Do You Think Organic & GMO Crops Can Co-exist?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What features of MyNewHolland.com do you like?”

It’s been just over a month since the launch of New Holland North America’s MyNewHolland.com, an online destination for all things New Holland and open to all farmers. The ability to keep up with equipment inventory seems to be a highlight for those who have taken advantage of this opportunity. Whether you own New Holland equipment, used to own or would like to own, or who just want to join the farming conversation, it’s free and easy to sign up. Over 500 people from all over North America have already joined for a variety of reasons, including the spotlight discussion on growing crops for biofuels.

Our poll results:

  • My Equipment – my equip inventory – 18%
  • Precision Land Management – 6%
  • Configurator – configure your equipment – 6%
  • Calendar – 6%
  • Spotlight Discussion – 12%
  • Dealer locator – 12%
  • Links to other New Holland info – 6%
  • I have created a login – 6%
  • I have not created a login – 23%
  • Other – 5%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Can organic & GMO crops co-exist?”

A recent ban on the cultivation of genetically engineered crops has passed in two Oregon counties. This is one of many issues that puts farmer vs. farmer. Should it be the landowner’s choice or should these decisions be made at the ballot box? In this week’s ZimmPoll we want to know if you think organic and GMO crops can co-exist?

ZimmPoll

Marrone Bio Innovations Introduces New Biofungicide

Jamie Johansen

Logo_RegaliaRX_wTag_RGB.fw_Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., a leading global provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products formally introduces REGALIA® Rx, an advanced, broad-spectrum biofungicide that improves plant health and increases yield potential. REGALIA® Rx is registered for use in corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, and other row crops.

Adding just one pint of REGALIA Rx to an existing fungicide program improved overall plant health and yields. Applications to both corn and soybeans produced plants with more extensive root systems, larger, fuller ears of corn, bigger and greener soybean plants and overall better yields. Similar yield response and plant health improvements were demonstrated in rice, wheat and barley trials during the same timeframe.

“The average yield increase across the REGALIA Rx trials-university and on-farm-was six bushels/acre in corn and two bushels/acre in soybeans compared to the standard fungicide program,” states Dr. Tim Johnson, Global Product Development Director for Marrone Bio Innovations.

“Adding REGALIA Rx to the fungicide program earlier in the season gives crops the optimum performance potential and benefit. In corn, our studies show that one pint of REGALIA Rx applied at the V4 and V8 stages of growth boosted yields significantly more than later season applications at V8 and VT,” explains Dr. Johnson.

The active ingredient in REGALIA Rx, which is derived from a plant extract, triggers plants’ natural defense systems to help protect against disease, improve plant health, combat fungal and bacterial diseases and boost yield potential.

It is the only commercially available fungicide with a FRAC code of P5 so it adds another mode of action to a fungicide program, which improves overall disease control and plant health. Widely recommended as a foliar application, REGALIA Rx is also labeled for use as an effective soil treatment against soil-borne plant diseases.

Agribusiness, Corn, Fungicide, Rice, Soybean, Wheat

Breanne Brammer Joins Agri-Pulse as Summer Intern

Jamie Johansen

logoAgri-Pulse is pleased to announce the appointment of Breanne Brammer as a summer intern through the American Agricultural Editor’s Association.

Brammer is a senior at the University of Missouri (MU), studying science and agricultural journalism with a dual minor in agricultural economics and international agriculture.

“We are really pleased to have a young journalist like Breanne join us in Washington this summer,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse Editor and Publisher. “She will help us with our coverage of agricultural policy on Capitol Hill.”

Brammer is an officer in five MU organizations: Alpha Zeta, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Student Council, Collegiate Farm Bureau and International Ag Club. She also served in national leadership positions in Collegiate FFA, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and Agriculture Future of America.

Brammer grew up on a family farm in Missouri, where she showed cattle and horses.

Ag Groups, Agri-Pulse, Education

Syngenta’s New Acuron Herbicide Brand Signature

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2014-05-29 at 9.26.18 AMAs Acuron™ corn herbicide (SYN-A197) from Syngenta moves toward expected EPA registration for the 2015 growing season, the unveiling of the brand signature is the latest milestone in the herbicide’s development.

Within the Acuron signature, four inverted triangles adjoin to create a star. Each triangle represents the herbicide’s four active ingredients, including new bicyclopyrone. Syngenta developed the star icon to communicate the high-performance control Acuron has delivered in over 600 trials across the U.S.

“As weed resistance expands, growers need more robust pre-emerge residual herbicides with multiple modes of action to control tough weeds, and Acuron will fit nicely,” said Gordon Vail, Ph.D., technical product lead, Syngenta. “This product will take large-seeded broadleaf weed control to the next level, while still providing the same excellent performance on small-seeded broadleaf weeds that farmers have come to expect from Syngenta corn herbicides.”

