Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

curious7 — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:53:49 GMT

With the intrusion of the Government into what is or what is not Organically raised produce disallows one to really know what is or is not Organic. Personally I would not believe the Government if they told me the sky was blue, without checking first.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

Young Health 4 Life — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:29:38 GMT

Brown cow,

"Safe chemical"? Sounds like an oxymoron to me. I am no farmer, never have been and never will be. I am, however, a shopper of real food grown locally and organically...an increasing trend in my suburb on the outskirts of Chicago. I am also a health practitioner dedicated to educating humans about chemicals and the toxic effects they have on bodies not designed to withstand such ongoing assaults with cumulative, negative impacts on living beings who ingest such foreign substances. Improving the health status of this country starts with the food suppliers/growers. We speak with our dollars and our votes. It is a simple equation of supply and demand...the more we demand sustainable, biodynamic, organic food, the more it will be supplied; the healthier we will become, the fewer drugs will be needed, the cheaper our health care costs will become...and all that money saved can be spent on bettering sustainable,biodynamic, organic healthy food supplying practices. "Safe chemical"? Still sounds like an oxymoron to me.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

BUNDY — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:18:07 GMT

I have entirely too much to say, but i must include this comment. it is a common (illegal) practice to buy "brown bag" seed from farmers. These plants are patented and there is know way around it. My opinion is that this guy got caught, and is trying to use the public media and radicalists to justify what he knew was illegal.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

Donna2 — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:00:12 GMT

Submit stories or comments linking to affiliate programs, multi-level marketing schemes, or off-topic content or any other system that will result in your personal financial or commercial gain.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

DeBillB — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:24:13 GMT

Browncows:
Dolomite Limestone rich in calcium magnesium carbonate may be organic or it may be a chemical---it is necessary for regulating proper soil ph. Phosphorous derived from bone meal may be organic--phosphorus and potassium derived from phosphate rock is processed and blended with ammonium nitrates or other synthetic ureas--are chemicals.
I agree that in my mind there is much fuzziness about the above---all interested people need a clear and precise source of information to make their own decision about what is chemical and what is organic. Our bodies are being bombarded with chemicals in the foods we consume. The labels on foods we buy are mangled gobligook that takes a Chemist degree to understand.
I am on the Natural/Organic side of the fence as far as safe food for human consumption---Agri Business won't change in my lifetime---they are drifting further into the unknown.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

aboot — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 13:38:27 GMT

Please take the time to read this important article outlining the sad case of Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser who was successfully sued by Monsanto over infringement of "intellectual property rights".

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/genetics_modification/percyschmeiser.html

Percy had been a farmer all his life and grew his own canola seed. Monsanto, using private investigators, illegally entered Percy's fields and took plant samples from an adjoining ditch, as well as seed from the local mill, and determined it was their patented Roundup Ready canola. Percy maintained that the seed had drifted onto his property on the wind. He was not under contract to Monsanto and chose to grow his own seed, developed from generations of trial and error. He had sprayed the offending plants with herbicide to try and get rid of them, but the genetically engineered plants are resistant to herbicides other than Monsanto's Roundup, and they flourished. Percy was ordered by the Federal Court of Canada to pay Monsanto $20,000 in damages (his canola sales for that year) and deliver any plants or seeds that contained the gene, plus court costs. The case went to the Supreme Court who ruled in Monsanto's favor. It is estimated that 40% of the canola grown in Canada is Monsanto engineered. The courts also ruled that a plant can be patented. It's a sad state when we can't own the food we grow. All Roundup Ready canola (there are many more food crops) is grown under contract which gives full property rights of all engineered plants and seeds to Monsanto. The farmer is liable to prosecution if he keeps the seed or even has it innocently growing in his ditch, carried there by the wind.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

Russ Bianchi — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:02:53 GMT

Organic in America needs in implement UK Soil Association standards, but unfortunately, the almighty buck pervades and their are SEVERAl so called organic certifiers out that (self appointed) merely giving out pieces of paper for money, like the kosher fifedoms, and doing NOTHING to improve empirical food chain standards.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

