Wednesday July 25 Ag News

Ricketts Announces Polk County as Newest Nebraska Livestock Friendly County

Today at the Polk County Fair, Governor Pete Ricketts named Polk County as the newest county in Nebraska to be designated as a Livestock Friendly County (LFC).  Polk County is the 47th county in Nebraska to be designated as such.  The LFC program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

“I’m especially pleased to welcome Polk County as Nebraska’s newest Livestock Friendly County as they mark a major milestone for this important program,” said Governor Ricketts.  “With the addition of Polk County, half of Nebraska’s counties are now livestock friendly.  Agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry, so expanding opportunities around value-added agriculture and livestock production are key to growing our state.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Polk County had a total of $326 million in market value of agriculture products for the year 2012.  Livestock sales accounted for $159 million, or 49 percent of the total value, with cattle/calves, hogs, and layers being the largest livestock segments in the county.  Crop production accounted for $167 million, or 51 percent of the total value.  Major crops raised in Polk County include corn and soybeans.

“Polk County is home to 466 farms, so naturally, agriculture and livestock are a major part of the landscape,” said NDA Ag Promotion Coordinator Jordan Schlake.  “Anytime you have support for livestock development in a county like Polk, you’re going to support the many businesses that are tied to agriculture, like grain elevators, feedlots, banking and insurance, and the main street businesses, as well.”

The Livestock Friendly County program was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 2003 to recognize counties that support the livestock industry and new livestock developments.  A county wishing to apply for the LFC designation must hold a public hearing, and the county board must pass a resolution to apply for the designation.  Additional information about the Livestock Friendly County program is available on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov or by calling 800-422-6692.



PUBLIC INVITED TO MEET WITH US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Growers, crop consultants, agricultural professionals and members of the public interested in speaking with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are invited to attend an open stakeholder meeting 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Aug. 1 on East Campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Greg Kruger, weed science and application technology specialist at the university’s West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, is hosting the EPA meeting. According to Kruger, the purpose of the meeting is to allow interested stakeholders to share views with the EPA on herbicide registrations.

“The session is really meant for the EPA to listen to the concerns and comments from the industry as it relates to herbicides,” Kruger said. “In particular, we would like to cover dicamba and atrazine.”

The meeting will be held at the Nebraska East Union Prairie Suite. Space is limited. To RSVP, visit  https://go.unl.edu/epa-rsvp.

With questions, contact Kruger at 308-696-6715 or gkruger2@unl.edu.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION CLINIC TO FOCUS ON LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE NEXT DECADE

Nebraska Extension’s upcoming workshop series, “Land Management for 2020 and Beyond,” will provide the latest information to operators, tenants and land owners to effectively manage land. The series will be held at five locations across Nebraska in August and September.

Nebraska Extension Educators Austin Duerfeldt, Jim Jansen and Allan Vyhnalek are teaming up to present on a variety of topics including ag finance and the real estate market; current trends in agricultural finance across Nebraska; negotiation skills needed to effectively manage land leases; current considerations on lease provisions; and strategic farmland succession and communications.

“Austin, Jim and I have put together an excellent set of topics and have completely re-written our land management curriculum for this set of workshops.” said Vyhnalek. “We encourage both landowners and farmers to attend to hear the same message about land management in the next decade.”

The workshop series begins Aug. 13 in Hastings and will make stops in Albion (Aug 17), Hartington (Aug 17), the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead (Sept 6) and in Lincoln (TBD). For a complete listing of dates, locations and registration information, visit https://events.unl.edu/Succession/upcoming/. 

Registration to attend the three-hour workshop is $15 per person or $25 per couple which will cover the program, refreshments and handouts.  Registration is requested two days before the start of the scheduled meeting to ensure enough handouts for the program.

For more information or assistance, contact Vyhnalek at 402-472-1771 or avyhnalek2@unl.edu; or Jim Jansen, at 402-261-7572 or jjansen4@unl.edu.



CLIMATE AND CROPS OPEN HOUSE IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Haskell Agricultural Laboratory near Concord will host a climate and crops open house on Aug. 14.

All ages are welcome to attend the field day which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attendees can come and go throughout the event.

