Awards spotlight for Grain Weevil and AgZen

Jan 02, 2025
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Nebraska Ag expo honors Ag innovation leaders

Highlighting the spirit of innovation within the agricultural sector, the Nebraska Ag Expo's Innovation After Hours brought together over 150 representatives from startups, investment firms, and agricultural enterprises.

This gathering, facilitated by notable sponsors including Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association and Invest Nebraska, aimed to propel the industry forward through collaborative innovation and recognition of groundbreaking technologies.

In a highly anticipated Startup Showcase, six innovative companies vied for accolades and financial rewards, presenting technologies that promise to transform various aspects of agriculture.

Notably, Grain Weevil stood out and was awarded the Startup Showcase Winner title along with a $5000 prize, for their robot designed to improve grain bin safety and management—a critical area in agricultural operations.

Similarly, AgZen won the People’s Choice Award with a $1000 prize, thanks to their technology that enhances the precision of chemical applications in farming, potentially reducing waste and increasing crop yields.

The Nebraska Ag Expo, an annual event held at the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln, NE, continues to be a cornerstone for agricultural advancement, supporting innovative solutions that tackle real-world agricultural challenges.

More information on this event can be accessed at nebraskaagexpo.com, offering insights into the future of agriculture and the next generation of ag technologies.

Photo Credit: nebraska-ag

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.