Agribusiness Update for Monday 08/26/13

This is the Agribusiness Update...I’m Greg Martin...

More than 150 farm and food businesses and organizations - including organic food representatives - are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen its oversight of field trials of experimental, genetically modified crops. The Organic Seed Alliance and Rural Advancement Foundation International say there are major weaknesses in USDA’s oversight of these trials - including how unauthorized crops are contained.

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance is bringing the conversation about food and farming from fields to homes across America through regional events. UFRA Board of Directors Member Mike Geske says these events will help USFRA spread the dialogue and hear from more people while sharing stories about farming and ranching.

U.S. Wheat Associates is bringing a team of mid-level Japanese flour milling managers to Oregon, Washington and North Dakota to gain a better understanding of U.S. wheat breeding, production, handling and marketing systems. The four team members, all of whom are involved in flour production and quality control for their respective companies, will also gain firsthand knowledge of this year’s soft white, hard red spring and durum wheat crops.

That’s today’s Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.