Archive for June, 2009

Monsanto Company has announced that soybean varieties with the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait and Acceleron seed treatment system are showing an early season performance advantage over competitive soybean products and first-generation traits in many areas of the United States.

The new biotechnology trait is designed to deliver higher yield potential to farmers, and the seed treatment system helps maximize crop performance potential beginning at planting. This is the first year of commercialization for both technologies. These technologies will serve as base platforms under-pinning the company’s sustainability goal of doubling soybean yields by 2030, compared to a base year of 2000.

The debut of both technologies comes at a time where global soybean stocks are dwindling as global demand for U.S. soybeans is strong.

“In what may be a peak year for U.S. soybean acreage, more than 16,000 farmers across the Corn Belt have purchased and are experiencing the breakthrough benefits of this new trait and seed treatment,” said Jennifer Ralston, Monsanto’s U.S. oilseed product management director. “Early season observations of soybean varieties with the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait and Acceleron give us confidence that soybeans with this trait-and-treatment tandem will be the industry leader in yield performance.”

Today, approximately one-third of the soybean seed planted in the United States is treated. This compares to nearly all of the corn and cotton seed planted in the United States. The value and expected use of seed treatments in soybeans are expected to expand as the yield potential of new soybean varieties are increasing through the introduction of traits like Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield.

“Doubling average soybean yields will take innovative scientific advancement in breeding, biotechnology and agronomic practice improvements, like seed treatment,” Ralston said. “In soybeans, we see a great deal of upside yield potential and we’re very excited about the step change that the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait and Acceleron brings to increasing yields.”

For photographs of early season performance for the new trait and treatment, please visit http://www.monsanto.com/soybeanperformance.

Following the strong performance of Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans in the Midwest last year, many southern farmers are eagerly looking forward to the introduction of this second generation soybean technology in the South in 2010.

Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield enables the same dependable , flexible weed control as Roundup Ready soybeans, but with even higher yield potential.

“Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans were developed through extensive gene mapping that allows Monsanto to identify specific DNA regions within a soybean that have a positive impact on yield ,” explains Dion McBay, Monsanto U.S. traits marketing lead. “Using advanced insertion and selection technologies, the Roundup Ready 2 Yield gene is situated into one of these DNA regions to provide higher yield potential.”

McBay adds that the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield products introduced in the Midwest for 2009 have demonstrated a step-change increase in yield potential over first generation Roundup Ready soybeans. 2008 field trials and seed production fields showed substantial increases in yield despite a less-than-optimal production year. This increased yield potential is partly attributed to more beans-per-pod observed with -Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield plants compared to the first-generation technology.

“This higher number of 3-bean pods contributes to more beans per plant and therefore higher yield and profit potential,” McBay says.

Many Midwestern farmers who grew Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield production seed last season say they are impressed with how the technology performed. “In terms of yield, the Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield production beans were some of our best beans,” said Mike Olson, of Shirley, Ill. “We were very happy with the way they yielded, and now know they are going to out-yield first-generation Roundup Ready beans by far. ”

Southern production seed growers like Hal Bateman of Columbia, N.C., are also expecting great things from their first crops of Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield brand soybeans. “When you plant the latest and greatest technology, it helps your bottom line,” Bateman says. “You’ve got to keep improving if you want to be in this business. There is no doubt in my mind that Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield will give me a yield increase and a better net return.”

Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield will be available in 2010 in some of the largest soybean producing areas of the South. Farmers in these areas will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of the technology on their farms, similar to Midwestern farmers who are planting Roundup Ready 2 Yield this season. It will be available in high yielding varieties offered by Asgrow brand soybeans, Monsanto’s American Seeds, Inc. (ASI) brands, and other regional seed brands.

Launched in 2009, the Genuity family of traits will encompass Monsanto’s latest corn, soybean, cotton and specialty crops, as well as future trait technologies in Monsanto’s research and development pipeline. For additional information about Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield or other Genuity products, visit http://www.Genuity.com.

