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Home2021January (Page 9)
Seeds

Golden Harvest offers one of the industry’s most rapidly evolving corn portfolios

Golden Harvest corn and soybean seed products once again have outperformed competitors in fields across the US, despite a season filled with weather and economic challenges. Many Midwest farmers saw strong yield performance from Golden Harvest seed products, while also benefiting from the powerful combination of genetics, agronomy and service. Farmers will have even more options next growing season, as Golden Harvest expands its seed portfolio for 2021.

Golden Harvest offers one of the industry’s most rapidly evolving corn portfolios. Results from recent trials1 show the promise this holds for farmers. For example:

  • Golden Harvest corn G10L16-5222A E-Z Refuge brand outyielded Channel 209-53STX by 13 bu/A in 78 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest corn G15J91-3220 E-Z Refuge brand outyielded Pioneer P1464AML by 11.9 bu/A in 65 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest corn G00H12-5122 E-Z Refuge brand outyielded Channel 199-11STX by 7.9 bu/A in 79 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest corn G10D21-3330 E-Z Refuge brand outyielded Pioneer P1138AM by 5.4 bu/A in 51 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest soybeans had a similarly strong season. Offering the industry’s broadest selection of herbicide traits, the Golden Harvest soybean portfolio beat key competitors across the Midwest:
  • Golden Harvest soybean GH2788X brand outyielded Asgrow AG31X0 by 7 bu/A in 6 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest soybean GH3195X brand outyielded Pioneer P30T92E by 3.5 bu/A in 24 comparisons.
  • Golden Harvest soybean GH3582E3 brand outyielded Pioneer P37A27X by 2.8 bu/A in 19 comparisons.

As farmers consider their options for the next growing season, Golden Harvest has expanded its product portfolio for 2021 with 12 new corn hybrids and 22 new soybean varieties.

 

Golden Harvest offers one of the industry’s

Europe, R&D

VIB will establish a plant science and agricultural technology incubator at the CropDesign site.

VIB, a leading life sciences institute in Flanders, has signed an agreement with BASF to acquire its CropDesign site in Nevele, Belgium. VIB and CropDesign have had a close scientific relationship for more than 15 years. CropDesign, currently part of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division (basf.com), was established in 1998 as a VIB spinoff and has grown into a biotech company specializing in plant phenotyping technology. 

 

 

VIB will establish a plant science and agricultural technology incubator at the CropDesign site. These facilities will serve as Flanders’ premier center for agricultural biotechnology (AgBio) innovations for start-ups. VIB will provide a physical space for early-stage companies that work on the future of sustainable agriculture and food production, offer greenhouse space and provide an environment for likeminded companies.

 

“Our vision is to establish Flanders’ first AgBio incubator as the driving force behind innovations that produce the agricultural solutions of tomorrow. This will further fuel the growth of the AgBio R&D cluster around Ghent. With the acquisition of the CropDesign site, we want to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop their company in Flanders, taking advantage of the unique life sciences ecosystem and bringing high value jobs to the area,” said Jérôme Van Biervliet, Managing Director at VIB. 

 

“By divesting our CropDesign site, we enable our long-term partner VIB to further develop and apply the innovative phenotyping technology in which CropDesign is highly skilled,” said Linda Trolinder, Senior Vice President Research & Development Seeds & Traits at BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division.

 

 

 

 

VIB will establish a plant science and

Agro chems – Fertilizers, China

The JV will be located in the East Lake New Technology Development Zone in Wuhan

The OCP Group and China’s Hubei Forbon Technology have announced on Jan 4, 2021, the signing of an agreement for the establishment of a joint venture (JV) operating in the research and development (R&D) field to develop new generations of fertilizer solutions and Smart Agriculture.

This is a 50/50 Joint Venture operating in the Research and Development field for the development of new generation technologies for fertilizers and smart agriculture, said a joint statement.

The JV will be located in the East Lake New Technology Development Zone in Wuhan (China) granting it access to the Chinese innovation ecosystem, considered today as one of the most dynamic in terms of R&D in agriculture, it added.

