Thank you so much for writing this article. I just read and forwarded to many of my friends. This is truly my number one daily concern for my family. Health is number one. Without it you have nothing. I feel like MAHA is dead. To have RFK jr. defend glyphosate on Joe Rogan or at least say there are bigger fish to fry, literally destroyed my belief that this will ever be righted for the American people. That man spend 30 years of his life helping those against the malfeasance of the use of glyphosate and for him to blow it off and move on just killed me. How do we help those who can make real change see the horrific consequences the use of these chemicals and practices will bring to our young children? When are they going to finally choose health over making money? In the end, like you said, this isn't necessary for crops its just a convenience for harvest and profit making. Where can I go to help make a difference?
As a person who's been in agriculture since the early 1980s, and finding out about using glyphosate being used to desiccate crops prior to harvest, I was shocked. I couldn't believe that agriculture had come to stooping *that* low.
But I'm biased, I've been in the Organic sector for so long now that I shouldn't any longer be shocked at what they do in the conventional sector.
I don't know how to say this other than people need to support certified organic farming. It's really that simple. All the regulations and policy are already there. It's not perfect though I know.
Just been disking soil to plant a mix of oats and crimson clover. Yep, disking, which exposes soil - and the earth's aroma is wonderful. Need to disk since we don't use sprays of any type at any time. Burn diesel fuel ($6.50/gal now) but the 20 acres will have oats and clover with no fungicides or other -cides.
Farming without chemicals can be done and it starts with what's between one's ears.
I would welcome your recommendations on where I can buy food - bread, oatmeal, etc. from certified organic farmers. I am based in DC, so the more local, the better! Thank you!
I did not know about preharvest chemical desiccation. Thank you for all the information. Again, please grow as much of your own food as you can. Even patio gardens can help. But most of us cannot grow our own grains, so this spraying right before harvest needs to be stopped! Check out my gardening website for info on starting your own garden: www.vegetable-gardening-online.com
I knew for a very long time about potatoes in Europe, how they are sprayed before harvest to kill the greens, and how they are sprayed or powdered and radiated when harvested.
To my surprise, the organic blueberries say you need to wash them before eating, but the non-organic can be eaten without being washed... something seems off with that.
thankfully I do not eat corn or soybeans, so most of the spray passes me by, but I do remember how some years ago, several (probably illegal) harvesters in CA questioned the freshly sprayed beans, were told to harvest them nevertheless, got burns from it. One was a pregnant woman, another had her legs so badly burned she had to be hospitalized.
Also, our home grown organic blueberries get a little bit dusty sometimes, as there are other farming activities going on around us that stir up the dust, and it gets carried on the breeze.
All I know is grocery store produce tastes crappy. We get our produce mostly from a local farmer who uses minimal spray and has installed a ton of tented tunnels for growing pesticide and herbicide free crops.
It goes beyond the harvesting before the produce lands on store shelves. Various strategies to prolong shelf life. Saw a horrifying vidio program. There's the Apeel coating as one example.
Greetings from MI's Thumb Coast. A fair and soft day here, preparing the gardens for winter! Following the Drs. Malones' advice, we grow and harvest what we can. As for that we cannot grow, we are asking questions of old-time locals about who and where to obtain locally grown organic fruits and vegetables. Recently, I discovered lettuce in the supermarket, grown organically on a nearby farm. It's a start to a chain store buying from a grower nearby. We can make it happen by asking questions and purchasing wisely. Yes, our dollar output for groceries is slightly higher than 12 months ago BUT we are eating a better quality of food - local and Amish meats/more leafy greens and vegetables from small holdings/American and Canadian caught and processed fish - AND leave the snack foods on the grocery store shelves. Our sole snack food is popcorn ordered from an Amish farm, organically grown; not daily but as a special treat as we watch a video or t.v. flick! We have comparison shopped - using stringent criteria - for bread, mayonnaise, yogurt, ice cream, cheeses (hard, soft, and crumbles) - five ingredients maximum, no highly processed seed/cooking oils, etc., etc., etc. The end result is that both my husband and I, now in our 90's and in our own home, are healthier and weigh less than we did a decade ago! One is never too old to change the habits of a lifetime! SLAINTE!
