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| Business Briefs - April 28, 2010 |
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NCGA, DTN hosting free ACRE Webinar May 6
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — In preparation for the June 1 signup deadline for the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, the National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) has once again teamed up with DTN to offer growers a free Webinar featuring the most up-to-date information about the safety net program.
The Webinar, titled “Is ACRE the Right Safety Net for You?” will help growers assess how well the program protected crop revenue for 2009 and whether it makes sense for them in 2010-12. It is scheduled for May 6 at 7 a.m. CDT, 8 a.m. EDT.
The Webinar will feature Farm Service Agency ACRE expert Brent Orr and Ohio State University economist Carl Zulauf. Pre-registrants will receive handouts in advance. To register, visit www.ncga.com and look for “ACRE Webinar.”
Syngenta, CIMMYT establish wheat partnership
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Syngenta and the international wheat research organization CIMMYT announced earlier this month they have agreed to a public-private partnership focusing on wheat research and development encompassing native and biotech traits, hybrid wheat and the use of seeds and crop protection products to increase yields.
The five-year partnership will combine Syngenta’s financial, research and product development resources with genetic resources and knowledge of practical applications held by CIMMYT, formally known as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. The organizations did not disclose financial terms of the agreement or when the work could result in new varieties for U.S. producers.
Near-term work is expected to focus on joint development of growing systems that optimize environmentally sustainable yields, while longer-term results could produce new technologies, such as hybrids and biotech and non-biotech traits aiming to tackle abiotic stress and agronomic diseases.
AFIA-KSU distance education program this spring
ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Feed Industry Assoc. (AFIA) and Kansas State University announce a distance-learning education program. The first course being offered is “AFIA 501-Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing.”
The course was developed by the Feed Technology Group in K-State’s Department of Grain Science and Industry. It will provide participants with in-depth understanding of feed manufacturing. Even employees with years of experience in the feed industry will find this course valuable.
The online course will begin May 17, and it will last a total of five weeks. Course participants may work at their own paces and engage in online discussions about the material presented. It will cost $499 for AFIA members and $685 for non-members.
Course size is limited to 50 participants, so register early. To register, contact the AFIA by visiting www.afia.org
For questions about the content of programming, e-mail AFIA’s Keith Epperson, vice president of manufacturing and training, at kepperson@afia.org or e-mail K-State’s Dr. Leland McKinney, the instructor, at lelandm@ksu.edu
NRCS accepting partner proposals for water projects
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Dave White, chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), announced that $61.2 million is available in financial assistance funding for Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) projects nationwide. This funding will help producers conserve surface and ground water and improve water quality on agricultural land.
In Indiana, this means that funding is continued for two designated areas in the northern part of the state, and funding is available for new project proposals from partners. One project area is in LaPorte County, in the Kankakee River watershed, and the second is located in the St Joseph River watershed that drains northwest into Lake Michigan.”
NRCS obligated almost $600,000 to 29 producers in the two project areas from Indiana that were selected for funding in 2009. These contracts cover more than 6,500 acres.
Of the $61.2 million available nationally in 2010, approximately $40.4 million will be available to producers in the projects selected for funding last year. The remaining $20.7 million will be available to producers under new project proposals submitted by partners this year.
The deadline for submitting a new partnership proposal is 3 p.m. May 17. Visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/AWEP to view the full request for proposal, to apply or for additional AWEP information.
BASF increases support of Operation S.A.F.E.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — BASF has announced increased support of Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins and its collaboration with the National Agricultural Aviation Assoc. (NAAA) by incentivizing aerial applicators who participate in Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins.
The financial support can be used by participating aerial applicators towards membership in NAAA or for new spray equipment. This program is part of ongoing stewardship efforts for aerial applicators, and the safe and proper application of BASF products. For more information, visit www.agaviation.org/
opsafepage.htm or www.plant-health-pilots.com for the variety of resources BASF provides aerial applicators, including a schedule of upcoming Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins beginning in early spring and an “Ask the Expert” section for your toughest aerial application questions.
NER, SmartEquip join to help equipment owners manage risk
NORWALK, Conn. — SmartEquip and the National Equipment Register (NER), an ISO company, have announced a strategic alliance to help equipment owners and manufacturers better manage liability and risks – such as theft, safety and regulatory compliance – associated with heavy equipment ownership.
SmartEquip provides an excellent platform to help fleets better manage a wide array of risks, further reducing the cost of equipment ownership. This alliance allows members of its network to improve their ability to manage risk in virtually all of its forms. |
| 4/28/2010 |
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