Through this JV, OCP, a leading global phosphate soil and plant nutrition player, and Forbon, a Chinese company engaged in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of fertilizer additives and an innovative company in digital agriculture, aim at establishing a global partnership to develop new generations of fertilizer and digital solutions for agriculture, leveraging on OCP’s and Forbon’s innovation capabilities.

Furthermore, this partnership will profit from the dynamic ecosystem of innovation of the Biolake Park in Optic Valley to explore sustainable agricultural solutions by providing farmers with customized solutions, best practices and digital services.

The JV will be located in the

Agrotech, E-commerce, Poultry, Sustainable Energy

In addition to CBG, this plant will also generate around 15 tonnes of organic manure as a by-product on a daily basis

 Hyderabad-based Solika Energy, a compressed Biogas company, backed by Srinivasa Hatcheries, has announced the opening of its first poultry litter based Compressed Biogas (CBG) Project at Udityal Village, near Balanagar, Telangana, by RSS Rao, Executive Director of IOCL, TAPSO, along with  Suresh Chitturi, IEC Chairman & Managing Director, Srinivasa Farms Group.

Opened during the last week of December 2020, this 2.4 tonnes per day capacity compressed biogas (CBG) project exclusively uses poultry litter as the raw material and is located next to a large commercial poultry farm with over 4.5 Lakh birds and all the raw material from the poultry sheds will be collected to generate biogas.

Built by Solika under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). The CBG produced in this project will be supplied to an IOCL outlet in Attapur, Hyderabad. Commercial sale at this outlet is expected to start from next month. Solika is also currently in the process of setting up the second CBG project in Telangana. This project is expected to have a CBG production capacity of 3.0 Tonnes per day.

 In addition to CBG, this plant will also generate around 15 Tonnes of good quality organic manure as a byproduct on a daily basis. Suresh Chitturi explained the importance of sustainable energy and how Solika plans to provide this to the local farming communities for their benefits.

 Suresh Chitturi added, “Solika has developed a unique process of ammonia reduction which results in sustained reuse of water making the biogas plant zero liquid discharge the unique process removes and reduces all impurities like feathers, stones, sand, and also reduces high ammonical nitrogen with a help of biological culture and at the same time providing a unique solution to the poultry community.    

In addition to CBG, this plant will

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech

It provides broad-spectrum, residual control of yield-robbing grass and broadleaf weeds in sorghum 

 UPL has announced that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted approval for IMIFLEX Herbicide, the companion herbicide for ’igrowth’, the first non-GMO, commercially available herbicide-resistant technology for grain sorghum from Alta Seeds. For the first time, sorghum growers have the ability to control weed pressures during the growing season, giving growers the ability to realize the full potential of their sorghum crop.

 IMIFLEX is the only imidazolinone herbicide certified for pre- or post-emergence applications with the igrowth system. This Group 2 herbicide provides broad-spectrum, residual control of yield-robbing grass and broadleaf weeds, including lambsquarter, pigweed, morningglory, Texas Panicum, crabgrass, and foxtail.

“Sorghum growers can experience major yield loss when invasive weed species such as pigweed or lambs quarters move into their fields. IMIFLEX provides in-season control of weeds that gives growers an easier field and harvest experience year after year,” said Ryan Bryant-Schlobohm, UPL Technical Services Manager in Amarillo, Texas.

“Trial data shows IMIFLEX provides excellent control of both grass and broadleaf weeds in sorghum, a breakthrough technology for the crop,” he adds. “Results from extensive field testing shows the crop experiences no negative yellowing or harm compared with other technologies. The side-by-side plots illustrated the incredible impact this technology will have for sorghum growers.” 

 “Sorghum growers need this advanced technology to achieve higher production goals, maintain profitability and manage weed pressures from year to year,” says Tanner Antonick, Central U.S. Account Manager, Alta Seeds. This naturally occurring, non-GMO technology was discovered through genetic screening by the research and development team at Advanta, a global UPL-owned company. Alta Seeds is the U.S. division of Advanta.

