(Marshall, N.C.) With a month left before the conference several organizations have provided support in several ways. Advantage West is providing some sponsorship funding to the 2nd Annual North Carolina Conference on Sustainable Viticulture to be held Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Warren Wilson College. Matthew Raker, Vice President Entrepreneurship & AdvantageGreen, said “Viticulture supports a diversity of expanding industries in Western North Carolina such as wine, natural products and tourism. AdvantageWest is excited to be able to support this conference bringing together nationally recognized leaders in sustainable viticulture and serving as an annual focal point for our region’s grape-based industries.” (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) Bayer CropScience announced today that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against Dow AgroSciences (DAS) based upon DAS’s unauthorized use of Bayer patents related to glufosinate-tolerance technology (Liberty Link®). (more…)

(Ludwigshafen, Germany & Morrisville, N.C.) BASF announced today that it is concentrating its plant biotechnology activities on the main markets in North and South America. The company will adjust the portfolio and site footprint of its subsidiary BASF Plant Science to reflect this change. The headquarters of BASF Plant Science will be moved from Limburgerhof, Germany, to Raleigh, North Carolina. Research and development activities will be concentrated mainly in Raleigh, Ghent, Belgium and Berlin, Germany. Development and commercialization of all products targeted solely at cultivation in the European market will be halted. Regulatory approval processes which have already started will be continued. (more…)

(Marshall, N.C.) The Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute & Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard, in conjunction with Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C. will host the 2nd Annual North Carolina Conference on Sustainable Viticulture. Come learn how to participate in the fastest growing industry in North Carolina that provided an economic impact of more than $1 billion in NC last year. (more…)

(Marshall, N.C.) On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, the Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute and Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard, in conjunction with Warren Wilson College in Asheville N.C., will host the 2nd Annual North Carolina Conference on Sustainable Viticulture. Come learn how to participate in the fastest growing industry in North Carolina that provided over $1 billion economic impact in NC last year. The all-day conference will feature speakers from around the USA who will share information on how to grow grapes organically/biodynamically, which grapes are best for our steep mountain slopes and climate conditions, how to market your vineyard and winery, practical aspects of using various cover crops between rows of grapes, some of the many ways to generate value-added products from grapes including neutraceuticals, and how to make wines from organically/biodynamically grown grapes. (more…)

By Jim Shamp
NC Biotechnology Center

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) Poinsettias — white or red, mottled or green — are the cheerful plant favored as the harbinger of these wintertime holidays. Every year growers race to develop them in new colors, breeding bigger or different plant forms, greater disease resistance or longevity. During the past few years, purveyors of the florid flora have even pushed the color envelope with artificially painted, glittered and variously tinted offerings to broaden sales and boost earnings. But with more than four million poinsettia plants sold wholesale for more than $16 million last year alone by North Carolina growers — second only to California — Euphorbia pulcherrima is just another name for a cash crop worth stealing. (more…)

by Deborah Thompson, Ph.D.
Special to NCTechNews

A recent study shows that some farmers in the European Union (EU) would grow genetically modified (GM) crops if they were permitted to by the EU. Currently, the EU allows GM crops to be imported, but Bt maize (insect resistant corn) and Amflora potato (a starch potato grown for industrial use, rather than for food) are the only GM crops approved for cultivation in EU member states. (more…)

(Vass, N.C.) While artificial trees have become quite popular in the U.S., there is still nothing like a cut live tree to brighten the holidays and support U.S. farmers. There were over 27 million cut Christmas trees sold in the U.S. in 2010 with a value of over $976 million. North Carolina leads the U.S. in production of the favorite Fraser Fir and is the number two producer of cut Christmas trees overall behind Oregon. The value of this crop to the state of North Carolina in 2009 was approximately $100 million. (more…)

(Charlotte, N.C.) Gov. Bev Perdue announced that world-renowned produce supplier Chiquita Brands International Inc., will locate its global corporate headquarters in North Carolina, creating 400 jobs and bringing an investment of $14.1 million. The announcement is a huge win for North Carolina that caps off an aggressive effort by Gov. Perdue and state and local leaders to recruit Chiquita. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, announces today that their research team presented its latest results on thermostable keratinase improving the nutritive value of feather meal at the 2011 meeting of the Poultry Science Association. The company also served as a bronze sponsor for the event. (more…)

(Washington, D.C.) Scientists and policymakers participating in a panel at the BIO International Convention titled “Winning the Future: Does U.S. Ag Policy Support or Discourage Innovation?” called on policymakers to support a science-based regulatory review system and recognize the many benefits of ag biotech innovations. The panelists said the current regulatory environment discourages investments in new biotech crops because of complexity and costs. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) BioResource International, Inc. (www.briworldwide.com), a North Carolina agricultural biotechnology company, announces today its sponsorship of the North Carolina Pavilion at the 2011 BIO International Convention to be held June 27-30, 2011 in Washington, DC. The convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry. Organized by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, more than 90 companies will be participating as part of the delegation from the state. The pavilion area will be located in tradeshow space # 3519. (more…)