An Amish friend of mine years ago never used pesticide. He was not labeled “organic” but he was in reality organic, and rotated crops for insect control and soil preservation.
My impression is this poisoning strategy is a response to crop wipeouts (rains causing rot and total losses) and the economy for scheduling harvesting (with large equipment unaffordable to most farmers).
It just requires crimping (bending the stalks over )or cutting the plant and allowing it to dry. It takes no more time than chemical killing. This isn't rocket science to go back to what used to be done!
50 years ago it was not necessary - I do not remember any grains sprayed before harvest in Belgium, only potatoes. Dad never sprayed anything until some years ago, when all farmers started and all pests came down onto his little patch!
Yes. But it would be nice to get farmer input on this. I have friends who have argued that without dessication, they cannot compete.
I hate this crap. But what we need is practical advice to farmers from farmers on how to transition, and proof that it won't hamper them in their farming operation.
Message sent. My gratitude for shining some light on this. My example is fluoride. Essential to the aluminum smelting process and a toxic waste product. Rather than pay for toxic waste disposal, industry has managed to make it a marketable product that we put in our mouths.
Thank you so much for writing this article. I just read and forwarded to many of my friends. This is truly my number one daily concern for my family. Health is number one. Without it you have nothing. I feel like MAHA is dead. To have RFK jr. defend glyphosate on Joe Rogan or at least say there are bigger fish to fry, literally destroyed my belief that this will ever be righted for the American people. That man spend 30 years of his life helping those against the malfeasance of the use of glyphosate and for him to blow it off and move on just killed me. How do we help those who can make real change see the horrific consequences the use of these chemicals and practices will bring to our young children? When are they going to finally choose health over making money? In the end, like you said, this isn't necessary for crops its just a convenience for harvest and profit making. Where can I go to help make a difference?
I could have written this! I so agree and would also sign up!
As a person who's been in agriculture since the early 1980s, and finding out about using glyphosate being used to desiccate crops prior to harvest, I was shocked. I couldn't believe that agriculture had come to stooping *that* low.
But I'm biased, I've been in the Organic sector for so long now that I shouldn't any longer be shocked at what they do in the conventional sector.
I don't know how to say this other than people need to support certified organic farming. It's really that simple. All the regulations and policy are already there. It's not perfect though I know.
Just been disking soil to plant a mix of oats and crimson clover. Yep, disking, which exposes soil - and the earth's aroma is wonderful. Need to disk since we don't use sprays of any type at any time. Burn diesel fuel ($6.50/gal now) but the 20 acres will have oats and clover with no fungicides or other -cides.
Farming without chemicals can be done and it starts with what's between one's ears.
I would welcome your recommendations on where I can buy food - bread, oatmeal, etc. from certified organic farmers. I am based in DC, so the more local, the better! Thank you!
I did not know about preharvest chemical desiccation. Thank you for all the information. Again, please grow as much of your own food as you can. Even patio gardens can help. But most of us cannot grow our own grains, so this spraying right before harvest needs to be stopped! Check out my gardening website for info on starting your own garden: www.vegetable-gardening-online.com
I knew for a very long time about potatoes in Europe, how they are sprayed before harvest to kill the greens, and how they are sprayed or powdered and radiated when harvested.
To my surprise, the organic blueberries say you need to wash them before eating, but the non-organic can be eaten without being washed... something seems off with that.
thankfully I do not eat corn or soybeans, so most of the spray passes me by, but I do remember how some years ago, several (probably illegal) harvesters in CA questioned the freshly sprayed beans, were told to harvest them nevertheless, got burns from it. One was a pregnant woman, another had her legs so badly burned she had to be hospitalized.
I think the organic blueberries are simply to wash off possible human handling residue.
Also, our home grown organic blueberries get a little bit dusty sometimes, as there are other farming activities going on around us that stir up the dust, and it gets carried on the breeze.
All I know is grocery store produce tastes crappy. We get our produce mostly from a local farmer who uses minimal spray and has installed a ton of tented tunnels for growing pesticide and herbicide free crops.
