Farmers Are Starting to Ditch GMO Soy Beans

If a Roundup Ready variety of soybeans might cost $65 to $70 a bag, and conventional, non-GMO varieties are $30 to $35 a bag, you would think farmers would be eschewing GMO beans. An agronomist with the Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas is planting nine non-GM soybeans on his test plots, four developed by the University. Here’s why. . .

U of A has been expanding its research into non-GMO soybean varieties because the cost to produce GM soybeans is rising, and the price a farmer can fetch for them once he harvests is falling.

Meanwhile, GM commodity prices are increasingly taking a beating as consumers in the US and other countries refuse to eat genetically modified food.

Agronomist Jeremy Ross began his trials last year. He planted the four soybean varieties developed by U of A along with two publicly-developed varieties, one from Virginia Tech and another from the University of Tennessee.

More http://bit.ly/1B8gpYW



'via Blog this'

Bird Flu Outbreak: Are Backyard Chickens Safe? 

The nationwide bird flu epidemic has caused the culling of approximately 40 million chickens and turkeys and affected at least 10 percent of the country’s egg supply, although its impact thus far seems mostly to be limited to large industrial farms.

The seemingly unstoppable H5N2 avian flu outbreak has already caused a spike in grocery store prices, leaving agricultural experts to predict an egg shortage and empty coolers where poultry should have been.

The virus has now been confirmed on farms in 16 states and in Canada as well – but the figures are still growing.

“I can’t tell you how many farmers this is affecting,” Oscar Garrison, director of food safety for United Egg Producers, which represents the ownership of 95 percent of egg-laying hens, told The Washington Post. “It’s been absolutely devastating. Just abysmal.”

More http://bit.ly/1dBHhX5



'via Blog this'

Conventional Food Is Sprayed With Monsanto’s Carcinogenic Chemicals Just 3 Days Before Harvest 

How long should it take for a carcinogenic chemical to dissipate, water-down, or disappear before you consume the food it is sprayed on?

There is no definitive scientific test proving that Monsanto’s Roundup chemicals break down after being sprayed on your food. Dr. Stepahnie Seneff summarizes the two key problems caused by glyphosate in the diet in this way:

Nutritional deficiencies

Systemic toxicity

According to a ‘pre-harvest guide’ Monsanto’s Roundup should be sprayed on food just three days before harvesting. The Monsanto document states:

More http://bit.ly/1FMAF4g



'via Blog this'

City Takes Family’s Two Mini Dairy Goats; Pay Thousands In Fines Or Same To Rewrite Code 

Why is there such a concerted and simultaneous effort across the states to keep you from practicing healthy self reliance while not disturbing anyone?

The Agenda 21 lovin’ code enforcers are at it again, stoking situations and aggression where there were none – and that is what is most disturbing to peace.

A Visalia, California family was initially threatened $1,000 in fines per day for having two miniature dairy goats in their ample-spaced, fenced back yard. A mom decided to have them because she physically cannot breastfeed, and Visalia in the San Joaquin Valley prides itself on being “green” and tolerant of natural lifestyles. Apparently the city wants her to choose between GMO soy formula, paying fines in punishment OR paying over $3,500 and working to rewrite the code. In the meantime – how does she get her Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats back?

More http://bit.ly/1EhhfNx



'via Blog this'

Citizen Alert: Trans-Pacific Partnership Attacks Farmers, Food Safety And Public Health 

It’s rare when both sides of the aisle come together, but when they do, there is usually the expectation that some good will come of it. Unfortunately, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) proposal put on the fast track by the Obama Administration and buoyed by mostly Republican corporate interests is anything but good news for us.

The TPP would enable other countries to export food into the United States by stating their food safety regimen is on equal footing with that in the U.S. – even if the other nation’s practices would violate key principles of U.S. food safety laws. Simply put, the TPP would be like outsourcing domestic food inspection to countries around the globe, putting not only the public health at risk, but the livelihood of farmers and others with a vested interest in domestic agriculture production. Some even point out that the TPP could put national sovereignty at risk.

More http://bit.ly/1coIW0O



'via Blog this'