Posted: June 3, 2010

Monsanto Canada announced the launch of a new online tool that can help producers in Western Canada gauge the risk of developing glyphosate resistant weeds within their farming operations.

The tool, located at www.weedtool.com, also provides farmers with strategies to better manage that risk without limiting yield potential, the company said in a release.

Academics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan and University of Manitoba all participated in the development of the tool.

Earlier this spring Monsanto announced that evaluations by University of Guelph weed researchers had confirmed a population of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed in Ontario. This was the first confirmed case of a glyphosate-resistant weed in Canada.

"Even though we have not yet seen a case of a glyphosate-resistant weed in Western Canada, weed resistance is a real threat to the western Canadian cropping system," acknowledged Dr. Hugh Beckie, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. "Glyphosate is such an important resource that it needs to be kept sustainable. Having had the opportunity to work on the development of this new assessment tool, I am confident in its ability to help farmers assess their risk and allow them to make any necessary changes in their farming operations."

The www.weedtool.com was first lunched in the United States in 2007. The current version of the website has a section specific to Western Canada. The company says similar resource is planned for Eastern Canadian growers this fall.

View the full Monsanto Canada release here.

Posted: June 3, 2010

Tighter spray windows through much of the Prairies mean growers should consider using higher spray rates, says the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) in the recent sixth edition of its Canola Watch report.

Soggy conditions through much of the Prairies could lead to quick weed growth when conditions get warm and the rains stop, says the report item. "Then it will be at least a day or two after that before fields are dry enough to drive on and before crop stressed by frost or excess moisture recover enough to allow good tolerance of herbicide. That means bigger weeds to content with. In that case, growers will want to use higher spray rates - but stay within label limits - to ensure optimal control of these larger weeds."

When it comes to weed control, don't delay when the opportunity presents itself. "Moisture tends to bring more moisture. That means spray windows this year are going to be smaller," says Jim Bessel, CCC senior agronomy specialist.

Posted: June 3, 2010

Monsanto announced it is repositioning the company's Roundup herbicide business because of fundamental structural changes in the marketplace.

These changes include focusing the company's glyphosate products to support its core seeds-and-traits business; implementing a new, simplified brand portfolio strategy and lowering prices on volume to "a price closer to generics."

"By reducing the uncertainty associated with Roundup, we free Monsanto to grow on its fundamentals," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant said. "What matters to our long-term growth is our seeds-and-traits business, which is on track."

View the full Monsanto release here.

Posted: June 3, 2010

Bayer CropScience announced in late May it is reducing prices for its portfolio of cereal wild oat herbicides by as much as 15 percent off suggested retail prices.

The price reposition includes reductions of approximately $3 per acre for Puma 120 Super, Puma Advance and Tundra, and reductions of approximately $2 per acre for Velocity m3 and Thumper Total, according to a company release. All current grower programming will still be in place with no changes.

View the BayerCropScience release here.