1. The Monsanto Pig Patent – Whitewash or More Hogwash?
2. From The Astronauts Point of View
3. Organic Wins the Long Term
4. Take the Farm Market Survey – Today!

Greenpeace this week alleged that Monsanto has filed for "patents that seek to establish ownership rights over pigs and their offspring." The patent application, being sought in 160 countries including the U.S., were published in February 2005 at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva.

Christoph Then, a Greenpeace researcher who monitors patent applications, concluded that the applications in question would have the effect of "seeking patents not only on methods of breeding, but on actual breeding herds of pigs as well as the offspring that result." 

The patent application itself states: "The present invention relates generally to the field of improving porcine (pig) genetics, at both the individual animals and herds levels. Among the various embodiments, it particularly concerns a method for improving and producing terminal sires so that these boars have improved genetic merit as compared with the average herd animal." Does this mean Monsanto would own the rights to sires, much like they claim the right to own "next-generation" seeds like Roundup Ready?

According to Greenpeace, a number of the claims in the patent would apply to any "pig offspring" or "swine herd" produced by the technique. "If these patents are granted, Monsanto can legally prevent breeders and farmers from breeding pigs whose characteristics are described in the patent claims, or force them to pay royalties," says Then. Learn more about this issue. 

FROM THE ASTRONAUTS' POINT OF VIEW

Irony filled the heavens last week. As earthlings looked skyward worried about repair to the space shuttle, the astronauts looked Earthward worried about disrepair to the Earth. 

Shuttle Commander Eileen Collins reported from 220 miles above of "widespread environmental destruction on Earth" and warned "that greater care was needed to protect natural resources." Collins, who has lead four previous shuttle flights added, "Sometimes you can see how there is erosion and you can see how there is deforestation.

It's very widespread in some parts of the world." As astronauts removed torn pieces of blanket from the shuttle's shell, Collins thoughtful words reminded us that the earth is our space shuttle, and in some ways, equally fragile. "The atmosphere almost looks like an eggshell on an egg, it's so very thin. We know that we don't have much air, we need to protect what we have. We would like to see, from the astronauts' point of view, people take good care of the Earth and replace the resources that have been used."

ORGANIC WINS IN THE LONG TERM

A 22-year comparison of organic and conventional farming has concluded that "organic farming produces the same yields of corn and soybeans as does conventional farming, but uses 30 percent less energy, less water and no pesticides." 

David Pimentel of Cornell University reviewed the results of the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial, the longest running comparison of organic vs. conventional farming in the United States. In the early years of the trial, organic corn yields were about one-third lower than conventional yields, but this effect disappeared over time, because "wind and water erosion degraded the soil on the conventional farm while the soil on the organic farms steadily improved in organic matter, moisture, microbial activity and other soil quality indicators." 

The results of the study are published in the July issue of the journal Bioscience.

The North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA), in partnership with Michigan State University, Texas Department of Agriculture, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is conducting a survey to identify the status and trends of farm direct marketing. 

The survey applies to those active in farm marketing and agro-tourism, including any farmer or rancher who sells at farmers' markets, operates an agro-tourism destination, offers 'pick your own', community supported agriculture (CSA) has a farm stand, or engages in any related activity on their farm or ranch. The results will be used to help prioritize issues that should be addressed in the future and will be compared with information collected on the USDA Census of Agriculture. 

The first 777 completed surveys will be entered into a drawing to win your choice either of a $1900+ USD value to attend the NAFDMA Convention in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, or $1000 CASH. Take the survey.