INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
April 30, 2015
News

Spud planter says GPS has dulled abilities

GEORGE, Wash.—Ron DeLay says he’s gone soft. GPS has spoiled him for the last 10 years or more when it comes to planting potatoes.
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April 29, 2015

Proposal aims to override Oregon’s GMO pre-emption

Local governments in Oregon could restrict pesticides and genetically modified organisms despite statewide pre-emption laws under a ballot initiative proposed for the 2016 election.
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April 28, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News

Striving for Harvesting Success: Spudnik offers new beet equipment line

Spudnik Equipment Company, located in Blackfoot, Idaho, recently entered the sugarbeet equipment industry
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April 28, 2015

Valent U.S.A. becomes exclusive provider of MGK products

As of April 1, Valent U.S.A. Corporation became the exclusive provider of the MGK crop protection line of insect control products within the United States.
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April 27, 2015
News

Fears over glyphosate residues prompt private testing

U.S. consumer groups, scientists and food companies are testing substances ranging from breakfast cereal to breast milk for residues of the world's most widely used herbicide on rising concerns over its possible links to disease.
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April 26, 2015
News

Wilbur-Ellis given OK to fly Oregon-made ag drone

Wilbur-Ellis, one of the country’s prominent ag service and supply companies, has received FAA approval for commercial use of a drone manufactured in Oregon.
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April 25, 2015
News

Vermont GMO labeling rules finalized

The rules for Vermont’s mandatory GMO food labeling law have been finalized.
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April 25, 2015
News

NRCS encourages no-till farming in Sherman County

Sherman County, Ore., wheat producers have until May 15 to apply for funding intended to encourage them to take up no-till farming.
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April 24, 2015
News

California government says it’s meeting water-saving goal

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—California’s state government reported meeting its own overall water conservation goal for 2014, though data released Wednesday showed half the agencies fell short of the 20 percent target while the drought worsened.
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April 24, 2015
News

GMO control area proposal dies in Oregon House

SALEM—A bill to create “control areas” for increased regulation of genetically modified crops in Oregon has died in committee, but the basic idea may be revived.
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April 24, 2015
News

Agritourism bill overcomes trial lawyer opposition

SALEM—Proponents of a bill limiting the legal exposure of agritourism operations in Oregon have overcome the objections of trial lawyers who initially fought the proposal.
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April 24, 2015
News

Monsanto’s Fraley spreads "innovation" message

After years of playing defense on the topics of biotechnology and GMOs, Monsanto has gone on the offense in recent months.
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April 24, 2015
News

Southwestern Idaho water supply "marginally adequate"

BOISE—The 2015 irrigation season should be adequate for most farmers in Southwestern Idaho, but only if natural river flows hold up.
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April 23, 2015
News

Europe proposing opt-out provision for GMOs

The European Commission has started work on legislation which would allow individual member-nations to ban the importation of genetically modified organisms even if they are approved by the European Union.
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April 23, 2015
News

Sugar industry closely monitoring TPP negotiations

The Louisiana sugar industry is following the trade negotiations in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership accord with keen eye, said Jim Simon, manager of the American Sugar Cane League.
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April 23, 2015
News

Announcing world's first smart irrigation service

The 45th anniversary of Earth Day brings increased awareness to the issues associated with water scarcity.
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April 23, 2015
News

More changes ahead for Nestle?

Nestle S.A. may dispose more food brands to compete in an industry the company’s chairman described as “pulverized” by megamergers.
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April 23, 2015
News

Consumers buying more organic products, new data show

WASHINGTON (AP)—Consumer interest in the organic label continues to grow.
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April 22, 2015
News

Carserino joins BioSafe Systems

BioSafe Systems recently hired a new team member to focus primarily on new product development, including vendor relations.
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April 22, 2015
News

Subtracting sugar from formulations

Count Nestle USA’s Nesquik brand as another business focused on reducing the sugar content in its products.
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April 22, 2015
News

Drought dilemma for California agriculture

The fourth consecutive year of drought doesn’t bode well for California, or for the United States for that matter, as the Golden State is the top agricultural state in the nation in terms of revenue and crop diversity from almonds to wine.
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April 22, 2015
News

USDA announces water quality and energy efficiency projects across rural America

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today celebrated Earth Day by announcing support for projects to improve rural water and wastewater services, promote renewable energy, and promote the efficient use of energy resources.
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April 22, 2015
News

IPC Tater Team to perform good deeds on fourth U.S. tour

EAGLE, Idaho—The Idaho Potato Commission will take a more personal approach to philanthropy during its Great Big Idaho Potato Truck’s fourth U.S. tour.
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April 21, 2015
News

USDA announces record number of organic producers in U.S.

