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CPRI: Research Notes
CPRI's Research Notes promotes commentary and
analysis of reports, books, and articles that relate to crop production
pest management. Research
Notes are
written by CPRI staff and outside contributers.
CPRI
Research Note #3:
Comparing Organic & Conventional Apple Systems:
Correcting a WSU Study
Beginning in 1994, researchers at Washington State University
conducted an experiment that compared the performance of organic
and conventional apple growing systems. The study concludes "that organic
and integrated apple production systems
in Washington State are not only better for soil and the environment
than their conventional counterpart but have comparable yields and, for
the organic system, higher profits and greater energy efficiency. The total
environmental impact of our conventional system was 6.2 times that of the
organic system. Our data indicate that the organic system ranks first in
sustainability and the conventional system last.” A critical review reveals
that the WSU Study has several major flaws that make its conclusions unsupportable.
The WSU Study unjustifiably inflates the costs and risks of the conventional
system while systematically favoring the organic system in its calculations and
presentation of results. By correcting these biases, the opposite conclusion
is supportable.
Contributor: Leonard Gianessi, Director, CPRI
10-27-06
CPRI Research Note #2:
The Marketing Myths of Store Wars
Millions
of Americans have recently watched a short animated internet film that
promotes organic food. The film, Store Wars (www.storewars.org),
is a seemingly humorous spoof of Star Wars that encourages the audience
to become part of the organic rebellion and turn away from the “evil” food
empire created with pesticides. Like all good propaganda films, Store
Wars rewrites history and conveniently leaves out facts that would
mar the marketing message of the goodness of organics.
Marketing Myth #1: For thousands of generations, crops existed in
harmony with nature with no need for pesticides, and then pesticides
took farming to the dark side.
The truth is that there has never been a time or place on earth where
there was harmony between crops and nature. Nature has a cruel
dark side with just one rule—survival of the fittest...
Contributor: Leonard Gianessi, Director, CPRI
7-15-05
CPRI
Research Note #1:
A
Review of World Agriculture and the Environment.
World Agriculture and the Environment, authored
by the World Wildlife Fund's Jason Clay, provides an assessment of
agricultural commodity production and the environment. Clay concludes
that if the problems he identifies are not addressed, "in the
worst case scenario, life as we know it will cease to exist."
Leonard Gianessi reviews Clays book and reaches conclusions
that are the opposite of Clay’s: modern systems of crop production
are sustainable. The “problems” that Clay identifies are
being addressed adequately with current policies; modern agricultural
methods have greatly improved the environment in the U.S.; greater
improvements in food production and environmental conditions are possible
in the
U.S. with greater use of chemical pesticides and genetically engineered
crops; and significant agricultural research programs are in place
that address many potential approaches to managing pest problems in
the
future. Clay’s book is not a wakeup call. Agricultural interests
have been committed all along to researching and implementing sustainable
agricultural production practices.
Contributor: Leonard Gianessi, Director, CPRI
7-1-04
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