The Association of Equipment Manufacturers continues to grow its electronic library of safety materials with the recent addition of a safety manual for industrial/agricultural mowers. The e-book gives equipment operators and maintenance personnel convenient access to a wide scope of safety information from their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

The American Forage and Grassland Council, in conjunction with the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, will host the 2nd Annual National Tour, May 21-24, 2013 in Syria, Virginia. Graves Mountain Lodge will serve as the tour headquarters.

DuPont Pioneer and Mendel Biotechnology Inc. have entered into a license collaboration to evaluate and commercialize new gene leads for increased water use efficiency (WUE) and improved photosynthesis in corn. Under the agreement, DuPont Pioneer and Mendel will evaluate these new gene leads and test them for yield-enhancement traits in Pioneer brand corn products. 

Crops should be managed in a way to prevent weed infestations, overuse of herbicides and herbicide resistance. But in the real world, growers will use the most convenient and economical practices until a crisis forces a change. Routine monitoring of weed populations for their resistance to herbicides can avert such a crisis.

In the last FG Poll, we asked readers: "Will the total number of forage acres on your operation increase, decrease or stay the same in 2013?"

USDA scientists are giving guidance to farmers on using a tool designed to maximize the advantages of planting cover crops. The technology, known as a "roller/crimper," can reduce and sometimes eliminate the need for herbicides. Cover crops can improve soil quality, and in organic operations, they play a major role in keeping weeds in check.