Soy Samba: Brazilian Farmers To Win Soybean Race?

Barron's ^ | 14 October 2002 | Alastair Stewart

[shrinkermd]

Brazilian soy farmer Moises Bocchi couldn't be reached at his farm in the southern state of Parana, said his nephew, as the senior Bocchi was busy buying up more cheap land in the agricultural-frontier state of Mato Grosso to increase his soy output.

[shrinkermd]

Previously, Brazil and other South American Countries were held back from full production by a lack of transportation infrastructure and capital. Since both land and labor is cheap, if this article's thesis is valid, the American farmer will need to compete in an adverse marketplace. I imagine if you can raise soybeans you can raise corn.

[dighton]

Not necessarily a bad thing, if it hurts Archer Daniels Midland.

[brat]

Dangers Of Isoflavones In
Soy And Soy-Based Foods
From Jane Jones
jane@npwa.freeserve.co.uk
10-6-2

Who knew what - and when?

The studies are easily found by doing a Pubmed search.

DANGERS OF DIETARY ISOFLAVONES AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE FOUND IN TRADITIONAL DIETS

Cargill has received "self-determined" GRAS status for its AdvantaSoyTMClearTM isoflavone supplement to be used as an additive for beverages, nutrition bars, yoghurt, meal replacements and confections. The summaries of studies attached give ample demonstration of the dangers of adding phytoestrogens (isoflavones) to common foods. Deleterious effects include endocrine disruption, thyroid suppression, immune system suppresion and increased incidence of leukemia, breast cancer, colon cancer, infertility, growth problems and subtle changes in sexually dimorphic behaviors.

It has been argued that high levels of soy isoflavones such as genistein, daidzein and genistin in Asian diets protect the inhabitants of Japan and China from certain degenerative diseases, especially breast and prostate cancer. Actually, consumption of soy in traditional Asian diets is low. A 1975 report lists soyfoods as minor sources of protein in Japan and China.(1) Major sources of protein listed were meat including organ meats, poultry, fish and eggs. Average isoflavone consumption in Asian diets ranges from 10-28 mg/day, as shown in the table below. Studies indicate that isoflavone consumption at levels slightly exceeding those found in traditional diets results in thyroid suppression and endocrine disruption.


The AdvantaSoyTMClearTM supplement would add 30-50 mg of isoflavones to a 100-gram serving of various common foods, levels that exceed the amounts found in traditional diets and that are in the range of levels shown to cause problems, especially for sensitive individuals. It is not only possible but likely that many individuals will consume two or more servings of foods to which the Cargill isoflavones have been added, especially as these foods will be promoted with much advertising touting their health benefits. Two or more servings of such foods would provide 60-100 mg isoflavones per day, an amount that clearly poses dangers after only a brief period of daily intake.

[Red Jones]

the article confidently predicts that brazil will surpass US in soy production and then it casually mentions that they currently produce only 10% what US does.

[AntiScumbag]

it casually mentions that they currently produce only 10% what US does

they could've laid out their numbers more clearly, but it doesn't say any such thing

approximate current u.s. production: 72 mill bu

predicted brazilian production in 2012: 92 mill bu, 90% more than current production

calculating 10/19ths of 92 results in 48 mill bu being the approximate number used as current brazilian production

current brazilian production as an approximate percentage of current u.s. production: 67%