GM Wheat Found in Montana Research Field  

Greetings! It was a busy news week -- here are a few highlights:

Experimental closed-out GM wheat was found in a Montana State University research field that hasn’t hosted wheat trials since 2003, according to the USDA. This just after investigators closed a case regarding a similar incident in Oregon last year that led Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to postpone delivery of US wheat imports. However, the latest case is not expected to impact international trade as the GM wheat was found on a non-commercial farm.

Last week, General Mills rejected a proposal to ban GM ingredients from all its brands. An unbelieveable 97.8 per cent of shareholders voted down the proposal, which originated with Harriett Crosby, the great-granddaughter of the company’s co-founder.

Ms. Crosby argued that GMOs harm the company’s brand and reputation and pose a risk to public health. However, shareholders were convinced that GM technology is safe, noting that consumers always have the option to buy organic.

While I was in Scotland earlier this month, I spoke to Campbell Scott, Massey Ferguson Director, who offered a global view of ag equipment growth opportunities. Campbell said emerging markets like Africa and the Middle East, whose farmers have never used mechanization before, have very different needs, of course, than countries like Russia and Ukraine where they are ready for a higher level of technology.

South America is the strongest market for Massey Ferguson. Brazil is leading the way with incredible development potential.

Massey Ferguson is now selling tractors, combines, balers and seeding and tillage equipment and that are made in the USA.

"You can buy tractors built in America," he said. "We know that "Made In America" is important to our American farmers. And we not only build them and sell them there, but we build them and take them away and sell them in other countries."

In other news… I’ve said this before – weed resistance isn’t sexy, but that’s no reason not to talk about it. Check out my video interview with Dr. Ed Anderson, Director of Research at the Iowa Soybean Association, as he explains what you can do if weed resistance is in your field. Yes… even this time of year.

One more note to all my farmer readers. 'Tis the season – the combining season – be smart, be careful and put SAFETY FIRST.

Have a safe week!

~Sarah