 

It provides broad-spectrum, residual control of yield-robbing

Agrotech, E-commerce, Middle East countries

Vertical Field will conduct an initial pilot at Varus, one of the biggest national supermarket chains in the country

Israel-based Vertical Field, an innovative agtech company that specializes in vertical farming, has signed an agreement with Moderntrendo S.R.O, one of the largest agricultural distributors in Ukraine, for promotion of nationwide deployments of vertical farms. Vertical Field will conduct an initial pilot at Varus, one of the biggest national supermarket chains in the country, in early 2021 before expanding to other chains. Varus operates 95 stores across 25 cities and attracts approximately 260,000 customers daily.

Vertical Field has developed and commercialized unique soil-based vertical farms in containers that produce locally sourced vegetables. These indoor farms are capable of growing a variety of fresh greens and other vegetables through the company’s proprietary technology.

Vertical Field customers benefit from advanced farming that produces pesticide-free and exceptionally fresh vegetables. Vertical Field’s technology is more efficient and generates less waste than conventional agriculture, utilizing 90 per cent less water, while growing precise quantities in a controlled environment, and achieving shorter growing cycles. 

The company offers 365 days a year ’in season’ produce regardless of geography, physical location, weather and climate conditions, with consistently high product quality. The farms are modular, expandable, and moveable, with fully automated crop management, and a sterile environment that requires significantly less human contact.

Vertical Field will conduct an initial pilot

E-commerce, Finance, Start ups

Agri10x intends to strengthen its exports operations across Middle East and Southeast Asian countries, providing new markets for Indian farmers  

Agritech startup Agri10x has announced that it has raised a seed round from Omnivore. Agri10x provides a blockchain and AI-enabled e-marketplace that connects farmers directly with buyers, helping them sell their produce at competitive prices. 

Agri10x plans to use this funding to expand across 8 more states, on-board 1 million farmers, and provide fintech solutions to buyers and farmers via NBFC partnerships. The start-up also intends to strengthen their exports operations across Middle East and Southeast Asian countries, providing new markets for Indian farmers. In the near future, Agri10x intends to partner with leading agrochemical and seed companies, providing market linkage solutions for their farmer customers. 

Blockchain plays a critical role in Agri10x’s business model, ensuring that all transactions on their platform are traceable, transparent, and tamper-proof. The platform also integrates affiliated services, including quality assessment, warehousing, cold storage, and logistics to deliver a complete market linkage solution for Indian farmers. 

Based in Pune, Agri10x was co-founded in 2018 by Pankajj Ghode (CEO), Sundeep Bose (CTO), and Abhijith Naraparaju (COO).Currently, the company’s operations are spread across Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Commenting on the investment, Pankajj Ghode, Co-Founder and CEO of Agri10x, noted, “Indian farmers face huge challenges bringing their produce to market and often receive suboptimal pricing as a result. The platform we are building at Agri10x will address many of these challenges and help farmers improve their incomes substantially. We are excited to partner with Omnivore as we streamline agricultural value chains across India while supporting farmers’’.

According to Jinesh Shah, Managing Partner at Omnivore, “Agri10x is providing farmers with direct access to multiple buyers across India, which will ensure competitive pricing and transparency for all parties involved. In addition, by helping farmers to receive better pricing for higher quality, incentives are aligned for them to grow better quality food for all.”

Agri10x intends to strengthen its exports operations

AgroPolicy, Live Stock

There is no condition by the Government of India that only Halal Meat is to be exported. 

 The government has removed the word ‘Halal’ from its Red Meat Manual issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). A dispute arose about 6 months ago when the issue of the Red Meat Manual read as if it promotes Halal method as compulsory.

The older manual issued by APEDA read, “The animals are slaughtered strictly according to the ‘Halal’ method to meet the requirement of Islamic countries.”

Certain Hindu groups and Sikh organisations have maintained that the issue implies that APEDA was making it compulsory for exporters to purchase and acquire only ’halal-certified’ meat.

It was said that aside from Islamic countries in West Asia, India also exports meat to countries such as Sri Lanka and China, where “halal” certification is not needed.

After an intense dispute, the emphasis on the word ‘Halal’ has been removed and now the revised section reads: “There is no condition by the Government of India that only Halal Meat is to be exported. It is a requirement of the majority of importing countries/Importers. Halal Certification agencies are accredited directly by respective importing countries. No Government agency has any role in this,” APEDA tweeted last week.