The morning session will feature sessions on a variety of topics including heat stress in livestock, climate change on insects in northeast Nebraska, climate trends and projections, Nebraska farm real estate and the Farm Bill.

Following a free lunch sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board, research tours of Haskell Ag Lab will be available. Attendees will also hear from Mike Boehm, Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Al Dutcher, associate Nebraska state climatologist. Panelists from Backyard Farmer, Nebraska’s must-see television program for gardening information, will hold a live question and answer session from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Activities and booths available all day include Nebraska Extension’s Mobile Beef Lab, science literacy trailer, shooting sports trailer, water lab, maker space trailer, robotics and a drilling rig, There will also be  instant pot demonstrations, various child learning activities and Northeast Power will be doing safety demonstrations. Walking tours of the Northeast Arboretum will be available in the morning and afternoon.

Haskell Ag Lab is located at 57905 866th Rd, approximately one and a half miles east of Concord.

There is no cost to attend the field day. For more information call 402-584-2261 or visit https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/nerec/.



New Iowa State Cow-Calf Specialist Brings Experience, Enthusiasm to Job

Katy Lippolis may not be an Iowa native, but the new Iowa State University extension beef cow-calf specialist said her roots in agriculture began here and she truly believes she was always meant to end up in Iowa.

“My grandmother was raised in Varina and my dad used to spend summers on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Iowa,” she said. “I heard stories about crops and animal agriculture and was instilled with a deep respect for farmers from an early age. And even though my family was not in a place to have land, my dad wanted me to experience livestock in some way.”

That experience started for Lippolis in high school in Colorado with a business of training difficult horses. She learned the importance of teaching the owners to maintain that training, which created her passion for teaching and education.

At Colorado State University, she earned a double major in equine science and animal science and built leadership skills through a variety of work and club opportunities. She also honed her enthusiasm for animal health and nutrition and realized she had a natural affinity for working cattle, even though she had never raised cattle. This led to a masters program in beef systems management at CSU where she became more deeply involved in information and research on beef cattle, including serving as the coordinator of the Colorado Beef Quality Assurance program.

“My research focused on low-stress weaning with nose flaps, and their effects on performance, vaccine efficacy and carcass quality,” she said. “This research and the educational aspects of the BQA program strongly influenced my desire to remain involved with producer education, and help develop management strategies to improve production, total industry efficiency and profitability for beef producers.”

This desire led her next to Oregon State University for a doctoral program which solidified her interest in improving calf and feeder cattle performance through management and nutrition, specifically during weaning.

“My research highlighted the importance of the cow-calf sector in cattle performance and health in the feedlot, which guided my goals for developing realistic strategies for producers and educating producers in these strategies,” Lippolis said. “The extension cow-calf position at Iowa State is the perfect role for me to do this.”

She’s been on board for less than a month, but already she’s collaborating on several research opportunities, working with stakeholders and assisting with Iowa Beef Center workshops. The teaching portion of her position includes instructing the animal science department’s cow-calf management course, and her extension responsibilities involve facilitating relationships with producers, developing online tools and resources, and generally serving Iowa’s cow-calf industry.

“My goal in this position is to add to the available information and education for cow-calf producers across the state. In the future, I hope to increase the availability and concentration of our workshops and programs through avenues such as live videos, webinars, research reports, fact sheets and articles,” she said. “It is truly an honor to be serving Iowa cattle producers, and I am extremely excited to help continue growing Iowa’s leading edge in beef production.”



Iowa Farm Bureau celebrates being A Century Strong at 2018 Iowa State Fair

The 2018 Iowa State Fair is around the corner and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest grassroots farm organization, has numerous activities with partners planned at Farm Bureau Park with prizes totaling over $100,000 to help celebrate its centennial.

 “Iowa Farm Bureau is constantly working to meet the needs of our diverse membership through education, advocacy, supporting our youth, supporting rural Iowa entrepreneurs through business mentoring, providing supplemental health benefits and more,” says IFBF President Craig Hill. “All of the activities and partners at Farm Bureau Park will showcase all of those efforts in honor of 100 years of service to members, Iowa, and our communities.”

