Tuesday December 18 Ag News

Irrigation, Groundwater Use on Agenda at LENRD Board Meeting This Week

Due to the well problems caused by groundwater declines this summer, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District will consider designating additional groundwater management areas.  Their regular Board Meeting will be held Thursday, December 20th at 7:30 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk.  During this meeting, the board will also be considering requiring flow meters for irrigation use, setting maximum irrigation amounts to prohibit excessive irrigation use, and restricting new irrigated acres.  Proposals from vendors for equipment used to monitor in-season groundwater declines will be presented.  The meeting is open to the public.



Drought Lingers, but Producers Can Plan Ahead

Drought is hard to prepare for and even harder to predict.  Last summer caught some producers by surprise, and they have had to contend with high feed costs and limited availability.

Next year, though, shouldn't catch anyone by surprise.  It will be nearly impossible to fully recharge moisture into the soil profile by next spring.  Unless fields receive lots of extra, good soaking moisture next spring, dryland yields are likely to be below average.  And since there will be very little hay carryover, prices are likely to stay high, said Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension forage specialist.

"Most pastures were grazed more heavily last year than usual," Anderson said. "They have almost no forage remaining for use next year and most root systems were weakened going into winter."

Carrying capacity for pastures next year probably will be less than average unless they receive above average precipitation.  Even with extra rain, though, spring growth could be slower or later than usual, Anderson warned.

These effects leave producers with several choices. Anderson said they could plant annual forages or rent cornstalks for winter grazing, adding that producers should consider how they might take advantage of any rain they do receive.

"I suggest you take a realistic look at your livestock forage program," he said. "If it stays dry, can you afford to keep doing what you have been doing?"



Heuermann Lecture featuring Dr.Temple Grandin, January 15 at 7 PM

Dr. Temple Grandin, animal sciences professor at Colorado State University and a world leader in understanding livestock behavior and designing livestock handling facilities, is the Heuermann Lecturer Tuesday, Jan. 15, in the Hardin Hall auditorium on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, 33rd and Holdrege.

Dr. Grandin’s 7 p.m. lecture topic is “Improving Animal Welfare and Communications with the Public.”  We in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL hope you’ll join us for her lecture, and the short reception following.  The lot north of Hardin Hall is available for free parking for those attending the lecture.

Heuermann Lectures are made possible by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, long-time university supporters.  Heuermann Lectures focus on meeting the world’s growing food and renewable energy needs while sustaining natural resources and rural communities.

If you are not able to join us, please know all Heuermann Lectures are streamed live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu, and archived at that site, usually within a day after the lecture.



UNL Ag Research Division's 'Big Idea Seminars' Continue in January and February

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Agricultural Research Division's "Big Idea Seminars" will continue with three seminars in January and February.

"Advances in Plant Recognition and Identification Technology," organized by Steve Young, assistant professor at UNL's West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte, will discuss how plant identification is advancing from keys to computer systems and even apps for use in managed and natural systems.

"The technology boom is revolutionizing management aspects of both crop and non-crop systems, including the use of advanced technology for targeted plant recognition and applications systems," Young said. "Growers will soon have a plant identification monitor sitting next to their yield, soil moisture and nutrient monitors in their tractor cab, while outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists and resource managers will have the ability to identify invasive and other important plant species using identification technology that is also equipped with communication and environmental monitoring devices."

With the world population predicted to be 9 billion by 2050, this technology is needed to meet future demands for food, feed and fiber, Young said. Similarly, the increasing threat from invasive species in natural areas and the lack of trained individuals who can properly identify plans are signaling the need for this recognition technology.

The ARD's seminar series hopes to build big ideas and collaborations among faculty members not only at UNL, but across all University of Nebraska campuses.

Dates, speakers, times, locations and topics include:
– Jan. 17, Simon Blackmore, 2 p.m. informal discussion, 3 p.m. reception, 3:30-4:30 p.m. seminar, Nebraska East Union, "New Concepts in Agricultural Automation."
– Jan. 22, David Jacobs, 2 p.m. informal discussion, 110 Avery Hall; 3 p.m. reception, 348 Avery Hall; 3:30-4:30 p.m. seminar, 115 Avery Hall, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, UNL City Campus, "Using Computer Vision for Species Identification."
– Feb. 1, Lie Tang, 2 p.m. informal discussion, 3 p.m. reception, 3:30-4:30 seminar, Nebraska East Union, UNL East Campus, "Plant Recognition for Robotic Weeding: Challenges and Opportunities."

