hall, a producer who serves as chairman of the Iowa Egg Council. “He’s also very personable and a capable leader. We think he will be a great fit.”

Olson most recently served as a marketing director for the U.S. Soybean Export Council. He was accountable for ensuring continued market access for U.S. soy around the world, and helping U.S. soy farmers maintain the freedom to operate. Olson’s career also includes serving as executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board from its inception in 2007.

Iowa is the nation’s top egg-producing state. The nonprofit egg council focuses on producer and consumer education, while the poultry association concentrates on policy and regulation.

Ag Groups, Poultry

Ag Community Backs U.S. Coalition for Cuba

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think about new US Ag Coalition for Cuba?”

There is no doubt the ag community is behind the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba and it’s goals of re-establishing trade. As time goes by it will be interesting to see how it will open up the market in U.S. food and ag exports.

Here are the poll results:

  • Will benefit all aspects of agriculture – 84%
  • Bad idea – 0%
  • Undecided – 5%
  • Haven’t heard about it – 11%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Is China’s recent ban on imports of U.S. poultry & eggs justified?

Effective January 8, the Chinese government imposed a nationwide restriction on U.S. imported poultry and eggs following the detection of avian flu in wild birds in the Pacific Northwest. Do you think that China is right on track and it’s better to be safe than sorry or is it completely overkill with no justification for the drastic action.

ZimmPoll

Next AFBF Convention in Orlando

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf15-hoblickAs the 96th annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention wrapped up this week, Florida Farm Bureau president John Hoblick was welcoming members to head for the 97th in the Sunshine State.

“We’re really excited about convention coming to Florida, it’s been about 12 years since we’ve been to Florida,” Hoblick said about next year’s convention in Orlando.

During the business meeting on Tuesday, Hoblick introduced a resolution regarding opening trade with Cuba. “Just to make sure as we continue to move forward that we put some safeguards in place,” he said, particularly regarding sanitary-phytosanitary regulations. “We are a sentinel state and Florida’s agriculture has a lot to lose if we’re not careful in that process,” Hoblick added.

Listen to my interview with John here: Interview with Florida Farm Bureau president John Hoblick
2015 AFBF Convention photo album

AFBF, Audio

USDA Deregulates Dicamba-Tolerant Traits

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced “determinations of nonregulated status for Monsanto Company’s (Monsanto) soybeans and cotton that are resistant to certain herbicides, including one known as dicamba.”

monsanto1Monsanto officials say the decision to deregulate Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans and Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton “will provide farmers with more consistent, flexible control of tough-to-manage broadleaf weeds.”

“This announcement marks an important milestone for farmers around the world,” said Robb Fraley, Ph.D., Monsanto’s chief technology officer. “Weeds represent a key pest to agriculture operations around the world and limit crops of much-needed nutrients, sunlight and access to available water resources.”

To prepare for commercialization and to further enhance growers’ experience with the technology, Monsanto trained more than 7,500 growers, retail partners and stakeholders on weed management. The company expects to announce commercial intentions in the near future.

The USDA decision is expected to be published shortly in the Federal Register.

USDA, weed management