Syngenta developed Acuron, which contains three modes of action, in response to the expanding problem of weed resistance and the resulting increase in demand for residual herbicide products with multiple modes of action. Acuron will be labeled to control more than 70 broadleaf weeds and annual grasses, including giant ragweed, common ragweed, marestail, kochia, Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, cocklebur, Russian thistle, sunflower and morningglory.

Growers and retailers will have a chance to see Acuron in 25–30 university trials and 15–20 Syngenta field trials this summer.

Agribusiness, Herbicide, Syngenta, weed management

The Land of the Free

Melissa Sandfort

imageAlthough the Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and people are back at work, it is one of those holidays that should be recognized every day. I spent the holiday with my parents and as I was driving home on Sunday afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice all of the American flags flying at cemeteries and homes. Some of them made quite an impressive display. I am one of those people that get chills whenever I say the Pledge of Allegiance or hear the National Anthem, and quite often a tear may even slip down my cheek.

This week I thought you might enjoy a couple of stories from Grandpa Sandfort’s World War I days and Dad’s World War II days. Enjoy might not be the right word as no aspect of war is enjoyable, but nonetheless, that’s the way it was.

Grandpa Sandfort was inducted into the army on Oct. 3, 1917. His company was sent overseas as replacements for battle casualties of World War I. They arrived in Liverpool, England and then traveled across the English Channel to Le Havre, France. It was here that his company was supplied with full battle gear before they headed to the front. The battle gear consisted of bedding, shelter half, gas mask, helmet, gun, bayonet, hand grenades, ammunition, and an extra pair of hobnail shoes. As Grandpa was picking up his gear, he discovered the army had forgotten to issue him his entrenching shovel. Sure enough, the shelling was heavy, and an order was given to “dig in.” Fortunately, he looked around and found a discarded German tool that could be used. This was the only foxhole he ever dug.

Dad was inducted into active service in the Army of the United States on March 19, 1945, as Private Robert G. Sandfort. At the conclusion of his basic training, Dad was granted a two-week leave. He went home and married Mom on Aug. 4, 1945. Less than two weeks later, he was on his way to Hawaii where he served as a Military Policeman, moved up through the ranks, and was later promoted to Staff Sergeant. As he writes in his memoirs, one of his worst responsibilities was escorting bodies, sometimes as many as 500 or 600 at a time, from the docks to the cemetery at Schofield Barracks for burial.

… Because of the Brave

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

John Deere Alliance with Dawn Equipment Company

Jamie Johansen

john_deere_logo_3623John Deere has announced an alliance with Dawn Equipment Company, Inc. a manufacturer specializing in ground engaging tools and active control systems for planters. The alliance allows John Deere to sell and support Dawn hydraulic-controlled down-force systems, row cleaners, and closing wheels for planters.

Customers will also be able to purchase Dawn’s complete line of M Series closing wheels and other products through the John Deere dealer channel.

“We’re very excited about this alliance with John Deere,” says Joseph Bassett, president, Dawn Equipment Company. “Our line of planter attachments, ground engaging tools, and hydraulic control down force systems lead the industry in performance and will be even more customizable through this relationship with John Deere.”

Current offerings from Dawn will focus on retrofitting the current line of John Deere 1770, 1770NT, and DB Planters. These products will also be compatible with the recently introduced MaxEmerge™ 5 and ExactEmerge™ 1775 and 1775NT Planters.

“This is another example of how we’re offering producers additional solutions to help them maximize machinery performance and, ultimately, crop yields. Our industry-leading portfolio of planting solutions will deliver even more options in the future to improve planter performance,” says Aaron Wetzel, vice president of the global crop care platform.

Agribusiness, Equipment, John Deere

“New Era in Conservation” Launch

Cindy Zimmerman

usda-conservationAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) this week launched “a new era in American conservation efforts with an historic focus on public-private partnership.”

Vilsack and Stabenow announced the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Tuesday during a visit to the Saginaw Bay watershed of the Great Lakes agricultural region. “This is an entirely new approach to conservation,” said Vilsack. “We’re giving private companies, local communities, and other non-government partners a way to invest in what are essentially clean water start-up operations. By establishing new public-private partnerships, we can have an impact that’s well beyond what the Federal government could accomplish on its own.”

“Partnering businesses and non-profits with our farmers and conservation leaders will bring greater focus and additional resources to the Great Lakes region and critical areas across the country,” said Sen. Stabenow.

In addition to the Great Lakes region, the critical conservation areas included in the initiative make up the majority of the nation with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Mississippi River Basin, Longleaf Pine Range, Columbia River Basin, California Bay Delta, Prairie Grasslands, and the Colorado River Basin.

