One significant problem is that increased demand may lead to deforestation, as has been the case with the production of key biofuel ingredient palm oil in South East Asia. Co-operative Insurance said that, while it supports the use of biofuels, it is concerned about the potential environmental and social dangers if growth continues at its current rate. Biofuels have been heavily supported by governments worldwide, as they move to try to cut reliance on oil along with providing additional...

The contamination has worried exporters and farmers who have secured export-deals by being able to supply GE-free commodities. But the decision to release GE crops would be seen as 'mad' by overseas manufacturers. Search Businesses - FindA MORTGAGE Calculators NZ REAL ESTATE Online Used CARS For Sale - FindA Looking at EXPORTING? "GE crops will inevitably cause contamination of the Australian food supply and would be a tragedy for consumers, farmers and manufacturers exporting to a world...

Coming up with a better path into agriculture is becoming increasingly important as the field continues to lose farmers, said Steve Deller, a UW-Madison professor of agriculture and applied economics. Instead of investing in large capital expenses, beginning farmers like Maxwell are looking at ways they can join the agriculture industry without the unmanageable debt load. Maxwell is among a growing number of new farmers using lower cost ways to get into the business as prices have...

Benefits and drawbacks of bioenergy must be considered, UN experts say 8 May 2007 As the demand for biofuels surges with over one billion people living without access to electricity, a new United Nations report released today cautions that the world s energy needs must be met in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner. Benefits and drawbacks of bioenergy must be considered, UN experts say Footer UN HOMEPAGE. Benefits and drawbacks of bioenergy must be considered, UN experts say 8...

Not folks with an actual stake in the business, but for $300 they get a portion of the farm's organically grown produce for a 12-week season. And like the Robert Louis Stevenson characters, the once peaceful setting has now undergone a personality change on three sides where once tranquil land has been replaced with subdivisions. Organic farming requires rotation of the crops and year-round work to maintain soil conditions. Last week, the shareholders came to the farm and picked up early...

Tyson Foods says they're happy to see a settlement reached in the civil lawsuit over toxic gas emissions from their plant. Tyson says they're pleased to put the case behind them. The details of the settlement were not disclosed. Tune into KMEG 14 News for the latest news, weather and sports in your hometown! Only one case remains unsettled. Weather Poll Do you think this year's storm season will be worse or better than last year's? Worse Better Local News. As KMEG 14 first reported earlier...

The crop insurance program has been a big question mark in the debate over the 2007 Farm Bill. In USDA's farm bill proposal, it recommended "gap coverage," a new crop insurance policy to cover deductibles. House Subcommittee Reviews Crop Insurance Compiled By Staff. The House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing Tuesday to review the crop insurance industry. House Ag Committee Chairman Rep. In testimony before the subcommittee, USDA Chief...

The meeting will discuss issues such as one-time debt waiver scheme for farmers, easing supply gaps, higher farm credit, a comprehensive crop insurance scheme and crop diversification. The Prime Minister, the sources say, is most likely to spell out a new scheme for additional central assistance to state governments for the agriculture sector. Some five to six specific strategies are required to bridge the gap between technology and yield in agriculture and to improving farming conditions,...

Profits and expense reimbursements have risen sharply since Congress increased the subsidies in 2000 in a bid to get farmers to increase their coverage and reduce the demand for periodic disaster-aid packages. Agriculture Department subsidizes the premiums paid by farmers, reimburses the companies for administrative expenses and pays them underwriting gains when premiums exceed indemnities, as they usually do. The government could save money and make much of the insurance unnecessary by...