Blackmore, professor at Harper Adams University College in England, is a key figure in the development of precision farming and agricultural robotics with a worldwide reputation. He worked for 12 years in Africa and Europe before starting his academic career and now collaborates with many universities around the world to help develop precision farming and agricultural robotics. His presentation will discuss how smarter machines will save time and money.

Jacobs is a professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland with a joint appointment in the university's Institute for Advanced Computer Studies. Jacobs' research has focused on human and computer vision, especially in the areas of object recognition and perceptual organization. He will describe the first mobile app for identifying plant species using automatic visual recognition. The system called LeafSnap identifies tree species from photographs of their leaves. In addition, he will discuss some recent work on animal species identification.

Tang is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on the development of robotic and intelligent systems for agricultural applications such as robotic weeding. He will present his research findings in crop and weed recognition, and share his vision about how the technological advancements in sensing and computation may enable us to invent new weeding tools that can maximize weed control efficacy while minimizing their environmental footprint.

For more information visit the ARD's Big Idea Seminars website at bigideaseminars.unl.edu.

The seminar series is in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.



Bipartisan Group of Lieutenant Governors Support Wind PTC

Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds Monday released a letter sent by a bipartisan coalition of lieutenant governors from eight states to congressional leaders supporting the Wind Production Tax Credit (PTC). Reynolds brought together the lieutenant governors of Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Rhode Island and Washington in support of an extension to the wind PTC.

"The wind energy industry is not only a source of renewable energy, but it is also a vital component of the Iowa and American economy," said Reynolds. "Over 6,000 Iowans are able to trace their employment to the wind industry. I am proud that my colleagues joined me to urge Congress to pass the Wind PTC extension allowing our states and the wind industry to continue harnessing American energy, creating jobs and expanding economic development in the process."

Lt. Gov. Joseph Garcia (D-Colo.), Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon (D-Minn.), Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy ( R-Neb.), Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb (R-Okla.), Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts (D-R.I.), Lt. Gov. Matt Michels (R-S.D.) and Lt. Gov. Brad Owen (D-Wash.) joined Reynolds in signing on to the letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Without action from Congress, the Wind PTC will expire at the end of December.

In the letter the lieutenant governors state, "Without the PTC extensions, the U.S. economy will lose tens of thousands of jobs and the opportunity to leverage $10 billion of private investment." The letter continues, "Businesses in our states need the certainty of a PTC extension to encourage new capital investments, maintain their competitive edge of wind energy technologies, and create high paying jobs."

The letter concludes by pointing out the PTC enjoys bipartisan support from members of Congress, states and the private sector. Every member of the Iowa congressional delegation supports an extension of the wind PTC and Lt. Gov. Reynolds' letter is the latest action Iowa leaders have taken to show support for an extension.



Five-Year Agriculture Census Now in Progress

America's farmers and ranchers are again being asked to take part in the 2012 Census of Agriculture. The census is conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The census is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them.

"It is important that all growers, state farmers, women farmers and ranchers respond," said Mike Duffy, Iowa State University Extension economist. "Census information is your voice and helps to shape the farm future as farmers. The Census of Agriculture is the only opportunity to know the state of U.S. agriculture. The census data can be used for research projects, general information on trends, basis for policy decisions and a host of other activities. Farmers benefit from completing the census as completely and accurately as possible because the information is used in a variety of ways that can affect them directly."

Renee Picanso, director of NASS's Census and Survey Division, says the census data is vital. The census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and other topics. This information is used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities from federal, state and local governments to agribusinesses and trade associations. She contends that legislators do use the data when shaping farm policy, agribusinesses factor it into their planning efforts and rural service providers use it in planning community improvements.

The most up to date data being passed along by NASS is based on the 2007 census when 2 million farms existed that totaled 922 million acres. This was a 4 percent increase in the number of U.S. farms from the previous 2002 census, but the increase was basically hobby farmers or farmer market suppliers.

NASS is to have all the census forms out by the end of December. Completed forms are due by Feb. 4, 2013.

Producers can fill out the census online via a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov, or return their form by mail.



