by Steve Savage on 9 March 2012 Mark Twain once said, “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” There was a perfect example of that last month. The Center for Food Safety (CFS) spread the term, “Agent Orange Corn” for Dow AgroSciences’ new biotech corn hybrids that are working their way through the regulatory process. These hybrids have been modified to be more resistant to 2,4-D, an herbicide that was introduced in 1948. This is being cast as a return to the use of Agent Orange and that is completely untrue. There is a lot of
  Commentary, Science  Dow AgroSciences, EPA, erosion, glyphosate, herbicides, no-till farming, superweeds, tillage, USDA, Vietnam War
by Bill Price on 12 April 2011 In a recent discussion on Biofortified, a conversation regarding the ability of small scale research plots to represent real world results was raised. For reasons of experimental control, practicality, and economy, the majority of agricultural research is carried out at smaller scales, i.e. through growth chambers, greenhouses, and small field plots. Almost uniformly, the results of such studies are extrapolated to larger “field” level scales for reporting purposes. While this translation may seem like a straight forward conversion, it can have considerable affects on the interpretation and inference made from the research. Specifically, it is important to understand how error
by Anastasia Bodnar on 28 February 2011 Note: This post follows Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence about Don Huber’s alleged letter to the USDA that claims a never before seen “micro fungus” is endangering all of agriculture. While claims about “micro-fungi” are too extraordinary to even consider until extraordinary proof is provided (and preferably replicated by another lab and peer reviewed), Don Huber’s claims that Roundup (specifically the active ingredient glyphosate) weakens crops by binding minerals in the soil seems to have at least some merit, at least enough to be taken seriously and examined further. Over the years since Roundup Ready (RR) crops have been released, independent researchers have conducted many studies
by Anastasia Bodnar on 27 February 2011 Within the past few weeks, a letter written by a Dr. Don Huber to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack has been making the rounds on the ‘net. The letter was allegedly given to the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and they claim to have confirmed that it was written by Dr. Huber. You can find the full text of the letter on the FRFA site with the ominous title Researcher: Roundup or Roundup-Ready Crops May Be Causing Animal Miscarriages and Infertility. The story has been picked up by many bloggers, including Jill Richardson, and even made an appearance on Reuters. I
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Misuse Of A Vietnam Era Tragedy
Mark Twain once said, “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” There was a perfect example of that last month. The Center for Food Safety (CFS) spread the term, “Agent Orange Corn” for Dow AgroSciences’ new biotech corn hybrids that are working their way through the regulatory process. These hybrids have been modified to be more resistant to 2,4-D, an herbicide that was introduced in 1948. This is being cast as a return to the use of Agent Orange and that is completely untrue. There is a lot of
Small Scale Studies in the Real World
In a recent discussion on Biofortified, a conversation regarding the ability of small scale research plots to represent real world results was raised. For reasons of experimental control, practicality, and economy, the majority of agricultural research is carried out at smaller scales, i.e. through growth chambers, greenhouses, and small field plots. Almost uniformly, the results of such studies are extrapolated to larger “field” level scales for reporting purposes. While this translation may seem like a straight forward conversion, it can have considerable affects on the interpretation and inference made from the research. Specifically, it is important to understand how error
Does glyphosate restrict crop mineral uptake?
Note: This post follows Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence about Don Huber’s alleged letter to the USDA that claims a never before seen “micro fungus” is endangering all of agriculture. While claims about “micro-fungi” are too extraordinary to even consider until extraordinary proof is provided (and preferably replicated by another lab and peer reviewed), Don Huber’s claims that Roundup (specifically the active ingredient glyphosate) weakens crops by binding minerals in the soil seems to have at least some merit, at least enough to be taken seriously and examined further. Over the years since Roundup Ready (RR) crops have been released, independent researchers have conducted many studies
Extraordinary claims… require extraordinary evidence.
Within the past few weeks, a letter written by a Dr. Don Huber to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack has been making the rounds on the ‘net. The letter was allegedly given to the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and they claim to have confirmed that it was written by Dr. Huber. You can find the full text of the letter on the FRFA site with the ominous title Researcher: Roundup or Roundup-Ready Crops May Be Causing Animal Miscarriages and Infertility. The story has been picked up by many bloggers, including Jill Richardson, and even made an appearance on Reuters. I