Efforts to write benefits for biotech seed companies into U.S. legislation, including the 2013 Farm Bill, are sparking a backlash from groups that say the multiple measures would severely limit U.S. oversight of genetically modified crops. From online petitions to face-to-face lobbying on Capitol Hill, an array of consumer and environmental organizations and individuals are
U.S. plans to cut GMO crop oversight
‘Big Food’ girds for California GMO fight
After two decades fighting to force U.S. food companies to tell consumers when their products are made with genetically modified organisms, activists in California have mounted what is potentially their most promising offensive to date. In November, voters in the nation’s most populous state will decide whether to require labels on food and drinks containing
Weed resistance found growing to 2,4-D
As U.S. farmers struggle to control the rise of "superweeds" choking key cropland, a leading herbicide that’s shown good weed control for decades appears to be losing its effectiveness, a report from a science journal said Wednesday. Chemical makers have been racing to find an answer to resistance that has built up against the broadly-used
Monsanto wins $1 bln award against DuPont
Shares of Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company, rose on Thursday and DuPont shares fell after Monsanto won a $1 billion victory over its archrival in a lawsuit concerning patents in the agricultural seed market. The victory, which dealt with genetically modified seeds that allow crops to tolerate herbicides, should have little immediate impact in
U.S. ranchers cull cattle as drought shrivels crops, pasture
Ranchers are rushing to sell off some of their cattle as the worst drought in nearly 56 years dries up pastures, thins hay supplies and sends feed costs skyrocketing. The more desperate in the Midwest are hauling water into areas where creeks have run dry and are scrambling to secure scarce and high-priced hay to
Ranchers cull cattle as drought shrivels crops
Reuters / U.S. ranchers are rushing to sell off some of their cattle as the worst drought in nearly 25 years dries up pastures and thins hay supplies. The more desperate in the Midwest are hauling water into areas where creeks have run dry and are scrambling to secure scarce and high-priced hay to keep
Standoff looms over U.S. plans to cut GMO oversight
Efforts to write benefits for biotech seed companies into U.S. legislation, including the 2013 Farm Bill, are sparking a backlash from groups that say the multiple measures would severely limit U.S. oversight of genetically modified crops. From online petitions to face-to-face lobbying on Capitol Hill, an array of consumer and environmental organizations and individuals are
Facing parched pastures, U.S. ranchers cull cattle
U.S. ranchers are rushing to sell off some of their cattle as the worst drought in nearly 25 years dries up pastures, thins hay supplies and sends feed costs skyrocketing. The more desperate in the U.S. Midwest are hauling water into areas where creeks have run dry and are scrambling to secure scarce and high-priced
Mystery ahoof as U.S. cattle dying after eating grass
Reuters — A mystery is ahoof in Texas farm country where cattle have dropped dead while grazing, puzzling scientists who say it appears an unusual combination of circumstances have turned pastures toxic. Texas animal scientists said a type of grass known as “Tifton 85” bermuda grass is to blame for the poisoning of 15 head
BASF sees strong growth tied to GMO crop traits
Reuters / Global conglomerate BASF is rolling out a series of new plant science and plant protection products for farmers in the United States as it aims to increase its share of fast-growing markets, executives of the German chemical giant said. South America is also a target as BASF shifts its agricultural emphasis — and
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