INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
April 30, 2014

Cutworms damage fields in Oregon, Idaho

AROCK, Ore.—An infestation of army cutworms has caused significant damage to alfalfa fields and rangeland grasses in some areas of southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon.
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April 29, 2014

Do as I say, not as I do

It has been about one week since the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) launched a formal investigation into the unfair trading practices of Mexico's sugar industry, noting strong evidence of significant dumping and actionable subsidies.
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April 29, 2014

New software helps farmers manage nutrients

University of Missouri Extension has released a new Web-based application to help farmers manage soil nutrient needs on farms.
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April 28, 2014

Sweetener users, Mexico sugar growers: ITC should throw out U.S. grower case

Lawyers for the Sweetener Users Association and the Mexican Sugar Chamber said April 28 that the case U.S. growers have brought against Mexican sugar imports is meritless and that the International Trade Commission should determine that the U.S. growers h
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April 28, 2014

Alert for Treasure Valley

The degree day calculator (hosted by the Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University) for the sugarbeet root maggot fly shows that—depending on your location in the Treasure Valley—we have accumulated 262 degree days since March 1, 2014.
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April 28, 2014

Last call for nominations

Honor hardworking colleagues and outstanding organizations by nominating them for an Irrigation Association or Irrigation Foundation award. Nominations are due Wednesday, April 30.
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April 28, 2014

Michigan Farm Bureau donates $10,000

Michigan Farm Bureau's April board meeting was a highlight for Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers Outreach and Education Manager Burt Henry.
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April 27, 2014

Ruling may change Calif. water pricing, delivery

Some California irrigators may face changes to the pricing and timing of water deliveries due to a recent court ruling.
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April 26, 2014

Consultant: Railroads already near capacity

The Pacific Northwest rail system is already nearing capacity, and more coal and oil traffic will increase the impact on agricultural commodities, a transportation consultant says.
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April 25, 2014

Farming still attracts many despite challenges

PORTLAND, Ore.— If a torch is going to be passed to the next generation of farmers, it might as well be the flame weeder that Sara Cogan is demonstrating to three interns at Zenger Farm, a nonprofit training center at the city’s southeast edge.
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April 24, 2014

Rail fertilizer deliveries being tracked

It took the Surface Transportation Board (STB) about a week to react to criticism of the railroads serving the upper Midwest and Plains states that occurred at a hearing in Washington, D.C.
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April 23, 2014

Commerce to investigate Mexican sugar imports

The U.S. Commerce Department says it will investigate charges that Mexico is dumping sugar cane and sugarbeets below cost on the U.S. market.
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April 22, 2014

Vermont approves bill requiring mandatory GM labeling

The Vermont state senate passed H.112, a bill that would require mandatory labeling of foods sold in Vermont that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
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April 22, 2014

Sidney Sugars announces top 10 beet growers

The top 10 sugarbeet growers for Sidney Sugars Inc., in Sidney, Mont., were announced by Russ Fullmer, ag manager at Sidney Sugars.
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April 22, 2014

Farmers sign on to Odessa water project

Eastern Washington farmers have committed $48 million to bring water from the Columbia River to their farms in the Odessa Subarea.
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April 21, 2014

Farm bill means big changes for ag

The 2014 farm bill represents a big transition for a major sector of the economy.
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April 20, 2014

Short water year for Klamath irrigation project

GRANTS PASS, Ore.(AP)—Farmers on the Klamath Reclamation Project straddling the Oregon-California border are facing irrigation cutbacks caused by drought for the third year in a row.
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April 20, 2014

Sugar Association responds to WHO sugar proposal

The Sugar Association has filed comments with the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of its Public Consultation on a Draft Sugars Guideline announced March 5.
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April 19, 2014

Confectioners cheer hopped-up Easter profits

By all accounts, these are sweet times to be in the candy business. Sales are up, business is expanding, sugar prices are down, and profit margins are plump.
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April 19, 2014

GMO task force meets for first time

SALEM, Ore.—A new task force aimed at fleshing out the controversies over genetically modified organisms in Oregon includes members with strongly contrasting points of view.
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April 19, 2014

Mexico speeds up disputed sugar exports to U.S.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced Friday that it would initiate an investigation to determine if the Mexican government has subsidized Mexico's sugar production and whether that sugar is being dumped into the U.S. market.
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April 18, 2014

Experts weigh regulation of ag drones

Farmers can generally fly drones on their own property without trouble from the federal government, but they’re operating in a regulatory gray area, experts say.
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April 18, 2014

