Ag teams hammer up some hope

The Habitat for Humanity troops were at it again recently, this time enlisting the agricultural sector to help build storage sheds to provide storage for the Habitat homes that are built without garages. Nine agricultural companies supported the first annual Ag Shed Building Challenge, providing a total of 13 teams and 120 volunteers at the

Dow’s new biotech corn enters final stage of regulatory approval

Reuters / A new biotech corn developed by Dow AgroSciences could answer the prayers of U.S. farmers plagued by a fierce epidemic of super-weeds. Or it could trigger a flood of dangerous chemicals that may make weeds even more resistant and damage other important U.S. crops. Or, it could do both. “Enlist,” entering the final


U.S. organic growers appeal court ruling

A group of U.S. family farmers said March 28 it is appealing its lawsuit against Monsanto Co. to challenge the company’s patents on technologies for genetically modified seeds. The group of organic farmers and seed dealers says its industry is at risk from Monsanto’s growing market dominance. “Farmers are under threat. Our right to farm

New technology focuses on native gene manipulation

The pace of canola seed innovation has increased dramatically over the last 10 years, but that doesn’t mean the industry can take a break or rest on its laurels. As canola production and consumption has increased over the last four or five years, the amount of soybean oil used worldwide has dropped by four billion


GMO proliferation an existential threat to organic farmers

Sourcing organic alfalfa seed has become more complicated since the commercial release of genetically modified alfalfa in the U.S., the executive director of the Canadian Organic Trade Association says. Although it is not yet grown commercially in Canada, the herbicide-tolerant forage crop was given a green light by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in 2005

Monsanto scholarships available to rural students

Monsanto Canada has released details regarding the 2012 Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship program. The program offers graduating grade 12 high school students from farm families the opportunity to capture a $1,500 entrance scholarship to help fund their post-secondary education in agriculture or an agriculture-related field of study. Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarships are available to eligible


Scientist says drought-tolerant corn a “baby step” that does little for farmers

It would be better to plant conventional corn and improve agronomic practices than switch to “drought-tolerant” corn, says a veteran plant scientist. “The technology has gotten a tremendous amount of attention. We think undue attention,” said Doug Gurian-Sherman, a plant pathologist with the Union of Concerned Scientists. “It is a modest benefit and a real

Judge dismisses lawsuit against Monsanto

A federal judge has ruled in favour of global seed giant Monsanto Co., dismissing a lawsuit brought by a consortium of U.S. organic farmers and seed dealers who said their industry is at risk from Monsanto’s growing market strength. U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Buchwald, for the Southern District of New York, threw out the


Monsanto to appeal French ruling

U.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto said Feb. 14 it will appeal a French court ruling that found it responsible for the poisoning of a farmer who inhaled a weed killer in what is the first such case to reach court in France. A court in Lyon, southeast France, ruled Feb. 13 that Monsanto was guilty of

Controlling Roundup Ready canola in Roundup Ready corn

Prevention is the best method when it comes to Roundup Ready canola volunteers in a crop of Roundup Ready corn. If that fails there are pre-seed and in-crop herbicide options — but they’re risky, says Bruce Murray, a DEKALB agronomist with Monsanto. “It you’re expecting a miracle, sorry there isn’t a miracle out there right