Approval given for B20 biodiesel blends
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Cummins Inc. recently announced approval of biodiesel B20 blends for use in its 2002 and later emissions-compliant engines. This includes the ISX (525 horsepower engine), ISM(340-500 hp), ISL (330-400), ISC (260-330 hp) and ISB engines (275-300 hp) and all newly released 2007 products.

Cummins is able to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which limited the use to B5 blends only, up to B20.

BQ-9000 helps companies improve their fuel testing and greatly reduce any chance of producing or distributing inadequate fuel. To receive accreditation, companies must pass a review and inspection of their quality control processes by an independent auditor. This ensures that quality control is fully implemented. The Certified Marketer category includes distribution companies who sell biodiesel and biodiesel blend. An accredited producer is a company that produces biodiesel fuel to a specific standard indicated by ASTM. This title ensures that a production company is using a system for monitoring the quality of their biodiesel.

For more information about the use of biodiesel for both on-highway and off-highway Cummins products, visit their Web site at www.everytime.cummins.com


Pioneer awards growers Flex-fuel trucks
DES MOINES, Iowa — Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., highlighted its commitment to biofuels by presenting three 2007 Chevrolet® Silverado® trucks to winners of its Technology That Fuels sweepstakes on March 21. The sweepstakes helped Pioneer promote biofuels and their importance in expanding agricultural markets.

The winning growers are: Shayne Kogel, Emmetsburg, Iowa; Gordon Mammel, Bay City, Mich.; and Gary Kuesel, Deshler, Ohio.
Each winner drove home a Silverado truck powered by a flex-fuel Vortec 5.3L V8 engine, which develops power from E85 ethanol fuel blend. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

“We are excited for the winners receiving their new flex-fuel trucks, but, more importantly, we’re excited about the future of biofuels,” said Dean Oestreich, president of Pioneer. “Pioneer is a strong supporter of the biofuels industry. Our crop genetics research and development pipeline includes traits and technologies that help increase harvestable yield as well as ethanol production per acre to meet the growing demand for both ethanol and distillers grains.”

Strong supporters for renewable fuels, Pioneer is working to enhance productivity of the ethanol industry through an approach targeted toward increasing ethanol yield per bushel and overall corn yield per acre.

DuPont has a three-part biofuels strategy that includes improving the yield of grain ethanol through the research and technology expertise of Pioneer; developing technologies to convert other agricultural feedstocks and energy crops into biofuels; and discovering new technologies to make advanced biofuels with enhanced fuel properties.

“The world is demanding alternative energy options, and the agriculture industry is delivering, using science and technology to meet the challenge,” Oestreich said.


MANA acquires insecticide from Bayer CropScience
RALEIGH, N.C. — Makhteshim Agan Industries, Inc. (MAI), Israel, purchased the global rights to the Guthion brand containing the active ingredient azinphos-methyl from Bayer CropScience AG.

Makhteshim Agan of North America, Inc. (MANA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MAI.

MANA received the product line, manufacturing, formulation know-how, registration rights, intellectual property rights and existing inventory of the Guthion Solupak brand in the US and Canadian markets.

First introduced in 1962, Guthion provides broad-spectrum control of major insects on pome fruit and other crops throughout the season. Its primary use is on apples and pears as an important tool to control codling moth, apple maggot and oriental fruit moth.

Guthion is also labeled for use on cherries, blueberries, almonds, pistachios, walnuts and parsley.

“Guthion is complimentary to the MANA portfolio,” said Brian Ahrens, senior product manager for insecticides. “Guthion is the industry standard for controlling codling moth in apples. We will continue to support active ingredients that are vital to growers’ needs such as diazinon, endosulfan, dicofol, novaluron and captan,” he added.

For more information, visit www.manainc.com


Lechler wins SIMA 2007 Innovation Award for IDK nozzles
ST. CHARLES, Ill. — Lechler France was awarded a commendation for its IDK Air Induction Nozzle at SIMA, one of the leading agricultural exhibitions in Europe, held this past March in Paris.

The Paris jury emphasized that the nozzle gives excellent coverage and foliage penetration, regardless of the applicator’s volume-per-acre needs. The compact air-induction spray tip is designed to be shock-resistant and built to last.

The IDK Air Induction Nozzle is available in the United States with a 110-degree spray angle, seven tip sizes and is made from polyacetal, ceramic or ceramic/polypropylene for low pH applications, such as cotton defoliation.

Lechler, a global organization with sales and production facilities in more than 40 countries, has been manufacturing spray nozzles and systems since 1879. Lechler, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary located in St. Charles, Ill., is the Master Distributor in North America for the GEOline brand of spray boom components, electronics and tank replacement parts.