BASF’s dicamba production facility in Beaumont, Tex. (BASF.com)

Minnesota joins U.S. states limiting dicamba

Chicago | Reuters — Minnesota became the latest U.S. state on Tuesday to restrict controversial weed killers made by Monsanto and BASF that were linked to widespread crop damage, while Arkansas took a step back from imposing new limits. The U.S. has faced an agricultural crisis this year caused by new versions of the herbicides, […] Read more


Syngenta’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo courtesy Syngenta)

Syngenta agrees to settle GMO corn litigation

Reuters — Syngenta has agreed to pay close to US$1.5 billion to resolve lawsuits stemming from its decision to commercialize a genetically modified strain of corn before China approved importing it, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The Swiss company confirmed that it has reached a settlement, without confirming the financial terms. […] Read more




Palmer amaranth. (United Soybean Board photo)

Palmer amaranth threatening U.S. corn fields

Winterset, Iowa | Reuters — A U.S. government program designed to convert farmland to wildlife habitat has triggered the spread of a fast-growing weed that threatens to strangle crops in America’s rural heartland. The weed is hard to kill and, if left unchecked, destroys as much as 91 per cent of corn on infested land, […] Read more


Palmer amaranth. (United Soybean Board photo)

Minnesota probes Palmer amaranth’s sudden appearance

Chicago | Reuters — Minnesota has launched an investigation to find the source of seed mixes contaminated with weed seeds after the aggressive, herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth weed was found on 30 areas planted in a federal conservation program. The weed grows very fast, reaching up to eight feet in height and can hold back commercial […] Read more

(Bruce Fritz photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

North American sunflowers looking good early

CNS Canada –– Sunflower crops in key growing regions of North America are in relatively good shape early in the season, according to reports. However, those good conditions have put some nearby pressure on values, with spot pricing expected to take some direction from the weather and acreage reports over the next few weeks. Sunflower […] Read more