Frankenfish Fears

In Activism, Food, Research by Cindy

Despite fears of opening the floodgates to more “frankenfoods”, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is poised to approve a new genetically-engineered salmon that grows twice as fast as the natural variety. If they do, it would make the first genetically engineered animal ever approved for sale to consumers. Armed with pitchforks and torches, the usual suspects who fear the …

LA Times Critical of UCLA HFCS Study

In Current News, HFCS, Media, Research by Mark

Every so often you come across a single well turned phrase that you wish had come out of your own mouth.  I did so this morning while checking out a blog in the Los Angeles Times regarding the latest over-blown information purporting links between fructose sweetener and cancer. Tami Dennis, health and science editor of the Los Angeles Times wrote …

Spark A New Green Revolution With Ag Research

In Audio, CUTC, Research by Chuck

I previewed the keynote address to open the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference earlier today. Now here’s the full comments from Dr. Gale Buchanan, former USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. Dr. Buchanan was introduced by NCGA President, Darrin Ihnen, and I’m also posting his welcome message. During the next couple days I’ll be doing …

Fueling Juicy Steaks

In Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Food vs Fuel, Livestock, Research by Cathryn

It is pretty hard to improve upon corn-fed beef, but research coming out of the University of Illinois shows that there may be a way to maintain the delicious flavor and reasonable cost while improving farmer profitability. Beef lovers know that high marbling makes a great steak.  Just by looking at the cut in the butcher’s case, they can see …

Orange Corn Could Save Lives

In Research by Cindy

Frank Sinatra once said “orange is the happiest color” - and Purdue University researchers are studying how making corn happier could make a better life for malnourished children with Vitamin A deficiencies. The researchers have found that by manipulating a newly discovered gene in corn they can increase vitamin A content which could have significant implications for reducing childhood blindness …

Top Scientists and Petroleum Operatives See a Future for Bio-Products

In Environmental, Ethanol, General, Research by Mark

If you’ve sort of forgotten about domestic ethanol as an alternative to imported gasoline, be assured that Tom Stephens hasn’t. Stephens, who was in Orlando recently to speak at the National Ethanol Conference, is vice chairman of global product operations for General Motors. He knows as well as anybody that our gasoline supply won’t last forever, and we’re long past …

Big Corn Bullies

In Farming, Research by Cindy

Bigger corn plants may be bullying their smaller brothers, according to a new study by Purdue University. Research by Purdue agronomist Tony Vyn has shown that corn plants are in a fierce battle with each other for resources. “There is a hierarchy that is formed, even though the plants are genetically the same and should be equal in size and …

Increasing Corn Yields

In Farming, Research by Cindy

“No plant left behind” is the motto of Purdue University researcher Tony Vyn, who is working to increase grain yield for corn at higher plant densities. “The only way to pursue and achieve higher grain yields on a per-acre basis at high plant densities is to make sure that every single plant has the opportunity to compete with its neighbor …