Army worm poop deceives corn plants Monday, December 7, 2015 Chemical ecologists at Pennsylvania State University have determined that "frass," the defecations of herbivorous caterpillars that collects in the whorls of corn leaves, tricks plants into thinking they are being attacked by a fungus infection. The plants mount a defence against such, thereby reducing their defences against the actual creatures that are attacking them. They can't defend against both fungus and insects at the same time, says Dawn Luthe, professor of plant stress biology in a Penn State newsletter published in September.The newsletter notes that fall army worms "are voracious feeders on leaves in the confined whorls of corn plants."The study was published in the Journal of Chemical Ecology and may lead to the isolation of specific components of the frass that can be incorporated into a compound that can be spread on crops to increase resistance to fungal attacks. That would be an "ecologically sustainable" pesticide. An alternative is a genetic modification to incorporate proteins from the frass to boost a crop's "native resistance" to pathogens.Scientists are still trying to find a solution to dealing with those hungry army caterpillars. The faking frass is an ecological strategy "that has been perfected over thousands of years of evolution," says lead researcher Swayamjit Ray, a doctoral student at Penn State. The U.S. Department of Agriculture financed the research. BF Noise over GMO labelling in the United States Cotton underwear helps measure soil activity
New Holland IntelliSense Tech Elevates Crop Efficiency Tuesday, October 14, 2025 The IntelliSense system features a forward-looking sensor mounted at the cab’s center line, allowing the sprayer to assess crop quality up to 50 feet ahead. It operates in two main modes: variable rate application and spot spraying. In variable rate mode, the system uses sunlight... Read this article online
Horror movies filmed in rural Ontario Tuesday, October 14, 2025 As picturesque as rural Ontario and its farm settings can be, the landscape can also create the perfect backdrop to send chills down a spine. With that at top of mind and in celebration of all things spooky and horror in October, here are some horror movies filmed around rural... Read this article online
Downtown Diner Delivers a Taste of Canadian Farming to Ottawa Monday, October 13, 2025 This week, the heart of Canada’s capital was filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Canadian agriculture as Sparks Street played host to the Downtown Diner, a pop-up event celebrating Canadian food and the farmers who make it possible. At the center of the conversation was... Read this article online
Precision Harvesting with HeadSight and TrueSight Monday, October 13, 2025 Modern harvesting relies heavily on precision and smart technology, and new systems for head height control and steering are making sure you are not leaving bushels in the field. These innovations ensure efficient crop collection, protect equipment, and reduce operator fatigue during... Read this article online
Boost Farm Yields with Better Residue Control Monday, October 13, 2025 Effective crop residue management begins with the combine and continues through planting the next crop. Properly managing residues in corn, soybean, and wheat fields helps maintain soil structure, reduce erosion, and promote higher yields. The FieldCropNews.com Team from OMAFA have shared... Read this article online