Iowa Cattlemen Members Adopt Policy for 2013

Members of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association adopted policy at their annual meeting that supports improvement in infrastructure for farmers, protecting animal health, and providing information and transparency to consumers. Outgoing ICA President Ross Havens of Wiota said the resolutions indicate that cattle producers recognize "there is a lot of work to do, especially on the social side."

The infrastructure issues include protecting the purposes of the Road Use Tax Fund and the formula from fuel taxes and pickup license fees that direct dollars to rural roads and bridges. ICA supports efforts that increase funding as long as those increases are used for intended purposes.

Other infrastructure issues include support for renewable fuels production that maximizes access to co-products for the Iowa cattle industry; and encouraging efforts for clean and safe water supplies while not enforcing criminal penalties in cases where manure spills are accidental.

In regards to animal health, ICA members said they want an aggressive and coordinated response to animal diseases such as FMD and BSE to be maintained, and they want state government to do a facility assessment of the ISU Veterinarian Diagnostic Lab to make sure it continues to meet safety regulations relative to bio containment and space for diagnostic needs. If that assessment shows weaknesses in those areas, they want the state to allocate resources to address those weaknesses.

In the area of providing consumers with good and transparent information, the members said ICA should advocate for judicious use of antimicrobials in both animals and humans, and create on-going education for producers and veterinarians to continue the judicious use of the products. They also called upon all niches in the beef market to work cooperatively to promote beef without attacking other methods of beef production as being inferior.

Several directives were also adopted by ICA members. One calls for ICA to develop plans that would initiate a petition drive to reinstate a 50-cent voluntary state checkoff, and report to the ICA executive committee by July 1, 2013 how that plan could be implemented.

"We are adopting policies that are level-headed," said incoming ICA President Ed Greiman of Garner. "We're headed in the right direction."



Limits on Winter Manure Application Start Late December in Iowa

Most animal and crop producers know there is greater potential for runoff and nutrient loss following winter manure application. State law, however, sets some dates when producers with confinements can -- and can't -- apply liquid manure on snow-covered or frozen ground.

The law does not apply to manure from open feedlots or dry manure, or in the case of emergencies.

It does apply to confinement (totally roofed) facilities with liquid manure that have 500 or more animal units. Generally, 500 animal units would be 1,250 finishing hogs; 5,000 nursery pigs; 500 steers, immature dairy cows or other cattle; or 357 mature dairy cows.

"The research shows that the later in the season and the closer to spring snowmelt that you land apply manure, the greater the risk that manure-laden runoff will reach a stream," said Gene Tinker, coordinator of DNR's animal feeding operations.

"In winter, it's particularly important to use common sense and choose areas far from a stream, on flat land with little snow cover," Tinker said. "Because this is surface application, the manure applicator must follow setbacks from certain buildings and environmentally sensitive areas."

The law limits liquid manure application from Dec. 21 to April 1 if the ground is snow-covered. If manure can be properly injected or incorporated, it can be land applied during this time. Snow-covered ground is defined as soil having one inch or more of snow cover or one-half inch or more of ice cover.

Starting Feb. 1, confinement producers with 500 or more animal units will also be limited to emergencies if applying liquid manure on frozen ground. The rules are available online under Chapter 65 of the Iowa Administrative Code/Environmental Protection Commission.

Emergencies are defined by state law as unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the producer such as natural disaster, unusual weather conditions, or equipment or structural failure.

Producers must call the local DNR field office before they apply to report emergency applications. They can apply manure only to fields identified for emergency application in the manure management plan that have a Phosphorus Index of 2 or less. DNR field specialists may have ideas or suggestions for producers on specific sites or risks.

More information on the protected areas is available at www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/afo/sepdstb4.pdf?amp;tabid=1465. Recommendations from the Iowa Manure Management Action Group about applying manure in winter are available at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/pubs/imms/vol3.pdf.



