Updated, Feb. 22 — Developing countries accounted for the first time last year for more than half the global biotech crop area, though the United States remains the primary nation making use of genetically altered crops, according to an industry report. "The developments we will see over the next five years will be in favor […] Read more
Record area of biotech crops used in 2012, report says
Dow delays Enlist corn release amid protests
A controversial new biotech corn developed by Dow AgroSciences will be delayed at least another year as the company awaits regulatory approval amid opposition from farmers, consumers and public health officials. Officials of Dow Chemical’s agricultural arm said Friday they now expect the first sales of Enlist for planting in 2014. Previously officials had set […] Read more
U.S. food, animal groups seek lower ractopamine limits
Food safety and animal welfare groups petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday seeking limits on an animal feed additive now being blocked from meat exports to Russia. Russia said earlier this month it was requiring meat it imports to be tested and certified free of the feed additive ractopamine, a move jeopardizing […] Read more
GMO labeling efforts change course after California defeat
The failure on Tuesday of a California ballot initiative that would have mandated labeling of genetically modified foods is not a death knell for those seeking nationwide labeling, U.S. labeling proponents said. U.S. President Barack Obama’s re-election could be a boost, as he is seen, in general terms, as being supportive of labeling. Still, efforts […] Read more
U.S. drought shrinking, but not fast enough
Snow and rain and cooler temperatures helped ease suffering in drought-stricken areas of the United States over the last week, though some areas saw conditions grow worse, according to a climatology report issued Thursday. Monster storm Sandy, which devastated the eastern United States with heavy rains and high winds, had little to no impact on […] Read more
CME to buy rival Kansas City exchange, head off ICE
CME Group Inc. on Wednesday agreed to buy the Kansas City Board of Trade for US$126 million in cash, cementing CME’s dominance in world grain futures markets and keeping rival IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) from gaining an important foothold. It is CME’s first exchange purchase in five years since it wrapped up a buying spree that put […] Read more
Dow agrees to safeguards on 2,4-D-tolerant crop system
A U.S. farmer group on Tuesday dropped its opposition to efforts by Dow AgroSciences to roll out a new biotech crop system in exchange for some concessions by Dow, including help investigating any accidental crop damage. The deal calls for "several new safeguards" from Dow AgroSciences related to use of a reformulated herbicide and biotech […] Read more
‘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 […] Read more
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 […] Read more
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 […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
