CHINA DEVELOPS HIGHER YIELDING WHEAT
Chinese scientists have developed higher-yielding wheat for bread production, according to a research paper published in the latest issue of Plant Biotechnology Journal. Using CRISPR-CAS9 genome editing and by identifying molecular mechanisms that affect grain development, researchers from several institutions in China boosted the length and weight of wheat. After many years of research, the sequencing of the bread wheat genome, which is more than five times larger than the human genome and more complex, was completed in 2018.
Wheat is the world’s most widely grown food grain, with production and consumption forecast to reach nearly 800 million tonnes in the 2023-24 marketing year, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture. China’s government in recent years has made food security a top priority. In addition to using gene editing to boost wheat yields, it is in the process of commercializing widespread production of genetically modified corn and soybeans to lessen its dependence on imports of those ag commodities.
(Link: WorldGrain)
ETHANOL PRODUCTION DROPS TO THREE-WEEK LOW
Production dropped to an average of 1.078 million barrels a day from 1.084 million a week earlier, the EIA said in a report. That’s the lowest since the week that ended on Feb. 2. In the Midwest, by far the biggest producing region, output fell to an average of 1.029 million barrels a day. That’s down from 1.032 million a week earlier. Gulf Coast production plunged to 18,000 barrels a day from 21,000 the week prior, the agency said. Ethanol inventories in the week through Feb. 23 rose to 26.022 million barrels. That’s up from 25.502 million barrels a week earlier and the largest such position since March 17 of last year, the EIA said in its report.
(Link: SuccessfulFarming)