Mexico sours sugar growers' Easter holiday

Nine in 10 Americans who will be celebrating Easter this year say they plan to stock up on candy, according to a National Retail Federation survey released April 9. All told, these celebrants will spend a combined $2.2 billion of Easter candy—an average o
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April 17, 2014

Ag companies ask about new tax credit

BOISE—Several agricultural companies have already asked state economic development officials how they could use a new tax incentive that was recently signed into law.
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April 17, 2014

Idaho water situation continues to improve

BOISE—The water supply outlook for most of southwestern Idaho continues to improve with a series of snow and rain storms that have pounded the region in March and April.
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April 16, 2014

Brazil escalates subsidy arms race with India

India certainly got the international community’s attention when it recently announced a slew of new sugar subsidies, including a direct export subsidy that is likely against World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
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April 15, 2014

JAMA study: Added sugar increases risk of death from C.V.D.

CHICAGO—Average caloric consumption of added sugars may be dropping in America, but it’s still at too high of a level, according to a study published by JAMA Internal Medicine. The study also found an association between added sugar intake and increased r
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April 14, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

And the Beet Goes On for Hardy Family

Growers who straddle state lines can empathize with David Hardy.
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April 14, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

Crop Insurance Shields Growers: North Dakota beet grower calls it “essential to survive”

“If you’re not a risk taker with an incredibly optimistic view of life and a deep belief in your own potential as a businessman, then you better not think about wanting to become a farmer,” said beet grower Russ Mauch, past president of the American Sugar
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April 14, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

CROP PROTECTION CHEMICALS BUYER’S GUIDE

As the newest, highly efficient, concentrated clethodim herbicide from Arysta LifeScience, Shadow 3EC Herbicide is a post-emergent option for sugarbeet growers.
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April 14, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

GMO Answers Invites Consumers to Join Online Conversation

GMO Answers Invites Consumers to Join Online Conversation— GMOs—are a major topic of discussion today.
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April 14, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

New ASGA Officers Face Trying Times: “EACH DAY WE MUST RISE TO THE OCCASION,” SNYDER TELLS GROWERS

Low sugar prices blamed on a glut in the sugar supply overshadowed the 2014 ASGA Annual Meeting on Feb. 10-11 in Tampa, Fla.
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April 14, 2014

Sugar users, producers square off before ITC

WASHINGTON—The Sweetener Users Association and the American Sugar Alliance on March 19 squared off in testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission in preparation for the eighth update in investigation No. 332-325, The Economic Effects of Signi
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April 14, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue
Phillip Hayes

U.S. Sugar Producers Target Foreign Subsidies

With a strong five-year sugar policy at their side, U.S. sugar producers are now setting their sights on addressing the foreign sugar subsidies that make U.S. sugar policy necessary.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

Apply Now For IPNI Scholar Award Program

The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) announced that the IPNI Scholar Award program for 2014 is now open and accepting applications.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue
Luther Markwart

Big Issues Face Growers

When the ASGA Board of Directors met for our annual meeting in February, they drilled deep into a number of issues that are critically important to both the short and long-term health of our industry.
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April 13, 2014

Consumers focus on taste in sweetener choices

DANA POINT, CALIF—Consumers may be confused by the number of natural and artificial sweetener choices on the market, but their primary reason for choosing a sweetener is taste, said Lynn Dornblaser, director of innovation and insight with the Mintel Group
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

Detect Diseases With Neogen Tailgate Test

Neogen Corporation would like to introduce the Neogen Tailgate Test for plant disease detection.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

Foundation Offers $2,500 Scholarships

The Responsible Nutrient Management Foundation is offering scholarships in the amount of $2,500.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

Lindsey Announces New Magnetic Flow Meter

Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic irrigation systems, has added a new magnetic flow meter to its Growsmart by Lindsay product line.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

New Planting Time Insecticide System Introduced

Innvictis Crop Care announced the launch of Nirvana in time for the 2014 growing season.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

Rabo AgriFinance Adds to Nampa Team

Rabo AgriFinance announces the addition of Corey Coles as relationship manager based out of Rabo AgriFinance’s Nampa, Idaho, office.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue
Allen Thayer

Sugar Industry Focuses on Mexico: NEIGHBOR MUST BE CONVINCED TO DUMP LESS SUGAR INTO U.S.

