GMO Cofounder Retires and Farm Groups Urge Farm Bill

GMO Cofounder Retires and Farm Groups Urge Farm Bill

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
From the Ag Information Network, I'm Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.

**Three decades ago, Robert Fraley helped invent the genetically modified seeds that have become a $17 billion global industry and ushered in a new era of ag productivity, so it's no surprise the longtime Monsanto exec doesn't want the crops dubbed Frankenfood.

According to agrimarketing.com, Fraley retired in June as

Monsanto's chief technology officer but says he will continue to call for scientific advancements he says turbo-charged harvests and helped farmers stay steps ahead of Mother Nature.

Fraley's convinced the world will need more innovations to keep pace with demand.

https://www.agrimarketing.com/s/118671

**U.S. farmers will reap a record-large soybean crop in the middle of a trade war with China, ordinarily the No. 1 export customer for the most widely grown U.S. crop.

That's according to the USDA's monthly WASDE Report that shows farmers can expect the lowest season-average price for soybeans in 12 years and the largest soybean stockpile ever.

Agriculture.com reports, China will import fewer soybeans during the current tariff war, and U.S. exports will stagnate, rather than accelerate 11% as earlier forecast.

https://www.agriculture.com/news/business/new-buyers-elusive-us-builds-a-mountain-of-soybeans

**More than 150 farm and ag organizations are appealing to congressional farm bill negotiators to finish their work quickly.

According to Agri-Pulse, the letter sent Monday, doesn't take any positions on any of the major issues facing House and Senate negotiations, but it does cite as reasons for finishing the bill both the downturn in the economy and the need for food assistance among low-income Americans.

https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/11339-farm-groups-urge-quick-finish-to-new-farm-bill

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