GM Alfalfa Sparks Heated GMO vs. Organic Crops Coexistence Debate

Oct 26, 2012

Potential Introduction of GM Alfalfa Raises Some Concerns

The long debate over genetically modified organisms (GMO) versus organic crops seems to have reignited with the talk of the introduction of Monsanto’s herbicide tolerant genetically modified (GM) alfalfa into the Canadian market.

The debate is heating up because in November, the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) will be holding meetings with the Forage Genetics International to examine the status of the GM alfalfa introduction in the US and start drafting a coexistence plan for the introduction of the herbicide tolerant alfalfa in Canada.

The Canadian Organic Federation and the National Farmers Union (NFU) have been vocal about the GM crop arguing that organic crops cannot coexist, simply because cross-pollination between crops is inevitable, which places an organic farmer’s certification requirements at risk, as there is zero tolerance. The NFU held a rally to raise awareness about the issue in Kitchener, Ont. in efforts to stop the introduction of the GM alfalfa.

Alfalfa is a perennial forage plant in the pea family and is a major forage crop Canada and the US. Alfalfa is harvested for hay and is cut and bailed and serves as an excellent source of protein and other vitamins and minerals for horses, beef cattle, sheep and other livestock.

Video: Is China Buying US Soybeans + USDA Nov 14th Crop Report could be “Game Changing”

After a week of a U.S./China trade truce, markets/trade is skeptical that we have not seen a signed agreement nor heard much from China or seen any details. There are rumors that China is buying soybean futures & not the physical. Trust in Trump?
12 MMT of U.S. soybean purchases by China by year-end is better than 0 but we all need to give it more time and give it a chance to unfold. China did lower the tariffs on Ag and is buying U.S. wheat and sorghum.
U.S. supreme court could rule against Trumps tariffs, but the Trump administration does have a plan B.
U.S. government shutdown is now the longest in history at 38 days.
But despite a U.S. government shutdown we will be getting a USDA November crop report next Friday and it could be “game changing.” If the USDA provides a bullish surprise with lower U.S. corn and soybean yields and ending stocks that are lower than expected both corn and soybean futures will break out above their ceilings at $4.35/bu and $11.35/bu respectively.
The funds continued their selling in live and feeder cattle futures on continued fears that the Trump administration want to lower U.S. beef prices. The fundamentals have not changed, only market psychology has.
Stocks markets continue to worry about a weak U.S. job market, but you can blame ChatGPT for that. In the future, we will have a more efficient, productive and growing economy with a higher unemployment rate until we have more skilled AI workers.
After 34 new record highs in the S & P 500 and 124 new records in the NASDAQ in 2025 we are back to a correction and investor profit taking as AI valuations may have gotten too stretched near-term ahead of NVDA’s 3rd quarter earnings announcement on Nov. 19th. But this is not an AI bubble.
75% of Tesla shareholders approved a $1 trillion pay package for Elon Musk!
It has rained in South America in the last 7 days, but both the American and European models agree that Central Brazil remains dry in the next 14-days!

Bayer’s Baytril 100 Now Approved for Hogs and Dairy Heifers

Registration Open for “Cut Waste, Grow Profit” Forum 2012