U.S. Farmers Prefer Biotech Varieties of Corn, Cotton, Soybeans  

Source: Biotechnology Industry Organization

American farmers have adopted biotech crops widely since their introduction in 1996, especially corn, cotton and soybean varieties, according to a new USDA report. USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) report, Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S. was released July 1, 2009. Key findings include ...

2009 Corn Acreage up from Previous Estimates  

Source: National Corn Growers Association

Despite weather challenges at key planting times, U.S. corn growers planted 2 million more acres this season than previously expected, USDA reported today. In its annual report on planted acres, USDA estimated 87 million acres planted in ...

You Can’t Afford to Ignore the Threat of Glyphosate Resistance 

What makes this study, “U.S. Farmer Awareness of Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds and Resistance Management Strategies” (2009, Vol. 23:308-312), especially important is that it is one of only a few that have compiled information on a broad scale about farmers...

Water Is Standing In Many Corn Belt Fields 

Source: University of Illinois

It is mid-June and throughout the Corn Belt corn is waist to shoulder high with early planted fields beginning to reveal tassels. Soybeans are all ankle to knee high and early planted beans are beginning to bloom. In a typical year those conditions all might be true, but 2009 is not typical and those descriptions of corn and soybean fields...

Spray Drift Potential Increases During Warm-Weather Applications 

By Mark Hanna and Kristine Schaefer, Iowa State University Extension

Recent rains over much of the state are encouraging crop and weed growth and pesticide applications will be a primary focus as soon as fields are suitable. In a May 15, 2009 ICM news article, management factors to reduce...

NCGA View: Despite Critics, Research Clear on Food Inflation  

By Rick Tolman, National Corn Growers Association

It would be nice to be a mouse in the boardroom at the next meeting of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). Internal conflict within the organization over the ongoing public relations attacks on corn farmers and ethanol might prove...

Glyphosate Nonperformance Issues And Glyphosate-Resistant Biotypes 

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Glyphosate-resistant biotypes of giant and common ragweed and common waterhemp have been confirmed in Minnesota and are listed on the International Survey of Resistant Weeds Web site. Both species appear to be resistant to approximately four-times the labeled use rate of glyphosate (4X). In the short timeframe presented to us during the growing season, separating glyphosate nonperformance...

June 10 WASDE Report Highlights 

Source: USDA

Corn production for 2009-2010 is projected at 11.9 billion bushels, down 155 million from last month’s projection. The national average yield is projected at 153.4 bu./acre, 2 bu. lower as continued planting delays through late May reduce yield prospects, especially for the eastern Corn Belt. Early planting in the western Corn Belt and improved crop conditions from last year at this time are expected to partly offset the poor start ...

Volunteer Corn Management In Corn And Soybean 

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Large populations of volunteer corn are being reported in some fields in Minnesota this year. What impact the volunteer corn will have on this year’s crop yield and the viable management options available will depend upon in which crop the volunteer corn is present...

Corn Growers Catching Up in the Fields 

Source: National Corn Growers Association

The nation’s corn growers pulled out the stops in the last week, managing to nearly complete planting the 2009 crop despite challenging weather conditions in several key corn-producing states...

Be On The Lookout For Black Cutworm 

Source: Purdue University

Late planting, weeds, the practice of no-till and the fact the many Indiana fields are in a corn-following-soybean rotation all combine to favor an increase in black cutworm activity, says Christian Krupke, a Purdue University specialist...

Rain Delays Could Reduce Corn Acres 

By Forrest Laws

There’s an old saying that East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet. In spring 2009, the eastern and western Corn Belts seem to be traveling in parallel universes that aren’t likely to meet...

Latest WASDE Report For Corn and Soybeans 

Source: USDA

Total U.S. corn use for 2009-2010 is projected up 3% from the current year with higher expected food, seed and industrial (FSI) use and exports more than offsetting a decline in projected feed and residual use. FSI use is projected 7% higher with a 350-million-bushel rise in ethanol corn...

Rains Could Further Delay Corn Planting  

Source: University of Missouri

Spring crop planting delayed by cold weather in early April faces more delays by late-April rainfall, says Pat Guinan, University of Missouri (MU) climatologist...

Tillage Operations Present Options For Seedbed Preparation 

Source: Purdue University

After a wet fall and spring, corn and soybean farmers must decide what field tillage operations are essential before planting the 2009 crop. "Where I think things are a little bit different in 2009 compared to a normal spring is that there was less tillage done last fall than what may have typically been the case...