INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
November 30, 2014

2014 banner year for sugarbeets

FORT MORGAN, Colo.—It looks to be a good year for sugarbeets.
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November 29, 2014

Down to a science: Turning beets to sugar

FORT MORGAN, Colo.—When there's a sweet but somewhat funky smell in the air coupled with white or gray plumes bursting into the sky above the Western Sugar Cooperative factory in Fort Morgan, it's a pretty safe bet that sugarbeets are being processed.
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November 28, 2014

Keweenaw farmer harvests first commercial sugarbeet crop

ARNHEIM, Mich.—Sugarbeets are big business in the weeks leading to deer season, and local farmer Bob Wahmhoff Jr. is getting in on the market.
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November 27, 2014

Wyo. sugarbeet harvest finishes strong

Glen Reed finished piling his 330-acre sugarbeet crop more than a month early, thanks to the warm dry conditions of the 2014 harvest season on his farm 5 miles northeast of Cody, Wyo.
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November 26, 2014

Calorie counts: Coming to a restaurant, movie theater, vending machine near you

It’s about to get a lot tougher to hide from calories.
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November 26, 2014

ASA proposes all countries dropping sugar subsidies

The American Sugar Alliance (ASA) wants the world to function as a subsidy-free sugar market.
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November 26, 2014

Iowa ag secretary to speak at Montag Nutrient Placement Conference

On Jan. 21, Montag Manufacturing, as part of its 10th Anniversary Celebration, will host the Inaugural Nutrient Placement Conference at the Regional Events Center in Spencer, Iowa.
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November 26, 2014

Farmers expect sugarbeet crop to break records

REESE, Mich.—The Bauer family knows sugarbeets.
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November 25, 2014

2014 Sugarbeet Seed Week meetings will help in variety selection

Michigan Sugar Company and Michigan State University Extension conduct variety trials to evaluate the positive and negative traits of each variety.
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November 24, 2014

Cold weather benefits sugarbeet crop

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.—To most, cold weather is an inconvenience, but one crop is benefiting from the low temperatures.
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November 23, 2014

Sugarbeet hemoglobin could be used as blood substitute

According to a new study published in the journal Plant and Cell Physiology, hemoglobin found in a variety of beetroot called the sugarbeet (Beta vulgarisssp. vulgaris) could be used as a blood substitute.
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November 22, 2014

Coalition urges extension of tax provisions

A coalition of groups wants Congress to extend tax provisions that they say are crucial to continued economic recovery.
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November 22, 2014

Sugarbeet harvest to keep processing plants busy

A big sugarbeet harvest in Michigan is expected to keep processing plants working until the end of March, a few weeks longer than usual.
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November 21, 2014

Recount likely on Oregon GMO labeling measure

SALEM—An automatic recount now appears likely for Measure 92, a ballot initiative that would require labeling of food sold in Oregon containing genetically modified organisms.
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November 21, 2014

Drones grounded: NTSB overturns Pirker decision, affirms FAA authority

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a much-awaited decision today that will surely be a disappointment to many drone enthusiasts, ruling that FAA rules that apply to manned aircraft apply to unmanned aircraft or drones, reports Forbes.c
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November 21, 2014

GMO alfalfa growers challenge Oregon county’s ban

Oregon alfalfa growers challenging the legality of a county prohibition on genetically modified organisms have hinged their case on the state’s “right to farm” law.
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November 21, 2014

GMO battles over 'settled' science spur new study

Monsanto Co, the world's largest seed company, and its brethren of global biotech crop developers are spreading the word that as far as the safety of their genetically modified grain goes, the science is solidly on their side.
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November 21, 2014

Select your 2015 seed with disease in mind

As you finish up your harvest and sit down to think about your seed options for next year, consider your options when it comes to genetic resistance to disease.
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November 20, 2014

Immigration order unlikely to help ag, labor experts say

Anticipated executive action giving temporary safe haven and work authorization to as many as 5 million illegal immigrants won’t ease and may exacerbate the national shortage of seasonal farmworkers, several industry labor experts say.
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November 20, 2014

Idaho Cattle Association backs GMO feed

SUN VALLEY, Idaho—The Idaho Cattle Association has taken a formal position supporting the use of genetically modified feed.
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November 20, 2014

BASF launches web-based farm management tool

BASF announced the release of the new web-based farm management tool: Compass Grower Advanced.
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November 19, 2014

