Nov 15 (Reuters) – A storm system that brought cold, wet
weather to much of the United States last week helped ease
drought in many states, but some areas that were most in need
of moisture were missed, according to a climatology report
issued on Thursday.

The U.S. High Plains, which includes key farm states of
Nebraska, South Dakota, and Kansas, saw slight improvement last
week due to good precipitation. But three quarters of both
Kansas and Nebraska continued to suffer from extreme or
exceptional drought.

By Carey Gillam

(Reuters) – Hot and dry conditions in parts of middle America deepened an ongoing drought in many states over the last week, according to a climatology report issued Thursday.

October is typically the third-wettest month for Texas, but instead last month was the ninth-driest October statewide since 1895, according to the Drought Monitor report issued weekly by a consortium of state and federal climatology experts.

Nov 7 (Reuters) – The failure on Tuesday of a California
ballot initiative that would have mandated labeling of
genetically modified foods is not a death knell for those
seeking nationwide labeling, U.S. labeling proponents said.

President Barack Obama’s re-election could be a boost, as he
is seen, in general terms, as being supportive of labeling.
Still, efforts to force change at a federal level could face an
uphill climb.

LOS ANGELES/KANSAS CITY, Nov 7 (Reuters) – California voters
rejected a ballot measure that would have made the state the
first in the nation to require special labeling of foods with
genetically modified ingredients.

The measure was defeated 53 percent to 47 percent, according
to final results from Tuesday’s election.

LOS ANGELES/KANSAS CITY (Reuters) – California voters appeared poised early Wednesday to reject a ballot measure that would have made the state the first in the nation to require special labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients.

With 64 percent of the state’s precincts reporting, the measure was losing by a 55-45 margin, according to the California Secretary of State. Political observers familiar with the state’s voting dynamics saw little chance that the deficit could be made up.

By Carey Gillam

(Reuters) – U.S. biofuel providers are being allowed to reroute critical supplies to New Jersey to help alleviate shortages caused by Hurricane Sandy, two U.S. Senators said Tuesday.

A barge bearing 17.6 million gallons of fuel should arrive into New Jersey by Thursday following an easing of rules approved by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson that had been requested by U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Sen. Robert Menendez, both Democrats from New Jersey.

By Lisa Baertlein and Carey Gillam

(Reuters) – Major food and seed companies appear to be on the verge of defeating a California ballot initiative that, if passed on Tuesday, would create the first labeling requirement for genetically modified foods in the United States.

In a campaign reminiscent of this summer’s successful fight against a proposed tobacco tax in California, opposition funded by Monsanto Co, DuPont, PepsiCo Inc and others unleashed waves of TV and radio advertisements against Proposition 37 and managed to turn the tide of public opinion.

By Carey Gillam

(Reuters) – Drought-struck areas of the U.S. Plains winter wheat belt need a deluge of rain and snow this winter to fully recharge parched farmland, an unlikely scenario that means wheat, corn and soybean crops could face a rough new season.

While the worst drought in roughly half a century is slowly loosening its grip on the United States, meteorologists and agronomists warn that the threat has not passed.

By Carey Gillam

(Reuters) – Snow and rain and cooler temperatures helped ease suffering in drought-stricken areas of the United States over the last week, though some areas saw conditions grow worse, according to a climatology report issued Thursday.

Monster storm Sandy, which devastated the eastern United States with heavy rains and high winds, had little to no impact on the driest areas of the U.S. Heartland. Indeed, the worst level of drought – “exceptional” – expanded in the U.S. South, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.

Oct 31 (Reuters) – The U.S. seed industry said Wednesday it
was a step closer to establishing a broad framework for the
handling of genetically modified seed technology as product
patents expire.

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) said they have
completed the first phase of an industry accord that addresses
post-patent, single-trait seed biotechnology.