Gil Gullickson

Remember last winter, when many of your became sick and tired of cleaning snow out your farmyard day after day?

Well, last year’s rough winter in many parts of the United States prompted some heartburn in the corporate offices of Bayer CropScience, too. Bayer executives reported this week at its annual press conference in Monheim, Germany, that sales for Bayer CropScience declined 3% during the first half of 2010 from last year.

The odds are stacked against a molecule on its way to making it as an agricultural pesticide on the market.

“It’s very difficult to get a compound to market, but it is not impossible,” says Leonardo Pitta, a scientist with Bayer CropScience who works with agricultural insecticides. “We are constantly finding new molecules.”

Herbicide resistant weeds -- not just those resistant to glyphosate -- are continuing to wreak weed-management havoc.

“There are biotypes no longer controlled by previously effective herbicides,” says Aaron Hager, University of Illinois (U of I) Extension weed specialist. In one Illinois case, a waterhemp biotype is resistant to not only glyphosate, but also an additional three herbicide action modes.

The good news? Glyphosate (used on over 95% of soybean acres and 70% of corn acres) continues to be the cornerstone of most weed-control systems.

Remember the 1995 movie, "Mr. Holland's Opus?" Its end showed scores of former students who reaped lifetime lessons taught by a humble music teacher.

Well, Roger and Monie Thompson have created a similar "opus" -- a top career achievement that one accomplishes -- of young southwestern Ohio farmers. The Springfield, Ohio, producers have helped start 22 young farmers since the 1980s. It's their way of passing on the help they received from folks early in their farming career.

"Everyone helps everyone," says Roger.

So many factors can affect your bottom line.

South Dakota State University tour examines manganese/glyphosate interactions, glyphosate tolerance alternatives, and preemergence herbicide benefits.