USDA approves new modified corn, soybean seeds

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MARY CLARE JALONICK

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Agriculture Department has approved the use of genetically modified corn and soybean seeds that are resistant to a popular weed killer.

However, farmers won't be able to take full advantage of the seeds until the Environmental Protection Agency issues a second ruling allowing the use of Enlist, a new version of the 2,4-D weed killer that's been around since the 1940s. The EPA has said it will rule this fall on Dow AgroSciences' application to market the chemical.

The agriculture industry has been anxiously awaiting the approvals, as many weeds have become resistant to glyphosate, an herbicide commonly used on corn and soybeans now. Herbicide-resistant seeds introduced in the 1990s allowed farmers to spray fields after their plants emerged, killing the weeds but leaving crops unharmed.

Critics say they are concerned the increased use of 2,4-D could endanger public health and that more study on the chemical is needed. The USDA has said that if both the seeds and herbicide are approved, the use of 2,4-D could increase by an estimated 200 percent to 600 percent by the year 2020.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140917/us--usda-weed_killer-4d3d5c2d4d.html

[lunasun]

1. Yummy in my tummy ! A new weed killer for the taste buds

[Dont call me Shirley]

2. I accidentally ate some gmo corn chips and felt like I had glass in my intestines for days

So, yeah, no more gmo.

[pipoman]

3. Oh come on. ..

[Dont call me Shirley]

4. Yup, tis so. I'm almost all organic now.

[bananas]

5. Bye bye butterfly. nt

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. .

[pnwmom]

7. Having all that weed killer accumulating there can't be good for the soil we grow our food in. n/t

[kentauros]

9. The soil is already in bad condition.

"Weeds" are indicators of problems with soil health, and can tell you fairly accurately what nutrients and minerals are deficient in your soil. They are not simply opportunistic plants.

Someday we'll treat our topsoil well and right. Or, we'll watch it all blow away as so much toxic dust.

[Drahthaardogs]

10. No. that is not true

A weed is ANY unwanted plant. Silly

[kentauros]

11. Reading material for ya:

http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/weeds/WeedsToC.html

[Drahthaardogs]

12. 1950 book

Seriously

[kentauros]

13. Well, Relativity is from what, the 1930s?

Yes, seriously. Read it and learn a little something about soil health

[Drahthaardogs]

15. No thanks.

I am a toxicologist and my graduate work was on plant secondary metabolites. I can assure you that if you ask an extension agent about your soil, they will tell you to bring it in and have an analysis. They will certainly not tell you "Well, tell me what kind of weeds you grow".

[kentauros]

16. Yes, that's what they would do,

and you would be wise to get a soil-test done. At the same time, you would also be wise to learn about the weeds you have growing and what each type means with regards to what is deficient in your soil. So, while the soil-test is being performed (they do take time, especially if you mail it versus driving over to hand-deliver it) you could be reading up on what's going on with your soil, and even discuss that with the extension agents. It's not like everyone out there is a biologist and toxicologist

Here's the site that hosts the "old" book I linked, with their main page on Controlling Weeds and Pests. They do have information perhaps more to your linking from such decades as the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.

[whereisjustice]

8. jesus, it's like we are going back in time... we've learned nothing

[dmosh42]

14. Another example of a 'corporate' administration! Just lay down and take the payoffs!