Curry Customers Will See Broader Product Lineup and More Traits

ELK POINT, S.D., and DES MOINES, Iowa, May 29, 2008 - Curry Seed Company and Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, have reached an agreement regarding the purchase of the “Curry Seed” brand name. The terms were not disclosed. …more

Precision liquid fertilizer placement and strip tillage an efficient combination

YUMA, Colo. (May 28, 2008) – New research reveals how strip tilling, in combination with precision liquid fertilizer placement, can increase efficiencies and profitability. …more

Corn growers get superior weed control with unmatched crop safety

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (May 28, 2008) — This spring, for the first time, corn growers can achieve outstanding postemergence broadleaf weed and grass control that lasts up to canopy, with new Bayer CropScience Laudis™ herbicide. …more

Pioneer Recommends Early Scouting to Monitor Potential Outbreaks

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 27, 2008 - Recent university reports show significant captures of black cutworms throughout the Corn Belt, and there are indications the pest is moving further north into Midwestern cornfields. Experts from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, recommend growers begin monitoring fields closely now for signs of black cutworms - ranging from small pinholes the pest may have left behind to the actual cutting of the corn stalk.

“Recent wet conditions and southerly winds this spring have been conducive for black cutworms to move further into the Midwest,” says Paula Davis, Pioneer senior manager for insect and disease traits. “Several Midwestern universities have reported significant black cutworm captures in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.”

Corn plants are the most susceptible from emergence to V5 stage. Once the plant emerges, begin scouting for black cutworm problems. Black cutworms will cut the plant, resulting in stand loss or irregular stands.

“Growers can look to their Pioneer agronomist or local Extension office for the first cutting date,” says Davis. “Following the first cutting, growers should continue to monitor their crop. The threat for black cutworms can last up to three weeks after the first cutting date.”

Once black cutworms reach the fourth instar, approximately one-half inch long, they can cut the plant. Black cutworms also can create small shot holes in the leaves of corn plants. No-till fields or fields with annual or perennial weeds are at higher risk for black cutworms. Egg-laying females are attracted to these areas. Additionally, soybean stubble is more attractive than corn stalks.

Pioneer® brand hybrids with Herculex® I protection offer growers very good protection against black cutworms. The Herculex I trait is the only Bt that helps control western bean cutworm and black cutworm.

The suggested threshold for considering an insecticide treatment has been lowered recently due to higher corn commodity prices. Consider using an insecticide treatment if 1 percent to 2 percent of plants are cut and larvae are present. For additional information on timing an insecticide treatment, growers can contact their local Extension office or Pioneer agronomist.

“At this point, grower concerns have been minimal in northern Iowa. This doesn’t mean a grower should quit monitoring. It is important to regularly monitor your corn crop,” says Chris Doud, Pioneer Iowa agronomist. “Growers need to walk their fields, inspect their crop emergence and take stand counts. If a grower suspects a problem, they should start by digging in the soil to look for cutworms. Black cutworms oftentimes can be found in the surrounding soil profile near corn plants during the day and are more prevalent feeders at night or on overcast days when temperatures are cooler.”

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Syngenta today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Monsanto which settles all outstanding litigation relating to the two companies’ global corn and soybean businesses. …more

Wet conditions, delayed corn planting may lead to more pest challenges

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 22, 2008 - A wet spring and late planting could lead to additional pest challenges early in the growing season. Growers should begin scouting for insects early and take measures to protect their crops, say insect control experts from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. …more

With the number of glyphosate-resistant weeds on the rise, Syngenta has created the Resistance Fighter™ Resistance Management Module, a unique tool to help growers manage resistance by offering herbicide solutions tailored to corn and soybean fields. …more

Growers who purchase both Oberon and Stratego can qualify for Growing Strong Rewards Program points

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (May 7, 2008) — Corn growers may be eligible to earn at least $1 per acre when protecting their crops with Bayer CropScience Oberon® 4SC miticide/ insecticide and Stratego® fungicide.

Via the Oberon 4SC-Stratego Pair Up Program, growers must use a minimum of 300 acres of Oberon 4SC miticide/insecticide and Stratego fungicide to qualify for at least $1 per acre back in Growing Strong™ Rewards Program points. The program is paid out on matched acres based on 4 oz/acre of Oberon 4SC and 10 oz/acre of Stratego. …more

University of Minnesota and Syngenta researchers have confirmed two cases of glyphosate-resistant weeds in the state. Giant ragweed and common waterhemp were both determined resistant in separate studies. These are the first two instances of confirmed glyphosate resistance in the state. …more

Ames, Iowa and Lincoln, Neb., May 1, 2008 – Ag Leader Technology, a leading manufacturer of precision farming equipment, along with Holland Scientific, a leader in active light reflectance crop sensing technology, announced today that Ag Leader has become the exclusive distributor for Holland Scientific’s second-generation active light reflectance sensor products for use in production agriculture. …more