U.S. farmers may fail in fertilizer face-off
Fertilizer prices jumped last fall on global demand and expectations for a large increase in corn plantings in the United States. While those expectations have not changed, the price spike has triggered a buying boycott by farmers across the Midwest, pushing sales volumes of key products to their lowest levels since the financial crisis crushed demand in 2008. Full story.
January 2012 ranks as one of top five warmest
A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has identified January 2012 as the fourth-warmest January on record for the contiguous United States. Full story. Registration for NAICC precision workshop
The Focus on Precision Workshop conference being sponsored by the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants and the Wisconsin Association of Professional Agricultural Consultants will be held Feb. 28-29 at Madison, Wis. Full story.
Drift reduced by Enlist 2,4-D product
When the Enlist Weed Control System is launched by Dow AgroSciences for crop production, much of its value will depend on the success of the company’s Enlist herbicide featuring the new Colex-D Technology for a new 2,4-D choline. Full story.
Seed protectant now available to cereal growers
Valent U.S.A. Corp. announced that NipsIt SUITE Cereals OF seed protectant has been approved for use in cereals. Full story.
Argentine corn crop seen smaller due to drought
Weeks of drought in Argentina caused irreversible damage to corn plants in the world's No. 2 exporter, prompting the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange to cut its 2011/12 crop estimate on Thursday. Full story. Soil type influences irrigation strategy
Soil characteristics play an important role in application of soil amendments, pesticides, fertilizers and water. Irrigation strategy for clay-based soils is much different than the strategy for sand-based soils. Full story. USDA offers more efficient online tools
USDA announced a package of technology enhancements from the Farm Service Agency that include Web access for handheld and smartphone users, as well as a more efficient and timely option for receiving news and critical program information. Full story. Spring seed cover crops to help recover flooded fields
There was considerable flooding along the Missouri River in the summer of 2011, leaving many fields scarred and bare, without a crop. Full story.  BIG PICTURE
By Doane EconomistThere’s a four-week sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) beginning March 6 and ending April 6. Surprising critics who recall that originally CRP land was in “reserve” until needed during an era of chronic grain surplus, USDA spokesmen now say “CRP is an important program for protecting our most environmentally sensitive lands from erosion and sedimentation, and for ensuring the sustainability of our groundwater, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams.”
Crop Fertility Resource Center
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Soil fertility short course offered at Iowa State
A two-day short course focusing on principles of soils, soil fertility and nutrient management will be offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for crop production professionals this week. Full story.
For more, visit the Crop Fertility Resource Center.
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When it comes to nitrogen, timing is everything.
There's a right time to plant. And a right time to harvest. But without enough nitrogen at the right time, yield will suffer.
N-Serve® and Instinct® nitrogen stabilizers from Dow AgroSciences help keep more nitrogen in the soil longer. They protect nitrogen at the root zone during key stages of corn development — helping to improve standability, reduce the risk of stalk rot and optimize yield potential.
N-Serve for anhydrous ammonia and Instinct for UAN, urea or liquid manure offer a proven method of maintaining nitrogen from the company that's been the leader in nitrogen stabilization technology for more than 35 years.
Have nitrogen when it's needed. Learn more at InstinctNitrogenStabilizer.com.
® Trademark of Dow AgroSciences, LLC. Instinct is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Always read and follow label directions.
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Hire fast, fire faster
There is an old but true saying, “the best candidate doesn’t always get the job.” If you have ever made a bad hiring decision, don’t worry you are in good company. All leaders and managers select bad hires even if they don’t know it. The difference is, really great leaders recognize their mistake and fire faster. Full story.
For more Focus on Business articles, click here.
Indiana wheat 'excellent' despite wet planting
Indiana's winter wheat crop is healthy and right on track despite wet weather at planting time last fall that slightly reduced the state's acreage, a Purdue University agronomist said. Full story.
For more, visit the Wheat Resource Center.
New Bt corn hybrids and resistance issues
Ohio State University scientists offer the latest information on managing rootworm resistance to the Cry3Bb1 gene. Full story.
For more, visit the Corn Resource Center.
Soybean Disease ID Workshop first of several
Ohio State University experts will offer in-depth training on fungicide application, genetic resistance thresholds and other soybean disease topics at a series of soybean disease identification workshops this spring, summer and fall. Full story.
For more, visit the Soybean Resource Center.
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