Genetic crop plantings on the rise
While farmers are planning to plant fewer acres of corn and soybeans this year, the number of genetically modified crops will increase.
The Agriculture Department this week reported farmers across the country were planning to increase genetic crop plantings -- 38 percent of the 79 million acres of corn and 80 percent of the 73.2 million acres of soybeans.
That is 4 percent more genetically altered corn and 5 percent more for genetically modified soybeans.
Bt corn, which is designed to kill off corn borers, is expected to account for 26 percent of the U.S. corn crop -- up 4 percent from last year.
Federal farm officials said the soybean crop this year will be the smallest since 1998, with some farmers planning to plant more corn to compensate for last year when wet weather conditions caused them to plant soybeans instead of corn.
The Agriculture Department issued the percentages in its annual plantings report, which for the past four years has tried to track the development of genetically modified crops.
"It's the highest it's been," statistician Darin Jantzi told the Denver Post.
The increase comes despite opposition from European markets, which often refuse to purchase any crops grown from genetically modified seed out of fears that the foods could contain dangers for human consumption.
Officials also note that U.S. farmers are coming to like genetically modified crops because many are designed to give off substances that discourage insects from destroying the crop before it can be harvested.
That cuts down on the amount of money farmers would need to spend on pesticides.
U.S. officials are trying to find ways of encouraging the World Trade Organization to pressure European countries to back off their reluctance to accept genetic crops, which U.S. farmers say can be grown to characteristics most desired by consumers.
Kraft blasted for genetic food claims
Environmental activists were critical Tuesday of Kraft Foods for what they claim is the company's use of ingredients from genetically modified crops in its food products.
Earthday Resources for Living Green released a list of 10 companies it claims are misleading consumers and also ruining the environmental health of the planet.
Kraft Foods was the one food company on the list, which accused it of labeling genetically modified foods as "natural." That exposes people to risks of allergies, increased antibiotic resistance, herbicide use and harm to insects and wildlife.
"Kraft can't hide their environmental impact behind glossy nature ads," said Kate Madigan of the Public Interest Research Group. "As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding."
Panel to study possible wheat violation
The World Trade Organization is creating a panel that will determine whether the wheat board in Canada violated rules that prohibit state trading enterprises from acting in non-commercial manners.
U.S. officials have said the Canadian Wheat Board has set up rules meant to make it prohibitively expensive for other countries to sell their wheat to Canadian markets.
Officials with the North American Millers Association are defending Canadian officials, saying the reason Canada does not purchase more U.S.-grown wheat is because the United States cannot produce the supply and quality of wheat desired.
Ethanol pending in Congress
The House Energy and Commerce Committee reviewed a measure requiring increased use of ethanol -- a motor fuel made from corn byproducts.
The committee considered renewable fuels standards that would nearly double ethanol use from 2.7 billion gallons in 2005 to 5 billion gallons by 2015.
The standard is part of a comprehensive energy bill that has been pending in Congress for some time. Differences over how quickly to implement increases in ethanol use have stalled final approval by Congress in the past.
Florida citrus to appeal box tax ruling
The Florida Department of Citrus will appeal a court ruling this week that found the state's box tax, which funds generic citrus advertising, unconstitutional.
The tax, which has been in place since 1935, charges a fee on each box of citrus that moves into Florida's commercial channels. Money from the tax pays for marketing and research programs for the Florida citrus industry.
Several Florida farm-related businesses had sued, saying the tax violated their right to free speech and a Polk County circuit judge agreed. State citrus officials said they think they can get the ruling overturned on appeal.
Grains mixed on CBOT
Grain futures were mixed at the close Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans fell on a lack of positive news.
Corn rose on influence from new export buying.
Wheat fell on a lack of momentum from Monday's price gains and pressure from soybeans.
Oats fell on pressure from wheat.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 5.73 3/4 off 3/4, Jul 5.72 off 1 1/4, Aug 5.59 3/4 off 1, Nov 5.11 3/4 off 3 1/2.
Corn: May 2.39 1/2 up 3, Jul 2.39 3/4 up 2 3/4, Sep 2.40 1/4 up 2 1/4, Dec 2.42 up 2.
Wheat: May 2.83 off 3 3/4, Jul 2.86 1/4 off 2 3/4, Sep 2.92 1/2 off 3 1/4, Dec 3.03 3/4 off 1 1/2.
Oats: May 1.84 3/4 off 4 1/2, Jul 1.61 3/4 off 2 3/4, Sep 1.51 1/4 off 1/4, Dec 1.48 off 1.
