Corn farmers may get settlement
A federal judge in Chicago has approved a $110 million settlement for corn farmers who believe they have suffered because of genetically modified types of corn.
StarLink is a variety of corn that gives off its own toxin to kill off any insects that might want to feed on the crop before it is fully harvested.
It is only approved for use in animal feed, but there have been instances where StarLink corn managed to get into the human food supply, particularly in commercially produced corn chips.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of corn farmers who think the perception of StarLink-tainted food products caused people to purchase less of their own corn.
When officials investigated the StarLink contamination, their actions resulted in disruptions of corn markets that caused some corn farmers to suffer financial losses.
The settlement approved by U.S. District Judge James Moran applies to all farmers who cultivated and harvested corn grown for grain in the United States between 1998 and last year.
Farmers must be able to show they did not use seed for StarLink corn in their farm fields.
Money for the settlement has been put aside in a special fund, and qualified farmers must apply by May 31 if they wish to have a portion of the settlement.
LEX Acquisition Group of Minneapolis is assisting farmers in the application process to gain a share of the settlement, which could run into thousands of dollars per farmer.
The group can be contacted at their website at cornforms.com by farmers who believe they are entitled to a share of the money.
Activists to warn Kraft of genetic crop risk
Consumer activists who oppose the use of genetically modified crops in the human food supply are planning to appeal to Kraft Foods Inc. in a way they hope the corporation can understand -- by citing the financial bottom line.
Public Interest Research Group and the As You Sow Foundation will release a study Thursday they say shows Kraft taking financial risks by selling food products that include genetic crops in their ingredients.
"Kraft's continued use of controversial genetically engineered ingredients poses unnecessary financial risk to Kraft, and that these ingredients offer no consumer benefits or other market advantages," the activist groups said.
Activists said they will emphasize financial problems being experienced by Kraft's sister company Philip Morris related to tobacco lawsuit settlement.
The activist groups have repeatedly said in the past they believe Kraft is allowing the use of ingredients from genetically modified crops to be used in their food products. Kraft officials previously have said the activists are exaggerating the risks of genetically modified foods or their use in the company's products.
Feds to help states deal with CWD
The Agriculture Department will make $4 million available to help state wildlife agencies in dealing with chronic wasting disease.
Money is in addition to increases by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in its surveillance capacity and the number of laboratories certified to test for the disease in a regular basis.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said her agency "is committed to assisting states, federal agencies and tribes in controlling the growing threat to elk and deer from chronic wasting disease."
Farmers need to use nitrogen fertilizer carefully
With nitrogen fertilizer prices 30 to 50 percent higher than they were in December, farmers are being advised to use more care in the application of the growth stimulant.
Side dressing of the growing crops is being suggested as one way to conserve. And agronomists are urging the growers to stop "topping off" the nitrogen applications as many have been doing to "make sure" they have applied enough.
Natural gas is a major component of the nitrogen fertilizers. It is expected the cost of fertilizers will drop again as the demand for natural gas eases with warmer weather.
(by E.W. Kieckhefer)
Feds, Judd try to reduce food illness
The Agriculture Department's food safety officials are using country music singer Wynonna Judd to present food safety lessons to schoolchildren and their parents to reduce instances of food poisoning.
Judd worked with federal officials during an event Wednesday at the University School of Nashville to present proper food handling techniques by reading to children from a new book, entitled, "Fight BAC!"
Such techniques include keeping raw and cooked foods separate, cooking foods properly, and washing one's hands frequently.
Grains down on CBOT
Grain futures were mostly lower at the close of activity Wednesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybean futures declined on profit-taking activity by traders.
Corn futures fell due to favorable weather conditions and due to an inability to sustain price gains from Tuesday.
Wheat futures dropped due to heavy moisture in hard red wheat growing areas, and on word of a large wheat purchase by Russia from Egypt, instead of from the United States.
Oats futures were mixed.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 6.09 1/4 off 1 1/4, Jul 6.09 off 1, Aug 5.95 1/2 off 1/2, Nov 5.32 3/4 off 1 1/2.
Corn: May 2.39 1/4 off 2 1/2, Jul 2.39 3/4 off 2 3/4, Sep 2.38 1/2 off 2 1/2, Dec 2.38 3/4 off 2 1/2.
Wheat: May2.81 3/4 off 4 1/4, Jul 2.85 3/4 off 5 1/2, Sep 2.90 3/4 off 5 1/4, Dec 3.01 1/4 off 5 1/2.
Oats: May 1.83 3/4 off 1 3/4, Jul 1.57 1/2 off 3/4, Sep 1.46 1/4 up 1/4, Dec 1.46 1/4 up 1/4.