Fertilizer Prices Steady, Avoiding Shortages

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the second week of December continue to remain steady, as has been the case the past couple of months. Meanwhile, a long application season this fall has been a relief to fertilizer distributors worried about barge traffic on the Mississippi River.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to this past month, but these moves to the low side were fairly small, the DTN survey found. DAP had average price of $639 per ton, MAP $676/ton, potash $613/ton, urea $575/ton, 10-34-0 $602/ton, UAN28 $369/ton and UAN32 $418/ton.  The remaining fertilizer, anhydrous, was higher compared to the second week of November, but again the move higher was fairly insignificant. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $877/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.53/lb.N, UAN28 $0.66/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

Only one of the eight major fertilizers is still showing a price increase compared to one year earlier, DTN's survey found. Anhydrous is now 9% higher compared to last year.  Six fertilizers are actually lower in price compared to December 2011. Urea is 3% lower; potash is 7% less expensive; DAP, MAP and UAN28 are all 8% less compared to last year, and UAN32 is 9% lower.  The remaining fertilizer is now down double digits from a year ago. 10-34-0 is now 27% less expensive from a year earlier.



National Biodiesel Board Joins Diesel Technology Forum

The National Biodiesel Board, which represents more than 260 U.S. and international companies that produce and distribute renewable biodiesel fuel, is the newest allied member of the Diesel Technology Forum.  DTF is a non-profit organization that promotes the use of the most modern clean diesel technologies in the United States.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to coordinating the biodiesel industry and educating the public about the fuel. NBB membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and processor organizations; biodiesel producers and suppliers; fuel marketers and distributors; and technology providers.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome the National Biodiesel Board to the Diesel Technology Forum,” said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Forum.  “The NBB has a mission of educating the public and policy makers about the importance of biodiesel as an important component in America’s goal of expanding the use of alternative and renewable energy sources.  This is an excellent partnership with the Diesel Technology Forum’s mission of educating policymakers about the economic importance, energy efficiency and environmental progress of clean diesel technology.

“We share the common goal of assuring that future energy and transportation policies recognize the unique value and capabilities of diesel technology, particularly as it relates to the energy security and environmental benefits of the use of high-quality biodiesel fuels in diesel engines and equipment,” Schaeffer said.

Steve Howell, Technical Director for the National Biodiesel Board, said, “NBB is excited about our new partnership with the Diesel Technology Forum.  Many people do not realize that today’s new technology diesel engines with ultra low sulfur biodiesel blends provide tailpipe emissions as clean or cleaner than natural gas or gasoline, while providing superior fuel economy, horsepower, and durability.  In addition, when you combine the increased efficiency diesel engines with the low carbon nature of an Advanced Biofuel like biodiesel, new technology diesel engines are positioned to become the clean - and green - technology of the future.”

The members of the Diesel Technology Forum are leaders of the diesel industry and include a diverse membership of OEMs, suppliers, fuel refiners and device manufacturers who are leading the fight for clean diesel technology.



New Television Campaign Shows Cool Side of Bioheat

Heating oil consumers in the Northeast are learning how making a small change will support American jobs, domestic energy security, and cleaner air.  It's thanks to three television commercials airing to promote the benefits of Bioheat.®

Bioheat is heating oil blended with biodiesel, a renewable fuel. The National Biodiesel Board has worked to encourage consumers and oilheat dealers alike to adopt Bioheat in place of traditional home heating oil for years, but the new television commercials aim to speed up that process by generating more consumer demand.

The commercials began running throughout the Northeast in late November, and will run for the next few months during local newscasts and football pregame shows in markets such as Boston, New York City, and Hartford, Conn. The ads highlight the benefits of Bioheat, including greater energy independence, supporting American Jobs, and "making the air in your home and town cleaner."  

In New York City, one of the commercials congratulates the city on using 2 percent biodiesel in all of its heating oil, thanks to a law that took effect in October.  The ads proclaim New York City "Proud 2B2," a play on the B2 requirement. 

This is the first advertising campaign involving television commercials for Bioheat.

"Strong imagery supporting our message is an advantage in creating a connection with customers," said Paul Nazzaro, petroleum liaison for the National Biodiesel Board.  "Consumers see the visual of a Bioheat truck, and see families like theirs, which helps personalize the message.  Our goal is simply to pique their curiosity, drive them to the Bioheat website, and contact a dealer who carries it."

The campaign also is meant to serve as a marketing tool for Bioheat dealers, who can use the commercials in their own markets or on their websites.  The campaign is funded by the Nebraska Soybean Board, the United Soybean Board, the Iowa Soybean Association and the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. 

