USDA seeks input on new GMO rules - AgMinute for May 7, 2015

The USDA wants the public to weigh in on its authority to regulate biotech crops, possibly setting the stage for newly proposed genetic engineering rules. Click here for the full story

Foreign markets loom large in GMO litigation - AgMinute for April 15, 2015

Litigation over China's rejection of a biotech trait could set an important precedent, experts say. Click here for the full story

Biotech critics claim GMO loophole will backfire - AgMinute for February 11, 2015

GMO critics say a loophole in federal biotech regulations will backfire against major developers of transgenic seed. Click here for the full story

Monsanto to pay $2.4 million to wheat farmers, groups - AgMinute for November 13, 2014

Monsanto will pay nearly $2.4 million to soft white wheat growers and wheat organizations to settle litigation over an unauthorized release of biotech wheat in Oregon. Click here for the full story

Unauthorized GMO wheat in Montana - AgMinute for September 29, 2014

USDA said more biotech wheat was found at a former field trial site in Montana but it's unrelated to a 2013 unauthorized release in Oregon. The agency has ended its investigation into the Oregon incident without firm conclusions as to its source. Click Here for the full story

Farmers, Monsanto reach tentative deal - AgMinute for September 9, 2014

A tentative settlement deal has been reached in a lawsuit between soft white wheat growers and the Monsanto Co. over an unauthorized release of biotech wheat last year. Details are not yet available. Click here for the full story

Judge rules against county GMO regulations - AgMinute for August 29, 2014

A court ruling on genetically modified organism regulations in Hawaii's Kauai County may have implications for other litigation over biotech crops. Click here for the full story

More agricultural groups endorse GMO wheat - AgMinute for June 11, 2014

Sixteen agricultural organizations in the U.S., Canada and Australia have pledged their support of biotechnology to improve wheat varieties. Click here for the full story

Monsanto biotech wheat litigation on hiatus - AgMinute for March 17, 2014

Lawsuits over an unauthorized release of Monsanto's biotech wheat have been put on hiatus as farmers and the company try to reach a settlement. Click here for the full story

Stressing out new breeds — AgMinute for Aug. 23, 2013

Victor Raboy, a research geneticist with the Agricultural Research Service in Aberdeen, sees potential to breed desirable traits in crops by exposing them to stressful environments, based on a modern field of science that challenges traditional notions of genetics.

Japan resumes wheat imports — AgMinute for July 31, 2013

Japan’s top agriculture official said that his nation will resume the import of U.S. western white wheat in the wake of the discovery of GMO wheat in an Oregon field.

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," available at http://bit.ly/BiotechBacklash

On the wheat beat — AgMinute for July 30, 2013

USDA officials say they are continuing to work as quickly as possible to determine how genetically engineered wheat wound up in a northeast Oregon field.

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," available at http://bit.ly/BiotechBacklash

Japan mulls wheat imports — AgMinute for July 29, 2013

Japan is still deciding whether to resume purchasing U.S. western white wheat. The official Japanese position is that no decision has yet been made, said Steve Mercer, vice president of communications for U.S. Wheat Associates.

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," available at http://bit.ly/BiotechBacklash

Naturally biotech — AgMinute for July 18, 2013

A federal judge has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine whether food made with genetically engineered crops can be labeled as "natural."

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," available at http://bit.ly/BiotechBacklash

Biotech wheat talks — AgMinute for July 15, 2013

Japanese customers will meet with Northwest wheat industry representatives next week in Portland to discuss genetically modified wheat found in a field in northeast Oregon earlier this year, according to the chair of the Washington Grain Commission.

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," at http://bit.ly/BiotechBacklash

Cautious optimism for wheat exports — AgMinute for July 11, 2013

Japan may be opening the door for more wheat purchases from the United States, but the U.S. wheat industry is exercising cautious optimism.

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," a free ebook from Capital Press.

Japan returns to wheat — AgMinute for July 10, 2013

A top Japanese agricultural official says that his nation plans to resume purchases of U.S. soft white wheat this week. The announcement follows South Korea's re-entry into the market on Tuesday.

Read about how farmers are confronting controversy over biotechnology in "Surviving a Biotech Backlash," a free ebook from Capital Press.

Is it a sabotage? — AgMinute for June 27, 2013

Experts say it seems unlikely eco-terrorists would have purposely sown restricted biotech wheat in an Oregon field, discounting Monsanto's claim that the release was an act of sabotage.

"Western Innovators," an ebook about the best and brightest in Western ag, is free this week at http://bit.ly/WesternInnovators

No-GMO logo — AgMinute for June 26, 2013

The USDA has approved a label that verifies the absence of genetically modified products in some foods. The Non-GMO Project, a nationwide organization based in Bellingham, Wash., has sought the approval for the past year.

"Western Innovators," an ebook about the best and brightest in Western ag, is free this week at http://bit.ly/WesternInnovators

Biotech wheat fears recede — AgMinute for June 21, 2013

Taiwanese wheat buyers purchased 85,550 metric tons of wheat from the U.S. this week and did not exclude wheat from the Pacific Northwest.

The Capital Press ebook "Viticulture" is free today at http://bitly.com/11jtw6y