This season marks the 50th anniversary of atrazine, one of the most valuable crop protection products ever developed. Throughout these years, growers have relied on atrazine for efficient, cost-effective control of a wide range of broadleaf weeds and grasses.

“Time has proven that atrazine is one of the most reliable, flexible tools growers can use to protect crops from yield-robbing weeds,” said Chuck Foresman, technical brand manager for Syngenta. “Well over half the corn acres, about two-thirds of sorghum acres and up to 90 percent of sugar cane acres in the United States use atrazine to control weeds.”

Triazine herbicides were discovered by researchers at a Syngenta legacy company in the early 1950s, and atrazine was introduced to growers for the 1959 season. As the original developer, Syngenta plans to celebrate atrazine’s anniversary throughout the year.

The product is known for economical and effective weed control and the ability to enhance the performance of other products.

“Atrazine is an economical option that helps us control problem weeds like velvetleaf, vines and morningglory,” said grower Mat Muirheid of Oakley, Ill., who is a second-generation atrazine user. “We get more residual control for the cost, and that protects our yields.”

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, atrazine helps corn growers like Muirheid save as much as $28 per acre. Besides protecting crops and grower profits, atrazine also supports conservation-tillage systems that can reduce soil erosion by up to 90 percent, and can help delay the development of weed resistance.

Muirheid noted, “We also use atrazine to provide a different mode of action for weed control. We don’t want to develop weed resistance.”

Today, besides being available as a stand-alone herbicide, such as AAtrex brands, more than 45 pre-mix products contain atrazine, including Lumax, Lexar, Expert and Bicep II Magnum brand herbicides from Syngenta. Foresman added that used in combination or rotation with other herbicides, atrazine also helps delay and manage weed resistance.

Because of its vital role in weed control and popularity in more than 60 countries around the world, atrazine has been carefully studied for years. World-renowned institutions including the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and EPA all have studied atrazine and found no health concerns when used as directed.

“Atrazine continues to pass the most stringent regulatory standards for safety,” said Foresman. “In 2006, the EPA re-registered atrazine for crop protection use. And Syngenta works closely with growers in many watershed projects and in other stewardship programs to ensure that atrazine is used according to EPA guidelines and best management practices we’ve helped develop.”

Muirheid understands the importance of following those guidelines, so that he can continue to take advantage of the value atrazine brings.

“We follow the label and regulations for atrazine use,” he said. “Atrazine helps us get the best weed control possible.”

For more information, click here.

AGCO has announced the company remains committed to the success of the Valtra brand in North America.

The Georgia-based agriculture equipment manufacturer will continue to market various Valtra models, as well as providing parts and service to owners with Valtra tractors.

“AGCO remains committed to providing a diverse product line in the North American market,” said Todd Stucke, VP, Professional Producers Marketing, AGCO. “In response to several erroneous reports on the future of the Valtra brand in this marketplace, Valtra remains important to AGCO. We will continue to stand behind Valtra dealers and customers in the U.S. and Canada. Our superior service and parts capabilities will remain a top priority.”

While the tractor is a top seller in South America and the Nordic countries, it services a relatively niche market in the U.S. and Canada. But the unique features of the Valtra brand inspire loyalty throughout its customer base. Valtra has been successful in meeting specific needs for producers around the world. Recognized for its quality and dependability, Valtra tractors are built in some of the world’s most advanced factories in Brazil and Finland.

“Although Valtra has an extensive product line worldwide, we will continue to make product by product decisions on which Valtra models to market in North America based on market potential and the needs of our customers.” Stucke said.

For more information on Valtra tractors, visit www.AGCOcorp.com.

In a recent grower satisfaction survey, vegetable growers across the nation reported positive results with Radiant SC insecticide, according to Dow AgroSciences.

Respondents consistently cited the ability of Radiant to combat a broad spectrum of key vegetable pests across a multitude of vegetable crops.

Kevin Short, owner of Integrated Crop Management, Inc. in High Springs, Fla., consults for vegetable growers in the southern tip of Florida. He has had success with Radiant in controlling spodopteran pests across numerous vegetable crops.

