Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Texas Agriculture Archive

February 18, 2000

FactsHL copy.jpg (38061 bytes)
Farmland posts first quarter loss
Farmland posted a loss for its fiscal 2000 first quarter. The agribus- iness is continuing to feel the effects of low commodity prices, particularly in the nitrogen fertilizer business.

Monsanto plans to build a Roundup herbicide plant in Brazil. The new plant in the northeastern part of the country will produce the herbicide for the Brazilian market and for world market export.

Source: Doane’s Agricultural  Report, Jan. 31, 2000

Test kits determine presence of GMO corn
Strategic Diagnostics has announced two test kits designed to determine if the presence of certain kinds of genetically modified corn are in the final stages of consumer validation. The test kits are designed to give results in under five minutes and with an accuracy rate greater then 99 percent.

Source: Doane’s Agricultural Report, Jan. 7, 2000

Burning trash a health hazard?
Burning trash may be hazardous to your health.

According to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study, typical backyard trash fires can potentially emit as much dioxin and furan into the air as a well-controlled municipal waste incinerator.

Burning common household trash at low temperatures can form various polychlorinated compounds and other toxins. Dioxins and furans persist for a long time in the environment and are believed to be responsible for some human health problems.

Source: Doane’s Agricultural Report, Jan. 21, 2000

EU: Over one percent? Label it!
The European Union Commission has settled on the level at which food firms must label foods as containing genetically enhanced ingredients. If a product contains 1 percent or more of genetically enhanced ingredients, such as soy protein or soy oil, it must be labeled as genetically modified.

Source: Pro Farmer, Jan. 15, 2000

New plastics see production
Cargill Dow Polymers LLC (CDP) has announced plans to build a world-scale facility in Blair, Neb. that will use corn-derived dextrose to make polylactide (PLA) polymers for fibers, plastic packaging and other products.

Source: Pro Farmer, Jan. 15, 2000