28/08/2013: Soybean damage in Russian floods; Indian agriculture minister for GM crops; new grain website

Soybean harvests have been damaged as a result of severe flooding in the Amur region of Russia.

Losses have hit at least 20 billion rubles, Anatoly Ustyuzhanin, president of the Russian Soy Union told Russian news agency Itar-Tass.

The floods have damaged 45,000 hectares of seedlings out of a total 642,000 hectares. According to Union estimates, the minimum losses of farmers and farmsteads may exceed seven billion rubles. 

Read more...

Sharad Pawar, Indian agriculture minister has appealed to stakeholders, including activists and policy makers in light of the controversial issue of GM foods in India. 

Speaking recently at the lower house of the parliament of India, Pawar stated that India needs to take a sensible approach in order to solve the problem of food security in the country.

Read more...

A new interactive website targeting consumers has been launched by The Grain Foods Foundation (GFF).

With several nutrition and health related video clips, the new site aims to arm consumers with common sense strategies for living well, backed by nutrition experts and evidence.
Visit website.  

 

Colorized electron micrograph of soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera sp.) and egg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

07/01/13: new year, new news

Hello, 

Welcome to 2013. I hope your new year is getting off to a flying start.  We're as busy as ever and have lots of exciting events in the pipeline. 

Let's start with a look at the news...

• While parts of the USA experienced unprecedented droughts in 2012, the UK saw one of the wettest years ever. In response, farmers are looking at new ways to protect their crops from flood risks. Delegates at the Oxford Farming Conference told the Guardian that they are turning to GM crops with a resistance to extreme weather. Read more...
  

• Russian leaders have learnt from the mistakes of 2010 by not banning wheat exports in 2012 says Douglas Busvine of Reuters. This analysis piece gives an clear insight into how the decision has been beneficial for farmers as domestic wheat prices have closed in on international levels. Read more...

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture will eliminate the daily and weekly limits of grains in the school-meals program for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year. The changes come partly as result of criticism by parents and lawmakers who expressed concern that some children aren't getting enough to eat.  In addition, school nutrition professionals have faced significant menu-planning, operating, and financial challenges as a result of the new meal requirements. USDA's new guidance gives school-meal programs more flexibility. While the broader calorie limits are still in place, the new rules adjustment will allow school- lunch planners to use as many grains as they want. USDA has not announced whether these new flexibilities for grain requirements will continue into the 2013-14 school year. More information...

Grain (Photo credit: peter pearson)

25/07/12: new name for ZCME; flood-proof soybeans; rice 'super bags'

Hello, 

• ZCME is to change its name to ZHENCHANG from August 2012.  The former brand name ZCME will no longer be the brand name and logo of the feed machinery products of the company. Meanwhile, the company will continue to provide follow-up after-sale service according to the relevant agreements for the products attached to the brand name and logo of ZCME.

• Excess rainfall is not a concern in the US at the moment but researchers at the USDA are working to developing a flood resistant strain of soybean.  Read more...

• 'Super bags' designed to minimise rice wastage available for Filipino farmers.  The airtight, reusable plastic bag designed by IRRI  keeps rice seeds viable after harvest.  Read more...