Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Thursday that he would authorize the unrestricted commercial cultivation of genetically modified alfalfa.

Mr. Vilsack overlooked a proposal to restrict the growing of genetically engineered alfalfa to protect organic farmers from contamination.

The crop, developed by Monsanto and Forage Genetics, an alfalfa breeder, contains a gene that makes the plant resistant to the herbicide Roundup, allowing farmers to spray the chemical to kill weeds without hurting the crop.

Alfalfa is grown mostly to make hay that is fed to dairy cows and horses. More than 20 million acres are grown in the United States, making it the nation’s fourth-largest crop by acreage behind corn, soybeans and wheat.

In deciding whether to approve the genetically engineered alfalfa, the Agriculture Department was considering restricting areas where the crop could be planted. That, Mr. Vilsack argued, would help prevent litigation, like the lawsuits that have already delayed the approval of genetically altered alfalfa and sugar beets.

This decision has potentially serious implications for organic farmers. Organic farmers can lose sales if genetic engineering is detected in their crops, which occurs either through cross-pollination from a nearby field or from intermingling of seeds. And exports of non-organic but non-engineered crops to certain countries can be jeopardized if genetically engineered material is detected in significant amounts.

Tags: business, consumers, environment, GMO, health, industry

South Korea intends to inject 4.46 trillion won up until 2015 to expand the country’s eco-friendly and organic farming infrastructure.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said its third five-year green farming development plan aims to increase the size of the local organic food industry four-fold so it can become a 2 trillion won market in the next five years from a little over 550 billion in 2010.

In a recent analytical brief, Junotane – a global leader in the provision of strategic advisory services focusing on Korea – noted that:

The plan will create up to 50 dedicated eco-friendly farming regions, which will increase chemical-free production areas from 4.9 percent of all arable land in 2009 to 12 percent within 5 years.

Importantly, the plan will also upgrade distribution and sales systems to increase consumer awareness of domestic green agricultural production.

Korea’s organic sector has been growing strongly for a number of years. The lastest green farming development plan looks set to ensure this growth continues.

Tags: business, economy, environment, international, sustainable

A global conference emphasizing sustainable beef production is currently being held by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The conference highlights the U.S. beef industry’s on-going commitment to environmental sustainability and investment of checkoff dollars in the science to document it.

According to Steve Foglesong, a farmer from Illinois and president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), “Environmental sustainability is just as important to beef producers as it is to other conference attendees. In fact, 85 percent of farmers and ranchers say environmental conservation is important to their success. It is a key part of our ‘triple bottom line.’ Farming and ranching must be environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable to be sustainable.”

NCBA President-Elect Bill Donald shared his personal perspective with conference attendees. “When I first heard about the ‘triple bottom line’ I thought, ‘This is what my family has been doing for over a century raising cattle in Montana.’ We just didn’t have a fancy name for it.”

The geography where cattle are raised, and the best practices applied to raising them, is as diverse as the more than 800,000 folks who run America’s cattle farms and ranches. Good science is essential to understanding what works based on geography, climate, natural resources and other factors. Farmer and rancher leaders in September committed checkoff dollars to starting the first phase of a lifecycle assessment project. Lifecycle assessment is a well-known and accepted method for collecting data that lay the foundation for setting and achieving environment goals.

Every beef farmer and rancher and every beef importer contributes to a fund called the beef checkoff, which is used to support research and education efforts related to environmental stewardship.

The conference demonstrates a growing committment by the U.S. beef industry to embrace sustainable practices and the increasingly important role organic farming practices will play in the future.

Tags: association, beef, corporate social responsibility, environment, industry, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, sustainable, triple bottom line

Vanishing of the Bees is a new feature length documentary narrated by Ellen Page. The documentary looks at the collapse of honeybee populations throughout the world and the implications this will have for human survival in the event bee populations continue to diminish at their current rate. The documentary is screening now and is being hosted by community organizations throughout North America.

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.

Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.

Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indicate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting options abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery.

With modern agricultural practices – including the excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers – contributing to the imminent demise of honeybee populations, the film will bring attention to organic production methodologies.

Keywords: vanishing bees, bees, honeybee, environment, film, feature, documentary, Vanishing of the Bees, sustainability, climate change

Tags: beekeeping, bees, climate change, documentary, environment, film, industry, launch, sustainable, Vanishing of the Bees

Increased awareness of health, environmental protection, food safety, and animal welfare reforms will be the primary drivers of a 12.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during 2010-2014 for the United States organic industry according to a recent study conducted by RNCOS Industry Research Solutions.

While other industries have struggled throughout the economic slowdown, the US organic industry posted 5.1% year on year growth in 2009. Existing and upcoming market trends suggest that the industry is on track to eclipse anticipated growth rates across the broader food sector in coming years.

The research identifies the industry’s fruit and vegetables segment as the most dominant segment among organic foods segments in the US. In 2009, the segment accounted for 38% of total organic food market and sustained its top slot.

Apart from fruits and vegetables, various other segments including dairy, beverages, and packaged foods have also contributed strongly to the organic food industry advancements. These segments have seen aggressive new products launch and their shelf space increase in supermarkets and mass merchandisers.

The research anticipates that, with the rapid expansion of these market segments, the US will sustain its leading position in the global organic industry and will continue to be one of the most attractive investment destinations for global organic food industry participants.

Keywords: organic industry, growth, industry report, study, research, growth, compound annual growth rate, economic research, trends, food, health, environment protection, food safety, and animal welfare reforms

Tags: animal welfare, economy, environment, food safety, growth, health, investment, research, trends