New this year is an interactive Farm Strong® mural, inspired by the #WhatLiftsYou Wing campaign craze that has swept the nation. The mural was created by Amy Putney, Iowa artist and Art Director at Sticks Object Art and Furniture. Visitors to Farm Bureau Park can show how they’re Farm Strong by posing in front of the brightly colored mural, sharing their photo through social media and tagging it #ACenturyStrong.

 Visitors to Farm Bureau Park will also be able to meet the farmers who grow and raise their food through interactive games and win free prizes, including $500 in free groceries. Fair-goers who join Farm Bureau during the fair will receive a $10 fuel card and are also eligible to win $2,000 in ethanol fuel.

“This year, we are so pleased to have John Deere celebrate their centennial alongside ours by donating a John Deere Gator XUV835R crossover utility vehicle valued at over $23,000 through a drawing that one lucky Farm Bureau member who visits the park will receive,” says Hill.

Farm Bureau Day at the State Fair is Aug. 14 and includes the 55th annual Farm Bureau Cookout Contest featuring the state’s best barbeque wizards of Iowa-grown meat. Also on Farm Bureau Day at the Fair, country music star Brett Eldredge will perform a private concert for Iowa Farm Bureau members at the Grandstand at 2 p.m. following the Cookout Contest to commemorate Iowa Farm Bureau’s centennial.

The fun and prizes are endless at Farm Bureau Park with each day featuring new partners and activities. Other highlights include 500 free bike helmets being given away by ‘On with Life’ on Thursday, Aug. 16 and free business consultations with IFBF’s Renew Rural Iowa experts. For a complete listing of activities and partners, visit https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/News/Iowa-State-Fair.



Soybean farmers want trade, not aid
Iowa Soybean Association President Bill Shipley, Nodaway, IA

The $12 billion aid package announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide short-term assistance to rural communities struggling under the economic stress of continued trade disruptions.

Long-term, the best remedy to low prices is resuming trade with established export markets.

The Iowa Soybean Association is reviewing the provisions of the just-announced aid package closely. They include: direct payments to farmers to mitigate lower prices resulting from the tariffs; direct commodity purchases by USDA; and a program similar in purpose to the current Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs.

While the Administration’s effort to mitigate the short-term impact of tariffs on exports and prices through payments to farmers and commodity purchases provides some relief, it is not the solution. We strongly encourage the White House to immediately develop and embark on a long-term plan that replaces reduced exports and improves the competitiveness of U.S. soybeans.

Net farm income is down almost 50 percent since 2013. Now is not the time for continued uncertainty for U.S. agriculture and the millions of jobs it directly impacts. A swift resolution grows more critical each day as farmers prepare for harvest and meetings with lenders, suppliers and land owners to make plans for next year.

We join with the American Soybean Association in backing the swift resolution of NAFTA and negotiating new bilateral trade agreements to expand and diversify our export markets, long-term market development efforts, including increased funding of FMD and MAP and waterway infrastructure improvements that can expedite the movement of soybeans to international markets.



Trade Benefits Agriculture, Has Led to a $21 Billion Surplus
Farmers for Free Trade

As part of the rollout of $12 billion in farm subsidies, the Trump administration has been spreading misinformation about the agricultural economy and the role of trade in its growth. We’ve seen billions of dollars of exports and surplus—not losses. Some key facts to keep in mind: 
-    According to the Congressional Research Service, U.S. agricultural exports have mostly been on the rise and a “major contributor to farm income,” particularly since 2005.
-    In 2014, U.S. agricultural exports achieved a record of $152.3 billion, and global demand for U.S. agricultural exports is expected to repeat 2017’s relatively strong value of $140 billion in 2018. 
-    For the past several years, U.S. corn and soybean crops have experienced remarkable growth in both productivity and output.
-    Farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses are expected to send nearly $143 billion worth of products overseas this year, resulting in a trade surplus of about $21 billion.
-    Agricultural trade has more than tripled over the last 30 years with economic and population growth globally.



