Thursday October 1 Ag News

Gov. Ricketts' Statement on ConAgra’s Announcement

Today, Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a statement following ConAgra’s announcement that they would restructure their operations and move their world headquarters from Omaha to Chicago.

“During our conversations over the past several weeks, ConAgra’s CEO Sean Connolly told me that any changes made in Nebraska would be a part of a larger restructuring of the company to improve their operations.

“While I regret ConAgra’s decision, it is a reminder why we must continually look for new ways to ensure our tax rates and incentive programs remain competitive, and it is also why I have dedicated two trade missions to highlighting investment opportunities in our state.

“As ConAgra continues to plan for their future, we will continue to support the 1,200 ConAgra jobs that will remain in Omaha as their leadership works to turn the company around.  The Governor’s Office and the Nebraska Department of Labor stand ready to assist Nebraskans seeking reemployment due to ConAgra’s restructuring.”



Hundreds Attend the Natural Resources Districts’ 2015 Annual Conference for Latest Findings, Information, and Awards
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Annual Conference was held at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, September 28th – 29th and focused on protecting the future of Nebraska’s natural resources.  This year nearly 400 Natural Resources Districts (NRD) managers, staff, board members, conservation partners and guests received new information on many timely natural resources and agriculture subjects.

“I’m impressed with the amount of new information this year,” said Terry Martin, President of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts.  “The Annual Conference really expanded its list of topics and helped demonstrate just how far Nebraska has come in the never-ending fight to conserve our natural resources.”

Participants had a variety of educational break-out sessions to choose from.  Sessions targeted a issues including a recap on a major Niobrara River Agreement made between the NRDs, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and NPPD. This agreement will help the NRDs protect the Niobrara River for decades to come. An information session was also held on the Republican River Basin, and a session on major flooding events this year in southeast Nebraska and how the NRDs’ levees and dams functioned like they are supposed to. Other events included recognition of Hall of Fame inductees, conservation award winners and Master Conservationist’s awards.

The NARD Foundation which provides financial assistance to youth programs in natural resources and agriculture, raised more than $26,000 this year! These funds will assist in supporting more than 10 different educational programs in Nebraska to encourage kids to consider a career in natural resources.

During the Awards Banquet four individuals were inducted into the Natural Resources Hall of Fame. They include Jim and Mary Ann Wortmann, former Board members of Lewis and Clark NRD, John Turnbull, General Manager of the Upper Big Blue NRD and Jim Cook, an attorney who assisted many NRDs when they were just getting started.

“The inductees of the Natural Resources Districts Hall of Fame are people who’ve dedicated their lives to natural resources conservation and helped shape history,” said Martin.

Hall of Fame award winner categories include: Natural Resources District Board Member, Natural Resources District Employee and NRD Supporter which includes individuals outside the NRD system.

    Jim and Mary Ann Wortmann were inducted as Natural Resources District Board Members. Jim served on the NRD board for 28 years, from 1974 to 2002, and was chairman for many of those years. He also served as NARD delegate for 24 years, representing the Lewis & Clark NRD until 2002. After Jim retired, Mary Ann was elected to replace Jim on the NRD board and served in that position for 12 years, from 2002 to 2014.  She also took over responsibilities as NARD delegate for those years and was chosen as the first female president of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, serving two terms in that capacity.

    John Turnbull was inducted as Natural Resources District Employee. John was General Manager of the Tri-Basin NRD in 1975. In 1978, he became the General Manager at the Upper Big Blue NRD and is currently in his 40th year of service at Nebraska’s NRDs. Through implementation of groundwater rules and regulations to manage the resources, the Upper Big Blue NRD in York is proud to report there has been little change in the groundwater levels even after the growth of an additional 800,000 irrigated acres during John’s successful tenure.

