Nashville, Tenn., March 4, 2008 – Growers planting transgenic corn-on-corn should rotate traits to avoid yield penalties of up to 20% from volunteer corn.

That’s according to Bruce Battles, agronomy marketing manager with Syngenta Seeds, Inc., speaking on Friday at the 2008 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tennessee. His remarks were part of a Learning Center session on protecting yield potential in continuous corn. …more

(Nashville, TN – Feb. 28, 2008) – Treating corn rootworm hybrids with soil insecticides boosted yields an average of 12 bushels per acre in university trials across the Corn Belt in 2007.

The 17 yield comparisons, which were conducted by university researchers at the University of Illinois, Purdue University, Ohio State University, the University of Nebraska and the University of Wisconsin, compared YieldGard® and Herculex® trait corn alone and in combination with various soil insecticides. Insecticides included Counter® 15G, Fortress® 5G, Aztec® 4.67G and Force® 3G applied with the SmartBox® closed handling and application system. …more

Optimum® AcreMaxTM new insect protection system introduced to U.S. farmers

DES MOINES, Iowa, March. 4, 2008 - DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred introduced the first “in-the-bag” seed refuge system to farmers during Commodity Classic, the industry’s premier agricultural trade show and convention.

The new insect protection system, Optimum® AcreMaxTM, will provide corn growers with improved productivity by increasing the number of acres farmers can plant to the industry’s most advanced insect control options. The first phase of Optimum® AcreMaxTM insect protection will be launched as early as 2009, pending regulatory approval. The system will eliminate the need for farmers to plant separate corn borer and corn rootworm refuges with their Pioneer® brand Bt corn hybrids. …more

Study Confirms StollerUSA’s Product Outperforms Top Late-Season Fungicides

Offered For Yield Increases

HOUSTON (February 27, 2008) – As opposed to applying late-season fungicides in hopes of a yield increase, new research from North Carolina State University indicates that applications of Bio-Forge™ by StollerUSA, with or without fungicide, increases yields of corn by as much as 13 percent.

“Previous research shows that Bio-Forge consistently reduced damage caused by plant stress,” said Dr. Ron Heiniger, professor of crop systems at North Carolina State University. “So, to hypothesize that crops treated with the anti-oxidant would produce higher yields was the logical next step.”

In his study, Dr. Heiniger looked at the applications of four of the industry’s most reputable fungicides verses Bio-Forge, an anti-oxidant with growth enhancing properties, to see which products produced higher yields. When accompanying late-season fungicide applications, Bio-Forge gave a more consistent corn yield.

“We identify a need, such as yield increases, and then diligently work to provide our customers with timely and innovative solutions,” said Jerry Stoller, president of StollerUSA. “Bio-Forge is just one example of StollerUSA’s many answers to pressing agricultural and environmental issues affecting producers.”

In addition to its higher yield capability, Bio-Forge increases a plant’s tolerance to stress by reversing the effects of ethylene, a stress hormone that can cause cell death when found in excess. Not only will Bio-Forge decrease stress on crops, it may decrease record irrigation costs by helping crops use water more efficiently. Simply stated, Bio-Forge can help reduce input costs while boosting the bottom line with a yield increase.

“Projected corn acres and market prices are at an all-time high due to increased input costs and interest in ethanol production. The success or failure of this year’s crop will affect more producers than ever before,” said Stoller. “You can’t control Mother Nature, but with Bio-Forge you can help control her effects on your crop.”

In agribusiness for more than 30 years, StollerUSA markets a full line of products to help growers increase crop yield and quality. StollerUSA, headquartered in Houston, is actively researching and developing micronutrients and other products in more than 50 countries.

Greenhouse studies show corn rootworm has an appetite for foxtails, other weeds

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. – February 26, 2008 – More farmers are relying on Bt corn to stop rootworms before they cause yield-robbing damage. Rootworms are most vulnerable to Bt toxins during the first instar, when larvae are under 1/8 inch long. But what would happen if insects fed on something else during this stage? Say they chewed on weeds, for instance, and grew large enough to withstand Bt toxins? …more