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Jones breeding program remains funded, working poor testimony, biotech wheat protest, dairy, other headlines

(Friday, June 6, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- By way of follow-up on a May story (see below), the Washington Wheat Commission approved its 2003-2004 fiscal year operating budget -- $2,881,850 -- during the May 21-22 board meetings.

Research will get $967,500, or 33.57 percent of the budget. According to a Commission press release: "This figure includes full funding for all wheat breeding programs, including soft and hard winter wheat (Dr. Stephen Jones), club wheat (Dr. Kim Campbell) and spring wheat (Dr. Kim Kidwell). New projects also funded for the coming year include an assay to diagnose pathogens in root and soil samples (Okubara and Paulitz), mutation breeding for resistance to abiotic and biotic stress (Steber and Kidwell), integrated pest management of insect and virus pests in wheat (Pike) and rapid introgression of useful wheat traits using marker-assisted backcrossing (Gill). The new wheat research budget reflects a 21% increase over FY 2002-2003 to offset declining state support for agricultural research."

See earlier story on Stephen Jones, 'Washington State wheat breeder won't sow Clearfield seed, Borlaug warns against privatization of public breeding' http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=1665

Also on CropChoice:

  • America's working poor testify on the effects of free trade

    Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy is proud to be working with labor and justice organizations to help provide testimonies on the impact or free trade before members of the US Congress in Washington DC on June 12, 2003. However, we need your help to get the word out that we are meeting to challenge the Bush administration's economic policies... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=1706

  • Activists target biotech wheat in Manitoba protest... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=1724
  • Dairy farmers urge Congress to support sound dairy policy alternatives... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=1725
  • ACGA applauds passage of Renewable Fuels Standard... http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=1727
  • Ethanol is the largest scam in our nation's history

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