    Jim Cook was inducted as Natural Resources District Supporter. Jim was a key attorney at the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission from 1970 – 2000, involved with helping to establish the Natural Resources Districts’ system across Nebraska in 1972. As NRDs grew and programs such as the Groundwater Act, Chemigation Act, and Erosion and Sediment Control Act came along, Jim would develop templates that NRDs could use and he would review rules and regulations. His assistance saved NRDs thousands of dollars in legal assistance over the years.

Nebraska Association of Resources Districts award winners include:
    Director of the Year – Bill Vasey from Cozad, NE; nominated by Central Platte NRD
    Educator of the Year – Mike Kozeal, Sargent Public Schools, Sargent, NE; nominated by Lower Loup NRD
    Outstanding Grassland Award – Doug and Theresa Keller from Kimball, NE; nominated by South Platte NRD
    Outstanding Tree Planter – Steve Schumacher from Dalton, NE; nominated by South Platte NRD
    Outstanding Community Conservation – Big Indian Archers from Beatrice, NE; nominated by Lower Big Blue NRD

Omaha World-Herald and IANR Master Conservationist Award Winners include:
    Agriculture – Kermit, Janice, Alan and Cloid Smith from Eustis, NE.
    Community Winner – City of Omaha Stormwater Team, Omaha, NE.



Iowa State University Agricultural and Life Sciences Job Fair Set for Oct. 20

Iowa State University is on its way to last year’s record number of employers recruiting at Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall Career Day on Oct. 20.

The largest agricultural job fair of its kind is open to students, alumni and the public. It is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center on the Iowa State campus.

"Despite concerns with some sectors of the ag industry, we are very pleased at this point to have such a positive response to the event,” said Mike Gaul, director of career services for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We are still three weeks out and I'm optimistic we will get close to the number of organizations (269) that were in attendance last year.”

The career fair kicks off the college’s recruitment season with hundreds of on-campus interviews in the week following the event. The office had to seek out additional space in the Memorial Union to accommodate industry demand.

“Last year, we hosted 799 interviews the day after career day and are certain to pass that number this year," Gaul said.

The popularity of the event reinforces the demand for Iowa State students throughout all sectors of agriculture, he said.

A list of the employers scheduled to participate is on the career services’ web site at:  http://www.career.cals.iastate.edu/ag-career-day/2015/all.



Court Nixes Activists’ Attempt To Get Farm Data

In a victory for U.S. farmers and ranchers in their ongoing fight to protect private and sensitive personal and financial records, a U.S. District Court judge Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by animal-rights and environmental activists against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the agency’s withdrawal of a proposed Clean Water Act (CWA) rule that would have required livestock and poultry operations to report information about their operations.

EPA’s proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Reporting Rule sought to have CAFOs submit to the agency operational information so it could “more effectively carry out its CAFO permitting programs on a national level and ensure that CAFOs are implementing practices to protect water quality and human health.” EPA wanted facility facts such as contact information, location of a CAFO’s production area, CWA permit status, the number and type of animals confined and the number of acres available for land application of manure. It withdrew the proposal in July 2012.

The proposed rule was prompted by a May 2010 “sweetheart” settlement agreement EPA entered with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Waterkeeper Alliance – then represented by Hannah Connor, currently an attorney for the Humane Society of the United States, which joined the most recent suit against EPA – and the Sierra Club once it became clear the agency would lose a lawsuit brought by the National Pork Producers Council over EPA’s 2008 CAFO rule. That regulation required, among other things, that large livestock operations that propose to or that might discharge into waterways obtain CWA permits. (A federal court said the clean water law requires permits only for operations that actually discharge.)

“Let’s hope this puts an end to these groups, including HSUS, trying to get information on farmers so they can file nuisance suits and otherwise harass people who are providing safe, wholesome products to domestic and international consumers,” said NPPC President Dr. Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C.

In their lawsuit, the activist groups claimed EPA’s withdrawal of the reporting rule was “arbitrary and capricious” because it lacked clear reasoning, ran counter to the evidence in the administrative record and constituted a “clear error in judgment.”

