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Monday, July 2, 2012
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U.S. court revives potash price-fixing lawsuit
A U.S. federal appeals court revived an antitrust lawsuit by purchasers of potash that accused seven major producers of running a global conspiracy to artificially inflate prices of the crop nutrient, which is used mainly in fertilizer. Full story.
Drought brings back memories of 1988 crop losses
Among the Midwest states hardest hit by drought at the moment are Illinois and Indiana, which rank second and fifth in corn output. In each state, less than 40 percent of the young corn crop is now rated in good to excellent condition. Full story. Official new name is DuPont Pioneer
Pioneer Hi-Bred will no longer be referred to as Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. As of July 1, the Pioneer Hi-Bred name will become a historical footnote as the company is renamed DuPont Pioneer. Full story.
Advanced techniques could propel crop improvement
Scientists could take greater strides toward crop improvement if there were wider adoption of advanced techniques used to understand the mechanisms that allow plants to adapt to their environments, current and former Purdue University researchers say. Full story.
Bayer seed meeting reveals future plans
Bayer CropScience revealed to seed distributors the company’s future plans for key products. The company announced that production of Liberty herbicide should expand for 2013. Full story.
Last week to nominate "Ag Retailer of the Year"
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is still accepting nominations for the Agricultural Retailer of the Year Award, but time is running out. Nominations are due Friday, July 6. Full story. Syngenta offers new Vibrance seed treatment fungicide
Syngenta announced federal Environmental Protection Agency registration of Vibrance seed treatment fungicide, the company’s first fungicide developed specifically as a seed treatment. Full story. Forecasts on potash market vary
Recently, potash market discussions have centered around the anticipated increase in potash production expected by 2015, but PotashCorp indicated this week that an oversupply situation is unlikely. Full story. Drought stress: Soybeans hide it better than corn
Soybeans may tolerate drought better than corn, but the reason may be their ability to camouflage their drought stress better than corn. Full story.  BIG PICTURE
By Doane EconomistIn the June Acreage report released on Friday, corn acreage for 2012 was put at 96.4 million acres. This was up from 91.9 million acres in 2011 and was 541,000 above the level farmers said they intended to plant last March in the Prospective Plantings report. This is the highest corn acreage total since 1937. June 1 corn stocks are estimated at 3.149 billion bushels, down 521 million bushels from a year ago and 25 million to 30 million below trade expectations. The stocks figure implies that demand for the March-May period totaled 2.867 billion bushels, 4 million bushels higher than a year ago. Soybean acreage for 2012 is put at 76.08 million acres. This is up 1.1 million acres from the 2011 level, but about 2.2 million acres higher than reported in the March Prospective Plantings report.
Crop Fertility Resource Center
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Nitrogen fertilization of forage sorghum
Current N recommendations for sudangrass, forage sorghum, and millets in Kansas are to apply 40 to 50 pounds of N per acre at planting and again after each cutting, where multiple cuttings are obtained with full-season cropping. Full story.
For more, visit the Crop Fertility Resource Center.
Whitefly infestations reported in some soybean fields
Some soybean fields in northern Illinois are currently infested with whiteflies ( Bemisia tabaci) said Mike Gray, University of Illinois professor of entomology and crop sciences Extension coordinator. Full story.
For more, visit the Soybean Resource Center.
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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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The 3 A’s: Ingredients for a peaceful office life
With many different personality types in an office setting, the workplace can either be a pleasant place to be or hostile territory. A lot depends on the dynamics and interactions between personnel. When a coworker has done something inappropriate in their role as a manager or as an employee, destructive emotions and reactions can arise. In either position the repercussions can affect the entire department and ultimately the company’s bottom line. Full story.
For more Focus on Business articles, click here.
Wheat midge update in North Dakota
Soil sample tests in North Dakota indicate a decrease in levels of overwintering wheat midge larvae (cocoons) for the 2012 season. Full story.
For more, visit the Wheat Resource Center.
Drought stress and corn pollination
Most of the corn is going through tassel and pollination, which is well ahead of the five-year average, and the worst possible time to experience temperatures in the high 90's F (35 C or more). Full story.
For more, visit the Corn Resource Center.
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