FROM AGRIWORLD.NL
US Beckons Irish Dairy Farmers
A team from South Dakota, USA, is in Ireland trying to promote the attractions of the state and to encourage Irish dairy farmers to head west. (22-8-03)

South Dakota, bordered by the Rocky Mountains and home to five cheese processors, two fluid milk plants, one milk powder plant and one whey processor, is aggressively developing its dairy industry.

The farmers are being told of the low land prices, no state income taxes, no quotas, low production costs, financial and technical assistance, profitability and a high demand for milk are among the incentives.

South Dakota International Business Institute director Joop Bollen said: "All we want to do is show people what dairying is like in South Dakota. The price of land there is about one sixth what it is in Ireland and there is plenty of it available."

The team used wild west wanted posters to invite people to meetings in Adare, Co Limerick, Cork city and Athlone.

EC Regrets the Request for a WTO Panel on GMOs
On 18th August, Argentina, Canada and the US requested that a WTO Panel be set up on the EU´s approach to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). (22-8-03)

EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said: "We have been in what we found a rather constructive dialogue with Argentina, Canada and the US on this issue. We regret this move to an unnecessary litigation. The EU's regulatory system for GMOs is clear, transparent, reasonable and non-discriminatory. We are confident that the WTO will confirm that the EU fully respects its obligations."

David Byrne, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection stated: "Only a month ago we updated our regulatory system on GMOs in line with the latest scientific and international developments. Clear labelling and traceability rules are essential to help restore consumer confidence in GMO's in Europe."

David Byrne recalled that it is the lack of consumer demand for GM-products that accounts for the low sales of GMOs in the EU market. "Unless consumers see that the authorisation process is up to date and takes into account all legitimate concerns, consumers will continue to remain sceptical of GM products."

EU Commissioner for the Environment Margot Wallström added: "There should be no doubt that it is not our intention to create trade barriers. But my concern is that this request will muddy the waters of the debate in Europe. We have to create confidence among citizens for GMOs and allow them to choose - and this is what our new legislative framework is designed to do. The EU stance on GMOs is in line with WTO rules."

The European Union has a clear and transparent framework (Directive 2001/18/EC, repealing Directive 90/220/EC, and Regulation 258/97) to approve and market GMOs and GM-foods in Europe.

A total of 18 GMOs and a total of 15 GM foods are marketed in the EU.

Canada and the US on May 13 and Argentina on May 14 this year requested WTO consultations on the EU´s authorisation system for GMOs and GM foods.

They were notably alleging that the EU had suspended the consideration of the applications and approval and was maintaining a de-facto "moratorium" on new GM varieties.

This relates to the fact that since October 1998, no new GMOs had been authorised for release into the environment under Directive 90/220/EC as the EU's regulatory regime was being updated to better address the challenges posed by modern biotechnology.

The new regulatory framework was adopted in March 2001 and entered into force in October 2002.

A better labelling and traceability framework for GM-food and GM-feed was also adopted in July 2003.

FROM AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA
Perennial cereal rye offers a new forage option
Date posted: April 2, 2003
A perennial cereal rye (PC rye) cultivar that shows great promise as an alternative to barley silage has been developed by scientists at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge Research Centre.

"ACE-1 rye is a silage crop that is superior to barley in yield and other agronomic characteristics and has similar feed quality," says forage breeder Dr. Surya Acharya, "Another advantage is that PC rye can be used in long term hay and pasture rotations."

PC rye has generated a lot of interest from the beef cattle industry because of its economical and environmental benefits, says Acharya. Originating from a cross between an annual rye and a perennial grass, the new forage captures the best of both worlds. It can easily be integrated in most crop rotations, as it does not require special equipment or significant changes in cultural practices. Commercial seed is expected to be available in the fall of 2003.

"Due to its perennial characteristics, PC rye can take advantage of early spring moisture and is ready for silage harvesting three to four weeks earlier than barley," says Acharya. The crop regrows vigorously and under favourable conditions will sustain a second cut of silage.

If not cut a second time, the regrowth can be used to extend fall grazing, he says. Savings of over wintering costs for thirty days from this grazing resource can reduce the feed costs per calf by $7, with an additional savings from not handling manure and feed in the feedlot of $4.50 per calf.

In addition to cutting costs, PC rye also protects the soil from erosion, continues Acharya. This is due to its extensive fibrous root system that can improve soil texture and tilth, and increase soil organic matter. Field plots at AAFC have remained productive for four years so including PC rye in the crop rotation will also ease spring and fall work loads for the farmer.

A serious limitation of PC rye is that it has a tendency for floret sterility, he says. This relates to its origin as an interspecific cross. The floret sterility results in reduced seed set and affected seed heads are susceptible to infection with ergot, a fungal disease that is toxic to livestock.

"PC rye must be harvested before the ergot balls are formed to avoid the risk of poisoning," cautions Acharya. "The silage making process reduces the toxic effects, but to avoid poisoning when used as pasture, the crop must be intensively grazed before seed heads appear. Fortunately, the regrowth after silage harvest produces very few seed heads and they do not reach maturity so ergot is not a problem in fall grazing." Researchers are currently investigating several strategies to improve the fertility of PC rye.

Research is also focused on increasing the crop's grazing tolerance. "Trials have indicated that PC rye can not withstand prolonged grazing pressure," says Acharya. "Significant variability in tolerance within the PC rye population has, however, been observed and we have started a selection program for grazing tolerant plants that will continue for the next two years.

"Ultimately we want to generate a cultivar of PC rye that can grow with forage legumes to produce high quality pasture and hay for our large cattle industry," he concludes. The introduction of new crops or cultivars will increase the genetic diversity on cultivated land, which is particularly important in areas such as western Canada where a single crop or cultivar may occupy millions of hectares.

The PC rye development project was funded by the Canada Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund, the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute and the AAFC Matching Investment Initiative program.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre has a mandate to promote innovation for growth, maintain security of the food system and protect the health of the environment.