Judge Randolph Moss of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C., who dismissed the suit, disagreed with the activist groups, saying the agency’s explanation for the withdrawal was “plain and coherent” and that it “adequately explained the basis for its decision.”



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for October 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for October 2015. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for October is 0.375 percent, unchanged from 0.375 percent in September.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during October is 1.375 percent, unchanged from 1.375 percent in September.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for September are as follows, 1.875 percent with seven-year loan terms, down from 2.000 percent in September; 2.125 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 2.250 percent in September and; 2.375 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 2.250 percent in September.



Committee Rejects Anti-Ethanol Amendment

By a vote of 7-15, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs soundly rejected an amendment offered today by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to eliminate corn ethanol from the Renewable Fuel Standard. NCGA President Chip Bowling, a farmer from Newburg, Maryland, issued the following statement in response to the vote:

"Today, fifteen senators sent a strong message to the rest of the Senate: The RFS works. Today, America has cleaner air, greater energy independence, and stronger rural economies - all because of the Renewable Fuel Standard. Senator Toomey's amendment would have taken America backwards. His amendment would have taken away consumers' choices at the gas pump, increased our dependence on foreign oil, and left farmers and renewable fuel producers with less certainty in the energy market. The Committee was right to vote no.

"We especially want to thank Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who voiced their support for clean, renewable energy and America's rural economies at today's hearing. Their leadership is commendable. We also appreciate those Senators working behind the scenes and on the Senate floor to help secure America's commitment to renewable fuels."

The National Corn Growers Association also thanks the following senators who voted no, in opposition to the Toomey amendment: Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); Michael Crapo (R-Idaho); Mark Kirk (R-Ill.); Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.); Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); Jon Tester (D-Mont.); Ben Sasse (R-Neb.); Dean Heller (R-Nev.); Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.); Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.); Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio); Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.); Jack Reed (D-R.I.); Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

The following Senators voted against renewable fuels and in favor of the Toomey amendment: Richard Shelby (R-Ala.); David Vitter (R-La.); Robert Menendez (D-N.J.); Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.); Tim Scott (R-S.C.); Bob Corker (R-Tenn.); Mark Warner (D-Va.).



Attempt to Kill RFS Fails with Decisive Rejection in Senate

An attempt today to gut America’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) – this country’s most successful policy reducing dependence on dirty foreign oil and combatting climate change – failed to gain traction in the Senate Banking Committee with a major rejection of 7-15 on an amendment proposed by Senator Toomey. The disastrous amendment would have eliminated a key part of the RFS and severely hurt Americans, promising to kill jobs, harm the environment, and increase our foreign oil dependence.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis issued the following statement, “It is no surprise that Senator Toomey’s amendment failed – it never had a chance of passing. Similar to legislation he has introduced before, it did not gain any traction and failed because this legislation only restricts consumer choice and attempts to dismantle a successful American industry that is creating jobs, improving our environment and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The simple fact is that the RFS has bipartisan support and it has been the most successful energy legislation this nation has enacted in over 40 years.”

The Renewable Fuel Standard has spurred major economic growth in this country, generating $184.5 billion in annual economic output and creating more than 852,000 American jobs. Any further misguided attempts to destroy the RFS would only jeopardize our nation’s energy independence, national security and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans.



Fifth Annual Dairy Sustainability Awards to Highlight Difference Makers

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy®, established under the leadership of dairy farmers, is accepting nominations for the fifth year of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards. The awards recognize outstanding dairy farms, businesses and partnerships for socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally sound practices. Nominations are encouraged for farms, organizations and partnerships that employ sustainable practices that are making a difference.

“Sustainable practices across the supply chain — from the everyday to the breakthrough — add up to an incredible amount of positive change for communities across the country. The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards highlight those who are leading the way,” said Barbara O’Brien, president of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “Sharing the winners’ stories of successful collaborations and innovative practices helps other dairy farms and businesses become more sustainable while continuing to meet the needs of an ever-growing population.”

