Leaders of In-Furrow Technology Hold Summit At Innovation Plot
July 6, 2016 
Dr. Fred Below, University of Illinois, presenting at the LIFT Summit in Bloomington, MN..
The Leaders of In-Furrow Technology (LIFT) held a LIFT Summit and field day on June 22-23 to discuss the latest innovations in in-furrow and foliar technologies, new herbicide traits and crop protection strategies. Industry experts including Dr. Fred Below, professor of plant physiology at the University of Illinois, showed how these new topics are essential for closing the corn yield gap, maximizing nutrient availability and implementing sustainable agriculture practices.
The event kicked off in Bloomington, MN where attendees were the first to hear about the exciting new Leaders of In-Furrow and Foliar Technologies (LIFT2) launch. The addition of foliar technology will support the important recent and future growth within the agriculture industry, including the new herbicide trait technologies as well as the new advancements in adjuvants and foliar treatments. LIFT2 also strongly reinforces the LIFT partners’ commitment to provide the best and most current developments, trends and best practices in agriculture for foliar and in-furrow technology.
The second day was held at the CHS innovation plot in southern Minnesota where attendees experienced presentations from Dr. Fred Below, as well as industry leaders from West Central, BASF, Dow AgroSciences, Climate Corporation, FMC and Nufarm about the newest agriculture technology advances in foliar and in-furrow applications. They were able to view and hear about the innovation plot, experience an adjuvant sprayer demonstration and learn more about the new foliar technology designed to work alongside new herbicide traits for efficacy purposes as well as sustainability and stewardship. Attendees also had opportunities to interview the local grower, the LIFT partner representatives and the guest speakers.
“With increasing pressure on growers to achieve high yields while maintaining sustainability and stewardship, having strong fertility and crop protection strategies in place is more important than ever,” said Dean Hendrickson, vice president of marketing and business development for West Central Distribution. “Through our enhanced LIFT2 initiative, we are expanding our focus to include both in-furrow and foliar technology, providing a well rounded educational resource for growers and retailers to stay on top of trends and best practices.
We believe the entire foliar arena will change significantly in a very short period due to the potential transformation of new trait technologies and the corresponding changes in foliar application practices.”
Additional speakers at the Summit included Brian Kuehl, Steve Roehl and Joe Sandbrink from West Central Distribution; John Laffey and Chris Byus from Dow AgroSciences; Juan Mayta from The Climate Corp.; Caren Schmidt and Vince Davis from BASF, Nathan Wright from Nufarm, Rick Ekins from FMC and Tyler White from CHS.
The LIFT program was founded by West Central Distribution and its partners, including BASF, Dow AgroSciences, FMC and NuFarm. These organizations work together to provide an educational resource for growers and retailers to learn more about in-furrow planting systems, industry trends and breakthrough technology.
For more information about LIFT2, in-furrow and foliar applications, crop protection and nutrient management, visit InTheFurrow.com.
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