"The oilheat market genuinely wants and needs our product, which empowers farmers to continue participating in the U.S. energy sector," said Greg Anderson, a fifth generation farmer in Newman Grove, Neb., speaking on behalf of the Nebraska Soybean Board. "Soybean farmers are very proud to wave the Bioheat flag because we recognize the tremendous potential it holds for both our industries."

Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from sustainable resources such as soybean oil, recycled grease and other fats and oils.  To be called Bioheat, heating oil must contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. It is cleaner burning, cost-competitive with oilheat, and does not require modifications to the oilheat system.



China Will Continue To Drive Agricultural Commodity Demand For Next Decade, Rabobank Client Poll Finds

China's continued influence on agricultural commodity demand and global economic growth, along with increasing weather extremes, stand out as key issues for North American food, beverage and agribusiness in 2013, a recent poll of Rabobank clients shows.

The poll of over 350 executives from leading companies in the North American food, beverage and agribusiness industry was conducted at Rabobank's recent Markets Forum held in New York City.  Rabobank is a leading bank to the global food and agribusiness industry and premier financial institution to the North American food, beverage and agriculture sector.

China Will Continue to Drive Demand for Agricultural Commodities
Asked to name the country or region which they believe will have the greatest impact on global agricultural commodity demand over the next 10 years, 61 percent of respondents at the Rabobank Forum chose China.  That view of China's continued dominance far exceeded views of India (14 percent), Africa (10 percent), Latin America (9 percent), and Southeast Asia (6 percent).

Views Mixed on China's Long-Term Economic Dominance
Despite recent signs of slowing economic growth in China, the large majority of executives polled by Rabobank see China continuing to be the most important driver of long term global economic growth.  Forty one percent of respondents said China would drive the global economy for between five and 10 more years, while 40 percent said China will remain the primary driver of global economic growth for the next 50 years.  

Bill Cordingley, Head of Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory for Rabobank in the Americas, said, "These results are not surprising and reflect the significant impact that China has had on the food and agribusiness industry over the past 10 years, globally as well as in North America.  China today has the second largest middle class in the world at 157 million, which will surpass the U.S.'s middle class in the next ten years, so China's demand for agricultural commodities is going to continue to grow.  Our North American clients in the food, beverage and agriculture sectors see opportunities to play a role in the Chinese market, not only as exporters but also as investors in the country's domestic growth by bringing technology, know-how and capital to support development of a more modern, safe food system in China."

In addition to their views on China, Rabobank Forum attendees provided opinions on a range of topics that they believe will be significant issues for the global and North American food and agriculture/agribusiness industry in the coming years, including production levels, risk management, genetically modified organisms (GMO), social media, and U.S. and European macroeconomics.

Continued Weather Extremes Will be Dominant Factor for North American Food & Agribusiness
Notably, 68 percent of attendees named weather extremes/volatility as the single biggest factor affecting North American food and agribusiness in 2013.  That concern far outweighed the next two closest factors – consumer demand (13 percent) and policy/regulation (10 percent).  Geopolitical events, trade/tariffs/exchange rates, and policy/regulation all received votes in the single digits.

"Given that the North American industry, particularly the U.S., is in the middle of the worst drought in over 50 years," said Cordingley, "these views are quite understandable and represent a significant issue that is top of mind for most food industry players as we enter 2013."

Agribusiness Increasing Risk Management In Response to Volatility
Reflecting the concern over continued weather volatility, 59 percent of respondents said that 2012 drought has changed their views about risk management in their business.  Executives at the Rabobank Forum cited an increased focus on financial liquidity (25 percent), increased investment in risk management and insurance (21 percent), and greater diversification (13 percent) as their three leading solutions to hedge against continued volatility in weather patterns and commodity markets.

66% Expect U.S. Corn Yield to Exceed 200 Bushels/Acre by 2025
"Corn is a critical input to the North American food industry, and strong and consistent yield growth has underpinned the industry in the U.S. for the past ten years.  Despite the enormous gains already made due to precision farming, GMOs, and other technologies, attendees at the Forum were very bullish in terms of their outlook for this trend to continue longer term," said Cordingley.

Over ninety percent of executives at the Rabobank Forum said that they expect U.S. corn yields to exceed 170 bushels per acre by 2025:  notably, over a quarter (26 percent) forecast yields of over 250 Bu/a, while forty percent forecast yields of between 200 Bu/a and 250 Bu/a.  Those expectations compare to U.S. trend line yields of between 150-160 Bu/a in recent years, prior to this year's drought-driven decline to 120 Bu/a.

