A broad spectrum herbicide that effectively controls grasses such as foxtails, johnsongrass and shattercane in no-tilled corn was introduced just in time for the 2003 growing season by Bayer CropScience. Featuring recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval, the herbicide will control broadleaf weeds such as cocklebur, lambsquarters, morningglory, ragweed, sunflower and velvetleaf.

Many growers looking for a new way to provide both burndown and season-long weed control will soon have a new tool available in their herbicide arsenal. That’s because a compound named Expert from Syngenta Crop Protection was recently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in corn and grain sorghum.

Better late than never. Fueled by a tremendous number of walk-up registrations, the 11th annual National No-Tillage Conference, sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, Dow AgroSciences, Na-Churs Alpine Solutions, Landec Ag, Monsanto and Syngenta Crop Protection, once again put together more than 660 of the best no-tilling minds in North America.

While it hasn’t yet generated much business, an unexpected source of funds for purchasing no-till drills and planters is available from the federal government. The only drawback is that these 0-percent interest loans, that can be at least partially paid back with U.S. Department of Agriculture cost-share dollars, must be obtained by a public or quasi-public agency rather than directly by farmers.

No-Tillers around the world owe a great deal of gratitude to this year’s winners of the No-Till Innovator Awards. Their efforts have continued to solidify no-tilling’s place among the world’s most efficient and economical ways of farming.

The No-Tilling Community tragically lost two members on Friday, May 31, including one of the youngest no-tillers in the country.