The USDA has announced that the organic industry continues to show remarkable growth domestically and globally, with 19,474 certified organic operations in the United States and a total of 27,814 certified organic operations around the world.
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April 21, 2015
News

USDA reminds growers to certify conservation compliance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers that the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA Service Center by June 1 in order
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April 21, 2015

Compass Academy students win keynote competition

Two Compass Academy students have been chosen to keynote the closing session at the New Tech Network Annual Conference (NTAC) July 20-24 in Chicago.
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April 21, 2015

Nebraska family honored for conservation efforts

A south-central Nebraska farming and ranching operation has been honored for its work to preserve grasslands and wetlands.
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April 21, 2015
News

Hopes for property tax relief in Nebraska start to fade

With each passing day, hopes that the Nebraska legislature will provide substantive property tax relief for Nebraska farmers and ranchers start to fade.
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April 21, 2015
News

U.S., Japanese negotiators discuss trade issues

There are still some significant sticking points in U.S. and Japan trade issues that may become part of the broader Trans-Pacific Partnership.
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April 21, 2015
News

Idaho sees potential for winter recharge expansion

BOISE—The Idaho Department of Water Resources and state irrigation companies injected 75,239 acre-feet of surface water into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer during their first experiment with winter recharge, according to an end-of-season report.
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April 20, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News
Laura Rutherford

Speak Out About Food Safety: Become a spokesperson for the beet industry

Women the world over are a lot alike.
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April 20, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue

ACH Seeds Offers New Seed Lubricant

Fluency Agent, a new seed lubricant for sugarbeets, is now available from participating independent sales agents of ACH Seeds.
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April 20, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue

Enter Syngenta's Drive to Thrive Contest

The application period for the second annual Syngenta Drive to Thrive contest is open.
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April 20, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue

Move Rocks, Debris Easier

Worksaver Inc. introduces the new Sweep Action Rock Grapple (SARG) for skid steer loaders designed for handling rocks, brush, logs, stumps, debris, scraps and more.
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April 20, 2015
News

Owyhee Irrigation District growers face another tough year

NYSSA, Ore.—The water supply situation for farmers in Eastern Oregon who depend on the Owyhee Project is expected to be as bad as last year and maybe worse.
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April 20, 2015
News

Drought disaster declaration for part of Nevada, Utah, Idaho

RENO, Nev. (AP)—The U.S. Agriculture Department has declared two northeast Nevada counties natural disaster areas due to the lingering drought with an emergency order that also makes emergency low-interest loans available to farmers, ranchers and business
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April 20, 2015
News

Rise in Idaho farm deaths concerns OSHA

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April 19, 2015

E. Idaho sheriff shoots rancher with gun

LEADORE, Idaho (AP)—Officials say the Lemhi County sheriff shot a rancher in the wrist after the rancher threatened him with a gun.
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April 19, 2015
News

Oregon GMO critics, proponents agree on mediation system

SALEM—Disputes over genetically modified crops would be mediated by Oregon farm regulators under legislation that has won support from biotech critics and proponents.
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April 19, 2015
News

Analyst: California drought not a significant hit to economy

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—California’s drought is not likely to have a significant effect on the state’s economy or budget despite leading to cutbacks on farms, a nonpartisan fiscal analyst said Tuesday.
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April 19, 2015
News

University says local GMO ban would hamper researchers

Shawn Mehlenbacher, the Oregon State University hazelnut breeder who developed varieties resistant to deadly Eastern Filbert Blight, says a Benton County ballot measure to prohibit genetically engineered organisms would restrict his research.
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April 18, 2015
News

Cities: California water reduction order unrealistic, unfair

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California cities are pushing back against Gov. Jerry Brown’s order for mandatory water use reductions, but it’s not likely that regulators will retreat with the state in its fourth year of drought.
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April 18, 2015
News

Family farmers keep up with latest innovations

SHOSHONE, Idaho—The Taber family moved to Idaho from Pennsylvania in 1975, when Chris was 6 years old and Darren was 2. Their youngest brother, Matt, was born in 1982.
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April 17, 2015
News

Farm lobbyist cheers as fertilizer booted from oil train bill

OLYMPIA—The Senate and House have agreed that trains hauling nitrogen fertilizer won’t have to add crew members, a proposal that farm lobbyists warned would have raised freight costs for growers.
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April 17, 2015
News

Gov. Inslee extends drought declaration

OLYMPIA—With early spring snowpack conditions worsening, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Friday extended the drought emergency to nearly half the state.
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April 17, 2015
News

House votes to kill death tax

By a vote of 240-179 largely along party lines, the U.S. House voted Thursday to repeal the federal estate tax, better known by opponents as the “death tax.”
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April 17, 2015
News