There is no condition by the Government

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Poultry

Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds/carcasse

Avian Influenza (AI) viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries with four known major outbreaks recorded in the last century. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006.  Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. Implementing management practices that incorporate bio security principles, personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the AI viruses.

In India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months i.e. from September – October to February – March. The secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out.

Present outbreak

After confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD, AI has been reported from the following States (at 12 epicentres):

Rajasthan(crow) – Baran, Kota, Jhalawar

Madhya Pradesh(crow) – Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa

Himachal Pradesh (migratory birds) – Kangra

Kerala (poultry-duck) –  Kottayam, Allapuzha (4 epicentres)

Accordingly, an advisory has been issued each to the States of Rajasthan and MP on January 1, 2021, so as to avoid further spread of the infection. As per the information received from State of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan control measures is being taken as per the guidelines of National Action Plan of Avian Influenza. Another advisory has been issued on January 5, 2021 to HP where the State has been advised to take measures so as to avoid further spread of disease to poultry. As per the report received, Kerala has already initiated control and containment operations from January 5, 2021 at epicentres and culling process is in operation.

Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India has also set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by State authorities.

The measures suggested to the affected States to contain the disease and prevent further spread as per the Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses, timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan as well as the general guidelines for prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human.

Coordination with forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds was also suggested to the States. The other states were also requested to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately to take necessary measures.

Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening

Agro Universities, Dairy, Live Stock

It aims at making aware of the unexplored potential and business opportunities a cow can offer, even after it stops giving milk.

 For raising mass awareness about Indigenous Cows among young students and every other citizen, RASTRIYA KAMDHENU AAYOG(RKA) has come out with a noble initiative of making study materials about Cow Science available and conduct “Kamdhenu Gau-VigyanPrachar-Prasar Examination”. Kamdhenu Gau-VigyanPrachar-PrasarExam will be an online exam to be conducted throughout the country on February 25, 2021.

This will infuse the curiosity into all Indians about the cows, and make them aware of the unexplored potential and business opportunities a cow can offer, even after it stops giving milk.

RashtriyaKamdhenuAayog (RKA) has been constituted by the Government of India for the conservation, preservation, protection and development of cows and their progenies and for giving directions for the cattle development programmes. RKA is a high-powered permanent body to formulate policies and to provide directions for the implementation of schemes related to cattle so as to lay more emphasis on livelihood generation for small & marginal farmers, women and youth entrepreneurs.

RKA has been successful in delivering the message across the country that the cow is not just a milk-giving animal but its Environmental, Health and Economic benefits are immense if used properly. Its so-called waste products like cow-dung and cow-urine, which are cheap and abundantly available, are bio-degradable and environmentally friendly. Hence, these can be gainfully used by cow entrepreneurs to make the cow-rearing sustainable, which in turn can contribute towards economic growth of the country.

 

It aims at making aware of the

AgroPolicy, Trade

’World of Coriander’ webinar held to accelerate quality production & export of coriander.

The Spices Board of India and DBT-SABC Biotech Kisan Hub in collaboration with ICAR-NRCSS, RSAMB, and Kota Agriculture University recently organized the World of Coriander webinar ‘Accelerating Quality Production, Post-Harvesting, Value Addition & Export of Coriander from India’ on 4th January 2020, with the participation of more than hundred key stakeholders from various states.

The Hadoti region of South-East Rajasthan and Guna district of Madhya Pradesh is known for coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) production and contributes a major share in coriander export from the country.  

Considering the vast potential of Hadoti-Guna region, D Sathiyan, Chairman-cum-Secretary of the Spices Board of India urged the entrepreneurs and exporters to tap the tremendous opportunities in the export of whole coriander and other processed products such as coriander split (daal), powder, and essential oil. Anu Shree Poonia, Spices Board Member, underlined the need for integrated and coordinated efforts from all departments to make Rajasthan the next spice manufacturing and export hub.