Nominations are open through Dec. 4, 2015, to all segments of the U.S. dairy value chain — from farm to table — for the following categories:
    Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability: Recognizes three farms that serve as examples of socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally sound dairy production. Successful nominees take a holistic approach to sustainability and provide replicable results that can inspire greater industrywide change.
    Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing Sustainability: Recognizes dairy processors and manufacturers whose businesses exemplify the triple bottom line of sustainability. Successful nominees have demonstrated both measurable progress and corporate commitment.
    Outstanding Achievement in Resource Stewardship: Recognizes dairy operations (both on and off the farm) that have measurable success in managing their resources with optimal efficiency and quality. Successful nominations have implemented efficiencies or innovations in areas such as energy, water and soil conservation, manure and waste management, and/or renewable energy generation.
    Outstanding Achievement in Community Partnerships: Recognizes collaborations (both on and off the farm) to improve lives and communities through their positive impacts on child health and wellness, hunger relief and/or environmental stewardship. Successful nominations will demonstrate instances where organizations collaborate with other stakeholders to develop practical and effective solutions to shared challenges and goals.

“For the last five years, the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards have brought to the forefront the commitment and care many dairy farms, companies and brands are demonstrating for our communities and our environment. Last year, we were able to recognize even more collaborations with two new categories in communities and achievements in resource stewardship,” said Paul Rovey of Rovey Dairy and chairman of Dairy Management Inc.™ “We encourage dairy farms and businesses to nominate themselves, their business partners or their neighbors so we can share more stories of success and further advance the industry’s best practices.”

Winner Benefits
The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards have honored 30 businesses in the past four years. Help us celebrate others who are making sustainability a reality every day. The 2016 winners will receive:
    An expense-paid trip in April 2016 to the awards ceremony and dairy sustainability events
    National and local recognition of their stories and passion for sustainability
    A featured case study on USDairy.com/Sustainability to share insights and lessons learned with industry peers
    Opportunities to work with others in the industry, helping to advance sustainability

Program Details
The awards are part of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment, an industrywide effort to understand and communicate about dairy sustainability, demonstrate progress, create long-term economic growth and build consumer trust.

An independent panel of judges will evaluate all nominations based on measurable results and the potential for other dairy farms and businesses to adopt the practices; demonstrated learning, innovation and improvement; and scalability. Judges and sponsors will be announced soon.

The deadline for applications is Dec. 4, 2015. There is no fee to enter. For more information, visit USDairy.com/Sustainability/Awards.



USDA Restarts Soybean Crush Reports

Soybean processors crushed 161 million bushels, or 4.38 million metric tons, of soybeans in August, according to the inaugural Fats and Oils report released by USDA on Thursday.  That's down from 172 mb (4.68 mmt) in July and 167.2 mb (4.55 mmt) in June.

The report is the first national crush report since 2011, when the U.S. Census Bureau discontinued the report due to budget constraints. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service received funding to take over national crush reporting in early 2014 and spent much of the following years establishing contacts, developing surveys and building a baseline set of data.



NFU Hails Cooperatives and the Empowerment They Bring to Rural America

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today hailed the nation’s many and varied cooperatives, noting that they have brought both political and economic might to family farmers, ranchers and rural America for over a century.

“Since the founding of our organization 113 years ago, Farmers Union members have demonstrated that they not only believe in and belong to cooperatives, the cooperative concept is at the very heart of who we are and how we think as an organization,” said Johnson.

Johnson noted that October is National Cooperative Month, a point on the calendar when more than 29,000 cooperatives from across the nation undertake some form of educational outreach to ensure that people better understand the cooperative business model and how it can improve life for rural Americans.  Johnson noted that cooperatives are more important than ever in rural America, given the fact that agriculture is increasingly highly concentrated on both the supply and demand sides of the equation.

“For Farmers Unions across this great nation, cooperatives are not only considered an effective business model, their founding principles go right to the heart of who we are as an organization,” said Johnson. “And honestly, they are one of the best tools we have to cope with and fight the continued economic concentration in agriculture,” he said.

