Nicholas Bergin reported earlier this week at the Lincoln Journal Star Online that, “Mick Minchow’s tractors are marvels of modern machinery.

“They have air conditioning, guidance systems, satellite radio and more sensors than he can shake a corn cob at, all kept running by computer systems and software.

“But there’s one thing the Waverly farmer doesn’t have: the right to fix his John Deere 8235 R if it goes on the fritz.”

Mr. Bergin explained that, “Gone are the days when farmers could be their own mechanics. Just taking a peek under the metaphorical hood of the computers that run the big tractor could put Minchow in violation of the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

“It’s the same for digital products from cellphones to printers to concrete crushers that rely on computer programs to run.

“Nebraska is one of four states to consider legislation that would require manufacturers to make diagnostic, service and technical information available to farmers and independent repair technicians. The others are Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York.”

The Star article pointed out that, “Proponents of Nebraska’s Fair Repair Bill say it would let farmers work on their own equipment and allow independent mechanics to help get machines running quicker;” and added that, “John Hansen, president of the state’s second largest agricultural advocacy organization, the Nebraska Farmers Union, supports the Right to Repair efforts saying farmers should have the same option to get their tractor fixed by an independent mechanic as they do when they need to get their truck fixed.”

Christopher Doering reported on Friday at The Des Moines Register Online that, “As soon as next week, the House could consider a Senate bill requiring labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients, the chairman of the chamber’s Agriculture Committee said Friday.

“Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said he would support the bill even though it is ‘riddled with ambiguity.’ He has sought insight from the Agriculture Department on how it would implement the law.

“‘It is my expectation that this legislation will be considered on the House floor next week, and it is my intention to support this bill,’ Conaway said.”

Mr. Doering noted that, “The House has a week to consider the measure before going on a summer recess though Labor Day. Alternately, House members could try to iron out differences between their version of the bill, approved last year, and the Senate bill.

“The Senate version would block states from implementing their own labeling rules and override Vermont’s law that went into effect July 1.”

The Register article explained that, “Under the Senate legislation, major food makers would have three options to notify consumers if a product contains GMO ingredients: words, a symbol created by the Agriculture Department, or an electronic option such as a QR code consumers could scan with a smartphone.

“Small food manufacturers could simply list websites or telephone numbers, while those defined as very small, along with restaurants, would be exempt…[T]he House version of the bill would make it optional for companies to label products with GMO ingredients and would ban states from putting in place their own labeling laws.”

Jason Tatge, writing recently at TechCrunch Online, indicated that, “Farmers are adopting smart-sensor technologies and connected farm equipment more quickly than ever, stretching each season to eke out greater yield from finite acreage.

“This rise in so-called precision agriculture has precipitated a massive influx in unstructured ‘bushels to bytes’ farm data, creating new opportunities for an industry that has previously operated solely in the physical realm.”

Mr. Tatge explained that, “Specifically, ownership and control of agronomic and equipment data is understood to have dramatic escalating value. Which seed varieties were the most successful and where? Which plant populations performed best? Whose recommendations (e.g. nitrogen programs) outperformed their peers?”

The article stated that, “Farm data is expected to be a $20–$25 billion revenue opportunity, but we haven’t yet determined how the data can be collected, structured, stored and shared, let alone monetized.

“Today, there are no clear-cut guidelines regarding the privacy of the data, nor its ownership and control. Many different players impose contractual obligations in fine print, but few are likely to stick until there is wide-reaching agreement on what’s appropriate.”

And, Mr. Tatge also pointed out that, “There is reason to feel optimistic. Over the past several months, 37 industry participants have taken a seat at the table to contribute to the creation of the Transparency Evaluator, an important tool built to bring transparency to farm data agreements.”

Reuters writer Naveen Thukral reported yesterday that, “Chicago soybean futures were on Friday set for their biggest weekly decline since June 2014 as near-perfect U.S. weather boosted the prospects of a bumper crop.

“Corn is poised for a third week of decline as the U.S. crop thrives in friendly weather in its crucial pollination phase, while wheat is on track to suffer its fifth week of losses.

“Chicago soybean futures have lost nearly 10 percent this week, their biggest weekly fall since June 2014 as rains aid the U.S. crop and fears of dry La Nina weather pattern ease.”

The Reuters article explained that, “Corn has lost 4.5 percent this week, falling for a third consecutive week, while wheat is down more than 1 percent in its fifth week of losses.

“Corn has given up close to 20 percent in three weeks and wheat has shed more than 14 percent in five weeks.

“The U.S. corn crop is getting a boost from rains and ideal weather in its pollination phase.”

Reuters writer Chris Prentice reported today that, “The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved legislation that would for the first time require food to carry labels listing genetically-modified ingredients, which labeling supporters say could create loopholes for some U.S. crops.

“The Senate voted 63-30 for the bill that would display GMO contents with words, pictures or a bar code that can be scanned with smartphones. The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) would decide which ingredients would be considered genetically modified.

“The measure now goes to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass.”

The article noted that, “Drawing praise from farmers, the bill sponsored by Republican Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas and Democrat Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is the latest attempt to introduce a national standard that would override state laws, including Vermont’s that some say is more stringent, and comes amid growing calls from consumers for greater transparency.”

The Reuters article pointed out that, “A nationwide standard is favored by the food industry, which says state-by-state differences could inflate costs for labeling and distribution. But mandatory GMO labeling of any kind would still be seen as a loss for Big Food, which has spent millions lobbying against it.”

And Des Moines Register writer Christopher Doering reported in today’s paper that, “Under the Senate bill, major food-makers would have three options to notify consumers if a product contains GMO ingredients: words, a symbol created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or an electronic option such as a QR code.

“Small food manufacturers could use websites or telephone numbers to satisfy disclosure requirements, while those defined as very small, along with restaurants, would be exempt.

“Critics have said the bill exempts many foods from the labeling standards, lacks enforcement teeth for companies that fail to comply and depends on a flawed QR code. The poor, elderly and those in rural areas may not have a smartphone to scan the QR code, or reliable internet access in their grocery store to check on the contents of foods they buy.”

Meanwhile, in a separate article, that appeared on the front page of today’s Des Moines Register, Christopher Doering reported that, “DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto and other companies working on genetically modified technologies are focusing more attention on creating foods that improve public health and provide convenience for shoppers.

“For the industry, which has weathered growing criticism for biotech crops that have helped protect farmers from pests and diseases, expanding into products such as potatoes, pineapples, tomatoes and healthier soy oils could be a way to improve its image.”

Today’s article added that, “Monsanto has not only delved into healthier soybeans, but also scores of fruits and vegetables using traditional breeding.

“Not all its work has proved to be a hit with the consumer. A broccoli marketed since 2012 that claimed to maintain antioxidant levels was pulled last year because its grower was unable to produce enough of the product with the same consistency to be profitable.”