Congress moves on fast track

Bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation was introduced Thursday in Congress that would put negotiations for new trade agreements that could benefit agriculture on the fast track.
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April 17, 2015
News

Calif. authorities won’t dictate crops, irrigation amid drought

SACRAMENTO—State authorities have no plans to mandate further water conservation efforts on farms even as Gov. Jerry Brown’s order that cities slash their water use by 25 percent has invited more scrutiny on agriculture.
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April 16, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News
Jack Roney

A Lesson in Real-World Economics

Recently, a professor at an acclaimed business school in the Midwest gave a lecture on the evils of U.S. sugar policy when it comes to free-market economics.
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April 16, 2015
News

USDA to invest in dam rehabilitation

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced funding to rehabilitate and assess dams across the country.
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April 15, 2015
News

Tractor sales continue to slide

U.S. tractor sales continue to lag behind a year ago.
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April 14, 2015

Boombacks to Host Dry Wheel Tracking Webinar

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April 14, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News

Off the Top for Apr. 2015

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April 14, 2015
News

Company keeps sugarbeet farmers supplied with seed

Tucked amid the rolling grass seed fields and faded barns of the tiny town of Tangent, Ore., you’ll find a state-of-the-art sugarbeet seed processing facility with global reach.
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April 14, 2015
News

N.D. farmers and ranchers aided by warm, dry weather

FARGO, N.D. (AP)—Warm, dry weather in North Dakota over the past week has helped farmers in the field and ranchers who are calving and lambing.
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April 14, 2015
News

Farm Bureau chief assails ag water "misinformation"

SACRAMENTO—The leader of California’s largest farmers’ organization assailed as “misinformation” the oft-repeated notion that growers use 80 percent of the state’s water and urged leaders to do a better job at planning for droughts.
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April 14, 2015
News

Idaho’s 2014 farm wage beat national average

BOISE—Idaho’s overall average wage in 2014 was well below the national rate but the state’s average wage for farm sector workers was higher.
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April 14, 2015
News

Increased scrutiny proposed for trails on farmland

SALEM—Rails-to-trails and similar projects crossing Oregon farmland would be subject to greater public scrutiny under a bill intended to reduce potential conflicts with agriculture.
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April 14, 2015
News

Farms face steep water cuts in water districts deemed urban

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (AP)—A San Diego municipal water agency appealed to the state to revise proposed water cutbacks because most of its users are farmers and they fear abundant avocado and citrus crops will dry up.
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April 14, 2015
News

Man dies in farm tractor rollover

MATTAWA, Wash.—A Mattawa man died April 11 in a farm tractor accident about nine miles southeast of Mattawa, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
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April 14, 2015

Is sugar consumption trending up or down?

Per capita consumption of all-natural sugar has fallen.
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April 10, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News
Allen Thayer

Dealing With Drought: Oregon grower Doug Maag makes alternate plans

Oregon sugarbeet growers are feeling the sting of the ongoing drought afflicting the West.
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April 10, 2015
News

Snowpack melts early across the West

West-wide snowpack is melting earlier than usual, according to data from the fourth 2015 forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
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April 08, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News
Allen Thayer

Senators Seek Sugar Policy Overhaul Again: U.S.-Mexico deal on hold

Three senators introduced a bill in February to overhaul the U.S. government's sugar program, aiming to lower price-support levels and change domestic supply restrictions.
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April 06, 2015
News

Get the most out of your precision equipment

Growers are heading into the growing season facing the lowest commodity prices they’ve seen in recent years.
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April 06, 2015
News

House letter on dietary guidelines sent

Close to 70 members of Congress have signed a letter by Missouri Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler expressing concern about the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Committee’s recommendations the lawmakers say wrongly took sustainability into account.
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April 06, 2015
News

Lawmakers seek EPA documents

The leaders of three House Committees are requesting documents from the Environmental Protection Agency used to determine jurisdiction in its Waters of the U.S. proposed rule.
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April 06, 2015
News

Governor orders 25% water use cut in California

California Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order April 1 mandating substantial water reductions across the state.
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April 06, 2015

USDA seeks nominations for trade advisory committees

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in cooperation with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), is renewing the charters and accepting nominations for new members to serve on its agricult
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April 04, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News

The Invisible Pest: Are Crops at Risk for Sugarbeet Cyst Nematode?

As growers, we can tend to focus on the insects, weeds and diseases that are causing visible damage to our crops as it occurs.
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April 02, 2015| Published in the April 2015 issue
News
Luther Markwart

Cane Refiners Challenge U.S.-Mexico Sugar Pact

As of late February, the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) suspension agreements continue to be challenged by two independent cane refiners, the Imperial Sugar Company (Savannah, Ga.) and AmCane (Taylor, Mich.), on the basis that the agreemen
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