Crop Management
Weeds like Palmer amaranth evolve quickly to fit the new norm, while sneaking northward into Canada
Weeds adapt to climate change on their own, without Mankind’s help. Crops, on the other hand, have science and armies of plant breeders on their side. Which side is winning? That’s a question posed by Texas A and M graduate student Sarah Kezar, as she looks at how Palmer amaranth can quickly sneak into farmers’ […] Read more
Crop Management
GM to chase Ford, Rivian with electric Silverado pickup
Fully electric trucks are capturing the imagination, if not market-share, but auto-makers see potential
DETROIT, Mich. (Reuters) — General Motors Co.’s US$35 billion electric vehicle strategy will face its biggest test in 2023 when it launches an electric version of its Chevrolet Silverado pickup with a six-figure price tag, more than a year after rivals Ford Motor Co., and Rivian Automotive. GM chief executive officer Mary Barra on Jan. […] Read more
Corn develops density tolerance over time
Researchers believe selection for general stress tolerance has enabled modest increases in plant density and higher yields
Sweet corn thrives in its own crowded company and, when planted at high densities, its yield potentially increases. Recent research from the University of Illinois looked at the historical tolerance of corn density since the 1930s and results showed it has steadily contributed to genetic yield gain in field corn. The study focused on crowding […] Read more
Väderstad plans facility in North Dakota
Swedish-based Väderstad announced it is expanding its U.S. footprint with a new multi-functional facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota, which will be ready next year. The 60-year-old company manufactures tillage, seeding and planting equipment. In May 2021, it acquired 100 percent of Agco-Amity JV, which markets the brand names Concord, Wil-Rich and Wishek, forming Väderstad Inc., […] Read more
South American soybean crop estimates lowered again
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “massive” reduction in its South American soybean crop production estimate wasn’t drastic enough, according to analysts. And that bodes well for soybean and other oilseed prices. The USDA slashed its forecast for the region to 185 million tonnes in its February World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, down […] Read more
Bayer gives glyphosate users a scare
It is uncertain what impact a manufacturing problem at Bayer will have on western Canadian supplies of glyphosate this spring. The world’s leading manufacturer of the key crop input sent out a letter to customers on Feb. 11 declaring a force majeure event. A major supplier of membrane caustic soda, a key ingredient in the […] Read more
Bayer says production of glyphosate may be curtailed
FRANKFURT, Feb 14 (Reuters) – Pesticide and seed producer Bayer said on Monday a supplier of an ingredient for its widely used herbicide glyphosate has run into technical problems which may hamper Bayer’s output of the product in the short term. The “mechanical failure” at Bayer’s supplier comes in addition to a tight supply situation […] Read more
Arctic seed vault to receive rare deposits
OSLO, Feb 13 (Reuters) – A vault built on an Arctic mountainside to preserve the world’s crop seeds from war, disease and other catastrophes will receive new deposits on Monday, including one from the first organization that made a withdrawal from the facility. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, on Spitsbergen island halfway between mainland Norway […] Read more
Industry disagrees over Chinese demand for feed wheat
There is a sharp divide in China’s estimated feed wheat use for 2021-22. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting 36 million tonnes, which is in line with the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service’s 35 million tonne estimate. But according to traders and analysts interviewed by Reuters, the volume could be far lower than that. They […] Read more
Canola prices expected to remain high
New crop canola prices are more likely to head up than down, says a trader of the commodity. PI Financial broker Ken Ball says new crop canola is comfortably valued at $840 per tonne right now. “It’s certainly not likely to come crashing down even with a good crop in Canada, the European Union and […] Read more
