Farm Industry News

Ride in the Kubota M135GX, the most powerful of the new Grand-X series of tractors

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:55:00 +0000

Kubota Tractor Corporation, headquartered in Torrance, Calif., recently announced the release of a new line of M-Series tractors, including the M100GX, M110GX, M126GX and the M135GX. Farm Industry News editor Kathy Huting took a ride in the largest and most powerful of the models, the M135GX, with Paul Williams, product manager for Kubota, on May 15. The highlight of the ride was looking out of what Kubota says is the largest cab in the tractor's mid-size class. For more information, visit www.kubota.com.

Hypro’s spray nozzle end cap offers quick response to GPS signals

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:13:00 +0000

A new spray nozzle body end cap from Hypro will decrease response times to GPS signals. Hypro’s Express cap enables standard nozzle bodies to more quickly respond to GPS boom shut-off control signals. The quick reaction time is important to prevent spray overlaps on end rows and in boundary areas.

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers disputes ethanol study findings

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:12:00 +0000

“If ethanol and other biofuels are such superior products, producers should join petroleum refiners in calling for an end to the Renewable Fuel Standard," said Charles Drevna, AFPM president.

Farm Industry News Blog

How ethanol has reduced gas prices

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Ethanol reduced the average American household’s spending on gasoline by more than $1,200 in 2011, the RFA estimates.

Farm Industry News Blog

LightSquared files for bankruptcy

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:03:00 +0000

LightSquared Inc., whose proposed high-speed wireless network threatened to disrupt GPS navigation systems, including those used in agriculture, has filed for bankruptcy.

The Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition was filed May 14 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. It followed a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision in February that it would withdraw preliminary approval for the LightSquared network after government tests confirmed that it would interfere with global positioning systems.

FMC's new insecticide Triple Crown offers three modes of action

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:47:00 +0000

Karen McMahon

A new insecticide with protection against aphids, stinkbugs and other pests is available from FMC Corporation. The new Triple Crown insecticide offers three modes-of-action against insects in soybeans, corn and cotton.

Beck's Hybrids opens Ohio location

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Beck’s Hybrids announced it is opening the company’s first permanent location in Ohio. The new facility will be located east of the Farm Science Review show site, at London, Ohio.

Iowa’s 2012 average cash rent jumps to $252 an acre

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:18:00 +0000

The average cash rent for corn and soybean cropland in Iowa is $252/acre for 2012, according to the latest Iowa State University (ISU) survey of cash rents in the state. This rate is up considerably from $214/acre average cash rent noted in 2011.

Farm Industry News Blog

New tool cuts time removing wheel hubs

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:25:00 +0000

Jerry Titera was tired of spending more than an hour taking the hubs off his Bobcat skid steer every time he needed to replace the bearings or seals on the wheel axle. So Titera, a farmer from Bagley, Minn., headed to his shop to design a device that could simplify the process.

Large corn harvest, abundant stocks mean lower prices

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Darrel Good, University of Illinois

Conditions are in place for a very large U.S. corn harvest, a return to a more abundant stocks situation, and a return to lower prices. The magnitude of these changes is still to be determined and will unfold over an extended period.

An unconventional Honey-Do list

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:33:00 +0000

This year we found a new place to put our new crop of honeybees. The honeybees were fine with the location. Apparently, one tree in the area did not approve.

Farm Industry News Blog

The innovator: BASF addresses challenges of productivity, sustainability and weed resistance

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:58:00 +0000

Farm Industry News sat down with Jordi Tormo, BASF vice president, at the agricultural division’s headquarters in Limburgerhof, Germany, to learn how the company is positioning itself to meet the needs of U.S. producers.

For BASF, how important is the U.S. market?

Should you replant? Try out Pioneer's online calculator

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:02:00 +0000

By Karen McMahon

Deciding when to replant a crop that’s been adversely affected by weather, pests or other problems is tough. Now an online calculator will help growers make that decision. A replant calculator is available from Pioneer Hi-Bred on Mobile Pioneer.com.

Landoll unveils new 9600 Series field cultivators

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Landoll ntroduces its new 9600 Series field cultivator line that is available in eight working widths from 20 to 50 ft. The new series is designed to help producers meet the short timeline that occurs each spring and fall prior to planting seasons.

Still plenty of time to plant soybeans

Thu, 10 May 2012 20:21:00 +0000

This has been an odd year for planting soybeans with some being planted as early as March. But optimal planting time is still during May, and growers have plenty of time to get their crop in the ground.

USDA bearish on corn market, mixed on soybeans, wheat

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:42:00 +0000

Darrel Good, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois

USDA released its May crop report and forecast for the 2012-13 marketing year. It contains some very bearish projections for corn, but the soybean and wheat forecasts have mixed implications.

Herbicide-resistant waterhemp populations expected to increase

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:54:00 +0000

Source: University of Illinois

Herbicide-resistant waterhemp will challenge Midwestern soybean growers this year. The challenge will be compounded by the weed’s increased resistance to herbicides with multiple modes of action, including glyphosate, PPO inhibitors and ALS inhibitors. This will limit the efficacy of herbicides on waterhemp and greatly complicate weed management programs.

