About “Beyond the Rows”

Beyond the Rows is a Monsanto Company blog focused on one of the world’s most important industries, agriculture. Monsanto employees write about Monsanto’s business, the agriculture industry, and the farmer.avatar Monsantoco Posts

Authors:

  • avatar
  • avatar
  • avatar
  • avatar
  • avatar
  • avatar
[x] close
biotechnologybanner

The Story That Was and Wasn’t

It’s Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. You’re doing a Google search on genetically modified crops in Europe. One of your search results is from the U.K.’s Daily Mail web site – an announcement that Monsanto is closing wheat breeding stations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Czech Republic. You look at the article’s date: Jan. 31, 2012.

If you oppose GM crops, you’re thrilled, and immediately use the Daily Mail’s “tweet this” feature to alert all of your Twitter followers, many of whom retweet the news to their followers. Soon, Greenpeace Europe picks it up and tweets it. Numerous … Full Article »

Tags: , , ,

Originally published
February 4, 2012 by Glynn Young

WFP-MBBIScholars-2011025

Helping Farmers Fight Plant Diseases

Today is the deadline for the applications for the 2012 Monsanto Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program. We asked some of the current scholars to provide a perspective on what their experience has been with the program. More information can be found at Monsanto’s corporate web site.

By Kebede Muleta

Native country: Ethiopia
Home University: Washington State University (U.S.)
Collaborating organization: USDA-ARS

After graduating with a BS degree in plant science and later a MS degree in plant pathology from Haramaya University, I was able to receive the opportunity to work in various research institutes and agricultural universities. This has given … Full Article »

Tags: , , , , , ,

Originally published
February 1, 2012 by Monsantoco

TyVaughnStill

Looking Ahead to the 2012 Corn Planting Season

As winter quickly passes, we recognize that many growers are gearing up for spring planting and may have questions about our recommendations for corn rootworm (CRW) traited hybrids due to recent discussions and headlines about corn rootworm populations.

Whether you are one of the few who experienced unexpected damage or one of the majority who experienced excellent performance on more than 99.8% of the acres planted with our corn rootworm traits in 2011, our recommendations for CRW control are the same.

  • We recommend you limit corn rootworm damage by using dual mode-of-action (pyramided) Bt-trait products, rotating your crop to

    • … Full Article »

Tags: , , , ,

Originally published
January 27, 2012 by Monsantoco

MBBISPbanner

Beachell-Borlaug Scholars Speak Out

The deadline for applications for the Monsanto Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program (MBBISP) is Feb. 1. Monsanto established this program in 2009 in honor of two of the world’s most pre-eminent rice and wheat breeders, Drs. Henry Beachell and Norman Borlaug. Their lifelong work laid the foundation for the tremendous increases in rice and wheat production that continue to help feed the world today. Since its inception in 2009, the program thas accepted 38 applicants.

Two scholars share their experiences below.… Full Article »

Tags: , , , , ,

Originally published
January 27, 2012 by Monsantoco

FAN2050111

Let’s End World Hunger

Last year was a milestone year for raising awareness and advancing a global dialogue about the challenge of doubling food production by 2050 to combat hunger and malnutrition and meet the needs of a fast-growing population. Recent attention paid to the birth of the 7 billionth human on earth did much to help drive this global conversation. But looking ahead to 2012 and beyond, our challenge – in fact our imperative – must be to translate this momentum into action.

… Full Article »

Tags: , ,

Originally published
January 25, 2012 by Monsantoco

IMG-20120124-01966

Monsanto’s Annual Shareholder Meeting

Today was the annual shareholder meeting for Monsanto Company. I’ve been to several of these before, both here at Monsanto and for other companies. I can remember the first one I went to… it really didn’t match my expectations. I’m not sure what I expected – maybe something like the excitement in “Mr Deeds.”

Although I like to know how the business is doing and how shareholders voted on topics in front of them, the central part of the meeting for me has been participation of farmers. Maybe that’s because I’m working here everyday and feel like I have a … Full Article »

Tags: , , , ,

Originally published
January 24, 2012 by Janice Person

Hawaiian fruits and vegetables

An Incredible Learning Experience With Farm Bureau

For the last few years, I have had an opportunity to go to the annual meeting of the Farm Bureau. A group of us have also enjoyed being able to share the experience in real-time (thanks to Twitter) and with a bit of reflection on the AFBF meeting blog. This year, I wrote 1-2 blog posts a day with several of them featuring video interviews with farmers engaged in the meetings. The pace of doing that along with all the other activities seemed dizzying at times but what a rewarding experience it has been! I thought you would like … Full Article »

Tags: , , ,

Originally published
January 13, 2012 by Janice Person

MBBISPbanner

Scholars Speak on the Beachell-Borlaug Program

The Monsanto Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program develops highly educated rice and wheat plant breeders who can serve as agricultural leaders. In 2009, recognizing the importance of rice and wheat in global food security, Monsanto pledged $10 million to improve yields in these crops as part of our commitment to sustainable agriculture. The program is named in honor of Drs. Henry Beachell and Norman Borlaug, two of the world’s pre-eminent rice and wheat breeders.

Administered by Texas AgriLife Research at the Texas A&M University System, the program supports projects that allow students to develop advanced breeding techniques and gain experience … Full Article »

Tags: , , , , ,

Originally published
January 12, 2012 by Monsantoco

farm bureau hawaii

Getting to Know the Farm Bureau

This week as millions of Americans went back to work after the New Year‘s holiday, thousands of men and women who kept working straight through the holidays began packing and finalizing schedules to have friends and family care for crops and livestock. Many of these farmers worked through the holidays but find the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s annual meeting requires their time.

The words “farm bureau” sometimes get thrown around without anyone taking the time to step back and talk about the basics of the organization. So before the thousands of farmers gather, I asked a few of … Full Article »



Originally published
January 7, 2012 by Janice Person

cotton

Farm Press Publications Honor “High Cotton” Winners

Farm Press Publications has announced the winners of its annual “High Cotton” Awards, and three of the four winners are Monsanto customers.

The awards, given through a grant by the Cotton Foundation, recognize cotton producers in each of the four Farm Press coverage areas who both produce good yields and take care of the land and water.

The Monsanto customers are:

Coley Bailey, Jr. farms near Coffeeville, Mississippi (Delta region).

Kent Wannamaker farms near St. Matthews, South Carolina (Southeast region).

Shawn Holladay farms near Lamesa, Texas (Southwest region).

The fourth winner, Don Cameron, farms near Helm, California (Western region).… Full Article »

Tags: , ,

Originally published
January 6, 2012 by Glynn Young