INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
July 31, 2014

BASF investing $270M to expand U.S. herbicide production

BASF has announced new investments and solutions that will help growers and partners in North America drive yields and efficiency. BASF will invest more than $270 million to expand production capacity for key herbicides dicamba and DMTA at the Beaumont, T
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July 31, 2014

Drinking too much soda could affect adolescent memory, ability to learn

If former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg had waited just a bit longer to wage his public health battle against soda drinks, he could have had more ammunition.
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July 30, 2014

DeLauro introduces soda tax bill

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., introduced a bill Wednesay that would impose a federal tax of 1 cent per teaspoon of caloric sweetener, such as sugar or high-fructose corn syrup in sweetened beverages.
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July 30, 2014

GPS: 25 years and still growing

This past month saw the U.S.-launched global positioning system (GPS) satellite constellation hit its quarter-century mark in lifespan.
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July 29, 2014

Drone almost blocks California firefighting planes

SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. (AP)—A private drone trying to record footage of a Northern California wildfire nearly hindered efforts to attack the flames from the air, but firefighters made enough progress to allow most of the 1,200 people under evacuation ord
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July 29, 2014

Innovative water conservation solution

Like many industries, the agricultural industry seeks to use technology to improve efficiency and sustainability.
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July 29, 2014

Kinze electric multi-hybrid planter moves closer to full launch

Kinze Manufacturing Inc. continues progress on the world's first electric multi-hybrid planter, with six planters having successfully been used for planting on test plots in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana this spring.
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July 29, 2014

Smart Irrigation Month is here

July is almost over—have you gotten involved in Smart Irrigation Month? Check out how the industry is spreading the word about water-use efficiency.
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July 29, 2014

Mexican export subsidies injuring U.S. sugar producers

WASHINGTON—U.S. sugar producers have filed new subsidy allegations in their countervailing duty case against Mexico's sugar industry, including evidence that export subsidies are fueling a flood of Mexican sugar shipments and injuring U.S. sugar farmers a
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July 29, 2014

Study: Drought costing California billions

In the most comprehensive look yet at the impact of the worst California drought in decades on the state’s vital agriculture industry, a new study found that it has cost the state $2.2 billion, primarily in lost farm revenue and wages.
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July 28, 2014

North Dakota State University releases free apps

Three North Dakota State University Extension Service publications are available on one app for smartphone and tablet users.
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July 27, 2014

GMO labeling initiative qualifies for ballot

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—An initiative to require the labeling of genetically modified foods in Oregon has qualified for a statewide vote in November.
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July 26, 2014

Ag senators express concerns to McCarthy

Republicans on the Senate Agriculture Committee met this week with EPA administrator Gina McCarthy to express their concerns about the agency’s “Waters of the U.S.” proposal and other EPA actions that are many view as “anti-agriculture."
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July 26, 2014

Sugar rush at ethanol plant fuels fight with Nebraska corn farmers

CHICAGO—An ethanol plant in Nebraska corn country is pumping out fuel made from sugarbeets, and corn farmers are suing to stop it—a small-town dispute that offers an unusual take on the debate over the market-distorting impact of sugar and corn subsidies.
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July 26, 2014

Sugarbeet development set to improve weed control

Sugarbeet growers are set to benefit from an innovative weed control development by international market leaders SESVanderHave in the future.
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July 25, 2014

U.S. sugar industry focused on litigating trade cases

The U.S. sugar industry is not pressing the U.S. or the Mexican government or industry to negotiate an agreement on sugar trade, but is busy litigating antidumping and countervailing duty cases filed against sugar imports from Mexico, a spokesman for the
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July 25, 2014

Attorney: Kauai GMO, pesticide law protects public

HONOLULU (AP)—Kauai County’s authority to regulate genetically modified crops and pesticides was the subject of arguments in a federal court hearing Wednesday in a lawsuit by four seed companies seeking to stop a new law from going into effect next month.
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July 25, 2014

Wilbur-Ellis to relocate Agribusiness Division to Denver

Wilbur-Ellis Co. continues its investment in the future of its Agribusiness Division with the introduction of a multi-part plan called Alignment for Growth, the company announced.
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July 24, 2014

Damage caused by subsidized Mexican sugar apparent

The International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a preliminary ruling in May, by a 5 to 0 vote, that U.S. sugar producers are being harmed by unfair trading actions by Mexico.
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July 23, 2014

Subsidies fuel global inefficiency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in June an alarming fact about global sugar production. Apparently, most sugar producers outside of the United States are getting less and less efficient.
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July 22, 2014

Coalition calls for immigration reform

A coalition of business and agricultural leaders is urging Congress to act on immigration reform.
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July 21, 2014

Willowood USA gets EPA registration for Willowood Azoxy 2SC and Willowood AzoxyProp Xtra

Willowood USA announced that federal EPA has approved its technical and end use registrations for Willowood Azoxy 2SC and Willowood AzoxyProp Xtra.
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July 20, 2014

