dumb question sorry about your farming

[parsley]

I've noted many who might mispell testaclles, but indeed have them.

Of course, you're probably confident enough to bathe in roundup, wd.

However, the real test lies in the ability of alive testicles to produce the next generation of spellers.

Rather like dogs sniffing out cancer, it might be a profitable field to develop live reproductive-diagnosis; for example, to train cats to listen closely for robust sperm. Rather ticklish training sessions, I might add.
You've made me more aware of the importance of, er, sound science.

[FarmRanger]

What's wrong with science Pars? I'd take
science, the real objective kind with honest
evaluation of measurable data any day.

There are too many people in this world making
money from fears people have, rational or
otherwise, with no basis in fact.
Correlation does not prove causation,
testimonials aren't scientific proof and exploiters
of fear use plenty of both, with little or no
objective experimental evidence.

[parsley]

FR, just to show goodwill, I'll indeed rent you my cat and you'll only pay for the measurable time spent on the tractor... with him listening intently.

He's a quick learner. You have ready cash. I'm a reasonable woman.

The perfect partnership. Pars

[perfecho]

Science said "lets feed ground ruminate to ruminants, cheap food cost" and there are many more scenarios........the problem is science is not rational, it is being paid for by someone with an agenda!

[Hopperbin]

I thought anwering this question may not be good. Mallee do you guys grow genetically modified canola yet? How do you control your weeds in Australia if you don't spray in crop, can you control weeds properly after crop? Maybe with your hot summer everything just dies anyway.

[hobbyfrmr]

I received this weblink email the other day from a conventional farmer. I would like to think reuters has some factual reporting and hopefully less sensational articles. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/31/glyphosate-pollution-idUSN1E77U15Q20110831?feedType=RSS&feedName=compan yNews&rpc=43.
I am an organic farmer because my farm was too small and inefficent to be profitable conventionally. I am not against conventional farmers doing what they have to to make a living, I did the same thing for 13 years. Now that I am on the outside looking in, I do see the dependancy on glyphosate. Its regarded as a necessity along with a good high clearance sprayer. I am not a chemist, but 360grams per acre of glyphosate, twice per year (burn off and pre harvest) for a decade would eventually show up somewhere! But..I do know the neighbors grow very big, clean crops and thats their goal. So, that part is working,and the fert/chem industry is right behind them with a free jacket, patting them on the back and taking them out for lunch!! The best summary about all this was on a different post about "feeding the world".
Chuckchuck said "Monsanto and company are not interested in small scale poor farmers because they can't make money from them."
wd9 said, " Crop life is not saying the whole world, just the world that can afford to grow biotech crops. They don't really care what happens with the production after its grown just as long as their technology is bought, and bought every year.
Its the same reason every 6 year old needs an iphone. Good marketing."
I fully and completely agree. with both these observations.

[hobbyfrmr]

I re-read my post, it am not trying to ruffle feathers here, its just an observation.

[TOM4CWB]

Hopper,

So different down under.

I understand they grow primarily winter crops (Planted in fall, [April-June])... it is spring right now... so they harvest when it gets really hot (Nov-Jan-mid summer) which normally kills everything off... so natural desication occurs because of the climate.

Is this right Mallee?

Parsley... Glyphos is registered in the EU on seed crops too. If timing is proper glyphosate does not effect germs... only if done too early.

You run a much much higher risk of being hurt by the adjuvants in your shampoo... than Roundup.

The mouse and rabbit studies you quote are listed in this paper... have a read!

http://www.msal.gov.ar/agroquimicos/pdf/Williams-et-al-2000.pdf

[hobbyfrmr]

TOM I gave that paper a read, and, here is part of the summary, as you described.
Summary
Results from several investigations establish that
the acute toxicity and irritation potential of Roundup
herbicide in humans is low. Specifically, results from
controlled studies with Roundup showed that skin irritation
was similar to that of a baby shampoo and
lower than that observed with a dishwashing detergent
and an all-purpose cleaner; no dermal sensitization,
photoirritation, or photosensitization reactions were
148 WILLIAMS, KROES, AND MUNRO
observed. Furthermore, the incidence of occupationalrelated
cases involving Roundup is low given the widespread
use of the product. Data from these cases indicated
some potential for eye and skin irritation with
the concentrated product, but exposure to dilute spray
solutions rarely resulted in any significant adverse
effect. Most importantly, no lasting dermal or ocular
effects were noted, and significant systemic effects attributable
to contact with Roundup did not occur. Studies
of Roundup ingestion showed that death and other
serious effects occurred only when large amounts were
intentionally ingested for the purpose of committing
suicide. These data confirmed that the acute oral toxicity
in humans is low and consistent with that predicted
by the results of laboratory studies in animals.

I find this reassuring.

[cottonpicken]

I agree with Pars on this one.

For every action there is a reaction,a price will have to
be paid.

But its the chemicals that kill the bugs that freak me
out.