INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
August 31, 2014

RRV Sugarbeet Museum Harvest Festival set for Sept. 7

The Red River Valley Sugarbeet Museum hosts its 10th Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 7. The museum is located along U.S. Highway 2 on the southeast side of Crookston, Minn.
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August 30, 2014

Amalgamated expects strong beet crop

BOISE, Idaho—Amalgamated Sugar officials expect an outstanding sugarbeet crop that should nearly rival last year’s record yields, but with a higher average sugar content.
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August 29, 2014

Review panel vote shows close race on Measure 92

If the vote by a Citizens’ Initiative Review panel is any indication, the arguments will be robust for and against a proposed Oregon requirement for labeling of foods with genetically modified organisms—and the outcome of Measure 92 will be close.
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August 29, 2014

Good projection for Nebraska beet crop

Sugarbeet growers have a lot to look forward to this season as numbers are in for projected tons per acre.
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August 28, 2014

John Deere announces 400 additional layoffs

Deere & Company announced that it will place approximately 460 employees who work in the company's Waterloo, Iowa, operations on indefinite layoff in response to current market demand for its products. Deere said employees were informed today of the layof
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August 28, 2014

New sugarbeet receiving station under construction in Minn.

NEW LONDON, Minn.––At a glance, it appears that another gravel mining operation is under way in northern Kandiyohi County in Minnesota.
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August 27, 2014

Sugar Association expresses importance of science-based conclusions

The Sugar Association (SA) reiterated its objection to the use of the term “added sugars” in recent comments to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), as well noting that the preponderance of scientific evidence simply does not support the DGA’s rece
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August 26, 2014

Dept. of Commerce: Mexican sugar subsidies distort trade

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) today said Mexican sugar subsidies are giving Mexico’s sugar mills an unfair trade advantage.
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August 26, 2014

Raven introduces new nozzle control system

Raven Industries’ Applied Technology Division announces Hawkeye, an innovative pressure-based nozzle control system that provides the most precise and accurate application across the entire sprayer boom, and the entire field.
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August 25, 2014

Beet outlook up despite presence of nematodes

SIDNEY, Neb.—The outlook for this year's sugarbeet crop is about 2 tons greater than previous year's output.
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August 25, 2014

Deere to lay off more than 600 at four U.S. plants

Deere & Co, the world's largest maker of farm equipment, said it would indefinitely lay off more than 600 employees at plants in Illinois, Iowa and Kansas as falling grain prices hurt demand for tractors, harvesters and other agricultural machinery.
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August 24, 2014

Slow pace of rail recovery stirs fear of future woes

More than eight months after an extreme winter began snarling North American rail traffic, a Reuters analysis of industry data shows delays lingering, raising the risk of a second winter of chaos on the rails.
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August 24, 2014

Dow AgroSciences introduces Enlist Ahead app

The Enlist Ahead app, unveiled from Dow AgroSciences, offers growers and applicators vital herbicide application information from a single source.
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August 23, 2014

Policing sucrose is not panacea

The sugar industry has been a significant part of Florida’s proud history since before the American Revolution.
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August 23, 2014

Syngenta names new manager of federal government relations

Laura Wood Peterson has joined Syngenta as manager of federal government relations, based in Washington, D.C.
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August 22, 2014

Sugar's important role in savory foods and food safety

Sugar is of course an important component in many sweet treats and indulgences, but what some overlook is the significant role all-natural sugar (or sucrose) plays in other foods.
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August 22, 2014

Sugar Association calls for withdrawal of "added sugars" labeling proposal

The Sugar Association (SA) filed comments in response to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Proposed Rule, Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. SA is calling on FDA to withdraw its "added sugars" labeling proposal, noting
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August 22, 2014

Best sugarbeet crop on record right now in Yellowstone Valley

SIDNEY, Mont.—This year could be a banner year for sugarbeets, especially in the Yellowstone Valley between Montana and North Dakota, south central Montana, and northern Wyoming.
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August 22, 2014

New DuPont Afforia herbicide gives crops clean start

Growers now have more help for preparing clean seedbeds and managing herbicide resistance for the 2015 season.
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August 21, 2014

Former Betaseed president dies

Betaseed Inc. officials Thursday announced the passing of Duane Melling, 89, Betaseed's first president. He started the formation of the company in 1970 and retired in 1990.
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August 21, 2014

DuPont Pioneer and Exmark launch “In Your Backyard” promotion

Exmark today announced a joint promotion with DuPont Pioneer and its Pioneer GrowingPoint agronomy program.
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August 21, 2014

Ohio’s largest Deere dealer to sell precision drone products

J D Equipment, the largest John Deere dealership group in Ohio, has entered into an agreement with Precision Drone LLC to sell helicopter-style drones (hexacopters) to agricultural customers. The drones will permit customers to visually inspect field and
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August 21, 2014

NRC studying genetically engineered crops

The National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (NRC) is conducting a two-year study of genetically engineered crops.
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August 20, 2014

Sugar Association hires Gaine

The Sugar Association has hired Courtney Gaine as vice president of scientific affairs.
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August 20, 2014

Farm groups cheer California water bond proposal

SACRAMENTO—California farm groups are pleased with the $7.5 billion water bond measure crafted by Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers, which would include $2.7 billion for storage.
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August 19, 2014

