A coalition of 2,000 U.S. farmers and food companies is trying to force government regulators to analyze potential problems with 2,4-D- and dicamba-tolerant biotech crops being developed by Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto Co.

The Save Our Crops Coalition filed petitions asking the USDA to conduct an environmental impact study (EIS) of Dow’s new 2,4-D-tolerant corn and herbicide mix containing both 2,4-D and glyphosate. The coalition wants a similar study on Monsanto’s dicamba- and glyphosate-tolerant crops.

The group also demands the U.S. EPA conduct a Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) meeting and appoint advisors to the panel to address herbicide spray drift.

Dow and Monsanto say the new crop systems are badly needed to control glyphosate-resistant weeds. But critics say key ingredients in the new herbicides already are in use and have proved damaging to “nontarget” fields because they’re hard to keep on target.

Dow says their new 2,4-D formulation doesn’t have the problematic drift and volatility issues of older 2,4-D formulations.

IN OTHER NO-TILL NEWS…

Trelleborg launched its “TLC” (Trelleborg Load Calculator) app for tablets, smartphones and personal computers to calculate a tractor’s load per axle and determine the optimal tire pressure for specific operating conditions. The app can be found at the Apple store or www.trelleborg.com.

Ag Leader Technology has unveiled a new Crop Sensor Rate Table offered through the DirectCommand system on the Integra display. The program lets farmers choose a vegetative-index range and assign recommended rates for OptRx crop sensors.

Gowan Co. and Nisso American received EPA registration…