Colleen Scherer http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer RSS Feed for Colleen Scherer en-us Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:58:48 GMT Commentary: Why ag got excited about the Ram Truck ad http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/Commentary-Why-ag-got-excited-about-the-Ram-Truck-ad-189892171.html If you’re involved with agriculture, you’ve probably seen the Ram Trucks ad that ran during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl, Feb. 3. The ad was titled “So God made a farmer” and featured legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey’s speech at the 1978 National FFA Convention along with a variety of images of rural America and the farming life and ended with the image of Ram Trucks. Using the soil to predict climate change http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/Using-the-soil-to-predict-climate-change-179350081.html Researchers at the New Mexico State University’s College of Agriculture are studying soil in the Las Cruces area to predict future climate change. The pros and cons of nanomaterials in ag http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/The-pros-and-cons-of-nanomaterials-in-ag-177969371.html Although agriculture currently does not employ the use of nanomaterials, in the future, it may help reduce costs, increase efficiency and lead to more environmentally friendly applications in agriculture. However, their use could have a negative effect on microorganisms in the soil. Companies close to deal on off-patent GMOs http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/Companies-close-to-deal-on-off-patent-GMOs-176825291.html The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced they have completed the first phase of an industry framework for addressing off-patent, single-trait seed biotechnology. China’s nitrogen use is increasing warming http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/Chinas-nitrogen-use-is-increasing-warming-176828021.html A new study says China could halve its current nitrogen fertilizer use without affecting yields and would decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Warning: Global economy slowing http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/Warning-Global-economy-slowing-175489541.html The world’s largest manufacturer of tractors and excavators warned this week that the global economy is slowing faster than the company had expected. U.S. corn dominance may be waning due to drought http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/US-corn-dominance-may-be-waning-due-to-drought-175686421.html Asian countries may no longer look toward the United States for its corn needs after a severe drought this past summer shriveled crops and sent corn prices soaring. Southeast could be 'Saudi Arabia' of biofuel production http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/Southeast-could-be-Saudi-Arabia-of-biofuel-production-174470181.html The Southeast has the potential to become the “Saudi Arabia” of biofuel crop production, according to Bill McCutchen, executive associate director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. McCutchen called this region the “Bioenergy Belt.” UN study: Sustainable ag needs a paradigm shift http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/UN-study-Sustainable-ag-needs-a-paradigm-shift-174650141.html Producing more food is not the way to solve the world’s burgeoning population over the next 20 to 30 years, according to a new study published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Agricultural biotechnology is under attack ... again http://www.porknetwork.com/editorial/colleen-scherer/Biotechnology-under-attack-174261241.html Attacks against agricultural biotechnology have increased noticeably this fall within the United States and around the world. It appears that activists who oppose genetically modified crops are advancing their causes more aggressively than ever before.