Conaway: Trump, Perdue Have Farmers’ and Ranchers’ Backs

After meeting with the president today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (TX-11) issued the following statement concerning President Trump’s support for on-time passage of a strong, new farm bill and the administration’s announcement of emergency aid to help American farm and ranch families weather unjustified retaliation by foreign countries against U.S. agricultural exports:

“For years, our committee has highlighted that the U.S. is living up to its trade commitments even as foreign countries double-down on predatory trade practices that hurt America’s farmers, ranchers, businesses and workers. And for years, these concerns have largely been swept under the rug for fear that negative publicity might undermine support for free trade. Calling out our trading partners for failing to live up to the commitments they have made is not protectionism – it’s common sense. This task is made even harder by foreign countries that are now sanctioning unjustified tariffs against U.S. agricultural exports to pressure the administration to back off and simply accept the status quo.


“I thank the president and Sec. Perdue for having our farmers’ and ranchers’ backs, including today’s announcement on expanded market access in Europe. This follows on yesterday’s commitment to provide short-term assistance to our farmers and ranchers as they weather unjustified retaliatory tariffs. I also thank the president for once again reiterating in our meeting today that he expects Congress to send him a strong, new farm bill on time.”



Farm Bureau Issues Support for Several Senate Spending Bill Amendments

As the Senate considers amendments to a 2019 spending package (H.R. 6147) that includes funding for USDA and the departments of the Interior, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, the American Farm Bureau Federation is asking lawmakers to prioritize the issues important to U.S. farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

In a July 25 letter to senators, AFBF President Zippy Duvall indicated the organization’s support for a number of amendments to the bill, including two USDA-specific amendments; One would direct the secretary of Agriculture to research opportunities for expanding aquaculture and ocean farming, while the other would provide funding for programs that promote investment in the dairy sector.

Two transportation-related amendments—one that would provide an additional 150 air-miles in radius exemption for hours of service for those transporting agricultural commodities and another that would create a working group to focus on improving the livestock, insect and agricultural commodities transport industries—have Farm Bureau’s backing.

The organization also supports an amendment that would repeal the definition of the “Waters of the United States,” as well as one that would direct the secretary of the Interior to reissue a final rule related to the listing of the gray wolf in the Western Great Lake and prevent the final rule from being subject to judicial review.



NMPF Statement on Passage of Newhouse Amendment to Improve H-2A Program for Dairy Producers
Nat'l Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern

“We greatly appreciate Rep. Dan Newhouse’s (R-WA) work on behalf of America’s dairy producers to expand the H-2A farm worker visa program to include year-round employees on farms.

“Rep. Newhouse’s amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill would allow farm employers to use the H-2A visa program to hire foreign workers, regardless of whether those employees are engaged in temporary or seasonal work. NMPF and members of its Immigration Task Force have worked with Rep. Newhouse on this proposal so that dairy farmers can more readily use the H-2A visa program to fill their need for year-round workers. We’re also grateful for Rep. David Valadao’s (R-CA) support in keeping this issue at the forefront.

“Dairy farmers have largely have not been able to utilize the H-2A visa program because the current version restricts the visas only to the temporary and seasonal labor needs of agricultural employers. The H-2A program simply isn’t an option for a commodity that harvests its product multiple times a day, every day.

“We believe that creating an additional legal pathway for workers to connect with farm employers deserves bipartisan support. It is critical that the government creates a system that provides secure, legal employment. We thank Rep. Newhouse for this efforts toward achieving this goal.”



USDA Rejects World Health Org's Livestock Antibiotic Guidelines

The Trump administration is resisting the World Health Organization's effort to sharply limit antibiotic use in farm animals, a move intended to help preserve the drugs' effectiveness. Instead, the U.S. is helping draft an alternative approach that appears more favorable to agribusiness.

The WHO guidelines -- released in November after two years of work by experts in infectious disease, veterinary medicine and microbiology -- called for an end to giving medically important antibiotics routinely to healthy animals to promote growth or prevent disease. The United Nations agency said the drugs should be administered only to sick animals or healthy ones being raised near them, in the same flock, herd or fish population. Even then, drugs "critically important for human medicine" should not be used.

Bloomberg reports that the USDA termed the effort shoddy science and one that the U.S. and other countries should have had a voice in developing. U.S. policy bans antibiotics to promote growth in farm animals but still allows the drugs to be given to healthy animals to prevent disease with a veterinarian's approval.