Farmers Union’s roots in cooperatives go all the way back to the organization’s founding in Point, Texas, in 1902, when farmers began to see an increase in both political strength and visibility through strength in numbers.

“Our organization’s founders responded to sundry business practices that not only placed farmers and ranchers at a disadvantage, but actually pitted us against one another,” said Johnson.

After that realization, Farmers Union members went on to organize cooperatives that focused on storage warehouses, supply and marketing, purchasing, rural electric and even credit unions. Today, they’ve expanded even further, and in states like Michigan have even teamed up with public schools to provide local, nutritious food for school lunches in the “Farm to School” program. 

Johnson noted that the NFU Foundation provides cooperative education in all of its programs, and in 2012, published curriculum on cooperatives, “Cooperatives: The Business of Teamwork.”

“Cooperatives to this day remain a vital cornerstone of rural American communities, forming the nexus of the rural economy and putting their money and efforts back into their communities,” said Johnson. “As an organization, we are committed to ensure that this smart business and empowerment model continues to help bring increased strength and prosperity to rural America, and we’re delighted that the cooperative spirit is reaching further than ever into new areas and ideas,” he said.



Boelling Named VP Of Resource Development

Craig Boelling has been named vice president of resource development for the National Pork Producers Council. The position was created to focus on NPPC’s key resource development areas, including the Strategic Investment Program, Pork Alliance/Allied Industry and World Pork Expo. As vice president, Boelling will be part of the NPPC management team.

Boelling has been on staff at NPPC since late 2003, most recently as director of industry resource development. One of his first duties in his new job will be to fill that position.

“For almost 12 years, Craig has been an integral part of NPPC’s membership team, working with producers and industry partners to meet their needs,” said organization CEO Neil Dierks. “His knowledge of the pork industry and the relationships he has developed will continue to serve him well in his new position.”

Prior to joining NPPC, Boelling was with ADM Animal Health and Nutrition and with Iowa Select Farms. He is a graduate of Iowa State University, where earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science.



DEADLINE EXTENDED – NCBA and PLC Accepting Applications for Public Policy Internship
 
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council's government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for the spring 2016 public policy internship. The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 16, 2015.

NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts said this is a great opportunity for students with an interest in the beef industry and public policy.

“The internship gives college students the opportunity to work alongside staff on a range of issues that impact U.S. cattlemen and women,” Butts said. “The internship is designed to work closely with the lobbying team on Capitol Hill; to assist with NCBA and PLC’s regulatory efforts; and to work closely with the communications team.”

Producer-led and consumer-focused, NCBA is the nation's oldest and largest national organization representing America's cattle producers. PLC is the only organization in Washington, D.C., dedicated solely to representing cattle and sheep ranchers that utilize federal lands. The organizations work hand-in-hand on many issues, sharing office space in the heart of the nation's capital.

Summer 2015 intern Chris Pudenz said the internship has been a great experience and has him considering job opportunities in D.C. in the future.

“I’ve learned so much about policy issues that impact the beef industry in far-reaching ways: Country-of-origin labeling, the “waters of the United States” regulation, international trade agreements, the potential impact of foreign animal diseases, etc,” said Pudenz, who is a junior at Hillsdale College studying economics. “The work I do is always valued, and I know that I’m working alongside first-rate NCBA staff to help U.S. beef producers every day. Before this summer, I had no desire to work in a Congressional office, but now I’m seriously considering working on Capitol Hill after I graduate from college. I didn’t really know what to expect from this internship before I arrived in D.C., but looking back I can’t imagine having spent the summer any other way.”

The full-time internship will begin January 11, 2016 and end May 13, 2016. To apply, interested college juniors, seniors or graduate students should submit the application, college transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a resume to internships@beef.org. More information about the NCBA public policy internship is available on www.BeefUSA.org. 



