Keeping agriculture environmentally sustainable while improving productivity is a growing challenge, and a new report shows that agricultural biotechnology is a key tool in overcoming it.

Freezing temperatures crept further south than normal. The main overwinter source of soybean rust, kudzu, was killed back in most places in the south.

Herbicide application restrictions exist for several reasons, but of particular importance is the increased likelihood of crop injury if applications are made beyond a specified growth stage.

While the opportunity to plant corn early was welcomed by growers across much of the Midwest, early planting means the weed competition period will be extended compared to the last two years. This could be a significant issue for many no-tillers.

Whether or not corn was damaged by frost, it will be under stress following the recent period of cool, wet weather. Whenever possible, it is best to avoid applying herbicides to stressed corn since the crop is less efficient at metabolizing the herbicide to non-toxic compounds.

A battle is brewing in the corn and sorghum fields of Kansas and across the U.S, where farmers have applied the herbicide atrazine to kill broadleaf and grassy weeds for decades.

DuPont announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted the historic commercial registration of Optimum® AcreMaxTM 1 insect protection for Pioneer® brand corn hybrids. This marks the EPA's first approval of an in-the-bag solution for insect refuge management, offering reduced corn rootworm refuge and a more convenient path to refuge compliance for growers.

Timely burndown herbicide applications in no-till fields are extremely important in protecting soybean yield.

Major stripe rust epidemics have not occurred in Nebraska since 2005. However, given the unusually high levels of stripe rust reported in the southern states and the cool, wet weather we are experiencing, the risk of stripe rust development in the state is high.