In case you missed this front-page Des Moines Sunday Register story (6/22/14) here it is!

Palmer amaranth and several other weed species have developed resistance to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide. The chemical/GMO system of agriculture is bad for everyone (except the big corporations) and it is failing.

--Tom Mathews

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Laurel Hopwood <[log in to unmask]>
To: CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Mon, Jun 23, 2014 11:18 am
Subject: 'Superweeds' choke farms



http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2014/06/22/superweeds-choke-farms/11231231/
'Superweeds' choke farms
(edited)


Growers have lived through nearly a decade oftorment, fighting a destructive, fast-growing weed - Palmer amaranth -that can carry a million seeds and is unfazed by severalherbicides.


It has the power to choke the economy andenvironment - and increase prices for consumers. Even a moderateinfestation of Palmer amaranth can rob farmers of about two-thirds oftheir corn and soybean yields, experts say.
Many U.S. products are tied to (geneticallymanipulated) corn and soybeans - from sodas to cereals and fuels -and prices will rise, said Mike Owen, professor of agronomy at IowaState University.

The growth of herbicide resistance means farmers will use more - andpotentially more toxic - chemicals to battle the aggressiveweed.


Agribusinesses are introducing a new lineup ofherbicides and seeds to the battle. Environmental groups worry thatthose proposed solutions will only worsen the problem. "This is arecipe for disaster," said Dr. Doug Gurian-Sherman, seniorscientist with the Center for Food Safety.


Robert Hartzler, an ISU professor of agronomy,say herbicide resistance in weeds was inevitable. "You've heardof this guy called Chuck Darwin and evolution?"




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