DeBillB — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 22:53:21 GMT

Reply to Browncows: I appreciate the link on The Morrow plots--very informative. The article states quote: "Beginning in 1904, manure, lime, and phosphorus (MLP) were added to the South half of each plot." Next quote: "Another turning point came in 1955. Limestone, Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (LNPK) were added to a plot that had received no prior treatment and to another that had been getting MLP since 1904." Increased crop yeilds with chemicals = increased yeilds of poisonous chemicals in our food = increased poisons in our bodies = increased visits to the pharmacy to buy poisonous drugs---and then we get placed in a poisonous box. Looks like they used Lime and Phosphorous in 1904. Raw manure--Organic.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

DeBillB — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 18:35:32 GMT

Chemical farming didn't start yesterday. In 1929 our U S Government performed a National Soils Evaluation. The results were that over 70% of the nutrients in our soils were depleted. The reseans cited were: chemical fertilizers, soil errosion from deforestation, pesticides, and herbicides. Many state Colleges and Universities have been promoting chemicals for farming ignoring safer organic fertilizers. Earthworms thrive on organic matter and aerate the soil, fertilize the soil with their waste (casts), and raise the soil PH naturally. Chemicals applied to our soils destroy the organisms that keep our soils in balance. Earth worms are critical in our soils--lets not kill them.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

rfinger — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:59:08 GMT

An interesting read on this subject would be the book "Omnivore's Dilemma". The author takes agreat look at the choices we humans face since we can eat just about anything. He really compares the ecological costs that are incurred through the foods that we produce and eat. There are some colorful and creative ways to really maximize crop and livestock yields that are not widely employed.

Industrial agriculture was based on using chemicals to increase yields with the least amount of human labor, since crop rotations, symbiotic plantings, etc take more involvement and are not easily incorporated with huge machines and vast acreage. It is much easier to spray fertilizer, plow, plant a huge uni-crop, spray with pesticide and then harvest. It takes more time and effort to truely care for the plants and soil.

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

BrownCows — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:19:34 GMT

Having grown up on a corn-soybean-wheat-dairy farm in S. Illinois, I'm not so sure on this one. This will require more honest, open reading and thought for me.

Some thoughts for discussion:

Chemicals cost money, cutting into profits. If eliminating chemicals enhanced yield, this would be a double-win (no chemical expense + increased production). If going organic really provided this benefit, farms would all be organic. They are not. Enter my skepticism on the validity of the article.
Eliminating herbicides requires more conventional tilling to eliminate weeds. This requires MUCH more fuel (diesel) and stirs more dust, resulting in more air pollution. The additional tillage also loosens the soil, making it more prone to erosion, resulting in more run-off and water pollution. Which is the greater of two evils: increased pollution or approved safe chemicals?

All things in moderation! To "spray the hell" out of RR corn or any other crop is irresponsible. It is also illogical and inefficient, as these products are incredibly expensive. Anyone operating like this will not be in business for long.

I'm not in love with a lot of the companies, but let's apply a little common sense and rationality. Remember "unintended consequences" is a double edged sword that cuts both ways, organic or conventional.

Adam

re: Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields

notig — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:41:09 GMT

I have heard of this before... that chemicals actually deplete soil and they need more and more every year and that in the long run organic has just as much if not greater bounty. so i assume the jacked up prices of organic produce is because of supply and demand?

re: Pesticides Cut Crop Yields by One-Third

rablpn — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:05:19 GMT

Good article. Good science.So if we want to feed the world, we''ll have more if go organic.
Did anyone see 20/20 a number of years ago when John Stossel interviewed a guy who was a chenical ag advocate. He just blasted organic farming- he said yields were lower because of the weeds. He also tried to blame organic farming for many deaths due to E. coli poisoning from the use of fresh manure. He cited bean sprouts as an example! What an idiot!

re: Pesticides Cut Crop Yields by One-Third

mmc88121 — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:48:38 GMT

Another reason in the increasing long reason to stay organic. Or convince your family to "go organic" It is just better for the planet.

Mary

re: Pesticides Cut Crop Yields by One-Third

Reesacat — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:31:35 GMT

Interesting idea. There is a tax on alcohol and cigarettes....

I just don't like government interference. A tax break on chiropractic, massage therapy and naturopath treatments would be nice.