Biofuels having multibillion-dollar impact on global economy

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:35:00 +0000

“A growing biofuels industry in developing nations who import the bulk of their energy needs will bring wealth, jobs and prosperity while reducing their reliance on crude oil."

Farm Industry News Blog

Biorational products industry expands to help growers increase yield

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Editor’s Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part article about new biorational products for crop protection. Find part 1 of the article here.

BASF continues to explore new ways to control crop pests and diseases

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:52:00 +0000

It’s easy to feel dwarfed by the sheer size of BASF. Driving past BASF’s enormous chemical facility in Ludwigshafen, Germany, one can truly appreciate the immense size of the company. Here, BASF employs more than 33,000 of its overall workforce of more than 110,000.

BASF is the largest diversified chemical company in the world. The company develops and markets products that reach into just about every aspect of consumer life. On the company’s website, it lists 25 industries in which it provides products.

How to control resistant weeds in your field

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Herbicide-resistant weeds have cropped up across the Midwest. Gordon Vail, Sygenta’s corn herbicide technical asset lead, talks every day to growers about problems with weed resistance. He offers his recommendations for handling resistant weeds in cornfields.

Tire manufacturers working to provide answers to BT corn stubble damage

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:06:00 +0000

Genetically engineered corn has provided a number of benefits to producers, including stronger stalks that stand up to higher winds. Those stalks have also led to increased complaints about more flats and damage to tires. Titan Tire manufacturing personnel discussed what their company is doing to address the issue during a company media briefing in Des Moines, Iowa. Titan’s Scott Sloan has been one of the leaders of that effort.

Innovative solutions needed to feed the world’s growing population

Mon, 07 May 2012 17:31:00 +0000

Food experts say that U.S. farmers need to grow an average 300 bu. of corn/acre by 2030 to help feed the world’s growing population. It doesn’t take an expert to see that this goal won’t be reached at our current rate of corn yield improvement. It has taken more than 40 years for corn yields to increase from 100 bu./acre in 1978 to 150 bu./acre, which was first reached in 2007. U.S. growers now have 18 years to double their yield to reach 300 bu./acre.

R7 Tool streamlines variable-rate decision making and variety selection

Mon, 07 May 2012 17:18:00 +0000

Winfield Solutions, the seed and crop protection products arm of Land O’Lakes, introduces a new Web-based precision planning tool that allows farmers to get a start in variable-rate seeding and fertility programs.

The R7 Tool uses satellite imagery as a stand-in for actual yield and soil test data. Working with retailer agronomists, farmers used the tool to develop crop plans on millions of acres scheduled for planting in 2012.

New silage bagger for better compaction and mobility

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:35:00 +0000

Forage making has come full circle with Pacbag’s new Track-Pack machine. This multi-midsize silage bagger (10-, 12- or 14-foot tunnel) with hydraulic drive and track system instead of tires allows for excellent compaction, easier mobility and simpler operation.

Test drive of the New Holland H8080 Speedrower self-propelled windrower

Sun, 06 May 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Jordan Milewski, New Holland hay and forage specialist, demonstrates the maneuverability of the New Holland H8080 Speedrower self-propelled windrower, part of the H8000 Series.

Test drive of New Holland T7 tractor with automated steering system

Sun, 06 May 2012 04:31:00 +0000

Chris Carrier, cash crop tractor marketing manager with New Holland, takes viewers for a test drive of the new T7 Series tractor model. The tractor features a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, according to New Holland, operates as easily as driving a car with an infinite range of speeds. Also featured is an auto-guidance system that lets the tractor drive itself.

Test drive of the New Holland CR8080 combine

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:33:00 +0000

Mike Kizis, cash crop marketing specialist with New Holland, takes viewers for a ride in the new 449-hp CR8080 Twin Rotor combine. Like all models in the CR Series, the combine is equipped with the IntelliView IV color touchscreen display that lets drivers monitor all combine functions and performance information. All combine controls and adjustments are made with an adjustable, right-hand control console and multi-function handle.

Test drive New Holland's high-horsepower T9 Series tractor with tracks

Sat, 05 May 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Sean Dorosz, New Holland high-horsepower tractor marketing manager, takes viewers for a ride in a T9 Series tractor equipped with SmartTrax tracks, new for 2012. The same tracks used on the tractor can be switched to a combine at harvest. Controls of all tractor functions are embedded in an adjustable right-hand Sidewinder II armrest.

BASF’s Priaxor fungicide for soybeans approved

Thu, 03 May 2012 20:52:00 +0000

BASF just received EPA registration for a new soybean fungicide called Priaxor for the prevention and control of a broad spectrum of crop diseases. The company also received registration for its new Merivon fungicide, used in pome and stone fruit crops.

BASF reports that Priaxor is expected to provide excellent disease protection and post-infection disease control from some of the toughest fungal diseases in soybeans, as well as several other crops.