BASF and Monsanto Company announced a long-term joint research and development and commercialization agreement in plant biotechnology that will focus on the development of high-yielding crops and crops that are more tolerant to adverse environmental conditions such as drought. The collaboration is effective immediately.

As plantings of genetically modified (GM) crops continue to climb by millions of acres per year, one crop stands out for its absence from the list. Wheat growers, including no-tillers, are still waiting for the benefits of biotechnology, and the wait is likely to be a long one.

Earlier this fall, Syngenta Crop Protection initiated an educational and promotional campaign built around a herbicide resistance management strategy that they've named 2-1-2. The numeric code (below) describes an approach in which no more than two applications of glyphosate are made to one field within a 2-year period.

Test results from two sites in the Pacific Northwest confirm the development of glyphosate-resistant Italian ryegrass.

With growers needing to find new ways to take U.S. yields to a higher level to compete with other countries, Rob Neill says increased emphasis needs to be placed on seed treatments, shifting resources to development of new seed traits and developing new pest control compounds.

Low-interest loans — perhaps even interest free with the possibility of partial payment of the principal by the federal government might be obtainable through a program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency.