Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday gave final approval to new genetically modified corn and soybeans developed by Dow AgroSciences that, while criticized by environmentalists and some farmers, are portrayed by Dow as an answer to weed resistance problems that limit crop production. The approval may clear the way for a full […] Read more
USDA grants approval to Dow’s Enlist corn, soybeans
Neonic insecticides widespread in Iowa waters
Reuters — A class of insecticides popular with corn and soybean farmers in the U.S. Midwest but feared as a factor in the decline of U.S. honey bee colonies and other crop pollinators, has been found to be widespread through rivers and streams in Iowa, according to a government study released on Thursday. The study, […] Read more
Chinese woman arrested in plot to steal U.S. corn technology
Reuters — A Chinese woman has been arrested and charged with trying to steal patented U.S. seed technology as part of a plot to smuggle types of specialized corn from farm fields in the U.S. Midwest for use in China, authorities said Wednesday. The woman, Mo Yun, is married to the founder and chairman of […] Read more
Honeybees still dying at worrisome rate: USDA
Reuters — Honeybees, crucial in the pollination of many U.S. crops, are still dying off at an worrisome rate, even though fewer were lost over the past winter, according to a government report issued on Thursday. Total losses of managed honeybee colonies was 23.2 per cent nationwide for the 2013-14 winter, according to the annual […] Read more
U.S. court affirms sanctions against DuPont in battle with Monsanto
Reuters — U.S. chemical maker DuPont and its agricultural seed unit, Pioneer, acted in bad faith in a long-running legal battle with rival Monsanto, according to a federal appeals court ruling on Friday that affirmed sanctions against DuPont. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit agreed with a lower court decision in Missouri […] Read more
Vermont becomes first U.S. state to mandate GMO labeling
Reuters — Vermont on Thursday became the first U.S. state to mandate labeling of foods made with genetically modified organisms as Governor Peter Shumlin signed a law that is widely expected to be challenged in court by some food and agriculture companies. The law, set to take effect July 1, 2016, would for the first […] Read more
U.S. regulator set to approve Dow’s Enlist herbicide
Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday it plans to grant approval to a new herbicide developed by Dow AgroSciences that is designed to be used with new genetically-engineered corn and soybeans and combat weed resistance. The U.S. approvals for Enlist Duo herbicide — and for Enlist corn and soybeans — would free […] Read more
Monsanto beats expectations on strong corn, soy demand
Reuters — Monsanto Co., the world’s largest seed company, reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on Wednesday as its corn and soybean businesses expanded globally. The company, which specializes in developing genetically engineered crops that withstand herbicides and ward off insects, also affirmed its fiscal-year forecast. “Our business is on track to deliver the growth we anticipated,” […] Read more
Ag crowdfunding platform launches first deal
Reuters — Crowdfunding has found the farm. AgFunder, an online platform for agriculture-related companies to seek capital through a form of crowd-sourced fundraising, said Wednesday it was launching its first campaign by focusing on a California agricultural data company. Through the online platform, Fresno, California-based OnFarm is looking to raise $400,000 in capital to grow […] Read more
GMO critics protest at Monsanto annual meeting
Reuters — Critics of genetically modified crops (GMOs) protested at Monsanto’s annual shareholders meeting on Tuesday, calling for the world’s largest seed company to provide a report on contamination in non-GMO crops and to stop fighting mandatory labels on foods containing GMO ingredients. The requests came in the form of two shareholder resolutions that were […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
