Ag Leader Technology, Inc., a leader in the development of precision farming solutions, has added the patent-pending SureVac electric row shutoff to their lineup of planter section shutoff devices.

SureVac provides today’s precision farming operation with an easily-installed, zero-maintenance solution to reduce seed costs and increase yield potential.

SureVac is designed for John Deere Pro-Series XP row units, but is also compatible with any John Deere vacuum seed meter manufactured in the last 20 years. In addition to John Deere corn and soybean seed disks, SureVac supports the eSet vacuum disk from Precision Planting.

“We are excited to offer our customers another option for row-by-row planter control. SureVac allows for expanded seed meter compatibility, providing growers more flexibility in their operations,” says Roger Zielke, new business development manager. “About this time in 2009, we introduced the SureStop electric row clutch for chain-drive planters. Due to its popularity more…

Valley Irrigation, a technology leader in precision irrigation, announces a new agreement with Computronics Holdings Ltd., manufacturer of the patented Farmscan Variable Rate Irrigation technology.

This agreement allows for the development and distribution of variable rate irrigation (VRI) controls through over 460 Valley dealers worldwide, thus providing the latest technology in precision irrigation with center pivots.

“Computronics Holdings Ltd. has an impressive history with VRI controls,” said Jake LaRue, Valley Product Manager. “They began working with the University of Georgia in 1999 to commercialize VRI controls. This led to the introduction of the first Farmscan VRI control in 2001, but through a limited distribution channel. This agreement between Valley Irrigation and Computronics Holdings Ltd. will provide increased distribution through the Valley dealer network. It also allows Valley to use its own patented and proprietary technology to further enhance the capabilities of future VRI products.”

“We believe that combining more…

BASF and Farm Plan have teamed up to help growers maximize their investment for their 2010 purchases.

Under the special program, growers can finance their purchase of two crop protection products from BASF, such as Headline fungicide or Kixor herbicide technology, through Farm Plan with zero percent interest through next fall. To take advantage of this special offer, growers need to sign up by Feb. 15, 2010.

“We realize that this year, more than ever, it’s important for our customers to have access to our innovative portfolio of crop protection products,” said Stephanie Jensen, channel strategy manager for BASF. ”BASF is pleased to work with Farm Plan to ensure growers have the opportunity to get the most out of every acre, and their investment, with BASF and Farm Plan.”

This offer is available to Farm Plan Preferred account holders with a special terms credit limit. In order to more…

Monsanto Company has announced it has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the sales of a new formulation of acetochlor for early post-emergence use in cotton and soybeans.

The product will be marketed as MON 63410 Herbicide for the 2010 growing season.

Upon receipt of state registrations or approvals, it will be introduced primarily for those areas of the Southeast, Mid-South and Midwestern states of Missouri and Southern Illinois, which have had resistance and other control problems with Palmer amaranth and tall waterhemp.

“Farmers face a number of weed control challenges in cotton and soybean production and we continue to work on solutions from both the crop protection and seeds and traits perspectives,” said Kerry Overton, Monsanto selective herbicides marketing manager. “We’ve been working on a plan that includes immediate ways to address those challenges through information, as well as incentives designed to take a more…

Nufarm Americas, Inc. announces the addition of Edict 2SC IVM herbicide to its Industrial and Vegetation Management (IVM) portfolio.

Edict, a product of Nichino America, Inc. is a unique, patented PPO inhibitor that provides post-emergent control of a wide range of broadleaf weeds. Edict is used at extremely low use rates (0.7 to 4 ounces per acre) and works as an excellent tank-mix partner with products like 2,4-D for broadleaf weed control in desirable grasses, as well as glyphosate and other non-selective products for enhanced speed and efficacy in industrial bareground treatments.

Because of its unique mode of action, Edict is an excellent resistance management tool for species like kochia, Russian thistle and redroot pigweed.

Edict can be used on non-crop and industrial vegetation sites such as railroads, roadsides, utility rights of way and similar areas.

A supplemental label allows use on pastures and rangelands and can offer more…

Leaders from DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE), University of Tennessee, Genera Energy and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen have cut the ribbon on one of the world’s first cellulosic ethanol demonstration facilities, located in Vonore, Tenn.

The 74,000-square-foot plant has started producing ethanol and will deliver low-cost, fully-integrated technology for commercial production of ethanol from agricultural residue and bioenergy crops, including corncobs and switchgrass.

“The Tennessee Biofuels Initiative already is creating new jobs and opportunities, and I believe the Vonore facility is going to be a real catalyst for additional economic activity in Tennessee,” Bredesen said. “I’m pleased with the progress of this partnership and believe this marks an important step forward in our state’s efforts to develop clean energy technology.”

“The world should be watching Tennessee,” said DDCE President and CEO Joe Skurla. “Here in Vonore, DDCE and Genera Energy are well ahead of the curve as more…

CLAAS of America Inc. introduces another new feature to give producers enhanced performance in the field by offering factory-installed Lincoln Quicklub Automatic Lubrication System on new Lexion 500 R Series combine harvesters.

Engineered to prevent bearing and greased component failure, boost operational savings and increase efficiencies, the optional Auto Lube System is another performance enhancing feature on the Lexion combine.

The new Auto Lube System lubricates in motion when the machine is running for even grease distribution, eliminating the warmup time necessary for manual lubrication. Precise amounts of grease are applied automatically as needed to maintain the correct amount of grease in the bearing at all times without over-lubricating. In turn, operators reduce excess grease consumption from inadequacies found in manual grease gun applications.

Bob Armstrong, North American Product marketing manager stated, “In addition, the central lubrication plays a major role in minimizing bearing upkeep, saving labor and maintenance costs. more…

Raven Industries and Buhler Industries are excited to announce a new strategic partnership for the Versatile line of tractors and sprayers that will feature Raven precision ag products offered on both the Versatile tractor line, as well as their new self-propelled sprayer line.

“We are excited to mark Versatile’s entry into precision agriculture, and we are excited to have Raven supply the technology. This partnership means the technology can be ordered as a factory or dealer installed option,” says Adam Reid, marketing manager for Buhler Industries.

The Versatile Precision Ag System, or VPAS, will include a combination of Raven’s SCS consoles, Cruizer guidance system, Envizio Pro and Viper Pro field computers, and SmarTrax assisted steering products. By offering the customer different levels of precision ag products, from basic application controls and entry-level guidance up to integrated hydraulic steering and fully functional field computers, VPAS will match any operation with the more…

Mexico, a major importer of U.S. corn grain and dried distillers grains, has given full regulatory authorization for importation of grain from three Monsanto Company Genuity corn traits: Genuity SmartStax, Genuity VT Triple PRO, and Genuity VT Double PRO.

The approvals by Mexico for Genuity SmartStax and Genuity VT Triple PRO are the final major global regulatory import approvals necessary to enable U.S. and Canadian farmers who plant these corn trait technologies to fully market their grain in 2010. Additionally, farmers who planted Genuity VT Triple PRO as part of a limited commercial demonstration in 2009 may now fully market their grain.

Genuity SmartStax and Genuity VT Triple PRO have regulatory authorizations in the United States, Canada, Japan and Korea, among other countries. Genuity VT Double PRO has full regulatory approval in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Monsanto anticipates approval in Korea for Genuity VT Double PRO during more…