“We’ve had a lot of success with Radiant controlling armyworms in peppers, tomatoes, cucurbits, leafy vegetables, cabbage and sweet corn,” Short says. “Also, it’s excellent in a resistance management program. It’s a chemistry unlike any other we have on the market right now, making it a perfect fit in a rotation.”

Surveys were mailed to vegetable growers who purchased Radiant, asking them to rank the effectiveness of Radiant insecticide in controlling numerous pests. Respondents ranked the control of worms, thrips and leafminer on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing least satisfied and 5 representing most satisfied.

“This survey was conducted to compare real-world results with the results we saw in field and university trials,” says Tom Linnen, marketing specialist for Dow AgroSciences. “The responses from the growers echoed the superb results we saw in product-testing trials across the country.”

Below are the average scores growers gave Radiant for efficacy in controlling key pests on their farms:

• Worms — 4.4.

• Thrips — 4.2.

• Leafminer — 4.2.

• Overall satisfaction — 4.4.

Additionally, a grower’s likeliness to recommend Radiant received an average score of 4.5 among the 288 responses. Steve Cargil, who grows cabbage, onions, broccoli and cantaloupe in Uvalde, Texas, was among those that recommended Radiant.

“I would highly recommend Radiant,” Cargil says. “It’s a newer technology that has integrated real well into our program. Radiant has brought our costs per unit down and has increased our yields because we don’t have the pest pressure. It definitely marked a big improvement in our operation.”

Cargil names thrips and diamondback moth as the culprits that have plagued him in the past. Those pests have moved on since he began rotating Radiant SC insecticide into his pest management program. “Diamondbacks and thrips are no longer an issue for us,” Cargil says. “Controlling diamondback moths saved us.”

David Fohn, who grows spinach, cucumbers, carrots and green beans in Hondo, Texas, also had success with Radiant.

“Growers want to know the bottom line, and the bottom line is that Radiant works,” Fohn says. “It’s important to grow a crop and to be able to harvest that crop. Radiant was a good investment for us because it allowed us to harvest our crops.”

Radiant provides fast knockdown of a broad spectrum of damaging pests, including loopers, armyworms, thrips, leafminers and diamondback moth. The long residual of Radiant SC insecticide provides sharp, consistent protection of these pests between sprays.

Growers should always read and follow label directions and consult the label before purchase to determine the class of insecticide.

To learn more, click here http://www.dowagro.com.

Continuing its strategy of aggressive growth, Nufarm Americas Inc. is making a major push into the growing seed treatment market.

Nufarm introduces several new seed treatments, giving it a full portfolio of brands to protect seeds and young crops from insects, stress and disease.

“We see great opportunities in seed treatment,” says Tim Stoehr, director of sales for Nufarm seed treatment. “With our global reach, and over 20 years experience in seed treatment, we can bring the American seed industry proven products with outstanding formulations, and do it at a good value.”

Nufarm’s growth in seed treatment has been rapid; the company introduced Senator, its first U.S. seed treatment brand, in 2008. By the end of 2009, Stoehr expects to have 15 products available for use. “We have been able to leverage our worldwide expertise, along with our U.S.-based team of researchers, to bring a wide range of products to market very quickly,” he says, “including a range of nutritional seed treatments that are compatible with insecticide and fungicide seed treatment products.”

New products Nufarm has introduced this year include:

Sativa 318 FS: (tebuconazole) a broad-spectrum fungicide treatment that protects against wide range of diseases in cereal grains, soybeans, and other crops.

Sativa M RTU: (tebuconazole and metalaxyl) a convenient ready-to-pour formulation designed for easy on-farm treatment.

Sativa IM RTU: (tebuconazole, imidacloprid and metalaxyl) extremely broad-spectrum disease and insect control.

Sativa IM Max: (tebuconazole, imidacloprid and metalaxyl) higher imidacloprid load extends early-season insect control.

Signet 480 FS: (metalaxyl) a fungicide treatment for control of damping-off, Phytophthora, and other soil-borne diseases in a broad range of crops.

Spera 240 FS: (myclobutanil) fungicide seed treatment for sore shin and black root rot in cotton.