Also participating in the announcement yesterday were Chief Sustainability Officer at The Kellogg Company Diane Holdorf and North American Agriculture Program Director at The Nature Conservancy Sean McMahon.

USDA Conservation Program Vilsack/Stabenow Q and A
Audio, Conservation, USDA

Oregon GMO Bans Hurt All Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

Last week, two Oregon counties voted overwhelmingly to ban the cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) crops. The initiatives in Josephine County and Jackson County, which border California, passed by as much as a two to one margin.

oregonfb“This isn’t Monsanto or Syngenta, these are local farms that have been farming the way they have chosen here in the valley for generations,” said Ian Tolleson of the Oregon Farm Bureau. “Regrettably ideology has won over sound science and common sense.”

Oregon has a right-to-farm law and last year the state legislature passed a law preempting local governments from regulating genetically engineered crops. However, since Jackson County’s GMO measure was already approved for the ballot, it was exempted from that bill. And supporters of the ban say it is “well crafted” to withstand a legal challenge to the right-to-farm law and Oregon’s constitution.

“It’s important to know that the Josephine county measure is actually unenforceable, where the Jackson County is,” said Tolleson. “Farm Bureau’s stance is that it should be up to the land owner to decide how to grow crops.”

Tolleson says the Oregon Farm Bureau is unhappy with the “farmer vs. farmer” attitude between organic and traditional farmers that have colored the county votes. “We really value everyone’s decision to choose how they farm and if this were a bill banning organic farming, for instance … we would be opposed to that as well.”

He adds that “having this debate at the ballot box really hurts the industry.”
Interview with Ian Tolleson, Oregon Farm Bureau

Audio, Biotech, Farming

YoBloCo Awards Announces Top 12 Bloggers

Chuck Zimmerman

YoBloCo AwardsThe YoBloCo Awards, the Youth in Agriculture Blog Competition, have announced the top twelve bloggers.

The jury has made its decision and the winners of the YoBloCo Awards have been selected. We are excited to unveil the Top 12 Bloggers of the Awards! The actual 9 Winners will be announced at the Prize Giving Ceremony of the competition, which will take place during CTA’s 2014 International Conference “Fin4Ag” www.fin4ag.org, in Nairobi, Kenya, from 14 – 18 July 2014. All the 12 best participants will be invited to take part in the conference.

Check out the page that has links to the winning bloggers.

fin4ag conferenceThe theme for the Fin4Ag conference is “Revolutionising finance for agri-value chains.”

Agricultural finance institutions, and the policies, rules and regulations under which they operate, are lagging behind changes in the “real economy”. Recent years have seen significant innovations in certain countries but these are slow in spreading across borders or, for that matter, across institutions. In these circumstances, decision-makers in farmers’ organisations, financial institutions, government bodies and other institutions interested in agricultural finance should shift their approach from incrementally trying to improve on their existing models to reinventing their business or regulatory models in order to capitalize on all these new possibilities. It is time for a paradigm shift in agricultural finance.

International

A Timely New Holland True Blue Salute

Chuck Zimmerman

True Blue SaluteGet your fingers in gear to tweet or post a #ThankYou along with #TrueBlueSalute and make a donation to the Fisher House Foundation courtesy of New Holland. The company will make a $1 donation for each one up to $10,000!

In grateful recognition of the bravery, service and sacrifice of the nation’s military and first responders, New Holland has announced the True Blue Salute program (pdf). During the program period from Memorial Day, May 26, 2014, and continuing through the celebration of Independence Day on July 5, 2014, New Holland will make charitable donations to Fisher House Foundation and extend a special equipment offer to active, reserve and retired military, first responders, and their immediate family members. The non-profit Fisher House Foundation provides a “home away from home” for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness or injury.

“New Holland is honored to show our appreciation and support of our military and their families through the True Blue Salute program and to contribute to the exceptional work being done by Fisher House Foundation. It’s our way of saying thanks to our nation’s heroes who serve and protect us,” says Mark Hooper, Director Marketing for New Holland in North America. Since January 2012, New Holland has raised over $1.2 million for Fisher House Foundation through True Blue Salute programs.

New Holland is inviting everyone to show their appreciation to our nation’s heroes by tweeting a “thank you” at #truebluesalute or posting a “thank you” on the New Holland Facebook page. For each “thank you” tweeted or posted, New Holland will donate $1, up to $10,000, to Fisher House Foundation.

Donations to Fisher House Foundation can also be made by texting “salute” to 20222. By doing so, a one-time donation of $5.00 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message and data rates may apply.*
 Read More

Agribusiness, New Holland