Show spotlights UAV technology

The first Precision Aerial Ag Show ended July 11 in Decatur, Ill. The event, which attracted people from as far away as India, was held to give farmers and others a peek at the technology’s possibilities.
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July 19, 2014

Weed scientists stress diversification

Efforts continue statewide and nationwide to educate producers about herbicide resistance and weed management.
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July 18, 2014

Idaho growers concerned about crop heat stress

Idaho farmers are worried prolonged above-normal temperatures may have stressed or damaged certain crops, especially onion fields already weakened by iris yellow spot virus and Russet Burbank potatoes.
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July 17, 2014

Lab analysis to test if weeds resistant to glyphosate

ONTARIO, Ore.—It could be several weeks instead of a few months before researchers know for sure whether some kochia weeds in the Treasure Valley area have developed resistance to the weed killer glyphosate.
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July 16, 2014

Agriculture industry seeks to create right to farm

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)—In the nation’s agricultural heartland, farming is more than a multibillion-dollar industry that feeds the world. It could be on track to become a right, written into law alongside the freedom of speech and religion.
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July 15, 2014

Comments end for Enlist Duo but not the fight

Dow AgroSciences is anticipating a positive next step in the registration process for Enlist Duo herbicide.
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July 14, 2014

2013 Minn./N.D. grower practices survey results

The 45th annual survey of weed control and production practices among sugarbeet growers in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota benefited from an uptick in participation compared to 2012.
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July 13, 2014

Idaho hosts pest management tour

Growing strong and full crops is the goal of the Kimberly (Idaho) Research and Extension Center.
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July 11, 2014

Taking a look at this year’s sugarbeet crop

Idaho is known for its world famous potatoes, but another crop has been making millions for the state for a very long time.
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July 11, 2014

Thank farmers for your food independence

The American Farm Bureau Federation released a survey recently that states farmers help to keep the cost of a Fourth of July feast under $6 per person.
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July 10, 2014

Wilbur-Ellis building Miller, S.D., fertilizer plant

Wilbur-Ellis Company reportedly has announced it is constructing a fertilizer plant in Miller, S.D., with capacity to hold 13,500 ton of dry fertilizer, and 2,000 ton of liquid fertilizer, according to The Daily Plainsman, Huron, S.D., newspaper.
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July 09, 2014

Verdesian Life Sciences acquires SFP

Verdesian Life Sciences announced that it has acquired Specialty Fertilizer Products (SFP), a Leawood, Kan.-based company focused on fertilizer efficiency products.
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July 08, 2014

Boombacks reduces runoff

Dr. Troy Peters, an extension irrigation specialist at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, Wash., has completed his research on the efficacy of Boombacks using Innovative Boom Technology (iBT) by IACO, and the results are i
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July 07, 2014

Join the Smart Irrigation Month Thunderclap Campaign

July is Smart Irrigation Month, when the industry comes together to promote efficient water use and increase demand for water-saving products, practices and services. To help spread the Smart Irrigation Month message, the Irrigation Association is hosting
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July 06, 2014

Southwest Idaho farmers should have adequate water supply

BOISE—Idaho farmers in the Treasure Valley area can expect a normal water supply this year.
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July 05, 2014

GMO label supporters spend $630,000 to collect signatures

Supporters of mandatory labeling for genetically engineered foods have spent $630,000 on collecting signatures and expect to get a ballot initiative before Oregon voters in November.
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July 04, 2014

Clinton sounds enthusiastic about biotech seeds, but has advice for industry

SAN DIEGO—Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed enthusiasm for biotech seeds here, but told members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization that they should promote the characteristics of genetically modified seeds rather than use the term “genetically modi
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July 04, 2014

GMO labeling initiative submitted

SALEM, Ore.—Supporters of mandatory labeling for genetically modified foods have collected more than 155,000 signatures to get an initiative on the Oregon ballot in November.
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July 03, 2014

Republican senators introduce Waters of the U.S. bill

Thirty Republican senators last week introduced a bill to stop the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from proceeding with their proposed rule known as the Waters of the United States.
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July 02, 2014

EPA, lawyers address "Waters of the U.S."

SUN VALLEY, Idaho—A proposed rule to clarify waterways protection under the Clean Water Act, issued by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers in late March, has raised concerns in the agricultural community.
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July 02, 2014

Owyhee Irrigation water supply rapidly declining

ONTARIO, Ore.—It’s crunch time for Eastern Oregon farmers who get their water from the Owyhee Irrigation District.
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July 02, 2014

USDA announces help for beginning farmers and ranchers

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced in Davis, Calif., the implementation of several farm bill programs for beginning farmers and ranchers and unveiled a new website that will be a centralized source of information for those programs.
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July 01, 2014

Vilsack: Barcode labeling could end GMO debate

ASPEN, Colo.—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he has been so impressed by Nestlé’s barcode labeling system that he believes putting information about genetically modified ingredients that way on food labels could resolve the issue of labeling foods
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