Genetically modified Alfalfa?...........
</sarcasm>
The USDA is probably the single most sold-out department in the federal government.
The U.S. wheat industry was nearly brought to its knees after the discovery of a genetically modified strain Monsanto (NYSE: MON ) had tested years ago was inexplicably found growing in an Oregon farmer's field. Because most of the rest of the world rejects GM wheat and the wheat from the Pacific Northwest is mostly targeted for export, the ramifications of the discovery were massive.
Now it's deja vu all over again. A Washington State farmer had his alfalfa crop rejected by a broker after it tested positive for the presence of genetic modification. The implications for this recurrence are just as profound as they were for wheat.
Genetically modified Alfalfa?...........
the only way to ensure that an alfalfa hay field does not become contaminated by the RR gene is to isolate the field at least five miles from the closest RR alfalfa field and to cut the hay before the alfalfa flowers. Maintaining purity is in all practicality impossible unless the entire county prohibits any RR alfalfa production as does the Imperial Valley in CA. Additionally, there has to be a 5 mile buffer from the county line. Individual growers have individual cropping systems with respect to quality of ground and crop rotation. Bees carry the pollen that cause the cross contamination, so either eliminate the bee industry or the Roundup Ready alfalfa or eventually all alfalfa fields will become contaminated by the RR gene. One can soon thank Monsanto for taking over the entire alfalfa seed production in the US.
To many ignorant people, this man represents evil. But then, most people don't even know who he is.
Technological illiteracy and ignorance. I blame public education.
Genetic material is a lot more diffusing than people think. It will be fun watching the “bright line” fade away, and seeing the Euroweenies run in circles.