Droughts are an act of Mother Nature and cannot be controlled. However, proper management can help maintain pasture land during a period of drought:

Over the last four years, entomologists from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have been releasing an army of tiny weevils. The weevils are being enlisted to fight back the advance of an invasive weed that displaces desirable forage in pastures, reduces native plant diversity and increases surface water runoff and stream sediment. Spotted knapweed originated in Eastern Europe, said Tim Kring, professor of entomology.

Alfalfa in some areas of Pennsylvania is experiencing water stress and the question of alfalfa management during this time is being raised. But before we discuss the management of water-stressed alfalfa, let's look at how alfalfa responds to drought conditions.

The drought has stressed most of the crops we are growing. Most farmers got at least one cutting (and often two). Then stress has reduced growth over the last month.

Cover Crop Solutions, LLC, has announced that its flagship cover crop, Tillage Radish – officially known as Variety CCS-779 – has been awarded U.S. Plant Variety Protection #201200292. Tillage Radish is now under the U.S. Plant Variety Protection pending statute and unauthorized propagation is strictly prohibited. This distinction indicates that Tillage Radish is a unique variety.

AGCO celebrated the grand opening of Intivity Center and the 75,000-square-foot expansion of its Jackson, Minnesota, manufacturing center June 7. The investment brings production of Challenger and Massey Ferguson high-horsepower wheeled row crop tractors to North America – a decision that was announced in early 2011.

The manufacturing center expansion will contribute more than $17 million dollars and 200 jobs to the local economy, bringing the total number of professional, support and skilled manufacturing positions at the facility to 1,050.

Western Kansas Manufacturers Association, sponsor of the annual 3i Show, has announced the return of Vintage Saturday along with a daily display of antique tractors.

George and LaDonna Brown are bringing up to ten antique John Deere and International tractors from their personal collection to be displayed daily at the 58th Annual 3i Show, July 12-14 in Dodge City, Kansas.

Travis Chase of New Plymouth, Idaho, is one of 18 outstanding FFA members to receive a scholarship sponsored by AGCO and AGCO Finance, says Jason Marx, vice president of marketing, AGCO North America. Scholarships were provided through the 2011-2012 FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program.