Sugar growers were reacting to the plight of the sugar market. After enjoying record high sugar prices in 2010, 2011 and 2012, the bottom fell out of the market in 2013 after one of the most productive growing seasons in history flooded the market with su
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

Syngenta Invests in Research

As sugarbeet growers continue to evolve, so does their need for efficient crop management.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

T.G. Schmeiser Unveils Grader Blade Series

T. G. Schmeiser Co. Inc. introduces the Schmeiser Grader Blade (SGB) Series now available in 20-, 30 and 40-feet working widths.
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April 13, 2014| Published in the April 2014 issue

TBEI Welcomes New Customer Service Manager

Truck Bodies and Equipment International (TBEI) recently announced the hire of Sandy Elkins as its new Crysteel customer service manager at its Lake Crystal, Minn., facility.
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April 12, 2014

Sugar producers want to spread good news about Big Candy

The American Sugar Alliance has been posting stories on its website about the recent good fortunes of America’s candy makers.
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April 12, 2014

USDA cuts U.S. sugar carryover forecast

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture in its March 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates projected U.S. sugar carryover on Oct. 1, 2014, at 1,683,000 short tons, raw value, down 142,000 tons, or 8%, from its February projection and dow
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April 11, 2014

USDA has no plans to remove sugar in third quarter

KANSAS CITY — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said its Commodity Credit Corp. does not plan to use the Feedstock Flexibility Program (F.F.P.) in the third quarter (April-June) of fiscal 2014 to remove sugar from the domestic market.
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April 10, 2014
Syngenta News Release

The value of strategic seed and seed treatment selection

As I reflect on the 2013 sugarbeet season, I recognize that growers faced unique challenges from replanting to reduced sugar prices.
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April 10, 2014

USDA pegs sugarbeet area down 4 percent from 2013

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture in its March 31 Prospective Plantings report said growers intend to plant 4 percent fewer acres to sugarbeets in 2014 than in 2013.
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April 09, 2014

Battle over GMO labeling rumbling in U.S.

A GMO labeling battle is rumbling in the United States, with those demanding full disclosure of genetically modified organisms in food products pitted against big companies.
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April 08, 2014

Grocers say GMO labeling would increase farm costs

BOISE—If individual states start requiring the mandatory labeling of genetically modified food, it would have a negative impact on agriculture and consumers, according to a representative of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association.
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April 07, 2014

USDA: More soybeans, fewer sugarbeets in Minn. this year

Minnesota farmers plan to plant more soybeans and fewer sugarbeets this year, but the state’s corn acreage is expected to remain the same.
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April 07, 2014

Agribusinesses give $380,000 to beat anti-GMO vote

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP)—Six major producers of herbicides and genetically modified crops are shoveling $380,000 into the campaign to defeat measures to prohibit genetically modified crops in southwestern Oregon.
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April 06, 2014

Ag design contest winner pays it forward

For many college students summer is synonymous with laid-back fun and relaxation, but Emma Patterson isn’t like many college students.
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April 05, 2014

Buy smart: Managing input risk

A new growing season has arrived. With it came a market correction that changes the decision-making process for inputs, especially fertilizer.
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April 04, 2014

Exmark launches consumer referral program

BEATRICE, Neb.—Exmark has launched a new referral program targeted at its farm and acreage customers. The new program launched in March, and runs through the end of 2014.
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April 03, 2014

Farming documentary makes its debut

A new documentary on farming—entitled “Farmland”—made its debut this week in several cities around the U.S. as part of Agriculture Week activities.
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April 03, 2014

Public comment sought on sprinkler head testing

FALLS CHURCH, Va.—Smart Water Application Technologies released Sprinkler Head Check Valve Testing Protocol Version 2.2. The protocol is open for a 30-day public comment period, with feedback due April 30.
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April 02, 2014

U.S. sugar producers pursue Mexican tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. sugar industry has asked the federal government to enact protective tariffs in response to the alleged dumping of heavily subsidized sugar on their market by Mexican producers.
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April 02, 2014

U.S. sugar producers accuse Mexico of dumping sugar

WASHINGTON—America’s sugar producers asked the United States government on March 28 to take corrective action against Mexico’s sugar industry for dumping subsidized sugar onto the U.S. market and inflicting harm on U.S. growers and taxpayers.
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April 01, 2014

Sugarbeet protest highlights GMO issue

Lyn Colley-Talk and Ted Jones sell honey at Singing Bird Farm a few hundred yards from the Applegate River west of Grants Pass, Ore., and grow a vegetable garden each year.
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