Today's News - 27 April 2012

"There's a lot of potential here with organic agriculture," Cavigelli said. "We need to improve the systems. If you do things as well as you can, then the yield difference is very small."
Michel Cavigelli, a soil scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on the need for more research into organic agriculture – The Los Angeles Times – 26 April 2012

Organic farming, carefully done, can be efficient
Following yesterday’s release of an organic/conventional farming comparative study by McGill University, this article unpacks some of the less obvious results. In the end, organic yields were only marginally lower when best practice was ensured. Michel Cavigelli, a USDA soil scientist also noted that, considering how much more research has gone into conventional agriculture compared with organic, the results are more impressive.
Los Angeles Times (26 Apr)

It will take the best of organic and conventional farming to feed the world
Professor Eoin Lettice argues that the needs of a rapidly growing world population demand we abandon the hard-line ideologies of organic versus conventional. Is there a future for organic agriculture in a world where yields are so important? I'd argue yes, but only as part of a new approach that incorporates the best features of all agricultural systems.
The Guardian (26 Apr)

Cut world population and redistribute resources, expert urges
The world's most renowned population analyst has called for a massive reduction in the number of humans and for natural resources to be redistributed from the rich to the poor. Paul Ehrlich, Bing professor of population studies at Stanford University in California and author of the best-selling Population Bomb book in 1968, goes much further than the Royal Society in London which this morning said that physical numbers were as important as the amount of natural resources consumed.
The Guardian (26 Apr)
Does consumption need tackling before population?
The Guardian (26 Apr)

More children go to school hungry, warn teachers
The growing problem of child malnutrition was highlighted today following a report showing half the country's teachers have witnessed pupils suffering malnutrition or hunger pangs. The survey, in which some teachers admitted buying food for pupils, is the latest to highlight the impact increasing poverty is having on today's children.
The Independent (27 Apr)
Find out more about how the Food for Life Partnership is helping schools across the country to transform their food culture.

NFU outraged at Dairy Crest milk price cut
Dairy Crest’s decisions to slash the price paid to its farmer suppliers by 2p/litre from next week has been condemned by the NFU. Dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond said that giving non-aligned producers just four days’ notice of such a large cut was “outrageous” and there was no excuse for paying a farmgate milk price that was below the cost of production.
Farmers Weekly (26 Apr)

Top scientist resigns over Welsh badger cull U-turn
One of the UK’s leading research scientists and a member of the management board set up to oversee the eradication of bovine TB in Wales has resigned in protest over the Welsh government’s change of direction, opting for vaccination rather than culling.
Farmers Guardian (27 Apr)

Farming Today
Charlotte Smith investigates controversial new Government plans which could see up to 20% cut from basic farm subsidy payments. Hundreds of dairy farmers supplying milk to processors Dairy Crest have been told they will be paid 2p less per litre from May. The company says it's acting to secure the future of its dairies in a very challenging market. And Moira Hickey is out in the Highlands on the lookout for the rare Scottish wildcat.
BBC Radio 4, listen again (27 Apr)

And finally…Seedless grapes grown in Britain to be available in shops for the first time
The UK grows vines for wine but seedless grapes have to be imported from abroad, despite the fact they are now the most popular fruit after bananas. Now researchers are planting green, red and black seedless grape vines at East Malling Research in a project in partnership with Asda.
The Telegraph (22 Apr)