Trace Genomics and Taurus Agricultural Marketing partner to bring next-generation soil testing to Canada

Aug 24, 2023

Trace Genomics (Trace), an industry-leading provider of science-validated soil biology insights, and Taurus Agricultural Marketing (Taurus Ag), market-leading distributor of agricultural products in Canada, announced an international partnership today. As part of a multi-year plan, Taurus Ag will be the exclusive Canadian provider of Trace soil diagnostics, bringing the most comprehensive insights and actionable information on soil biology to retailers, consultants, agronomists, and growers within the market for the first time.

Trace is revolutionizing agricultural soil testing by providing comprehensive, actionable insights to growers and retailers in the United States, and now, Canada. Trace's technology incorporates aspects of the soil beyond chemistry. By analyzing soil biology through metagenomics (sequencing all the DNA in a soil), agronomists can gain a more comprehensive picture of the variables that impact product placement and seed selection. This includes data on over 225 pathogens for 70+ crops, fertility insights on nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as all the standard soil chemistry tests. In Canada, this means guidance for better management of significant pathogens like club root that threaten their top cash crop, canola.

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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.