Cost of a spring picnic holds steady
Americans planning a spring picnic will spend around $53 for groceries to fix sandwiches, salad and non-alcoholic beverages for an outing of 10 people, according to a survey of grocery store prices in 28 states.
As planting nears, questions about buyers for a GMO soy variety
The planting season has yet to begin, but "some elevators have begun alerting growers that they will not accept" soybeans grown from Monsanto's new genetically engineered strain, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend, unless the EU approves the variety, reports DTN.
Food processors, retailers ask for funds for antibiotic work
Some of the largest U.S. food processors and retailers, including Walmart, Cargill and Tyson Foods, are "urging Congress to build on investments in the Fiscal 2017 appropriations legislation that would help combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria," says Feedstuffs.
State blames ‘neonic’ insecticide dust for bee losses
Minnesota compensated two beekeepers for severe damage to hives caused by neonicotinoid insecticide dust from the field where a neighbor was planting corn, says the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It was the first test of a landmark environmental law, says the newspaper.
Food industry: General Mills’ decision shows need to pre-empt states
General Mills will join Campbell Soup in alerting consumers when its products contain GMOs, but the companies are on opposite sides of the GMO-labeling issue.
Bighorn sheep case could shape grazing rules in the west
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against the Idaho Wool Growers Association and others in a case that could have implications for grazing rules across the west.
France advances bill to ban neonicotinoids
France’s National Assembly narrowly passed a total ban on neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides that has been implicated in the Colony Collapse Disorder that has devastated honeybee populations, says Reuters.
Obama in Cuba — will ag trade benefit?
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is part of the U.S. delegation in Cuba today as part of President Obama's visit to the island, the first by a U.S. president in 88 years. U.S. farm groups have high hopes for supplying a large share of Cuba's $2 billion a year in food and agriculture imports, although sales have trended downward since peaking at $710 million in 2008.
Infrared sensors allow ‘spot’ spraying of weedkiller
A Dutch company, Rometron, has married infrared sensors and digital controls for "spot" spraying of weedkiller on agricultural equipment up to 110 feet wide.
General Mills to label foods containing GMOs
One of the largest US food companies, General Mills, said it will begin labeling foods that contain genetically modified ingredients.
Few threads at present in ‘patchwork’ of state GMO label laws
For Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts, the need for federal pre-emption of GMO food labeling authority is clear. "This country will be hit with a wrecking ball" if states are not blocked, he said. Not so, says the pro-labeling camp.
Partial ban on neonic pesticides advances in Maryland
The state Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill, SB 198, that would make Maryland "the first state in the United States to place a partial ban on the sale of certain pesticides, which have been blamed for deaths of bees around the world," says public broadcaster WAMU-FM.
GOP politicians negotiated for Malheur militants
Lawmakers from at least five states tried to negotiate on behalf of rancher Ammon Bundy and his followers, when they took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon this January, says Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Poultry to lead uptick in U.S. meat exports
Some 16 percent of U.S. beef, pork, broiler chicken and turkey meat will be exported this year, an upturn from 2015, forecasts USDA, with poultry showing the largest gains.
Going beyond heart valves in transplant organs from pigs
"Transplanted heart valves routinely come from pigs as well as cows," says the Los Angeles Times, but it's not as simple to use swine organs for people who need kidneys, livers or lungs.
‘On-package’ GMO labels may mislead, says Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is unwavering in his support of digital disclosure as the way to handle GMO food labeling.
Election-year finger-pointing as Senate rejects GMO pre-emption bill
In a vote with election-year implications, the Senate rejected a bill to pre-empt state GMO food-labeling laws in a roll call that broke along party-lines, highlighted by maneuvering by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to allow a new vote later.
Q&A: Wheat researcher says dangerous pathogen spreading
David Hodson, senior scientist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), sat down with FERN editor-in-chief Sam Fromartz in Washington to discuss the re-emergence of rust disease, a virulent fungal pathogen that attacks wheat plants and causes devastating crop losses, especially in poorer countries.
Soda taxes aren’t just for liberals
Soda-taxes aren’t just an idea that liberals like, says Quartz. The soft drink industry is facing at least 12 soda tax initiatives on ballots across the country, including in places that don’t lean nearly as far left as Berkeley, California,
Wild bumblebees are up for endangered species status
Federal wildlife biologists are considering whether to declare wild bumblebees endangered, reports The Denver Post.