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Biotech rice produces
more beta-carotene
British scientists have developed
a new biotech strain of "golden rice"
that produces more beta-carotene than any other rice variety—20 times
more. Beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A in humans and could counter
childhood blindness that occurs to as many as 500,000 Vitamin A-deficient
children in developing countries of the world, according to the World
Health Organization.
An original strain of golden rice
was developed in Switzerland five years ago but contained low amounts
of beta-carotene. Being able to commercially grow the original golden
rice anywhere in the world has been a problem as groups in developed
and undeveloped countries have campaigned against production of
biotech rice. It is yet to be determined if the new high beta-carotene rice
variety will convince countries to allow growing of yellow rice.
Source: AFBF; Executive
Newswatch; March 31, 2005
Anhydrous additive can stop illegal drugs
Iowa State University has developed an additive for inclusion with anhydrous ammonia that makes the fertilizer useless in producing methamphetamine drugs.
Drug enforcement officials have high hopes for the compound slowing the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine using pseudoephedrine cold medicine and anhydrous ammonia, which is the manufacturing catalyst. ISU has submitted the new additive for testing by the Transportation Department. The testing, which will take at least six months, will include determining the effect of the compound on storage tanks and related equipment.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; March 28, 2005
Texas biodiesel plant
powered by landfill gas
The 320-acre landfill near Denton is the source of gases powering a new biodiesel production facility.
The plant's production capacity is 3 million gallons of B20 (20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel) with the initial production to be used in the nearly 400 diesel-powered vehicles owned by the city of Denton.
The plant's construction was a collaboration between Biodiesel Industries, Inc., and the city of Denton. Feedstock for the plant will come from local restaurants and area farming, including soybean oil and animal fats.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; March 31, 2005
Deere eyes
hydrogen fuel
Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., an international developer of multi-fuel reforming and proton exchange membrane fuel-cell technology, has announced sale of a fuel-cell power module to Deere & Company.
Deere plans to test and evaluate Nuvera's hydrogen-powered system for use as a potential future power source in off-road equipment.
Source: Doane's Agriculture Report, March 18, 2005
Hard Red
cat litter?
A Minnesota man developed Swheat Scoop, a brand of cat litter made from wheat.
It's biodegradable, eliminates odors and can be flushed instead of tossed in the garbage.
Sales are projected to hit $50 million in 10 years. Some 60 companies worldwide now sell it.
Source: Pro Farmer; March 26,
2005, Vol. 33, No. 12
Agriculture's a true world market
"U.S. farmers and ranchers operate in world markets. About 22 percent of the agricultural commodities produced in the United States move into international markets. Roughly 11 percent of the food consumed in the United States now comes from foreign sources."
Source: AFBF; Statement of the American Farm Bureau Federation to the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform
Ethanol helps keep
blended fuels price down
The National Corn Growers Association said recently that ethanol, on average, costs 75 cents less per gallon than the current price of gasoline, keeping the price of blended fuels down.
The average price of gasoline hit a record high of $2.15 per gallon recently. NCGA says that filling up with the E-10 (10 percent ethanol) blend of ethanol saved some drivers as much as 15 cents per gallon at current prices. Flexible fuel vehicles, which use E-85 fuel (85 percent ethanol), are saving even more, with prices as low as $1.69 per gallon.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; March 30, 2005
Rabbit production
a hopping business
Rabbit meat is becoming more and more common as a restaurant and grocery store offering.
Rabbit production is increasing dramatically in several southern states. The Tri-State Rabbit Producers Association of Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi has 248 members. It began with only two members in 2003. Many of the members are sending hundreds of rabbits to meat processors per month. Ten acres of farm land can accommodate a continuous breeding and production herd of 5,000 rabbits.
Nutritionists report that rabbit
meat has less fat and cholesterol
than beef, pork or chicken. It also has a pleasing taste to most consumers,
as found in taste testing results.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; March 24, 2005
Organic food market
growing rapidly
The organic food market is still growing at a rapid pace and is expected to generate sales of $32.3 billion by 2009, according to a new report from "Packaged Facts."
Against the 2 percent to 3 percent growth in the conventional food industry, the organic industry has been experiencing annual growth between 17 percent and 22 percent over the past several years.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report; March 25, 2005; Vol. 68, No. 12-1
More women
operating farms
The Agriculture Department's National Agricultural Statistics Service has issued numbers that show 13.4 percent more women were the principal operators of farms in 2002 than in 1997.
A total of 237,819 farms, composed of 59,383,557 acres, had women as the principal operators in 2002. Texas, by far, had more farms being operated by women, 27,192, compared with second place California, 12,615, and third place Missouri, 10,818.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch; March 11, 2005
More women earn
ag degrees than men
According to a recent Agriculture Department study, more women attain degrees in farm and food-related fields than men.
The Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in the U.S. Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources System 2005-2010 also says that there aren't enough agriculture degree-holders coming out of colleges. The study projects 52,000 job openings a year for the next five years and only 49,300 graduates to fill them.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch; March 15, 2005