"The WHO guidelines are not in alignment with U.S. policy and are not supported by sound science," Chavonda Jacobs-Young, the department's acting chief scientist, said shortly after the guidelines were released.

A few months earlier, at an international food-standards meeting, Mary Frances Lowe, a USDA trade official, argued that other international agencies had more expertise to provide farm advice than the WHO did.

The U.S. has long opposed or watered down the United Nations agency's efforts to reduce the harm caused by products like tobacco or junk food. The Trump administration, which has made little secret of its disdain for international institutions and regulations, seems to be pursuing its agenda with particular vigor. Since dismissing the antibiotic proposal, the administration has blocked a WHO endorsement of a sugary-drink tax to fight obesity and attempted to squelch a resolution to limit the marketing of breast milk substitutes.

In 2017, the U.S. banned the use of medically important antibiotics to promote growth. Under the new policy, such drugs require a veterinary prescription and can be used to treat, control or prevent disease. It's hard to gauge the impact. In 2016, the latest year for which data is available, sales of medically important antimicrobials decreased by 14 percent for farm use in the U.S.



EIA: Ethanol Plant Output Up About 1%

Domestic ethanol stocks were down for a second straight week during the week-ended July 20 as a draw at the Gulf Coast negated builds in the other regions, Energy Information Administration data released Wednesday, July 25, showed. Data showed plant production reached a high for 2018 while ethanol demand rose 3.2% for the week profiled.

EIA reports ethanol inventories declined 115,000 barrels (bbl) last week to 21.653 million bbl, 0.9% higher than supply held a year earlier.

Plant production rose 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.074 million bpd during the week ended July 20, the highest level for this year and also the highest output since mid-December 2017. Output for the week profiled was 6.1% higher than the same time in 2017. Four-week average production at 1.059 million bpd as of July 20 was 44,000 bpd higher than the corresponding four weeks in 2017.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand, jumped 29,000 bpd to 942,000 bpd during the week-ended July 20, 3,000 bpd lower than a year ago. For the four weeks ended July 20, blending demand averaged 934,000 bpd, 1,000 bpd below the same period in 2017.



Most Fertilizer Prices Inch Higher

Fertilizer prices continue to push slightly higher, according to retailers tracked by DTN for the third week of July 2018.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to last month, but none were up a significant amount. DAP had an average price of $486/ton, MAP $505/ton, urea $366/ton, 10-34-0 $442/ton, anhydrous $503/ton, UAN28 $243/ton and UAN32 $279/ton.

Potash was unchanged from the previous month with an average price of $354/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.40/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.43/lb.N and UAN32 $0.44/lb.N.

All eight of the major fertilizers are higher compared to last year. 10-34-0 is 4% higher, both potash and UAN32 are 5% more expensive, UAN28 is 6% higher, MAP is 9% more expensive, DAP is 12% higher, anhydrous is 18% higher and urea is 19% more expensive compared to last year.



AMPI Recalls Limited Amount of Dry Whey Powder Because of Possible Health Risk

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) of New Ulm, Minn., is recalling dry whey powder packaged in 50-pound and 25-kg bags that were produced at the cooperative’s Blair, Wis., dry whey plant from May 1-5, 2018; May 24-29, 2018; June 2-5, 2018; and June 7-14, 2018 due to the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. This is a precautionary recall. All products shipped to the marketplace tested negative for salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

AMPI dry whey powder is not sold directly to consumers, but is used as an ingredient in a number of foods. It is sold directly to manufacturers and also distributed by brokers. A limited amount was sold for animal feed. All products shipped into the marketplace tested negative for salmonella as part of AMPI’s routine testing program. However, because additional product tested positive for salmonella under AMPI’s routine test and hold procedures, the company is recalling product as a precautionary measure. AMPI has ceased production at its Blair, Wis., dry whey plant, is currently investigating the cause for the positive samples, and will take all necessary remedial actions.

All customers that have received the dry whey powder lots have been notified by AMPI and instructed to return the recalled powder, or to document the destruction of the powder, after contacting AMPI for specific instructions.

