"Torsten Brinch" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Aug 2003 01:54:37 GMT, "Gordon Couger"
wrote:

In Romania Round Up Ready soybeans is proving much more valuable to
farmers
than in the western world. With yield increases of 16 to 50%, cost
reductions averaging 28% and gross margin increases as much as 2 to 3
times
conventional methods of cultivation.

http://www.bioportfolio.com/pdf/Farm...niafinalreport
..pdf

Quote from the report:
"The reader should note that the cost analysis presented relates to
farmers that are applying the full conventional technology (ie, using
3-4 spray runs). Where farmers are not applying full conventional
technology, the cost saving potential is lower (or could represent a
cost increase)."

So for the purposes of the comparison, non-RR soybean farmer herbicide
cost is put in as the theoretical figure representing conditions under
full use of conventional herbicide technology.

While the -yield- estimates that are put in supposedly represent
the actual conditions of whatever reduced herbicide use for weed
management the non-RR farmers actually get along with. Sic.

This method is rather likely to exaggerate the calculated benefits
of RR soybeans. But why would the author want to do that?
I mean, he is not funded by Monsanto or anything, is he?

Ooops. I see the author is actually bought by Monsanto, and
apparently 100 per cent, to produce this report. And suffering
no peer review, by golly. Well, then it perhaps all makes sense.

The author pointed out that the benefits were to the fields with the most
weed problems.

I don't expect that anyone in Europe would pay for the study. Simply because
a researcher contract to do a study he does not sell his soul to the
company. This is business not ecology we are discussing.

It come out of your pocket when you have to bring eastern Europe up to CAP
standards as you bring them into the EU. If you want to try to clean up the
fields organically or conventionally its your money. You seem to think that
the movement can keep paying for it all with no consequences. That cow will
eventually suck its self dry. Your every increasing regulations increase
costs at home as well as exclude competition.

I just got off the phone with a plant pathologist they just bought a new
microscope. Leica and Zeiss were not even considered because of price. Your
costs are sure helping your exports.

Gordon