Renewable Farming

August 2018

New method for inserting multiple genes into plants also complicates health safety issues

  The farm press is widely hailing a new scientific paper by three ARS/USDA genetic scientists who developed a gene-transfer procedure which could become a “multiple re-entry vehicle” for transferring a large number of traits into a plant at once. In trials, 10 traits were introduced in one insertion. August 10, 2018 — This methodology creates more massive crop performance changes than […]

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Opposing attorneys make closing statements in Monsanto glyphosate trial

We’ll link you directly to a very personal first-hand report on closing statements in the weeks-long Johnson v. Monsanto lawsuit in California. Close observer Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, says that the jury’s decision could “go either way.” Zen Honeycutt August 8, 2018 — Attorneys for the plaintiff, DeWayne Johnson, are asking for $39

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Brazilian federal judge suspends use of glyphosate products

A federal judge in Brasilia ruled earlier this week that existing registrations of product containing glyphosate will be suspended in the next 30 days. The same court filing indicates that no new products containing glyphosate may be registered for use. Aug 8, 2018  By Jerry Carlson — So far there’s no further word on appeals

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Biggest, fastest payoff for high-quality soil biology: vegetables and fruit

Gil Farley, president of Biodyne USA, just sent us the nearby photo of three brilliant red tomatoes which won the tomato Grand Championship at the Indiana State Fair. The grower, Zachary Brazel, enhanced their flavor and total quality with two Biodyne products. Grand Champion tomatoes, Indiana State Fair, 2018 August 7, 2018 — By Jerry Carlson We’ve

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Mystery malady: What’s your analysis of why this corn is dying early?

The photo below of a cornfield in north central Iowa was taken the first week of August. We’ve shown it to several agronomists, asking each for a “windshield diagnosis.” So far we don’t have an Agdia strip trial test for goss’s wilt, or local weather data.  August 7, 2018 — Opinions so far, based only on the

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This scientist reasons that GMO crops should be managed as invasive species

When we see an interesting GMO-related scientific paper or article, we usually just link to it in our Healthy Farming News column for your convenience. In this case, an author’s concept is so reasonable and clear-cut that we’ve excerpted it here. August 6, 2018 — The Journal of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development offers a global open-source publishing outlet

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Still time to foliar feed if leaves signal they’re low on chlorophyll

Many Midwest cornfields are signaling, with a slightly lighter green leaf color, they’re running low on nitrogen. Low chlorophyll levels show before the bottom leaves start firing. The firing signals that the stalk is cannibalizing nutrients in bottom leaves. August 3, 2018 — A quick, low-cost scouting tool that makes an objective measurement of leaf “green-ness” is the atLEAF

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When companies kill seed corn fields with brine, what’s the impact on vigor of your seed?

When one of our eastern Corn Belt clients asked us that question, we quizzed a few specialists with inside knowledge of the seed corn business. The essence of their answers: Killing seed fields before seed maturity can lower test weight, cut germination and reduce seedling vigor. Aug. 2, 2018 — Your seed rep may tell you

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British sugar beet grower raises tonnage a third — with beneficial bacteria

British farmer Jim Thompson’s test of four beneficial rhizobia bacteria resulted in a one-third increase in weight of sugarbeets while maintaining sugar content.His Allpress Farms in Cambridgeshire Fen tested a new bacteria mix on about 15% of his beets last season. Aug. 1, 1018 — This season, Thompson is followup up with the organisms on all

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