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Monday, June 4, 2012
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House rejects expanding reach of Clean Water Act
In what has been described as a win for agricultural interests and rural landowners, the House of Representatives last week refused to include an amendment to the House Energy and Water Appropriations bill that would have allowed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand the Clean Water Act enforcement onto private lands not connected to “navigable” water. Full story.
EPA asks for more time for water quality standards
The Environmental Protection Agency seeks to extend its deadlines for developing revised water quality standards for Florida. Full story. 2012 ARA conference technology contest
ARA is requesting members submit ideas for technologies that could be presented during the association's 2012 conference in November. Full story.
CBO estimates Senate farm bill savings
The U.S. Senate’s proposed version of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 would cut direct program spending by an estimated $23.6 billion over a 10-year period, according to a Congressional Budget Office report. Full story.
2012 Farm Manager of the Year Award nominations
Submit your nominations now for the 2012 Professional Farm Manager of the Year Award co-sponsored by Syngenta, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) and AgProfessional magazine. Full story.
Survey reports fewer winter honey bee losses
Total losses of managed honey bee colonies from all causes were 21.9 percent nationwide for the 2011/2012 winter, according to the annual survey conducted by the USDA, the Bee Informed Partnership and the Apiary Inspectors of America. Full story. Time is ticking for some crop's wild relatives
Scientists are making new efforts to tally crop wild relatives living in the United States, identifying which are most important to global and American agriculture, and developing a nationwide strategy for protecting the plants both in gene banks and in the wild. Full story. Monsanto’s healthy oils soybeans ready for market
Vistive Gold soybean oil and SDA Omega 3 soybean oil are Monsanto’s healthy oils that will come from soybeans that farmers will be growing in large volume in the near future, suggests Monsanto. Full story. U.S. crop irrigation unsustainable in major areas
Some scientists think agriculture that relies on irrigation from groundwater in some areas of California’s Central Valley and the High Plains of the U.S. is unsustainable over the long haul because of water being needed for consumer needs other than food production. Full story.  BIG PICTURE
By Doane EconomistThe United States and Brazil are both positioning themselves for a record setting corn harvest, making for an exceptionally competitive dynamic in the global corn market. Earlier concerns of weather related damage to Brazil's summer crop have been eliminated. Additionally, Brazil is approaching the completion of an all-time high second season corn crop planting. It should be noted that Brazil routinely harvests two corn crops, however final acreage intentions remain unclear, as a recent softening of domestic corn prices could decrease corn plantings. Alfredo Navarro, a U.S. Grains Council representative based in Brazil, confirms that the Brazil summer crop harvest has in fact matched the anticipated volume of 36 million metric tons (1.4 billion bushels). Despite adverse planting conditions, Brazil is expecting an astounding 20 percent increase in corn plantings, year over year.
Crop Fertility Resource Center
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Making the most of in-season nitrogen applications
The early spring and accompanying early planting, together with last fall's dry conditions in many areas, may present unique management challenges to growers planning nitrogen (N) applications, according to agronomic experts at Pioneer Hi-Bred. Full story.
For more, visit the Crop Fertility Resource Center.
Bean leaf beetle active in Kentucky soybeans
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® 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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Learn how to sell based on value, not price
How many times do you hear, “The customer only cares about the price”? Most companies or individuals will say they hear it all the time. Price is only an issue when it is presented as the only benefit (or primary benefit). Regardless of industry, product and economy, a company does not need professional sales people to sell price. For that, all they need is a Web site or catalog and a payment processor. Full story.
For more Focus on Business articles, click here.
Freeze injury in wheat impacts management options
Since May 11, fields in southwestern North Dakota may have experienced three freeze events which may have damaged wheat growth and development. Full story.
For more, visit the Wheat Resource Center.
Corn-on-corn production needs more diligence
As the economics of corn drive more farmers to move toward corn-on-corn production, they are often faced with additional challenges not typically encountered in a traditional corn-soybean rotation. Full story.
For more, visit the Corn Resource Center.
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