At AMPI, we are dedicated to producing dairy products that meet the highest quality and safety standards required by our customers as well as complying with all government food safety requirements. We are recalling this product as a precautionary measure and in keeping with our commitment to the best interests of our customers and consumers, and in line with the Food Safety Modernization Act and FDA requirements. We will continue to work cooperatively with the FDA to provide products that meet our customers’ requirements, meet government food safety standards, and provide the nutritious benefits of dairy products to customers throughout the United States.

Consumers with questions may contact the AMPI Response Center at 734-773-4220.



Last Chance! Enter the NCGA Yield Contest Today

With only days remaining, the National Corn Growers Association reminds farmers to register for NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest by the end of July.

To enter today using the online form, click here...  http://www.ncga.com/for-farmers/national-corn-yield-contest. 

Entry will remain open at the full rate of $110 through July 31. All harvest forms will be due by November 16. Contest winners will be announced on December 17.

Two new rules will be implemented in 2018. First, a recheck of 1.2500 acres or more using the same harvest pattern in the rows next to the complete harvest is required if the first check yields 300.000 bushels per acre or higher. Secondly, all yields of 325.0000 bushels per acre or higher require the supervisor to contact NCGA to report the first yield as well as the recheck yield.

Two clarifications of note will be implemented in 2018. There will be two testing options for obtaining moisture percentage. Contestants may do so through a state-certified moisture tester at a grain handling facility. In this case supervisor(s) must be present when the grain handler runs the representative sample of corn through the moisture tester. Moisture percentage must be printed or written on the weigh ticket that contains the supervisor(s) signature approval. One moisture reading listed on the certified scale printout is acceptable.

The second testing option is to use a non-certified moisture tester (including portable moisture meter). Portable testers MUST be calibrated. Supervisor(s) must be present when the representative sample of corn is tested. The same sample of corn must be run three times. The average of the three moisture readings will stand as the final moisture percentage. All three readings must be written on the weigh ticket that contains the supervisor(s) signature approval.

Additionally, the rules have been amended to more clearly define the differences between entries in the non-irrigated and irrigated categories.

For access to contest information and a detailed list of the entry and harvest rules, click here.

For half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.

Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. The winners will be honored during Commodity Classic 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

Contact the direct call line at 636-733-5512 or email ncyc@ncga.com with any questions.



European Court rules new genetically engineered seeds and foods should be classified and regulated as GMOs
The European Court of Justice made a precedent setting decision today that all new types of genetic engineering techniques and applications to seeds and food need to be regulated as GMOs.

This decision, which was in response to a case filed by Friends of the Earth France, affirms that new genetic engineering techniques like gene editing should be classified under the EU legal definition of GMOs. It also affirms that new genetic engineering techniques must be subject to the same EU safety laws that cover most existing GMOs, to check for their impacts on human health and the environment which include safety assessments, traceability and GMO labeling.



Syngenta receives EPA registration for Vibrance® Cinco fungicide seed treatment for corn

Vibrance® Cinco fungicide seed treatment from Syngenta has received registration approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on corn to guard against the most damaging seed- and soil-borne diseases, including Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium.

“Vibrance Cinco contains five powerful fungicidal active ingredients and five modes of action in a single jug, providing the most consistent and comprehensive seed-applied disease protection on the market today,” said Dale Ireland, Ph.D., Seedcare technical product lead, Syngenta. “This leads to increased consistency of performance and ultimately a higher potential yield.”

Independent trials show Vibrance Cinco consistently out yields commercial standards by 2 bushels per acre, which increases to 6.7 bushels per acre under heavy disease pressure.

“This bolt-on yield enhancement is a result of the product’s powerful disease protection, which leads to maximum root development, emergence, stand establishment and above-ground plant development,” Ireland said. “If you’re interested in maximizing your hybrid’s potential with Vibrance Cinco, let your seed dealer know, since seed companies are ultimately the ones that decide which seed treatments to apply to their corn seed.”

Vibrance Cinco is the latest addition to the robust portfolio of seed treatments from Syngenta.

“This product further proves our commitment to delivering the best, long-term, sustainable solutions, and we’re not stopping here,” Ireland said. “You’ll see other products coming down our innovation pipeline in the near future.”