News Archives for March 2006

ARS Scientists Develop Genetic Markers to More Easily Produce Low-Linolenic Acid Soybeans

March 31, 2006

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in the Plant Genetics Research Unit at Columbia, Mo., are improving soybean oilÌs longevity — and marketability — by lowering its linolenic acid content.

Planted Corn Acreage to Shrink by 5% from 2005, NASS Reports Today, Trimming Potential Ethanol Feedstocks

March 31, 2006

“I cannot personally remember a larger, and more generally unanticipated, change,” said Bill Hudson of the ProExporter Network this morning in response to the drop in anticipated corn plantings in today’s USDA-NASS report.

Multiple Advantages of Pre-emergence Herbicides

March 31, 2006

Total post-emergence herbicide programs, made popular by glyphosate-tolerant crops, can be difficult to effectively manage, says Mark Loux, Extension Agronomist and Jeff Program Specialist, writing in their Ohio State University Agronomy newsletter called Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (C.O.R.N.).

Make your Spraying More Efficient

March 31, 2006

Spraying should account for very little energy used on the farm—just two tenths of a gallon per acre. But a poor spraying job can lead to a second trip, which not only makes spraying energy-intensive but economically inefficient as well, warns Bill Casady, University of Missouri agricultural engineer.

Novel enzyme in corn helps plants defend themselves from pests

March 31, 2006

A novel enzyme in corn helps the plants defend themselves from voracious caterpillars by disrupting the insects’ ability to digest food, and ultimately killing them, according to researcher s. The enzyme could be used in tandem with other biological pesticides such as the Bt toxin to prevent the pests from developing resistance and making the toxin more effective.

U of I Extension Update

March 31, 2006

Extension Update is a weekly summary of news from Extension, government, and other attributable sources, focused on marketing, farm management, and other issues that are of interest to Midwestern farm owners and operators.

US Corn Farmers Embracing GMO Seed Technology

March 31, 2006

The advancement in corn seed technology and the performance of genetically modified hybrids in 2005 are transforming the way the industry approaches production and seeding outlooks as the 2006 U.S. planting season approaches.

Get ready for weeds in early Roundup Ready corn

March 31, 2006

Farmers switching to corn hybrids engineered to withstand Roundup brand herbicide could be in for an early season shocker: weeds growing alongside their crop.

Entomologist Suggests Corn Growers Consider Pest Issues Before Planting

March 30, 2006

Kansas enjoyed a mild, albeit dry winter through much of the state, but that does not necessarily mean farmers will see more insects in their corn this year, a Kansas State University entomologist said.

Renewable fuels legislation helps Illinois rural economy

March 30, 2006

There is currently renewable fuels legislation before the Illinois House that would provide the opportunity to create more than 36,000 jobs, helping the Illinois rural economy and providing a greater demand for Illinois corn and soybeans.

Crane repellent for seed corn

March 30, 2006

Sandhill cranes are becoming a big problem for corn growers in some areas. The birds find newly-planted fields to be great feeding territory. Sam Walker is with Arkion Life Sciences, a Wilmington, Delaware company that has developed a repellent for the cranes.

USDA invest $5.7 million in business development for Rural America funding will save 1,600 Rural job

March 30, 2006

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that nearly $5.7 million will be invested through nine organizations for business development that will create or retain almost 1,600 rural jobs. This investment further supports President Bush’s goal to create jobs and improve economic opportunities in rural communities.

Ethanol Production Continues at Record Levels

March 30, 2006

The U.S. ethanol industry continues to surpass monthly production records. The latest figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show 8,000 barrels per day increase over December 2005 for January 2006.

Michigan Sets Sights on Becoming an Alternative Energy Hotbed with Ethanol

March 30, 2006

Detroit Free Press (KRT) via NewsEdge Corporation : Nearly 100 years ago, Henry Ford proclaimed that ethanol would be the automotive fuel of the future.

UNL’s Weekly Drought Monitor

March 30, 2006

See the report here

How Would You Reduce Production Costs?

March 30, 2006

The 2007 Farm Bill has moved to the front burner at 14th and Independence, S.W., in the District of Columbia. The comments of more than 4,000 speakers at 52 USDA Farm Bill Listening Sessions were sorted into 41 pigeon holes and summarized by USDA.

Dragons, White Knights, and Farm Program Policy

March 29, 2006

If you are going to battle with a dragon, you’d better have some good ammunition. Many farmers have wished for that ammunition when they are confronted by the media or farm program critics who fire away with statistics that put agriculture in a bad light.

Roundup Ready corn 2 technology to be planted on more than 32 million acres

March 29, 2006

Roundup Ready® Corn 2 has reached a new milestone: the technology is expected to be planted on more than 32 million acres this season, or about 40 percent of the U.S. corn acres. That is a substantial increase over the record 24 million acres in 2005.

USDA Plans to Analyze Risk Management Options for Next Farm Bill

March 29, 2006

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns continues to take a hands-on approach to the next farm bill. Wednesday the Department of Agriculture released an in-depth summary of views expressed at USDA farm bill forums and announced plans to conduct analysis on specific topics – the first being risk management.

Michigan Corn Office Launches Redesigned Website

March 29, 2006

The Michigan Corn office recently launched their newly designed website, www.micorn.org. The site has been completely revamped to provide more information to not only the state’s corn producers, but to the general public as well.

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Seed Trait Battles Raise Eyebrows

March 11, 2010

ANAHIEM, Calif. (DTN) — While a few companies will shoulder the brunt of criticism in upcoming discussions on the competitive climate — or lack of one — in agriculture, the reputation for all of agriculture may be at stake.

Tips for Handling a Wet Spring

March 11, 2010

Editor’s Note: Dan Davidson provides insight into what farmers might do this spring to deal with wet soil conditions. The information was provided specifically to AgProfessional so that readers can talk with customers about alternative field work that might be necessary this spring and to allow consultants and ag retailers to determine recommendations for fertilizer programs fitting into a farmer’s unusual spring workload.

Planting date recommendations for Iowa

March 11, 2010

Click here to follow the link to ISU’s website

MSU: Field CAT Alert Newsletter

March 11, 2010

We’ve published new articles for the MSU Field CAT Alert newsletter.

PSU: Field Crop News

March 11, 2010

In this issue from Penn State:

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