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