Although genetically engineered (GE) products are used around the world, the issue becomes contentious when they are present in our food.

This one-page Ag quickCAST contains excerpted material from its companion CAST document (SP 31),Assessing the Health of Streams in Agricultural Landscapes: The Impacts of Land Management Change on Water Quality.

A compilation of publicly available information assembled by The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), updated July 2017.

This one-page Ag quickCAST contains excerpted material from its companion CAST document (IP 51), Food, Fuel, and Plant Nutrient Use in the Future.

This one-page Ag quickCAST contains excerpted material from its companion CAST document (IP 50), Water and Land Issues Associated with Animal Agriculture: A U.S. Perspective.

This paper (IP 53) addresses the commonly heard argument that livestock compete with humans for food resources, thus providing support for the continued existence of livestock production.

This paper looks at the history and purpose of the precautionary principle (PP) and examines problems of ambiguity, arbitrary application, and bias against new technologies. Because the publication (IP 52) is especially focused on the need to feed a growing population, the case studies center on agricultural issues such as pesticide use, genetically modified foods, and food irradiation.

Herbicides were developed during the twentieth century to be used with conventional tillage for weed control. Conservation (or minimum) tillage subsequently evolved, which enabled less soil damage when used with herbicides.

Future food, fiber, and fuel demands will not be met by expanding cropland area; continued advances in nutrient use efficiency will moderate increased nutrient demand. With a growing population, dwindling arable land, and an increased demand for biofuels, the world cannot count on an expansion of harvested area to fill the demands of the world’s growing population.

Los herbicidas se desarrollaron durante el siglo XX para su uso con la labranza convencional con el fin de controlar malezas. Posteriormente, evolucionó la labranza de conservación (mínima), que permitió menor daño al suelo cuando se utilizaba con herbicidas.