NewsRack: flenvcenter/Food_Regional/Food-Production/Industrial-Agriculture

A win for Monsanto on GMO crops - High Country News Most Recent

Jodi Peterson — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

A "Roundup" of news about genetically-modified crops and their apparently unstoppable rise.

Idaho spud giant bets on biotech potatoes - azcentral.com | business

John Miller — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

BOISE, Idaho -- A dozen years after a customer revolt forced Monsanto to ditch its genetically engineered potato, an Idaho company aims to resurrect high-tech spuds. This month, tuber processing giant J.R. Simplot Co. asked the U.S. government to approve five varieties of biotech potatoes. They're engineered not to develop ugly black bruises. McDonald's, which gets many of its fries from Simplot, rejects those. They're also designed to have less of a natural but potentially cancer-causing neurotoxin, acrylamide.

Idaho spud giant bets on biotech potatoes - Denver Post: National News Headlines

By JOHN MILLER Associated Press — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

BOISE, Idaho—A dozen years after a customer revolt forced Monsanto to ditch its genetically engineered potato, an Idaho company aims to resurrect high-tech spuds.

Supreme court rules for Monsanto in seed-patenting case - Salt Lake Tribune

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

by Robert Barnes The Washington Post Published May 13, 2013 05:39PM MDT Washington » Farmers must pay Monsanto each time they plant the company’s genetically modified soybeans, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, rejecting an Indiana farmer’s argument that his unorthodox techniques did not violate the company’s patent. Farmer Vernon Hugh Bowman asserted that because the company’s herbicide-resistent Roundup Ready soybeans replicate themselves, he was not violating the company’s patent by planting progeny seeds he bought elsewhere. But the justices unanimously rejected t... ...

Supreme Court rules for Monsanto in seed patent case - Salt Lake Tribune

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

by Jesse J. Holland The Associated Press Published May 13, 2013 01:01PM MDT WASHINGTON • The Supreme Court said Monday that an Indiana farmer violated Monsanto Co.’s patents on soybean seeds resistant to its weed-killer by growing the beans without buying new seeds from the corporation. The justices unanimously rejected the farmer’s argument that cheap soybeans he bought from a grain elevator are not covered by the Monsanto patents, even though most of them also were genetically modified to resist the company’s Roundup herbicide. While Monsanto won this case, the court ... ...

High court rules for Monsanto in patent case - azcentral.com | business

Jesse J. Holland — Sun, 12 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court said Monday that an Indiana farmer violated Monsanto Co.'s patents on soybean seeds that are resistant to its weed-killer by growing additional crops without buying new beans. The justices unanimously rejected the farmer's argument that cheap soybeans he bought from a grain elevator are not covered by the Monsanto patents, even though most of them also were genetically modified to resist the company's Roundup herbicide.

Utah pesticide use not dangerous - Salt Lake Tribune

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

by Leonard M. Blackham Published May 11, 2013 01:01AM MDT As a government agency responsible for regulating Utah’s agriculture industry, we find it necessary to offer a balanced view of the role pesticides play in our food system. Brian Moench, in a May 4 op-ed, “Spray at your own risk,” offer a very narrowly focused and unrealistic view that all pesticides should be removed from the market because of their potential to do harm. This is simply an irresponsible position to advocate, especially for a doctor. Are pesticides risk-free? Certainly not. But t... ...

Woman rescued after 17 days in Bangladesh rubble - azcentral.com | business

Julhas Alam — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

SAVAR, Bangladesh -- For 17 days, the seamstress lay trapped in a dark basement pocket beneath thousands of tons of wreckage as temperatures outside climbed into the mid-90s F. She rationed food and water. She banged a pipe to attract attention. She was fast losing hope of ever making it out alive. In the ruins of the collapsed eight-store garment factory building above her, the frantic rescue operation had long ago ended. It had turned instead into a grim search for the decaying bodies of the more than 1,000 people killed in the world's worst garment industry disaster.

Bolivia's challenge: Making coca palatable - Denver Post: National News Headlines

By PAOLA FLORES Associated Press — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

VILLA TUNARI, Bolivia—Since taking office seven years ago, President Evo Morales has tried to persuade the world that he has no tolerance for cocaine and that Bolivia's thousands of acres of coca plants can be dedicated to such traditional uses as fighting fatigue as well as whipping up wholesome treats like sweet breads and coca puffed

Shoppers face hurdles in finding ethical clothing - azcentral.com | business

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:30:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- You can recycle your waste, grow your own food and drive a fuel-efficient car. But being socially responsible isn't so easy when it comes to the clothes on your back. Take Jason and Alexandra Lawrence of Lyons, Colo. The couple eat locally grown food that doesn't have to be transported from far-flung states. They fill up their diesel-powered Volkswagen and Dodge pickup with vegetable-based oil. They even bring silverware to a nearby coffeehouse to avoid using the shop's plastic utensils.

Utah prosecutor dismisses suddenly high-profile ‘ag gag’ case - Salt Lake Tribune

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:30:00 GMT

by Jim Dalrymple Ii The Salt Lake Tribune Published Apr 30, 2013 12:32PM MDT Draper city prosecutors have dismissed a misdemeanor against an animal welfare activist who filmed a Utah slaughterhouse one day after the case made headlines. Prosecutors Tuesday dismissed the case against Amy Meyer,who had faced a class B misdemeanor for agricultural operation interference. Prosecutors filed the charge in Draper’s justice court Feb. 19 after Meyer reportedly used her cell phone to film the Dale T. Smith and Sons Meat Packing Co. 11 days earlier. The case was the first to be p... ...

