Daniel Charles

And The Winner Of The World Food Prize Is ... The Man From Monsanto

Daniel Charles — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:41:00 +0000

Ever heard of the World Food Prize? It's sometimes called the "Nobel Prize for food and agriculture," but it has struggled to get people's attention. Prize winners tend to be agricultural insiders, and many are scientists. Last year's laureate, for instance, was Daniel Hillel, a pioneer of water-saving "micro-irrigation."

This year, though, the World Food Prize is likely to get some publicity, some of it in the form of anger and protests.

Court To Monsanto: You Said You Won't Sue, So You Can't

Daniel Charles — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:25:00 +0000

A federal appeals court slapped down a quixotic legal campaign against Monsanto's biotech patents this week.

Organic farmers had gone to court to declare those patents invalid.

Michigan Tracks Cattle From Birth To Plate

Daniel Charles — Fri, 31 May 2013 07:20:00 +0000

When you pick up a cut of beef at the store, would you like to know that animal's life history? The technology to do this does exist — at least in Michigan, where the state requires all cattle to carry electronic ear tags. It's the only state that requires such tags.

Michigan's cattle-tracking system was forced on farmers because of a crisis.

GMO Wheat Found In Oregon Field. How'd It Get There?

Daniel Charles — Thu, 30 May 2013 07:05:00 +0000

A farmer in Oregon has found some genetically engineered wheat growing on his land. It's an unwelcome surprise, because this type of wheat has never been approved for commercial planting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it's investigating, trying to find out how this wheat got there.

A Hungarian Cherry Tree's Long Trek To Michigan

Daniel Charles — Mon, 27 May 2013 12:03:00 +0000

Once upon a time, there was a small Hungarian village that was very proud of its sour cherries. The village was called Újfehértó.