Emerging solar plants scorch birds in mid-air

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August 19, 2014

Non-GMO labels make initiative unneeded

Instead of waiting for state initiatives to pass or for Congress to adopt a law addressing the labeling of foods that have genetically modified ingredients, some forward-thinking companies are taking the issue into their own hands.
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August 19, 2014

New nursery sprayer could be "game changer"

BORING, Ore.—An “intelligent” sprayer that uses a laser sensor to determine where and what to spray has shown it can cut pesticide in half and greatly reduce drift.
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August 15, 2014

Sugar producer-user tussle continues

STOWE, VT.—The continued tussle between sugar producers seeking limited imports and a safety net for producers and sugar users seeking reforms to the sugar program were obvious in speeches at the International Sweetener Symposium.
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August 14, 2014

ISO sees global sugar balanced in 2014-15

STOWE, Vt.— Global sugar supply and demand may come into balance next year (2014-15) after four years of oversupply, Jose Orive, executive director of the International Sugar Organization, said at the International Sweetener Symposium on Aug. 4.
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August 14, 2014

What foods are consumers avoiding?

WASHINGTON—Carbohydrates and carbonated soft drinks have taken a dive in American diets, according to a recent poll by Gallup. Nearly two-thirds of consumers say they avoid soda, and almost a third are cutting carbs. Additionally, more than half of consum
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August 13, 2014

Speaker says USDA lost control of sugar market

STOWE, VT.—The U.S. Department of Agriculture lost its ability to control the U.S. sugar market in the past two years because of the inability to limit imports of sugar from Mexico, Frank Jenkins, president of JSG Commodities, said at the International Sw
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August 12, 2014

COOL ruling could impact a GMO label lawsuit

A recent court ruling that upheld mandatory country-of-origin labeling of meat may come to bear on litigation over labels for genetically engineered food.
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August 11, 2014

Indications U.S. and Mexico heading for agreement in sugar dispute

There were hints last week at the International Sweetener Symposium in Stowe, Vt., that the key players in the dispute between Mexican and U.S. sugar producers may be moving toward an agreement.
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August 11, 2014

Forecasters say El Nino too weak to end Calif. drought

SACRAMENTO—Climate forecasters are issuing fresh warnings that much-anticipated El Nino conditions won’t be enough this winter to bring California out of its historic drought.
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August 10, 2014

Hundreds view "Farmland" in Idaho

BOISE—Hundreds of people got an intimate peek into the lives of American and Idaho farmers Aug. 6 during the Idaho premiere of the feature-length documentary “Farmland.”
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August 10, 2014

Global subsidies sour sugar prices

STOWE, Vt.—Sugar prices are in the tank, production efficiency in foreign countries is falling, and the globe’s growing appetite for subsidization is to blame. That was the message delivered loud and clear at last week’s International Sweetener Symposium.
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August 10, 2014

Sugarbeet growers deal with glyphosate-resistant kochia

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho—Now that lab tests have confirmed that some kochia weeds in the Treasure Valley area are resistant to the herbicide Roundup, researchers will try to determine how widespread they are and develop recommendations to control them.
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August 09, 2014

Setting record straight on "Waters of the U.S."

Americans expect straight talk from their government. If our government says something, you ought to be able to take it to the bank, as the saying goes.
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August 08, 2014

Sugar growers worry about declining acreage

The American Sugar Alliance, which represents cane and beet growers, expressed concern about the Agriculture Department’s report showing declining acreage devoted to sugar, while a business coalition says it is worried that the U.S. and Mexican government
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August 07, 2014

Farm bill implementation continues

The 2014 farm bill passed in February, and USDA is beginning to roll out new conservation programs and initiatives, reports conservation group Ducks Unlimited in a recent press release.
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August 06, 2014

FAA plans to meet Sept. 2015 UAV Integration Deadline

When Jim Williams, manager of the FAA’s Office of Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration, spoke at the Delta AgTech Symposium at the Memphis, TN, Agricenter on Tuesday (July 8), UAS enthusiasts had their questions ready, reports website UASVision.com.
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August 05, 2014

Setting the record straight on "Waters of the U.S."

There’s been some confusion about EPA's proposed "Waters of the U.S." rule under the Clean Water Act, especially in the agriculture community, and we want to make sure you know the facts, recently blogged Nancy Stoner, EPA acting assistant administrator f
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August 04, 2014

Brazil cuts sugar hopes, as mills turn to ethanol

Brazil cut its forecast for sugar output, even as the country's top sugar and ethanol group stuck by its production forecasts, saying it had lost "only" 100,000 tonnes of cane to last month's surprise frost.
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August 03, 2014

How sugar could help satisfy the world's energy needs

Hydrogen makes an extraordinarily efficient and clean fuel. Three times as energy-efficient as petrol, NASA used it to power its space shuttles. It can be used to generate electricity and only produces water as a byproduct.
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August 02, 2014

Sugar market shifting to shortages

The sugar market will swing to a deficit as sustained low prices curb supply for a second year, according to Rabobank International, which joined Czarnikow Group Ltd. and Kingsman SA in forecasting an end to surpluses.
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August 01, 2014

Goshen County Beet Growers add to EWC scholarship

TORRINGTON, Wyo.—A gift of more than $43,000 has allowed the Goshen County Beet Growers Association to boost the Association’s Eastern Wyoming College scholarship endowment to more than $110,000.
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