Corn cobs and fiber, along with stover, are likely to remain the main focus for cellulosic ethanol research and deployment in the Midwest over the next few years, according to the National Corn Growers Association. Cellulosic ethanol is made from the woody parts of plants, rather than the more easily refined grain. Cellulosic studies are now moving from basic research to applications, the NCGA notes.

Biotech crops have spurred the use of conservation tillage and provided clear economic and environmental benefits worldwide, according to a peer-reviewed study.

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.

University studies and other independent research in 2006 indicated that YieldGard Plus and YieldGard Rootworm traits from Monsanto Company outperformed corn products containing the competing Herculex RW and Herculex XTRA traits, according to Monsanto.

In a blockbuster announcement by two companies well-known to no-tillers, Monsanto Company and Landec Corp. announced two separate deals that they say will make their products more available.

A proposed international trade agreement could lead to a huge increase in ethanol imports, which in turn could prevent no-tillers from capitalizing on the growing use of corn-based ethanol for fuel, according to a group critical of the trade proposal.

There's no misunderstanding Bruno Alesii’s advice to no-tillers:

No-tillers growing non-biotech crops in which genetically modified crops are also growing due to wind-blown pollen or volunteer plants from a previous year’s seeds are liable to be sued by Monsanto Company, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Food Safety. So are no-tillers who grow biotech crops without signing Monsanto’s technology agreement, the group says.