Monsanto fined $2.5 million for mislabeled cotton

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) — Monsanto Co., the world’s biggest seed company, has agreed to pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a $2.5 million penalty for selling mislabeled bags of genetically engineered seed.

The EPA said it is the largest fine ever imposed under a law that regulates pesticides and fungicides. Between 2002 and 2007, Monsanto improperly sold its Bollgard and Bollgard II cotton seeds in 10 Texas counties where the seeds were banned, according to the EPA. The cotton seeds are regulated as pesticides because they kill insects, and the seeds were banned in parts of Texas to avoid growing pest resistance to them. The ban has since been lifted.

Monsanto informed the EPA it was selling seeds in the 10 Texas counties, even though the company was supposed to label the seeds as banned in those areas, the EPA said. Monsanto later changed its cotton seed labels to reflect the ban.

Cropduster pilot killed when helicopter hits lines
MADISONVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police (KSP) said a Georgia helicopter pilot has been killed while spraying a field in western Kentucky.

A news release from the KSP stated 55-year-old Timothy E. Watson of Lawrenceville, Ga., was spraying fungicide and fertilizer late July 5 on a farm field in Crittenden County when his helicopter struck power lines. The investigating trooper said the Robinson Model R44 helicopter came down about 200 feet from the utility lines and burned.

Watson’s body was found inside the cockpit. The KSP said investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are examining the incident.

Hayride death sparks debate over farm safety
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The death of a woman thrown from a hay wagon during a ride at a county fair has opened a debate over whether there should be improvements to Kentucky laws on farm equipment safety.

Investigators said Terri Hurley, 44, was killed July 3 when a wagon carrying 30 people jackknifed on a hill at a Mercer County farm. Hurley was thrown off and struck by a trailer wheel. She was pronounced dead of head and chest injuries.

Dale Dobson, head of the Farm Safety Program through Kentucky Department of Agriculture, told the Lexington Herald-Leader there are no regulations governing who can operate farm vehicles. He doesn’t think they’re needed, either.

Others disagree, including former medical technician Ron Melancon. He said more than 400 people are killed in trailer accidents nationwide each year.

Still, officials say the incidents in Kentucky have dropped considerably in the past decade. Also, changes could be met with resistance from families that are accustomed to sharing the farm work, even among children.

No charges for Ohio farm owner in cow abuse case
MARYSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — The owner of a central Ohio farm won’t face charges in connection with a video showing cows being beaten and poked with pitchforks.

A Union County grand jury decided against indicting Gary Conklin of Plain City after investigators and veterinarians studied the unedited video and concluded Conklin acted appropriately. An animal welfare group secretly recorded the video that it said showed cattle being abused.

County Prosecutor David Phillips said July 6 that the YouTube video created a false perception that Conklin was involved in abuse. The farm fired an employee who has since pled not guilty to 12 counts of animal cruelty.

The group Mercy for Animals said the grand jury has failed concerned citizens and animals that deserve protection.

Construction to start on central Illinois wind farm
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — Construction will start this month on a wind farm along the McLean and Woodford County lines.

Invenergy is building 100 wind turbines, producing 150 megawatts of power. Central Region Development Vice President Bryan Schueler said the company is working with contractors on a start date. He won’t disclose the cost of the project.

The project was approved three years ago, but a group opposed to the wind farm sued over the zoning process. That lawsuit was settled in late 2008, but it took more time for Invenergy to find financing.

Meanwhile, Horizon Wind Energy has filed for a special use permit to build its third wind farm in central Illinois. That project is proposed for northeastern McLean County between Colfax, Lexington and Chenoa.

Colbert teams up with union over immigration

PHOENIX, Ariz. (AP) — Comedian Stephen Colbert has a new job – farm worker.

The host of Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report” teamed up last week with Arturo Rodriguez, the president of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), in a challenge to unemployed Americans: Come on, take our jobs. The union has been asking Americans to fill out an online form under the banner “I want to be a farm worker” at www.takeourjobs.org

Rodriguez said that so far, just three have responded and were in the fields. “Make that four,” the comedian replied emphatically.
The U.S. Labor Department says more than half of farm workers are illegal immigrants. The UFW argues they’re not taking jobs from Americans because most don’t want the work. Proponents of tougher immigration laws respond that the problem with the UFW’s proposition is that growers don’t want to raise wages and improve working conditions enough to attract Americans.