Posted: June 7, 2010

Bayer Cropscience has launched a new version of its Thumper herbicide, the company announced in a release. "Thumper Total" combines the active ingredients found in Velocity (Group 2 - thiencarbazone) and Thumper (Group 6 - bromoxynil and Group 4 - 2,4-D).

The new version controls Group 1 resistant wild oats and Group 2 resistant broadleaf weeds like kochia, says the company, and is billed as providing wheat growers with flexible recropping options.

"Cereal growers don't want to be restricted in the crops they can grow and Thumper Total gives them the freedom to get back into pulse crops such as lentils, dry beans and field peas the year following application," says Lauren Davis, Manager of Cereal Crops-Herbicides.

View the full news release here.

Posted: June 7, 2010

Cutworms, flea beetles and seedling diseases are among the targets Alberta canola growers should be on the lookout for early this growing season, according to a release from the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). Young canola seedlings are especially vulnerable to these challenges, particularly if they are struggling through cool temperatures or frost, damage from wind or hail, and this season's challenge – excess moisture stress.

Early scouting is key to get canola crops make through the first few weeks in good shape, says Troy Prosofsky, agronomy specialist with the CCC. "With the wet conditions, many growers across the Prairies are struggling to get all their canola acres seeded. In the rush to finish seeding, they must remember to scout those fields that have already emerged."

Flea beetle protection on early-seeded canola will be tapering off, and some growers have already applied a foliar insecticide this year. When 25 percent of the leaf area is damaged or missing, farmers should have their sprayers ready to go. The economic threshold is about 50 percent of leaf area missing or damaged, but flea beetle damage can move from 25 percent to 50 percent within hours if the insects are active and canola is growing more slowly than the rate of feeding. Under warm calm conditions, fields should be scouted four to five times a week through the high-risk period.

Information on recommendeded approach for cutworms and seedling diseases is available in the full news release.

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.