Existing products include Senator 600 FS (imidacloprid) for systemic, early-season insect control and Sebring 2.65 ST (metalaxyl), for systemic control of Pythium and Phytophthora

The Nufarm range of nutritional seed treatments includes Grain Coat Zn+Cu, Maize Coat Zn, and Soya Coat Zn+Mn. Each is designed to help meet the germination and early-season nutrient needs of the crop while maintaining compatibility with other seed treatments.

“We recognize that seed treatments are an important part of bringing our customers better choices to help them build better businesses,” says Stoehr. “We’re confident we have the products and people to do that.”

For additional information visit http://www.nufarm.com/US/Home.

John Deere expands its lineup of 1910 Commodity Carts with the addition of two larger models ¬¬— a two-tank 350-bushel, and a three-tank 430-bushel, tow-between configuration.

These new models provide the increased capacity for customers to seed and fertilize a large number of acres in less time. In addition, the 80-bushel tank on the 430-bushel tow-between commodity cart can also be ordered liquid-fertilizer capable.

“For grain producers concerned about compaction and productivity, these new tow-between carts address both issues. Our customers can seed and fertilize more acres in less time and make fewer stops to refill. This increases their productivity and seeding efficiency,” says Aubrey Grove, project manager, John Deere Seeding Group. “The new carts are ideal for large-scale, small-grain producers who own air seeders, and for growers or ag-service providers who apply fertilizer with strip-till equipment.”

For the 2010 model year, the two new tow-between carts come equipped with a 10-inch diameter auger with steel flighting that allows a customer to fill twice as fast as they could when compared to smaller models equipped with an 8-inch diameter auger. The larger auger is also standard on the company’s existing lineup of 350- and 430-bushel tow-behind 1910 Commodity Carts.

The 1910 Commodity Cart is one component of an integrated John Deere seeding and fertilizer application solution. The carts are compatible with the company’s SeedStar 2 seed monitoring system and GreenStar 2 displays. The SeedStar 2 system displays the planting and seeding functions, seed population, coverage maps, field documentation, and guidance information together on one screen.

The new 1910 Commodity Cart models are now available for customers to order. For more details you can visit with your local John Deere dealer, or go online and visit the company’s Web site at www.JohnDeere.com.

Shell Lubricants, one of the world’s leaders in lubricants technology and innovation, has added a state-of-the-art lubricant to its high quality Shell Tellus hydraulic oil range that could help increase the energy efficiency of hydraulic systems.

Shell Tellus EE, formulated in response to customers’ concerns over energy usage and associated costs, has been shown to help companies reduce the energy consumption of their hydraulic machinery by an average of 8 percent, while also providing exceptional equipment protection and the capability of extending oil maintenance intervals.

Shell Tellus EE is Shell Lubricants’ first synthetic hydraulic fluid that has been specifically designed to help improve the energy efficiency of the machinery in which it is used. The fluid contains a unique and patented additive technology, and has undergone extensive laboratory tests and field trials that have demonstrated its ability to help improve a machine’s energy efficiency. With hydraulics being at the core of many production processes, Shell Tellus EE has the potential to contribute to the goal of reducing an organization’s energy costs.

“Energy costs will continue to represent a significant part of an industrial organization’s operating overhead for the foreseeable future,” said Dennis Woodley, Shell Hydraulics Product Application Specialist. “As a result, investing in a hydraulic lubricant designed to both help improve the energy efficiency of the machinery in which it is used and reduce the maintenance costs makes good sense from a commercial perspective.”

While some companies focus on individual elements of a hydraulic system when designing their lubricants, Shell Lubricants has used sophisticated fluid mechanics modeling to understand the different sources of energy loss in the system as a whole. This information has then been used to help to develop a fluid with a balance of physical, and chemical properties that can help reduce energy loss throughout the system without compromising the protection and long equipment life expected by its users.

Merrick Machine Company, under the brand name Triad WindGen, has developed and introduced a new, revolutionary wind power generation system.

Wind power is now a reality for the farm, ranch, business or home thanks to Triad WindGen.

