A new report has found the the use of genetically modified (GM) canola would have a negligible impact on the organic canola, livestock and honey industries. But an organic producers organisation has criticised the report. He says it is a whitewash report to try and remove a hurdle to the introduction of GM canola. The report prepared by the Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) says that is partly because certified organic crops in Australia are required to be isolated from...

To decide the level of scrutiny a plant should get, the "risk-based" system will consider the type of product and the plant's record of food safety violations. No timetable has been set for shifting to the new inspection system, although the Agriculture Department is expected to release one within the next few weeks. Agriculture Department officials say the agency's 7,500 food safety inspectors conducted about 9.2 million inspections at about 6,000 plants last year. Recently, large batches...

Producers with wheat damaged by the recent frost have some difficult decisions to make, which may be limited to some extent by crop insurance requirements, a Kansas State University agronomist said. If the crop was already in early heading when damaged and awns are present, this can cause cattle considerable soreness and irritation to the eyes, mouth, lips, gums, and lower surface of the tongue, said Ron Hale, K-State southwest area Extension livestock specialist. If the freeze damage is...

He worked for years at the sugar beet plant before becoming disabled. When his dental work is complete, Antonio Martinez, a disabled farm worker in the Billings area, will have had cavities filled, two root canals and upper and lower partial dentures. Some follow the crops around the state, from sugar beets in south-central Montana to cherries in the Flathead. She also is on the front line for seeing dental problems, like toothaches and gum disease. Martinez and 23 other farm workers are...

The apex court has only allowed ongoing and earlier approved trials to continue, while not vacating the ban that it had imposed in an interim order of September 22, 2006, banning any fresh field trials of GM crops. SC has not vacated its order on fresh field trials of genetically modified crops. The precedent setting order has elated the green groups as they have been constantly asking for such data to be put out in the public domain. The court, in its order, said, "The Genetic Engineering...

To respond to mounting criticism without a budget increase, the FDA has tried a band-aid approach: On May 1, the agency created a new food-safety oversight position, naming its chief medical officer, David Acheson, the agency's first assistant commissioner for food protection. To respond to mounting criticism without a budget increase, the FDA has tried a band-aid approach: On May 1, the agency created a new food-safety oversight position, naming its chief medical officer, David Acheson,...

The jars of peanut butter being recalled have the product code 2111 on the lid. For a full refund, consumers must return the product lid along with their name and mailing address to: Certain jars have been linked to a massive salmonella outbreak. Supermarkets all across the country are removing the jars from store shelves. They advise consumers to discard them if they have them but to save thelid. ConsumerWatch Georgia Plant Center Of Nationwide Peanut Butter Recall If you have a jar of...

The outlook says hydroelectric power production, which accounts for the majority of existing renewable electricity supply, is "nearly stagnant," so it's not included in the growth projection. The biodiesel project in Borger is part of a $100 million commitment by Houston-based ConocoPhillips, which is joining most other major oil companies in developing alternative fuels. Even as they invest in green energy initiatives, though, the tried-and-true lineup of fossil fuels will provide most of...

He also drives the loader when we feed cattle and runs the sugar beet harvester, which is his favorite thing to do - he lives all year just to run the beet digger. Jim's wife, Shellie, is a part-time beautician in Worland and part-time farmer's wife, which involves picking up the slack wherever necessary. As he wraps up his senior year, Joey is contemplating his future - going to college or joining his father and uncles on the family farm. Right now, the Miller brothers are busy with...