Woman facing misdemeanor for video recording Utah slaughterhouse - Salt Lake Tribune

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:30:00 GMT

by Jim Dalrymple Ii The Salt Lake Tribune Published Apr 29, 2013 03:49PM MDT In what is thought to be a first in Utah, a woman who filmed a Draper slaughter house with her cell phone has been charged with violating the state’s “ag gag” law. Amy Meyer, 25, faces a class B misdemeanor for agricultural operation interference. Prosecutors filed the charge in Draper City’s justice court Feb. 19 after Meyer reportedly filmed the Dale T. Smith and Sons Meat Packing Company 11 days earlier. Class B misdemeanors carry up to six months in jail. Meyer has pleaded not guilty to the... ...

Legendary horses latest victim of Spain's bust - azcentral.com | business

Alan Clendenning — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:30:00 GMT

ALMONTE, Spain -- The southern Spanish region of Andalusia, famed for flamenco and Moorish castles, is also home to a legendary breed of horses that carried conquistadors into battle in the Americas, featured in Hollywood epics and more recently became trophy acquisitions for Spaniards during a giddy economic boom. On his grassy ranch in the territory's heartland, 73-year-old Francisco Mesa breeds these "Pura Raza Espanola" -- Pure Spanish Breed -- horses with a passion that comes from years of pampering the elegant beasts known for their intelligence and affection for humans. He enters a muddy pen and is immediately surrounded by mares and foals who nuzzle him with tenderness, oblivious of their almost certain fate: the slaughterhouse.

Honey bee disease may be linked to new class of pesticides - Denver Post: National News Headlines

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:30:00 GMT

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A mysterious malady that has been killing honeybees en masse for several years appears to have expanded drastically in the past year, commercial beekeepers say,

Organic baby food is more costly but not necessarily more nutritious - Denver Post: Business

By Rachel Saslow, Special to the Washington Post — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Organic baby food is more costly but not necessarily more nutritious

Bigger beef, less flavor? New cattle drug to blame - Denver Post: National News Headlines

A new cattle drug called Zilmax is being widely used in the industrial feedlots where most of America's beef comes from, but not because it produces a better sirloin. In fact, it has been shown to make steak less flavorful and juicy than beef from untreated cattle. Many feedlot owners, big meatpackers, and at least one prominent industry group resisted the drug, worrying that the beef industry would turn off consumers if it started churning out lower-quality steaks.

High-stakes fight over soybeans at high court - azcentral.com | business

MARK SHERMAN — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON -- Vernon Hugh Bowman seems comfortable with the old way of doing things, right down to the rotary-dial telephone he said he was using in a conference call with reporters. But the 75-year-old Indiana farmer figured out a way to benefit from a high-technology product -- soybeans that are resistant to weed-killers -- without always paying the high price that such genetically engineered seeds typically bring. In so doing, he ignited a legal fight with seed-giant Monsanto Co. that has now come before the Supreme Court, with arguments taking place Tuesday.

The Maize Manifesto - Grassroots International

Carol Schachet — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Subheadline: Mexican farmers say "No!" to GM corn Outside Author Bio: A partner of Grassroots International, UNORCA provides technical assistance in natural resource management, marketing, and implementation of projects and programs for productive enterprises, rural development, human and indigenous rights and agrarian issues for peasant and indigenous peoples’ organizations. In addition to its national agenda, UNORCA is one of the leading organizations of the Via Campesina – North America which struggles for a sustainable and farmer and farmworker-oriented agriculture, for a dignified life in the countryside and for peoples’ food sovereignty. Outside Author: National Union of Autonomous Regional Peasant Organizations Below is a letter from the National Union of Autonomous Regional Peasant Organizations (UNORCA) to officials in Mexico. UNORCA members began a hunger strike last week to prevent Monsanto from large-scale planting of genetically modified corn. They ...

Seeds Help Communities Raise Hope, Independence - Grassroots International

Saulo Araujo — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT

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Colorado farmers fret that fertilizer prices are being jacked up - Denver Post: Business

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Colorado farmers fret that fertilizer prices are being jacked up

John Matsushima, 2013 Citizen of the West, innovated cattle nutrition - Denver Post: Lifestyles

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT

At 92, Kiichiro "Johnnie" Matsushima may be the eldest recipient of the Citizen of the West award. Almost certainly, he is the only one who once had to cobble his own shoes.

Colorado-based group helping Nepal produce more crops with human urine - Headlines: All Headlines

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT

For 14 years, a foundation based in the one-stoplight town of Ridgway, on the Western Slope, has been helping rural villagers in eastern Nepal with education, building and employment projects.

U.S. hunger for yogurt leads to Chobani factory in Idaho - Salt Lake Tribune

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT

the New York Times Published Dec 19, 2012 06:51PM MDT Chobani, the yogurt company that grew from nothing five years ago to a roughly $1 billion powerhouse today, earlier this week opened one of the world’s largest yogurt-processing plants, in Twin Falls, Idaho. “I’m so excited,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.” The $450 million, 1 million-square-foot plant is the company’s second. It will employ 300 people, and Ulukaya said for every 10 jobs it creates directly, it is expected to creat... ...

AP IMPACT: China surpasses US as top global trader - Headlines: All Headlines

By JOE McDONALD and YOUKYUNG LEE AP Business Writers — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea—Shin Cheol-soo no longer sees his future in the United States. The South Korean businessman supplied components to American automakers for a decade.

AP IMPACT: China overtaking US as global trader - Denver Post: Business

By JOE McDONALD and YOUKYUNG LEE AP Business Writers — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT

AP IMPACT: China overtaking US as global trader