KZValve, a Manufacturer of Motorized Valves and Controls, announced today its selection as a recipient of a John Deere supplier innovation award for 2012. The award is presented to a select group of suppliers who have demonstrated innovation in a product or service they provide to John Deere.

Syngenta announced today a new approach within its dealer channel that focuses on growing and strengthening its network of Seed Advisors. Syngenta Seed Advisors combine their knowledge of local farming conditions with strong agronomy skills to help growers maximize returns using the broad portfolio of Syngenta products.

The latest NOAA drought outlook predicts that dry weather is expected to persist and even expand in parts of the central U.S., while some improvement is expected further east in the Corn Belt.

Seed Hawk is pleased to announce that they now have four external warehouses available for parts distribution. The warehouses, located in Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, and Minot, ND, will support Seed Hawk’s continuing focus on customer service.

Laura Allen has joined Lessiter Publications as a staff writer for No-Till Farmer and Conservation Tillage Guide. She holds a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism from Ball State University, and was most recently the assistant editor for Greenhouse Management and Produce Grower magazines. No-Till Farmer is a paid-subscription publication that reaches nearly 8,000 farmers interested in learning more about how to no-till, strip-till or manage other conservation-tillage techniques. The 12 monthly issues include eight issues of a 16-page newsletter and four quarterly issues of a full-length, four-color magazine that accepts display advertising.

Though planting corn early often results in higher yields, choosing the wrong planting date can have adverse effects on crop establishment.

Including starter fertilizer with any fertility program can play a big role in getting corn off to a vigorous start, but a key component to maximizing starter fertilizer applications involves managing the interplay between phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn).

Dry conditions and lack of soil moisture availability, especially during planting time this spring, can create water stress resulting in delayed germination, a reduction in plant stands or may prevent seed germination.

Harris-Mann Climatology's long-term forecaster, climatologist Cliff Harris, predicts a continuation of the major drought in the central U.S., which is likely to lead to even higher grain and soybean prices later this year.

Lessiter Publications, Inc. of Brookfield, Wis., is pleased to announce that Michael Storts has been promoted to Vice President of Finance & Administration.