Monsanto - Articles

Would You Trust The EPA To Diagnose An Illness?

By Brian O'Connor posted on May 27, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

If I feel a sudden pain in my ankle while walking down some stairs, I'm not going to the EPA or the 9th Circuit to figure out what caused it. I'm going to the hospital. If the first doctor tells me that my ankle sprain was caused by aliens, I'll seek a second opinion. If the new doctor says there's no evidence that tigers are responsible for my ankle pains, that's probably true, but I'll likely need a third opinion to get out of the mess.

John E. Franz & the Glyphosate Discovery

With no prior cropping knowledge, John Franz was an unlikely candidate to permanently change agriculture’s fortunes in 1970 – when all other Monsanto chemists wanted no part of a dying research project.

By Mike Lessiter posted on April 27, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

With virtually no prior cropping knowledge, John Franz was an unlikely candidate to permanently change agriculture’s fortunes in 1970 -- when all other Monsanto chemists wanted no part of a dying research project. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

Herbicide History, Part II: No-Till Rallies on Roundup

No-till’s greatest growth came with the discovery of glyphosate as a weedkiller, and growers started to ‘park the plow.’

By Mike Lessiter posted on April 26, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

Glyphosate (or Roundup) brought to market by Monsanto in the mid 1970s and now owned by Bayer) is a virtually ideal herbicide, says international weed authority Dr. Stephen Powles and a “once in 100-years breakthrough.” The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

Memories from Western Canada – The Schmeiser Family Farm

Son of the late Percy Schmeiser – who famously battled Monsanto – recounts no-till’s memories in Saskatchewan.

By John Schmeiser posted on April 8, 2022

Central Saskatchewan suffers from winds and historical practices of cultivation or "summer fallow" came to an end in the early 1990s when seeder manufacturers came out with zero-till seeders. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

Timeline of Herbicide Developments

As weed-control products came of age in the decades after World War II, no-tillage was given a chance to become a viable practice.

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 15, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

Numerous no-till attempts were made in the late 1940s but unsuitable equipment and weed control products, still in their relative infancy, thwarted its adoption. The brief history of weed control advancements is a complement piece to “No-Till’s Herbicide History” appearing in the May 2022 No-Till Farmer. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

Reminiscing on No-Till’s Revolution

Four no-till pioneers share how they’ve seen the practice change over the last few decades and what factors will play a role in its future.

By Laura Barrera posted on October 20, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Soil Health

It’s been 50 years since No-Till Farmer launched, and a lot has influenced the practice in those five decades. From equipment and chemical innovations to government influence to cover crops and the soil health movement, many factors have impacted no-till — both good and bad.

The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

Bayer Takes $10 Billion Writedown, Flags Higher Roundup Settlement Bill

November 3, 2020 | Posted in Crop Protection

Source: Reuters

The company said the write-downs, driven by weaker demand from farmers due to low biofuel prices, plus an increase of about $750 million in the costs of settlement terms with U.S. plaintiffs over Roundup, resulted in a loss before interest and tax of 9.4 billion euros in the third quarter, according to Reuters.

Bayer Announces Agreements to Resolve Legacy Monsanto Litigation

June 24, 2020 | Posted in Crop Protection

Source: Bayer

Bayer announced a series of agreements that will substantially resolve major outstanding Monsanto litigation, including cases involving U.S. Roundup product liability, dicamba drift and PCB water issues, bringing closure to approximately 75% of the current Roundup litigation involving approximately 125,000 filed and unfiled claims.

Bayer Pays $39.5 Million to Settle Roundup False-ad Lawsuits

April 6, 2020 | Posted in Crop Protection

Source: AgNews

Bayer AG agreed to pay $39.5 million to settle allegations that its Monsanto unit ran misleading ads about the controversial Roundup weedkiller and its potential health risks to humans and animals. In addition, the label will be altered to remove language that says glyphosate only affects an enzyme found in plants.