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An update on Pioneer’s drought tolerance program

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

At this week’s Water for Food Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, we received an update on DuPont Pioneer’s drought tolerance program from Pioneer research director Joe Keaschall. 

Keaschall is responsible for corn and sorghum research activities in the western region, which includes Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.  He directed the research development and launch of the Optimum AQUAmax product line in North America and is currently involved in inbred and hybrid creation, evaluation and advancement.

AUDIO: Joe Keaschall (6:08 MP3)

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Innovations Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Iowa’s On-Farm Network leads the way

April 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Tristan Mueller

Tristan Mueller

The On-Farm Network, a program of the Iowa Soybean Association, is one of the longest-running and most respected on-farm research networks in the country.  In fact, several other states have used the On-Farm Network’s blueprint to set up their own research networks.

Tristan Mueller, program manager for the On-Farm Network, talks about some of the topics they’ll be looking at in 2013.

AUDIO: Tristan Mueller (4:34 MP3)

 

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Innovations Tagged With: , , ,

Retiring corn researcher reflects on nearly 50-year career

March 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

After a nearly 50-year career in the fields of agronomy and corn research, DuPont Pioneer research scientist Dr. Leroy Svec is retiring.

Svec has spent the past 18 years at Pioneer’s York, Nebraska research center.  In a recent interview with Brownfield, Svec reflected on his career, discussed how mechanization and computerization have changed corn research, and shared his thoughts on potential research breakthroughs in the future.

AUDIO: Leroy Svec (11:21 MP3)

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DuPont’s Borel on GMOs and need for new chemicals

March 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The executive vice president of DuPont, Jim Borel, spoke with reporters at a recent Pioneer media event in Iowa. 

In a question and answer session following his presentation, Borel was asked for his thoughts on the growing consumer backlash against GMOs and the reasons behind the what seems to be a ”slow” introduction and approval process for new ag chemical technologies.

AUDIO: Jim Borel (6:17 MP3)

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Rural Issues Tagged With: , , , , ,

New era of biologics in agriculture

February 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Dr. David Nicholson, Head of R & D at Bayer CropScience“We are on the verge of a new era of biologics.” That statement was made by the man who heads up research and development for Bayer CropScience at the 2013 Ag Issues Forum held in conjunction with Commodity Classic.

Dr. David Nicholson, Executive Vice President and Gobal Head of Research & Development with Bayer CropScience tells Brownfield that biologics will complement Bayer CropScience products, but more importantly, for a Midwestern farmer, biologics mean better crop protection and seed treatment products and a bigger choice of solutions.

Nicholson told attendees that by delivering products that make farming sustainable, Bayer CropScience gives farmers the ability to continue to use those products without having a detrimental effect on the ecosystem.

Nicholson believes that the genomic era in which we live will allow Bayer CropScience to serve many of the present day problems in farmng. To do that, he explained, you need expertise in genomics, chemistry and biologics.  He said,”We can do it and you will see a revolution in farming because of it.”

Conversation with Dr. David Nicholson 02272013

Filed Under: 2013 Commodity Classic, 2013 Events, Featured, Special Reports Tagged With: , , ,

DuPont accelerating hybrid wheat research

February 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DuPont is stepping up its efforts to develop hybrid wheat varieties which, according to company officials, could increase wheat yields by 15 to 20 percent.

Speaking to investors Tuesday, DuPont executive vice president Jim Borel said that hybrid wheat technology has entered the first phase of DuPont Pioneer’s five-step research and development pipeline.

DuPont vice-president of research, John Soper, tells Bloomberg that the company is using conventional and biotechnology approaches to developing hybrid wheat.  He said the first commercial hybrid wheat product could be expected in the next decade or so.  

Dow Chemical and Monsanto, which have previously announced efforts to boost wheat yields through genetic modification, are not pursuing the creation of wheat hybrids.

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, News, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , ,

Pioneer’s drought tolerant soybean research

February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

There’s a lot of talk about drought tolerant corn—but what about drought-tolerance in soybeans?  At the recent Pioneer media event in Johnston, Iowa, we discussed that topic with Les Kuhlman, a senior research scientist in DuPont Pioneer’s soybean product development program.  Kuhlman is based at Lawrence, Kansas.

AUDIO: Les Kuhlman (4:52 MP3)

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DuPont Pioneer adds Nebraska soybean research site

January 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DuPont Pioneer is locating a new soybean research facility near Stromsburg, Nebraska.

Senior research manager Steve Schnebly says it will be the company’s first soybean research center in the state.

“What we have seen over the past several years is just an extensive growth of soybean production in Nebraska,” Schnebly says, “and as we’ve watched the growers and the needs that they have, they’ve changed significantly in terms of, not only the yield performance, but also the agronomic traits in terms of disease and pest resistance.”

Schnebly says the Stromsburg research facility will be operational this spring.  Initial plans call for three employees, eventually increasing to about seven.

AUDIO: Steve Schnebly (3:05 MP3)

Link to DuPont Pioneer news release

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, News Tagged With: , , ,

DuPont Pioneer to expand soybean research in Nebraska

January 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DuPont Pioneer is locating a new soybean research facility near Stromsburg, Nebraska.

Senior research manager Steve Schnebly tells Brownfield it’s the company’s first soybean research center in the state.   He says it will more than triple localized testing.

AUDIO: Steve Schnebly (3:05 MP3)

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Another ‘initiative’ to increase wheat yields

December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A recently-launched international wheat initiative seeks to increase wheat’s genetic yield potential by 50 percent in the next 20 years.

Representatives from 16 countries and international organizations met in Mexico City to set up the framework for the multinational initiative, known as the Wheat Yield Network.  A key focus will be boosting wheat yields through improvements to the plant’s fundamental processes including photosynthesis. 

The new initiative follows on heels of the establishment of the Wheat Initiative through the G20 in 2011, with which the new Wheat Yield Network will seek to coordinate.  The G20’s Wheat Initiative calls for better coordination of international wheat research programs and increased sharing of data between wheat researchers around the world.

U.S. signatories to the new initiative include USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development.  To date, Syngenta is the sole industry partner.

Link to news release from the National Association of Wheat Growers

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, News, World Ag News/Trade Tagged With: , , ,
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