A new survey finds that the main reason farmers have increased their use of genetically modified (GM) crops is sustainability. The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) surveyed farmers on their attitudes towards GM technology and found that farmers believe biotechnology helps raise crops more efficiently, and that the environment and sustainability practices … Read More
Wife, Mother, Plant-Breeder at #ASTACSS
Earlier this week we got to see ASTA’s latest video project with plant breeder and mother, Jessie Alt. Today I got to sit down with her to talk about her role connecting consumers with plant science. As a research scientist for DuPont Pioneer, Jessie’s day job is to develop new soybean varieties for farmers, but off the clock she’s a wife and … Read More
New Face of Plant Breeders at #ASTACSS
A new video that puts a face on plant breeders was unveiled by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) during the opening general session of its CSS 2016 & Seed Expo in Chicago Tuesday. The “Mom, Gardener, Plant Breeder” video is the latest initiative in ASTA’s “Better Seed, Better Life” communications program and it features Jessie Alt, a mother, home … Read More
NCGA Partners with Benson Hill Biosystems
The National Corn Growers Association has formed a partnership with agriculture technology company, Benson Hill Biosystems. The relationship will provide accelerated breeding and development of new corn hybrids with the CropOS system. This cognitive engine uses cloud biology to create a new generation of plant genomics, moving them quickly into the marketplace. In an era of unprecedented agriculture industry consolidation, … Read More
Senate Ag Committee Calls on China to Approve Biotech
Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry are urging approve of biotechnology products in China. Earlier this week Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) sent a letter to President Obama about the ongoing delays. The letter containing 37 signatures, 16 from members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The Senators write, “American producers … Read More
Ag Groups Defend Sustainability of #GMOs
Agricultural organizations are doubling down on their defense of biotechnology as sustainable, after challenging Dannon for its pledge to eliminate genetically-modified ingredients from some products, citing that it improves sustainability. “There comes a time when we as farmers and ranchers need to step up and challenge when companies misinform consumers,” said U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance CEO Randy Krotz on … Read More
Members of USFRA Challenge Dannon
Member organizations of the U.S. Farmers and Rancher Alliance (USFRA) sent a letter to Dannon in response to their recent pledge to eliminate biotechnology in feed for dairy cows that supply milk for their yogurt. Members of the USFRA urged Dannon and other food companies to review their goals for sustainability and understand those goals cannot be achieved without the use … Read More
DuPont Pioneer Advances Biofortification of Sorghum
DuPont Pioneer and Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International are excited about a new sorghum breakthrough. Researchers have found that increasing vitamin E and beta-carotene in the grain improves the availability and longevity of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. For nations with a prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, this finding could be especially meaningful. “For children up … Read More
Purdue Opens First Field Phenotyping Facility
A ceremony was held earlier this week to celebrate the grand opening of a 25,000 square-foot Indiana Corn and Soybean Innovation Center. The new facility is located at Purdue’s Agronomy Center for Research and Education and includes state-of-the-art technology for research in phenotyping. The new center is part of an education initiative known as ‘Purdue Moves,’ which began in 2013. … Read More
Iowa Farmers Call for Cooperation in Biotech Trade Issues
The International Maize Alliance (MAIZALL) sent representatives to Sao Paulo, Brazil last month for the 2016 Global Agribusiness Forum. Pam Johnson, former president of the Nation Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and Julius Schaff, former chair of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) represented Iowa Corn farmers as part of the coalition to address the challenges of innovation and food security. Both … Read More