News
Introduction: There are always alternatives

A wise man once said, ‘There are always alternatives’. Conventional thinking and tradition are to be respected, no question. However, neither should be so inflexible as to discourage new thinking or ‘a different approach’ to an old standard.

It is somehow fitting that the agri-food industry is taking a collective look at other practices, other ways of doing much the same thing. The energy potential from annually renewable sources has many growers thinking of cropping alternatives such as sorghum or switchgrass. Others are looking at alternate sources of energy for their operations, from wind and solar to
biogas. The options seem to multiply from one week to the next.

In this issue of Top Crop Manager, we try to bring you some new perspectives on issues that have been around a while, like herbicide tolerance, plant health, residue management and continuous cropping practices, especially as these relate to seed development and choices for the future. They are not revolutionary ideas by any means, nor are they the ultimate word
on respective issues. Instead, they offer a point of discussion, perhaps even a livelier-than-normal debate. In the end, that is where the greatest learning can take place, by reading, discussing and sharing… and by listening.

Ralph Pearce,
Field Editor