Vantacor insecticide from FMC Corp. received registration from U.S. EPA in fall 2020. It features Rynaxypyr, the same active ingredient that’s in Prevathon, which is already a proven product on the market. The big difference is in the use rate. The label will call for 0.7 to 2 fluid ounces of Vantacor per acre, compared to 14 to 20 fluid ounces of Prevathon per acre.
“Vantacor insect control is an example of FMC using its formulation expertise to shrink our environmental footprint while still delivering reliable insect control,” says John McCool, FMC insecticides product manager. Besides being better for the environment, a lower use rate means less packaging and less time spent handling jugs and equipment to and from fields, he adds.
Vantacor will control lepidopteran pests in soybeans, corn, cotton, peanuts, potatoes, sweet corn, sugarcane and onions. It controls a long list of worm pests, including European corn borer, western bean cutworm, corn earworm, soybean looper and many more. Visit ag.fmc.com.
Corn Rootworm Monitoring
Wyffels Hybrids is turning its experience in monitoring corn rootworm activity into a tool that customers can use to make better decisions about managing the pest in their area. For example, you can use the tool to see what Wyffels agronomists are learning while monitoring rootworms in real time during the upcoming growing season.
In 2020, Wyffels staff monitored activity of both northern and western corn rootworm beetles in 900 corn and soybean fields in their geography. Even if you farm outside of where they monitor, following the results could give you a heads-up on corn rootworm activity across the Corn Belt. Find out more at wyffels.com.
Sprayer Companies Announce Agreement
Hardi North America will be moving its manufacturing capabilities to Mooresville, Ind., to consolidate them with Equipment Technologies, maker of Apache sprayers. Both companies are owned by Exel, Paris, France.
“I think our industry, in general, could benefit from more cooperation among the major players, which would strengthen more companies and provide more selection and better service for farmers,” says Matt Hays, CEO of ET. Look for both companies to continue offering their own lineup of products. Visit etsprayers.com or hardi-us.com.
Ceramic Spray Nozzles
Albuz ceramic spray nozzles are coming to North America. Greenleaf Technologies will be the exclusive distributor in the U.S. for these nozzles made by Albuz, based in France. Ceramic nozzles themselves are not new. However, spokespeople say this new agreement will make it easier for farmers here to access them. The nozzles are made from a pink ceramic grade, which is harder than diamonds and wears better than stainless steel, brass or plastic nozzles, spokespeople say. Visit greenleaftech.com.
Ag Leader Expands Lineup
Ag Leader, based in Ames, Iowa, recently added two products to its lineup of precision agriculture products. The SteerCommand family of guidance and steering products now has two new members: SteerCommand Z2 automated steering and SteadySteer assisted steering. Both products work seamlessly with Ag Leader’s InCommand year-round precision farming display.
The new hardware offerings for steering allow for easy transfer between machines. The system is upgradable from entry-level guidance to advanced autosteering. Visit agleader.com.