With the same outlook, PM Suresh Kumar, Director, Spices Board highlighted about common facility centre established by Spices Board in Spice Parks located at Jodhpur, Ramganj Mandi (kota) and Guna and increased demand for Indian Spices in the International market, particularly Coriander.

Exploring value-added products such as Indian curry powder and mouth freshener imbued by coriander were suggested as a way forward to increase coriander usages both in the domestic as well as the export market.

’World of Coriander’ webinar held to accelerate

Agro chems – Chemicals, China, Trade

This transaction will significantly bolster ADAMA’s commercial position and offering in this key and growing crop protection market. 

ADAMA Ltd. and Jiangsu Huifeng Bio Agriculture Co., Ltd. have reported they have now closed an initial phase in their previously announced transactions. In this first phase, ADAMA has now acquired a 51 per cent stake in Shanghai Dibai Plant Protection Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Huifeng focused on the sale and distribution of key formulated crop protection products in China.

This transaction will significantly bolster ADAMA’s commercial position and offering in this key and growing crop protection market. Through this transaction, ADAMA’s commercial platform in China is enriched by more than 150 registered products with sales of approximately $50 million and is joined by a highly experienced sales team of approximately 170 employees across China.

The second phase of the previously announced transaction, in which ADAMA intends to acquire a 51 per cent equity stake in Jiangsu Kelinong Co., Ltd., a newly established, wholly-owned subsidiary of Huifeng, to which Huifeng is to transfer its key crop protection synthesis and formulation facilities, is currently still in process and remains subject to customary Closing conditions, including regulatory and other corporate approvals, and is further subject to full resumption of production at the relevant manufacturing facilities of Huifeng.

An Liru, SVP China for ADAMA, said, “This transaction is a significant milestone in our continuous commercial expansion in China, and will significantly bolster our commercial activities, positioning and offering in this key strategic market for us.”

 

This transaction will significantly bolster ADAMA’s commercial

Dairy, North America

The American Humane Certified program is the United States’ first and fastest-growing independent animal welfare program

Manheim based Kreider Farms, Central Pennsylvania’s favorite producer of farm-fresh milk, ice cream, premium eggs, and more, is proud to be the first dairy farm to be American Humane Certified on the East Coast.

Animal welfare has always been top-of-mind for the team at Kreider Farms and they know that consumers are looking for products they can purchase with confidence. In fact, consumer demand for humanely raised products has grown tremendously over the last two decades with ten of the nation’s top 12 grocery retailers carrying American Humane Certified products according to American Humane.

The American Humane Certified program is the United States’ first and fastest-growing independent animal welfare program dedicated to the humane treatment of farm animals. Certified farms undergo stringent inspections from independent auditors and pass over 200 multi-pronged, science-based welfare standards developed in collaboration with, and regularly reviewed by, a Scientific Advisory Committee.

Kreider Farms officially became American Humane Certified for their dairy farm in November 2020, although their cage-free hen laying operation, under the brand Noah’s Pride, has been certified American Humane since 2016.

 

The American Humane Certified program is the

Agrotech, Seeds

IFSI will immediately integrate daily operations of D&D Seed into the Sweet Corn business unit of IFSI

Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. (IFSI) based in the US has recently acquired D&D Seed Co., a leading beet and Swiss chard seed company based in Mount Vernon, Washington. D&D Seed has a 25-year history of improving beet and Swiss chard seed. The purchase of D&D Seed provides IFSI’s global distribution network with premier table beet and Swiss chard genetics.

“Our team is very excited to begin the marketing and distribution of beet and Swiss chard seed while continuing to advance the quality of genetics,” says Clinton Naugle, CEO of IFSI.

IFSI will immediately integrate daily operations of D&D Seed into the Sweet Corn business unit of IFSI. “We will build upon D&D Seed’s current long-term relationships and integrate distribution through our partners in the Pacific Northwest, as well as our own facilities in Illinois,” continues Naugle.

“D&D has been a family-owned and operated business. I am happy to see the legacy of our program continue with IFSI which is highly regarded for development, quality, and service. I look forward to working with the IFSI breeders over the next year to help transition the program,” says David Christianson, owner of D&D Seed Co.

IFSI will immediately integrate daily operations of