It was the one thing that was on the mind of most everyone at the 2013 annual outlook conference of the U.S. Agriculture Department.

MANA today announced its launch of five new soybean weed control tools: Rumble™, Tailwind™, Torment™, Vise™ and Outflank™ herbicides. Each product encompasses superior efficacy against tough-to-control grass and broadleaf weeds using advanced technology to expand performance of “gold star� conventional active ingredients.

CDS-John Blue introduces its Next Generation Electronic Liquid Blockage Monitor System (LBMS), available in fall, 2013. The system allows operators to monitor liquid application flow from the tractor cab. Two display options are available — a standard display and also through an iPad.

Conditions in the U.S., the biggest wheat exporter, are improving after snowstorms increased soil moisture following the worst drought since the 1930s Dust Bowl, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Although reducing tillage intensity can provide conservation benefits and cost savings, adoption of no-till and minimum till practices for corn production has been limited in some areas, particularly in the northern Corn Belt. In this environment, a shorter growing season and cold, poorly drained soils can lead to delayed planting, low and uneven emergence and lower yields for reduced versus conventional tillage. Strip-till has been proposed as an alternative minimum tillage system for areas and soils that are not well suited for no-till management.

During a recent presentation at the 21st annual Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference held at Ohio Northern University in Ada, a Purdue University professor addressed farmers on improving drought tolerance for crops.

When fourth-generation farmer Lance Saathoff climbs into the cab of his 510-horsepower John Deere tractor, he's in a control center that's guided by distant satellites to fraction-of-an-inch precision and programmed for exact application of every last seed, every bit of fertilizer.

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.