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Farmers little aware of seed sector review; other CropChoice headlines (Tuesday, March 16, 2004 -- CropChoice news) -- Below are some of the CropChoice news and commentary items so far this week and last. Farmers little aware of seed sector review (Monday, March 15, 2004 -- CropChoice guest commentary) -- It hasn't been a big secret, or anything like that, but it isn't likely the average Canadian farmer has heard much about the Seed Sector Review, now nearly complete. The 4500 pedigree seed growers in Canada and the 200 companies from across Canada that belong to the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) are more likely to know about the review, since there has been coverage in their trade magazines. There is also a website, seedsectorreview.com, which has notes from the first three meetings that were held. The review was jointly conceived by the CSTA, the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA), the Canadian Seed Institute (CSI) and the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC). Funding came largely from the federal government, and was estimated at over one million dollars. The review describes itself in vague terms as follows... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2456 America's farmers are efficient - Now can we get paid? (Saturday, March 13, 2004 -- CropChoice guest commentary) As we enter National Agriculture Week, celebrated this year from March 14 to March 20, we need to pause to say thank you to the men, women and families of American agriculture by drawing attention to the important role they play in our society. We should also take time to reflect upon the productivity of America's farm families. I think you will agree with me that it is worth much more than $100 a month... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2449 Subsidies and production (Tuesday, March 16, 2004 -- CropChoice guest commentary) -- Last summer our office, the Agricultural Policy Analysis Center at the University of Tennessee, released a publication entitled, "Rethinking US Agricultural Policy: Changing Course to Secure Farmer Livelihoods Worldwide" (available online at http://www.agpolicy.org/blueprint.html). In that publication one of the things that we argued was that U.S. crop subsidies are the result of low prices, not the cause of low prices. That is, even if U.S. crop subsidies were eliminated, crop production and prices would remain about the same as they are... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2459 South Dakota Public Utilities Commisioner seeks input on wind power proposal... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2457 Wheat groups to render decision on transgenic wheat in July... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2455 Many countries would rather not import genetically modified wheat, according to USDA survey results... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2453 U.S. State Dept. promotes biotech crops, food... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2452 NAFTA study: Transgenic corn threatens Mexico's native species... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2450 Drysdale wheat bred for dry conditions... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2458 Cargill, one other processor to pay $24 million settlement in price fixing lawsuit... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=2451