Sugar content up, yields down in Fremont County beet harvest

PAVILLION, Wyo.—This year’s Fremont County sugarbeet crop was a good one, according to Wyoming Sugar Company’s Agricultural Administrator Myron Casdorph.
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November 19, 2014

Battling herbicide resistance with weed seed controls

Experts with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) say one often-ignored strategy for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds is now getting a second look.
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November 18, 2014

U.S. producers comment on draft deal to suspend cases against Mexican sugar

WASHINGTON—American sugar producers today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce to ensure that the draft agreements reached between the U.S. and Mexican governments to suspend pending trade cases against Mexico's sugar industry can be effe
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November 18, 2014

Beet truck driver and H-2B whistleblower fired in Minn.

TORONTO—Last month, we reported on how some truck drivers in the sugar refining business were being adversely impacted by H-2B foreign workers.
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November 18, 2014

Agrium to cut 500 jobs, sell some businesses

Canadian fertilizer producer Agrium Inc. will cut 500 jobs and look to sell several noncore businesses as it aims to find $475 million in savings by 2017, Chief Executive Chuck Magro said recently.
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November 17, 2014

Sugar makers fend off import threat

WASHINGTON—The North American Free Trade Agreement, better known as NAFTA, was supposed to open the door to the U.S. sugar market for Mexico. But as the Mexicans tried to step inside, America’s sugar producers—including Minnesota’s nation-leading sugar be
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November 17, 2014

All sugarbeet acreage to be harvested by Michigan Sugar

Michigan Sugar Co. has made the decision to have its growers harvest 100 percent of their sugar beet acreage.
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November 17, 2014

Sugar lawsuit with Mexico nears resolution

TWIN FALLS—Idaho sugarbeet growers hope a deal announced last month will stem the flow of sugar north from Mexico.
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November 17, 2014

Drought Monitor authors encourage growers’ input

Authors of the federal Drought Monitor are encouraging growers to send emails or join reporting teams to help make their maps more accurate.
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November 16, 2014

Bumper sugarbeet crop for Wyoming growers

WORLAND, Wyo. (AP)—Sugarbeet growers have reaped a near-record crop this year in the Bighorn Basin.
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November 15, 2014

Governors team up to tackle western drought

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—The governors of California and Nevada met Thursday at a forum aimed at coming up with the best ways to cope with the unprecedented drought affecting the western U.S., now in its third year.
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November 15, 2014

Researcher seeks to solve phosphorus mystery

KIMBERLY, Idaho—Soil scientist David Tarkalson believes a startling discovery he made while conducting an irrigation study may have implications for farmers who raise corn following sugarbeets.
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November 14, 2014

Critics rebuke GMO report

SALEM—A report issued by an Oregon task force on genetic engineering received some mild rebukes from critics of biotechnology at a sparsely attended meeting on Nov. 13.
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November 14, 2014

Sugar subsidy escalation harms Africa

A Wall Street Journal article published in October detailed how the sugar subsidy race between Brazil, India, Thailand, and even China is now hurting poor farmers in Africa.
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November 13, 2014

Check out National Storage Tank at Irrigation Show

National Storage Tank of Santa Rosa, Calif., is one of the largest purveyors of water tanks on the West Coast.
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November 13, 2014

Report: Idaho will add 2,100 farm-related jobs by 2022

BOISE—An analysis by the Idaho Department of Labor projects the state will add about 2,100 agricultural-related jobs by 2022.
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November 12, 2014

WSU scientist: Soil holds back beet seed yields

MOUNT VERNON, Wash.—A Washington State University research scientist has identified worn-out soil as the main culprit for declining beet seed yields in the Skagit Valley.
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November 11, 2014

Nelson Irrigation offers end gun and control valve in one

Nelson Irrigation announces for sale and distribution the Delta P for Pivot End Gun Valve Control with the SRNV100 Big Gun.
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November 11, 2014

Nelson Irrigation introduces new line of control valves

For over 25 years, Nelson Irrigation Corporation has perfected the sleeve-style valve with the continued development of the 800 Series Control Valve product line.
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November 11, 2014

Water less and grow more

Come see three new products from Irrigation Accessories (IACO) and meet the industry experts at the 2014 Irrigation Show on Nov 17-21 in Phoenix, Ariz.
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November 11, 2014

WSU seeks federal approval for UAV ag research

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University hopes federal authorities will allow researchers to explore the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for agricultural purposes.
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November 10, 2014

Report: Less public research leads to fewer farmer seed choices

The decline in public research on plant breeding has led to farmers' having fewer choices of seed, according to a report released Oct. 31 by the the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), a farmer-based nonprofit organization based in Pittsbor
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November 09, 2014

Big farmers slow to embrace Idaho sustainable ag symposium

NAMPA, Idaho—Many small and organic farmers in this region are excited about the Nov. 18 Idaho Sustainable Agriculture Symposium, but large producers and farm groups have been slow to warm to the third annual event.
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November 09, 2014

Midwest ground zero for glyphosate resistance

Unless action is taken–and soon–growers may lose a key tool in fighting weeds.
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November 08, 2014

Study shows potential for manure for beets, spuds

KIMBERLY, Idaho—Too much dairy manure can be bad for potatoes and sugarbeets, but those crops can likely handle broader use of the rich nutrient source than growers may realize, new research suggests.
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November 07, 2014

Wall Street Journal prints ASA letter

Earlier this week, a longtime anti-sugar critic penned an article in the Wall Street Journal attacking U.S. sugar farmers and the policy on which they depend.
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November 07, 2014

U.S. sugar policy: Sweet for a few, sour for most

The United States and Mexico signed agreements last week that would restrict the amount of sugar Mexico can export to the U.S. The deal has been praised for avoiding a trade war, but it is symptomatic of a policy that imposes a heavy toll on the economy.
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November 07, 2014

NCBA files WOTUS comments with EPA

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has filed its official comments on the proposed “waters of the U.S.” rule, calling on the EPA to withdraw the rule and start over.
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November 06, 2014

Josephine County voters reject pesticide ban

A proposed ban on commercial pesticide use in Oregon’s Josephine County was soundly rejected by voters, but supporters of the ballot initiative vow to regroup and continue fighting.
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November 06, 2014

Despite losses, GMO label backers aren’t quitting

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—In the end, not even Oregon’s backyard chicken owners and vegan foodies had enough money and clout to persuade voters to pass a ballot measure that would have required labeling of genetically modified foods.
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November 06, 2014

American Farm Bureau survey shows big data use up

A survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows more growers are reaping the benefits of the latest agricultural technologies, but most remain wary of risks involved with big data collection.
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November 05, 2014

Maui County residents vote ‘Yes’ on GMO initiative

HONOLULU—A ballot initiative that will impose a moratorium on the growing of genetically modified organisms in Maui County has passed.
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November 05, 2014

GMO labeling measures fail in Colorado, look lost in Oregon

Voters in Colorado rejected a measure to require labeling of foods made with genetically modified ingredients, and a similar Oregon initiative looked headed for defeat on Tuesday.
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November 05, 2014

Nation's first soda tax passes in Berkeley, fails in San Francisco

Local ballot measures in California to create the nation’s first taxes on sugary drinks saw both victory and defeat Tuesday when a bill won in Berkeley and lost in neighboring San Francisco, The San Francisco Chronicle source reported.
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November 05, 2014

Mammoth fossil found in irrigation ditch

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho—Unseasonably wet August weather helped expose fossilized remains of a 70,000-year-old mammoth in an irrigation drainage near American Falls Reservoir, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.
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November 04, 2014

Oregon voters weigh GMO labeling measure

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—Oregon’s expensive fight over the labeling of genetically engineered food has entered the final round.
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November 04, 2014

Idaho second in West for net farm income

BOISE—Idaho trailed only California in the West for net farm income in 2012 and was more profitable than No. 3 Washington despite bringing in $1.7 billion less in farm gate receipts.
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November 03, 2014

UP surcharge raises intermodal freight costs

On Oct. 1 UP began charging a $300 surcharge for 40 foot/45 foot containers exceeding 26 tons and a $200 surcharge for 20 foot containers exceeding 22 tons. The company said the surcharge will allow it to “efficiently and safely” transport double-stacked
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November 02, 2014

EPA launches voluntary product rating to reduce spray drift

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a new voluntary Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) program to encourage the use of verified, safer pesticide spray products to reduce exposure and pesticide movement while saving farmers money in pesti
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November 01, 2014

Economist doubts population projections

PORTLAND, Ore.—Expectations of booming global populations, often associated with upward pressure on commodity crop prices, are unrealistic, according to an economist for a major bank.
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