However, underlying volumes and prices improved in each of our product lines, and we are particularly encouraged by strength in our non-winter mineral products. Average selling prices for consumer and industrial products improved an average of 10 percent, primarily from previously announced price increases on non-winter mineral products. In the first quarter of 2007, unit costs rose as the company reduced its rock salt mining and consumer deicing production to adjust its deicing salt...

The fertilizer has been demonstrated to suppress disease, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for fungicides and other crop protection supplements. The facility will derive revenue from tipping fees normally collected by landfills and from sales of the fertilizer we produce. Jackson will provide remarks, which will be followed by roundtable sessions offering attendees the opportunity to meet with experts in the recycling field, including management of Converted Organics. We are also...

Organic production is meant to replenish soil fertility without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers. By eliminating massive quantities of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used in conventional farming, organic methods help protect the health of our air, water and soil. Conventional farming methods cause water contamination from herbicides and pesticides, environmental organizations say. Meanwhile, Target corp. last year said it would introduce its own line of organic...

Its 2001 report on the safety of plant biotech (summarizing 15 years of research by 400 scientific teams) states, "Research on GM plants and derived products so far developed and marketed, following usual risk assessment procedures, has not shown any new risks on human health or the environment. Unfortunately, the Star-Bulletin's opinion implied the contrary when it incorrectly stated that there is no universal agreement on the claim that "genetically modified products are any different...

The agrochemical industry is one that has suffered from blatant infringement of patents over the past two years by Chinese companies selling generic products in the UK and throughout Europe. This move follows infringements in 2005 and 2006 by Chinese generic manufacturers at the conference relating to the promotion of pesticide active ingredients for which there were no patents in China. It should be emphasised that the inclusion of generic manufacturers reflects the overall trend within...

The university is also trying to develop sugar cane that is genetically modified to produce a vaccine to protect against rotavirus, a viral infection. In the short term, dry conditions likely mean more wildfires, poorer grazing and reduced yields for non-irrigated crops such as winter wheat, Jones said. Summer water deliveries to California's orchards and farm fields are expected to be largely unaffected because previous wet years have created sufficient storage in reservoirs and...