Posted: December 22, 2008

Bayer CropScience recently announced plans to launch its LibertyLink herbicide-tolerance technology for soybeans in the United States in 2009. Touted as the only non-selective alternative to glyphosate-tolerant systems, LibertyLink will be available for an area of approximately 400,000 hectares next year.

LibertyLink technology is currently offered by Bayer CropScience in its own cotton and canola seed, and is also marketed by partners in corn. According to a Bayer news release, more than 85 American seed companies have licensed the LibertyLink technology for soybeans to date and will offer new soybean varieties to farmers in the United States in 2009.

Related link: www.bayercropscience.com

Posted: December 22, 2008

Some of the best crop production meetings take place in January. Here's where to get more information on four of them.

Crop Production Week. Held January 10-17, 2009 in Saskatoon, Crop Production Week represents a wide range of Saskatchewan-based grain, oilseed and produce annual general meetings held under a single banner to accommodate multi-commodity producers. Registration details for Crop Production Week vary by meeting. For further information, visit the Crop Protection Week Web site at www.cropweek.com.

Western Canadian Crop Production Show. Running from Jan. 12-15, 2009, the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan follows a trade show format with an exclusive focus on the grain industry, including crop production practices, products and applications. The event also features an information theatre showcasing presentations by leading edge industry players on topics of key interest to grain producers. A few of these include:

• An overview of fungicide use in Western Canada by Randy Kutcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
• Strategies for maximizing returns on fertilizer inputs by Jeff Schoenau, University of Saskatchewan Department of Soil Science.
• A look at the world of biodiesel by David Kutcher, Saskatchewan Research Council.
• Issues related to renting farmland will be discussed by Brad Farquar, Agriculture Development Corporation.

Further information is available on the Western Canadian Crop Production Show Web site at www.cropproductiononline.com.

Manitoba Ag Days. Held Jan. 20-22, 2009 in Brandon, Manitoba Ag Days is an annual winter indoor exposition of agricultural production expertise, technology, and equipment. The free-to-the-public show attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the North Central United States and provides an annual opportunity for producers to comparison shop for everything they need for their agricultural operations. The event also features seminars tailored to the needs of the eastern Prairie provinces and adjacent states in the U.S.

For more information, visit the Manitoba Ag Days Web site at www.agdays.com.

FarmTech 2009. FarmTech, billed as Alberta's premier crop production and farm management conference, will take place in Edmonton Jan. 28-30, 2009. As in previous years, the farm extension-focused event features a range of presentations dedicated to new technology, environmental issues, agronomy and farm management.

Speakers represent a broad cross-section of the crop production industry, including researchers, agronomists, farmers, and other professionals. Approaches range from instantly-usable, on-the-ground crop management advice to "bigger picture" perspectives. Presentations specific to crop protection technology this year include:

• Crop diversity and input levels, to be presented by Stewart Brandt, soil and crop management agrologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
• A look at advancing precision farming by Warren Bills, President, GeoFarms Solutions.
• An update on insects in Alberta by Scott Meers, integrated crop management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.

More information, including registration options, is available at the FarmTech Conference Web site at www.farmtechconference.com.