New Technologies Available For Plant Breeders

Jan 19, 2018

A wheat breeder out of Saskatchewan says there a number of new plant breeding technologies hitting the field.

Dr. Curtis Pozniak is a wheat breeder at the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.

He discussed the topic this week at Manitoba Ag Days.

“Over the last several years we've seen changes in technologies that are helping to improve the efficiency of our breeding programs," explained Pozniak. "Things like DNA testing to actually predict phenotype of some traits like resistance versus susceptibility of a particular disease.”

Pozniak notes that even with the advancement in technology, breeders are still needed out in the field.

Source : Steinbachonline

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.