Impact of Social Media on Food & Agribusiness Sector
Social media played a significant role in the news earlier this year about the use of lean finely textured beef (LFTB) in U.S. beef processing.   Rabobank asked its Forum attendees if the rise of social media is causing them to adopt a different approach in their business.  More than half of executives (51 percent) said that the growing influence of social media is changing the way they handle brand and reputation management and business communications.  Nine percent said it is driving changes in the way they handle vendor/customer/supply chain management.  However, 37 percent said they are not making business changes in response to the increasing prominence of social media. 

"Social media has introduced a new and widely accessible communications platform to the media mix,  and this has created both opportunities and risks for companies in the food industry. For some parts of the industry, 'business as usual' may not work any longer as social media exercises its potential to be a catalyst for change. However, the social media phenomenon also offers the industry an opportunity to engage in direct discussions with consumers and other stakeholders, to address concerns, to educate, and to clarify fact from rumor or misinformation.  One thing is certain, social media is changing the food business in North America."

What Factor Will Most Influence Acceptance of GMOs?
While well-established in the U.S. market, GMOs in agriculture remain controversial in many parts of the world and have not had anywhere near the rates of option outside the U.S.  Polled on the factors that would most encourage increased global uptake of GMO technology in agriculture over the next decade, 56% of respondents cited sustained high commodity prices.  Others said that greater consumer acceptance (34 percent) will be key to higher adoption, but 7 percent said they believe GMO uptake will slow. Three percent said that improved intellectual property rights in developing markets will be the solution to make GMOs more acceptable among consumers and the food industry.



Aproach Fungicide Receives EPA Approval

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted registration approval for DuPont™ Aproach™ fungicide (aproach.dupont.com). Aproach™ will give corn, soybean and wheat growers enhanced protection from a broad spectrum of foliar and soil-borne diseases. The new fungicide will provide more reliable plant health and disease control performance and yield opportunities through both preventive and curative disease control, redistribution through the plant for more complete coverage, and rapid movement into and within the plant.

“Aproach™ has unique properties that will deliver results growers can see, from protection against production-limiting diseases to increased harvestable yield,” said John Chrosniak, regional director, North America, DuPont Crop Protection. “Aproach™ is another powerful tool from DuPont Crop Protection that will help growers address the challenge of producing high-quality crops to feed a growing world population.”

Within its class of fungicides, Aproach™ has unprecedented movement into and within the plant. This movement rapidly protects poorly covered leaf surfaces, plus leaves and stems that have not yet emerged, and delivers protection closer to the soil surface where many plant diseases originate.

Better coverage, preventive and curative activity, and residual control means Aproach™ helps compensate for less-than-ideal application timing, so growers are better able to defend yield despite challenging conditions.

Research has shown Aproach™ helpsreduce incidence of yield-robbing diseases, including gray leaf spot, Northern corn leaf blight, Southern leaf blight and common rust in corn; soybean white mold, frogeye leaf spot, brown spot and Asian soybean rust in soybeans; and powdery mildew, rusts, tan spot, septoria leaf blotch and glume blotch in wheat.

·       When applied to corn under stress, Aproach™ nearly doubled total leaf area and more than tripled average chlorophyll index compared to a leading fungicide.1 Increased green leaf area gives a corn plant greater opportunity to achieve its yield potential.

·       In soybeans, Aproach™ demonstrated up to 85 percent reduction in white mold severity, 60 percent reduction in brown spot severity compared to leading fungicide programs and a yield increase of seven bushels per acre compared to untreated plots.2

·       In wheat, Aproach™ showed 62 percent uptake into leaf cells two days after application and 80 percent uptake seven days after application. Competitive fungicides achieved no more than 17 percent uptake by seven days after application.3

For added crop protection and efficiency, Aproach™ may be tank-mixed with a variety of herbicides and insecticides, including DuPont™ Prevathon® insect control for effective control of yield-reducing worms in corn, DuPont™ Asana® XL insecticide for control of aphids and beetles in soybeans, and DuPont™ Harmony® Extra SG herbicide for broadleaf weed control in wheat.