More than two-thirds of the food in U.S. markets has at least some amount of a crop that has been genetically engineered (GE). Do Americans believe that GE food is a health risk or benefit? They are pretty evenly split on the issue, finds a new Cornell University study. However, they have grown slightly more skeptical over the past three years.

Women generally and nonwhites of both genders perceived higher risk in using biotechnology in food production than men and whites of both genders. And Republicans showed more overall support for GE foods than others.

Source: Cornell University/ Susan S. Lang, Feb. 18, 2006
Source URL: http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Feb06/AAAS.agbiotech.ssl.html

A new report commissioned by the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and compiled by the Wisconsin Dairy Research Center provides supporting evidence for an exemption to strict refrigeration requirements for certain cheeses at retail.

Based on the report, the cheeses that NCI believes should be exempt from refrigeration requirements during ripening, storage, shipping and display are: asiago (medium/old), cheddar, colby, feta, monterey jack, muenster, parmesan, provolone, romano, swiss/emmentaler and pasteurized process cheese manufactured to the standard of identity.

Source: International Dairy Foods Association/ News Release, Feb. 27, 2006
Source URL: http://www.idfa.org/news/stories/2006/02/cheese.cfm

The constitutionality of an Indiana law is being challenged by a Dutch pork producer and a Dutch dairy producer who have been charged under that law. The law makes it a class D felony to knowingly, intentionally or recklessly violate an environmental management law, rule, standard, permit or order.

The law in question was used last week to file two class D felony charges against Johannes De Groot, a dairy producer. De Groot is charged with building a cow barn and a silage pad on his 1,400-head dairy farm last year without first obtaining a permit from the IDEM.

Source: Muncie Star Press/ Seth Slabaugh, Feb. 28, 2006
Source URL: http://thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060228/NEWS01/602280325/1002

You could characterize dairy markets as being the same as last month: Milk production continues to surge, and commercial demand appears sluggish at best. In the past month wholesale dairy product prices have fallen to levels not seen since 2003. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this may not change anytime soon.

USDA reports that at least some of the recent dairy market price declines are due to market expectations for the coming year, noting that "Traders seem to anticipate large production increases and uncertain demand, making buyers reluctant to seek commitments for later in the year."

Source: International Dairy Food Association/ Bob Yonkers, Feb.27, 2006
Source URL: http://www.idfa.org/news/stories/2006/02/marketupdate.cfm

The ethanol revolution has arrived. While the future has many uncertainties, it is clear that a sufficient number of ethanol plants are currently being built to already call this a revolution that will change the nature of corn demand and corn price relationships.

While the Western Corn Belt continues to build the most new facilities, the Renewable Fuels Association currently list nine new facilities east of the Mississippi River under construction or expansion (http://www.ethanolrfa.org/industry/locations/). These include one in Wisconsin, two in Illinois, three in Indiana, and three in Michigan. In addition, these states plus Ohio have a number of additional plants that have been announced, but not yet under construction.

Source: Farmdoc/ University of Illinois/ Chris Hurt of Purdue University, Feb. 27, 2006
Source URL: http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/marketing/weekly/html/022706.html

Dairy Products:  The February index, at 106, is down 4.5 percent from a month ago and 11 percent lower than February last year. The February all milk price of $13.80 per cwt is down 70 cents from last month and $1.70 below February 2005. The fluid grade milk price is down 70 cents from January and the manufactured grade milk price is $1.10 below the previous month.

Source: USDA/ NASS, Feb. 28, 2006
Source URL: http://www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/agpr0206.txt

The estimation of genetic correlations between a nonlinear trait such as longevity and linear traits is computationally difficult on large datasets. A two-step approach was proposed and was checked via simulation.

Finally, when an incorrect genetic trend was simulated to lead to biased pseudo-records, a joint analysis including a time effect could adequately correct for this bias.

Source: Validation of an approximate approach to compute genetic correlations between longevity and linear traits. Genetics Selection Evolution 38 (1): 65-83, 2006. Tarres, J.; Piedrafita, J.; Ducrocq, V.

The goal of this observational study was to determine whether there were significant differences in feed bunk utilization patterns of dairy cows in free-stall pens with either 2 or 3 rows of stalls.

The feed space allowance provided by a 2- row pen design potentially allows cows to demonstrate other important feeding behaviors, such as avoidance of conflicts and maintenance of greater inter-cow distances between neighbors while feeding.

Source: Feed bunk utilization in dairy cows housed in pens with either two or three rows of free stalls. Journal of Dairy Science 89 (1): 134-138, 2006. Mentink, R.L.; Cook, N.B.

Fans of raw milk might soon be cheering if New Zealand’s Food Safety Authority amends its rules regarding the making of raw milk cheeses.

The FSA is reviewing its rules regarding pasteurization and may allow the making of raw milk cheeses. Presently all milk in New Zealand is pasteurized, a step that some cheese fanciers say dulls the cheese’s flavor. Organic and raw food proponents say pasteurization isn’t natural and that it destroys beneficial organisms.

Source: New Zealand Herald/ Kathryn Powley/ Northern Advocate, Feb. 27, 2006
Source URL: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=3&ObjectID=10370270

Hirtshals Cooperative Dairy and Arla Foods have reached a settlement in the dispute between the two companies.

The parties have agreed to keep the details of the settlement confidential.

Source: Arla Foods/ News Release, Feb. 28, 2006
Source URL: http://www.arlafoods.com/C1256E9400315C5D/Doc/E727B41EDF68FB16C1257123004CCFDC