Triad WindGen uses the proven technology of a legacy design which also gives a conventional look that is aesthetically pleasing and acceptable to both the owner and neighbors. By utilizing rugged metal construction, there is no need for guy-wires and their associated big foot-print. The Triad WindGen system includes the freestanding tower.

With on-grid and off-grid capabilities, the Triad WindGen system has the ability to both make you money and save you money!

Triad WindGen was designed to operate at low start-up wind speeds, unlike many turbine manufacturers that tout their power out-put at wind speeds that will rarely be experienced. Far more important is the performance at lower speed ranges that are more common. Lower blade speed means lower noise (one of the leading complaints of three-blade systems). Also, higher speed means higher friction, and therefore, higher wear and maintenance concerns.

During design and research phases gusty and high wind conditions have been considered and addressed.

Thanks to its daily reliable power generation, a smaller battery bank can be utilized.

Wind power offers both environmental and health benefits. Wind is a widespread, inexhaustible resource with over 90 percent of states having wind resources that could be efficiently developed. Wind energy aids with lowering emissions, reducing smog and eliminating a major source of acid rain. Cleaner air means healthier air especially for people with respiratory disabilities.

The growth potential for wind is staggering: Development of just 10 percent of the 10 windiest states could provide more than enough energy to displace emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Now is a great time to act on your interest in wind generation. The federal government is encouraging wind power adoption with financial incentives to reduce “out of pocket” expense through USDA grants and loans as well as personal tax credits for residential usage of small wind. Many state and local incentives may also be available as well.

Triad WindGen has been designed and manufactured, in-house, at Merrick Machine Company by a team of professional engineers and dedicated fabricators. Backed by over 50 years of machine manufacturing experience and head-quartered in Alda, Neb., the system is proudly made in the windy Midwest USA.

For questions about Triad WindGen, to further discuss specifications, or to learn how to become a dealer, please feel free to call 800-568-7423 (ext. 126), and be sure to visit our Web site http://www.triadwindgen.com.

The future of animal production agriculture will be missing a critical piece — veterinarians — without support for students to pursue large animal veterinary careers.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, fewer than 10 percent, or about 200 students, graduating each year from U.S. veterinary schools are interested in large animal medicine.

Pfizer Animal Health strongly believes veterinarians are an irreplaceable element in the cattle industry and is concerned about a shortage of cattle veterinarians in the future. To counter this trend, Pfizer Animal Health launched an Externship Program this spring aimed at veterinary students with a potential interest in large animal medicine. There are more than 100 externship recipients this summer representing 27 veterinary schools from across the United States. Through its Externship Program, Pfizer Animal Health hopes to continue increasing the number of veterinary students with an interest in pursuing a cattle practice each year.

The Pfizer Animal Health Externship Program works with veterinary schools in two ways. The company works with veterinary schools to place first- and second-year students with beef and dairy cattle practitioners for four weeks. Pfizer Animal Health provides a stipend, as well as identifies veterinary clinics willing to mentor students. For universities that already have a veterinary externship program in place, Pfizer Animal Health provides matching funds.

For the veterinary clinics participating as mentors in the Externship Program there are long-term benefits. As cattle practitioners, they have a chance to foster the development of a veterinary student and create an interest in large animal practice. A positive externship could lead to a potential future employee and a relationship that could grow into a partnership and a succession plan for a veterinary practice.

“The Externship Program was designed for the first- or second-year veterinary student who is interested in, but not committed to, becoming a large animal or mixed animal practitioner,” said Roger Saltman, DVM, MBA, Pfizer Animal Health group director for cattle veterinary operations. “We find externships for them with some of the best cattle and mixed animal veterinary practices in the United States in the hope that these externships may be transformational for many of their careers.

“At the very least, the externship will give the student an appreciation for the challenges facing large animal or mixed animal practitioners. Hopefully, this experience will lead to the veterinary student choosing to learn more about cattle medicine and maybe enter cattle or mixed animal practice after graduation.”

For additional information on Pfizer Animal Health’s portfolio of products, visit www.PfizerAH.com.