It goes beyond the harvesting before the produce lands on store shelves. Various strategies to prolong shelf life. Saw a horrifying vidio program. There's the Apeel coating as one example.
Kudos!
Thank you for all the research, reflection and remedial design this proposal has clearly involved.
Surely the adverse impacts of these poisons on ourselves, our animals and beyond does not contribute to our good health and productivity.
I can appreciate timing for introduction would be sensitive.
Your suggested timetable helps.
Thank you also for offering us assistance in pursueing this cause. Would that we pursue this opportunity.
Whoever OKed the use of chemicals for dessication of cereal crops should be drawn and quartered.
It's only common sense to avoid chemical applications near harvest for something we will consume, in some cases, as whole seeds.
This is obviously an example of regulatory capture by the chemical companies that threatens to limit the use of these chemicals for safe practices.
Greetings from MI's Thumb Coast. A fair and soft day here, preparing the gardens for winter! Following the Drs. Malones' advice, we grow and harvest what we can. As for that we cannot grow, we are asking questions of old-time locals about who and where to obtain locally grown organic fruits and vegetables. Recently, I discovered lettuce in the supermarket, grown organically on a nearby farm. It's a start to a chain store buying from a grower nearby. We can make it happen by asking questions and purchasing wisely. Yes, our dollar output for groceries is slightly higher than 12 months ago BUT we are eating a better quality of food - local and Amish meats/more leafy greens and vegetables from small holdings/American and Canadian caught and processed fish - AND leave the snack foods on the grocery store shelves. Our sole snack food is popcorn ordered from an Amish farm, organically grown; not daily but as a special treat as we watch a video or t.v. flick! We have comparison shopped - using stringent criteria - for bread, mayonnaise, yogurt, ice cream, cheeses (hard, soft, and crumbles) - five ingredients maximum, no highly processed seed/cooking oils, etc., etc., etc. The end result is that both my husband and I, now in our 90's and in our own home, are healthier and weigh less than we did a decade ago! One is never too old to change the habits of a lifetime! SLAINTE!
Trump recently gave the ok for glyphosate. ???
Buy local where you can see the whites of the farmer's eyes.
Spot on!!
An Amish friend of mine years ago never used pesticide. He was not labeled “organic” but he was in reality organic, and rotated crops for insect control and soil preservation.
It can be done. It just takes the will to do so.
Thank you for this article. 🤗
My impression is this poisoning strategy is a response to crop wipeouts (rains causing rot and total losses) and the economy for scheduling harvesting (with large equipment unaffordable to most farmers).
Three year phase out is too long! The solution is for people to stop buying it on a massive scale.
Right like Big Pharma's going to let the government "STOP' that = they want you sick and dying !
It's worth Billions !
For sure this is the worst and dumbest application of glyphosate, most likely to multiply any problems from exposure.
I expect its greatest use is in the areas with short growing season, to allow them to dry the grains before frost.
Global warming would help eliminate the desire to use glyphosate for harvest purposes. 😎
It just requires crimping (bending the stalks over )or cutting the plant and allowing it to dry. It takes no more time than chemical killing. This isn't rocket science to go back to what used to be done!
50 years ago it was not necessary - I do not remember any grains sprayed before harvest in Belgium, only potatoes. Dad never sprayed anything until some years ago, when all farmers started and all pests came down onto his little patch!
Yes. But it would be nice to get farmer input on this. I have friends who have argued that without dessication, they cannot compete.
I hate this crap. But what we need is practical advice to farmers from farmers on how to transition, and proof that it won't hamper them in their farming operation.
That this could be permitted by our ENVIRONMENTAL Protection and FOOD and Drug Administrations, and Congress is downright depressing and infuriating.
A wonderful piece. It brings a mind a favorite Reaganism. If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if stops moving, subsidize it.
Thank you.
Message sent. My gratitude for shining some light on this. My example is fluoride. Essential to the aluminum smelting process and a toxic waste product. Rather than pay for toxic waste disposal, industry has managed to make it a marketable product that we put in our mouths.