UPI Farming Today

Genetic crops could help reduce pesticides

There's one potential benefit to crops grown from genetically modified seed: They can help reduce the amount of pesticides sprayed on food.

The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy released a study Tuesday that found pesticides used on eight crops grown on farms in the United States during 2001 were reduced by 46 million pounds.

It also projected 32 other genetically modified crop varieties currently under development and estimated that pesticide use would be down by an additional 117 million pounds per year if those genetic crop varieties are actually planted.

"This is the most comprehensive study to date and this data clearly demonstrates that plant biotechnology is producing a significant reduction in the use of pesticides on American farms," said Harvey Glick, a researcher with Monsanto Co., which helped fund the study.

The Rockefeller Foundation provided initial funding, with assistance from BUIO, CropLife America, Council for Biotechnology Information and the Grocery Manufacturers of America.

"We believe pesticide reduction is important because it benefits the environment by reducing consumption of resources, which enhances the sustainability of agricultural production," Glick said.

The study, which was released at the Biotechnology Information Organization conference in Toronto, found that the greatest pesticide reduction during 2001 was calculated for herbicide-tolerant soybeans (28.7 million pounds) and herbicide-tolerant cotton (6.2 million pounds).

Other crops in the study were herbicide-tolerant corn (5.8 million pounds), insect resistant corn (2.6 million pounds), insect resistant cotton (1.9 million pounds) and herbicide-tolerant canola (500,000 pounds).

Among estimates for crop varieties being developed, field corn resistant to rootworm could replace 14 million pounds of insecticides used on the crop per year, according to the study.

In a separate matter, Purdue University researchers said they believe that introducing genetically modified organisms into wild populations increases the risk of extinction of natural species.

Animal sciences professor William Muir and biology professor Richard Howard used computer modeling and statistical analyses to find three new scenarios in which genetic organisms can cause extinction.

"We consider this an extreme risk," Howard said.

Dairy lawsuit:

A California-based organic dairy products manufacturer filed a federal lawsuit against that state's Food and Agriculture Department, saying the state's food safety rules are forcing them to subsidize their competitors financially.

Straus Family Creamery and Horizon Organic Holding Corp. say that state rules requiring dairy processors to contribute fees to a pool to ensure sustainable income for dairy farmers are geared toward conventional milk products and not the additional cost of organic milk.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, and it seeks an injunction prohibiting continued enforcement of the rules, saying it forces organic dairy companies to subsidize the rest of the industry.

Soybeans/carpet:

Soybeans are not only good and nutritious to eat, they may soon provide the basis for that carpet covering the living room floor.

Dow Chemical Co. and Universal Textile Technologies have developed new polymers from soybeans that could be used to manufacture carpet backing. The Agriculture Department recently became the first agency to install soy-carpet in its Washington offices.

The polymers contain SoyOyl, a soy-based ingredient used in manufacturing plastics. It also has been used in the making of soy-based truck bed liners, foam spray insulation and panels for John Deere combines.

Slaughter:

Mississippi Beef Processors will begin construction next month on a $32 million beef slaughter and processing plant.

Carouthers Construction will be general contractor on the project in Oakland, Miss., about 75 miles south of Memphis, Tenn.

Operations at the 152,000 square foot plant are expected to create about 350 jobs. The plant is designed to process about 1,000 head per day of cattle into beef and value added products.

Onion buns:

Earth Grains Onion buns marked for purchase by June 28 are being recalled because they contain eggs not listed on their packages.

The Sara Lee Bakery Group voluntarily recalled 8-count, 19-ounce packages that have the recommended purchase date on a sticker, printed directly on the package or on the plastic bag-closure clip.

Officials say they are concerned that people with allergies or severe sensitivities to eggs could suffer serious allergic reactions if they eat the products.

Grains:

Grain futures were mostly lower at the close Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Soybeans and corn fell because of weather conditions that could increase the size of the U.S. crops.

Wheat fell on lack of demand but losses were tempered by declining USDA weekly crop ratings.

Oats were mixed, pressured by wheat.

The prices:

Soybeans: Jul 4.93 off 5 3/4, Aug 4.88 off 5, Sep 4.76 3/4 off 4, Nov 4.70 3/4 off 3.

Corn: Jul 2.06 3/4 off 1 1/4, Sep 2.13 1/2 off 1 3/4, Dec 2.22 3/4, off 1 3/4, Mar 2.31 1/4 off 1 1/2.

Wheat: Jul 2.89 1/4 unch, Sep 2.95 3/4 off 1/2, Dec 3.03 3/4 off 1, Mar 3.05 off 1 1/2.

Oats: Jul 1.83 3/4 up 1 3/4, Sep 1.48 1/4 off 1 1/2, Dec 1.39 1/4 off 1 1/4, Mar 1.43 unch.