USDA Dairy Products Production August 2015 Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 974 million pounds, 3.5 percent above August 2014 but 1.7 percent below July 2015.  Italian type cheese production totaled 409 million pounds, 2.2 percent above
August 2014 but 3.8 percent below July 2015.  American type cheese production totaled 389 million pounds, 3.5 percent above August 2014 but 0.9 percent below July 2015.  Butter production was 129 million pounds, 1.2 percent below August 2014 and 3.5 percent below July 2015.

Dry milk powders (comparisons with August 2014)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 124 million pounds, up 6.7 percent.
Skim milk powders - 39.3 million pounds, down 27.2 percent.

Whey products (comparisons with August 2014)
Dry whey, total - 83.9 million pounds, up 18.1 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 88.7 million pounds, down 2.9 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 39.8 million pounds, down 11.4 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons with August 2014)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 67.3 million gallons, down 0.8 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 40.9 million gallons, up 14.1 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.47 million gallons, up 6.1 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 5.58 million gallons, down 1.3 percent.



Coey to Provide New Leadership for U.S. Wheat Associates in Chinese Market

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has hired Jeff Coey as Assistant Regional Vice President to fill the vacant position in its Hong Kong office left by Matt Weimar, who recently relocated to the regional office in Singapore as the new Regional Vice President for South Asia. Coey will manage U.S. wheat market development programs and USW’s business and government relationships in China. This includes two offices and staff located in Hong Kong and Beijing.

Coey joins USW with more than 25 years of marketing and trade facilitation experience in East Asia including industry relations and government affairs consulting, as well as demand-building branded retail campaign management. He worked in cotton merchandising in Hong Kong and China and helped set up office operations in Beijing. Most recently, Coey lectured for the master's degree program at the Hong Kong Baptist University's School of Communication covering subjects including consumer behavior, intercultural communication, writing for public relations, issues management and crisis response. 

“Jeff's experience in the private sector, commodity trading, market development and academia throughout the greater China region represent an important new asset for the U.S. wheat industry and our China interests,” said Weimar.

“China is a complex market of immense proportions and possibilities,” said USW Vice President of Overseas Operations Vince Peterson. “Jeff has the background and experience necessary to package USW's efforts in China in a productive manner that allows us to capitalize on those market opportunities.”

Fluent in Mandarin, Coey studied Chinese language and literature at Middlebury College and National Taiwan University. He holds bachelor's degrees in East Asian Studies and Chinese from the University of Kansas, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where his concentration was in international business and marketing.



 Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. Acquires Global Hexazinone Herbicide Business Assets from DuPont Crop Protection

Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. (TKI), a U.S. subsidiary of Tessenderlo Group, and DuPont Crop Protection today announced the sale of certain of DuPont's global Hexazinone solo product and its Hexazinone/Diuron-only mixture product business assets to TKI. The sale excludes assets in Brazil.  Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The assets to be divested by DuPont include the Velpar®, Pronone® and Advance® trademarks, formulated product registrations, formulated product registration data, customer information, supply agreements with third parties, access to certain know-how, certain Hexazinone and Diuron technical registrations and associated registration data, for each product.

Hexazinone is a broad spectrum herbicide used on crops such as alfalfa, blueberries, pineapples and sugarcane and is marketed globally under the Velpar®, Pronone® and Advance® brands.

"This acquisition is another step for the NovaSource® crop protection division of TKI to improve its position in the niche crop protection industry," said David Cassidy, group vice president for TKI. "These products enable NovaSource to add new distribution both in North America and in Asia."

NovaSource is a business unit of TKI that develops and markets crop protection products for niche agricultural markets globally.

"This agreement is another step in the execution of our DuPont Crop Protection business growth strategy," said Tim Glenn, president, DuPont Crop Protection. "This continues to enhance our focus on innovative new product offerings for our customers."

With headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, TKI produces and markets specialty chemical solutions, including fertilizers, crop protection chemicals and process chemicals and services to diverse markets around the world. TKI operates 11 manufacturing plants in North America in addition to an extensive terminal network.