"GLOBALISATION CHEAPENS EVERYTHING."-- The True Cost of Cheap Food.

[Reinbeau]

There is false info on both sides of any issue. One of the biggest falsehoods being thrown around in this issue is that we 'need' RR crops to feed the world. That isn't true, and it's being proven over and over in studies all over the world. There is a lot of verified information in this article, it's a long read, but worth it if you really care about our agricultural practices, and in the companies surrounding the issue. We don't need big corporations to feed the world, despite what propaganda they spread stating they're the only ones that can do it.

Can Organic Farming Feed the World?

The problem with the safety of RR Soybeans

Seven State Probe of Monsanto's 'abusive competitive tactics

There are so many more. Monsanto isn't making any friends, and they're slowly losing their grasp on our agricultural system. Thankfully. Their products are unpopular because of their business practices. If you get your 'facts' from the industry you are going to get some very skewed information.

 

[seedcorn]

In 2009 we averaged 153bu/acre in USA. When America was organic (pre-bag fertilizer(used only manure), pre-herbicides, pre & post hybrid seed) we averaged less than 60 bu/acre. Do the math. Today hog farmers average over 22pigs per sow per year with them finishing out at under 2.5 lbs. of feed per pound of gain. 20 years ago, we average about 14 pigs per sow per year w/feed conversion of over 3.5. When hogs were fed outside, we had the disease of trichonosysis in pork. Now, most of you don't even know what it was.

Don't need large farmers to feed the world, never said that. What I would tell you is that it takes a certain size of farming operation to make enough profit so that the family can live like their city relatives. Yes, we want electricity, cars, TV, internet, health insurance, etc. There are 2 farmers over here that still have "organic certified crops" in bins because they can't get a premium. 3 other farmers quit because they couldn't get premium to make up for their yield losses. Spend 7 years getting your farm certified, promised certain price, then nothing. Welcome to the real world of Ag.

Someone says "grow vegetables instead of corn/beans/wheat/alfalfa", come to Indiana, let me introduce you to farmers who use to. Can't make enough money to pay inputs. For every tomato you buy in store 5 are destroyed because of no market--same w/onions, potato's, etc.

I can also tell you (not that some of you will believe this) but GMO corn will outyield conventional corn (same hybrid) by over 20 bu/acre when the yields are over 180 bu/acre. I've done the side by sides for over 8 years (how long RW/RR trait in corn has been here. Under 180, you don't see the yield difference consistently. Why do you think farmers are switching? It's not love of trait companies. So when someone types an article telling me it doesn't work (& that person has never done the actual tests or farmed) how much faith should be in their thoughts? If you constantley read articles from these type of people, I understand why you get this opinion w/out fact. It's also why I try to educate non-ag people because I believe their heart is in right place, it's just being filled w/non-facts. My fellow workers consider me stupid to even try.

Popular on this board to bash certain companies, in fact, it can be argued that it is encouraged by some. While not a fan of those companies, I find it interesting that it's always the same 2 while I can tell you ALL companies follow the same business practices. It wasn't (isn't) the company that you all complain about that broke the small family seed business & small family farmer but another chem company that happens to be #1 in the seed trade that did. But I've not read a single post about them, not one.

 

[seedcorn]

Reinbeau, I read the first 2 articles. points of interest.

1) First article states clearly, if you like our opinions, SEND US MONEY.........I thought that was hilarious.

2) Rest of article is written by someone that has no idea about ag or anything else. He states a false premise and then goes off from there. If interested, I'd be happy to critique it for you line by line.

Second (can organic feed world) was filled w/so many contradictions in the same article, I can't beleive any thinking person would put any faith in their opinion. One quick question, they use a lot of manure, to farm where are you going to get this manure from? There aren't enough animals to get it. Don't ask us to raise more as hog, dairy, poultry are already operating under very tight profit margins and to increase production would take them out of business. Plus Gov. regs don't allow that much manure to be placed on fields due to run off from rains.

One of his comments after 4 years of study, there was no difference in carbon buildup in soil between conventional and organic. But he stated there was a difference that the organic crops suffered nitrogen difficiencies. Then stated that it was because there was more nitrogen tied up by breaking down the carbons in organic....hello, you already stated that there was NO difference in carbons between organic soils and conventional soils. Little faulty reasoning there.

 

[Reinbeau]

Misconceptions result from interpretation, since you are absolutely in the big-ag tank, of course you're not going to agree with or even consider seriously anything that says otherwise. I can and do scoff at your 'sources', too, because they are all bought and paid for by Big Ag. So there's no winning this discussion.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

As for GM FrankinFoods.....I personally do not want to see future generations being born with three eyes and six legs.


http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/09

I guess I can still have a personal opinion on this site. I can see through the hard sell of Big Ag. They are losing the consumers.
Especially in other countries.

It is only over here, that the propaganda is ratcheted up and people do not have time to do their homework. However, eventually the sun does shine through the clouds and more and more people understand the meaning of "food security". It is a life and death matter and each person has a right to his or her own choice. I just feel that information on both sides needs to be shared. Let the people decide.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/02/24-4

And do not forget to use the "blue" links within the article these are citations. And read the comments below in the articles. These are the consumers.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0621-33.htm

 

[Reinbeau]

As for GM FrankinFoods.....I personally do not want to see future generations being born with three eyes and six legs.


http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/09

I guess I can still have a personal opinion on this site. I can see through the hard sell of Big Ag. They are losing the consumers.
Especially in other countries.

We all can have opinions, as consumers, and we do - the companies that are selling us lousy products are now aware that we are aware, and it's scaring the begeebers out of them. That's why they're so strident in their objections to the information that's coming out. We need to keep telling them what we, as consumers, as the ones who ultimately pay their bills, want in our food. Education is the key.

It is only over here, that the propaganda is ratcheted up and people do not have time to do their homework. However, eventually the sun does shine through the clouds and more and more people understand the meaning of "food security". It is a life and death matter and each person has a right to his or her own choice. I just feel that information on both sides needs to be shared. Let the people decide.

Hear, hear!

 

[wifezilla]

One of the biggest falsehoods being thrown around in this issue is that we 'need' RR crops to feed the world.

Exactly.

http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/1999Q4/myths.html

the companies that are selling us lousy products are now aware that we are aware, and it's scaring the begeebers out of them

Right again. And their response seems to be "We are going to argue with you and try to convince you you are all ignorant, uninformed, or stupid so we can keep on doing the same old thing." Not exactly what I would call a good business plan, but yeah....good luck with that!

 

[ducks4you]

Whiskey Tango Firefox--Roundup is FAILING as an herbicide. WhyEVER would we want it already IN the soybeans?!?!?!?! Is this supposed to kill us slowly, like arsenic?

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Monsanto is certainly not the only company at fault -- here's a link about Bayer's actions:

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/03/11-6

I have really appreciated most of the input on this thread. As an outsider & visitor to your country/forum I am learning a lot about how different the attitudes in various countries are so very diverse.

I also thank you for the politeness of your posts: long may it continue.


Hattie