http://texaswheat.org/glyphosate-treated-wheat-claims-vs-facts.html

	In those months pre-harvest, a lot can happen to the crop. At
harvest time, you can probably count on there being some weeds, but these
don't generally pose a 	problem if the weeds are shorter than the wheat
head. If there are heavy rains at harvest time, combined with a thin stand
of wheat, weeds can pose a serious 	problem for farmers. Weeds can make
harvest difficult by making the grain harder to thrash and by putting
unwanted foreign material in the bin. Then, farmers 	will have a serious
choice to make: harvest anyway and face pay dockages at the elevators (or
even risk being turned away), abandon the field and pray for a 	better crop
next year, or spray for weeds and incur costs and a delay in harvest.

"	Glyphosate is typically applied with a ground rig, and a ground rig
will only run the wheat down," said Brett Carver, Wheat Genetics Chair in
Agriculture at 	Oklahoma State University. "In most U.S. wheat regions, it
takes a situation of no-other-choice desperation to consider glyphosate as a
harvest aid..certainly 	not the usual scenario."

	For those who choose the latter, there are regulations to be
followed.

	"There's all sorts of research that goes on before information gets
put onto a label as a legal recommendation," said Dr. Dille. "It starts with
the 	companies. They've done the research. Then, it always goes to a
contract research or university level, unbiased and independent kind of
sources. Then, all 	that information goes together in a petition to the
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), before it can be put onto a label as
a legal recommendation. All 	that is regulated. The label is a legal
document that the growers have to go by."

	"U.S. wheat producers do NOT routinely use RoundupR, or other
formulations of glyphosate, for pre harvest applications," said Steve Joehl,
Monsanto's Industry 	Affairs Director for wheat. "Quite the contrary, it
is the exception rather than the rule. You should be aware that Roundup has
an approved label with the EPA 	for pre harvest use, in the event farmers
desire to control perennial weeds, like Canadian thistle, prior to harvest;
or for farmers in areas of short growing 	seasons where crop maturity
can be delayed. When used according to labeled recommendations, it is a very
safe application. But because Roundup is used in 	Roundup Ready crops
of corn and soybeans, these perennial weeds infestations have been reduced
and the practice has been reduced even more."




Texas is not quite a fair state to evaluate.  ND or Montana would be the
most likely regions to actually do it. The only reason would be weather
related and winter coming before harvest.  VERY rare here in the US.  To
Petes point about the definition of very,  well  in a wet year it may happen
on a larger percentage than normal.  Most years the number would be zero.
But when you look at a 10 year span and cherry pick a bad season you may get
different numbers.

A quick look at the USDA numbers on wheat incomes will show you why.  Most
years breaking even on wheat is a win.  Study hard if your serious. 

When this topic came up I called one of my best friends and old boss,  he
was the head of Grain harvesting for Case for almost 30 years  10 years at
AGCO and is still very active with another company, never heard of it being
done stateside,  Same answer from the head of crop production testing for JD
another friend for more than 20 years now (hate getting old)  Another friend
who is just returning from China harvesting rice,  is currently the head of
testing for CNH worldwide,  same response.  May happen but not aware of any.
If Bob, Tony and John are not aware of it,  I put it in the extremely rare
file,  but that is me.

   Between the 4 of us the number of countries and states traveled to and
crops harvested,  years of experience,  and patents in grain harvesting is
impressive. Bob and Tony spend an average of 4 month of the year on the road
traveling the world harvesting and testing, and yet a  reporter has more
credibility.  Quite and interesting observation of bias.  Quite puzzling and
disturbing to me.  I understand it in the general public who is never
exposed to the facts,  Completely confused at the rest of us.


It's a bit far a afield from bees, except that it goes to a lot of
misconceptions about farming bees and our food and how and why they continue
to propagate faster than roundup resistant mares tail.  At that I will leave
it be in the public forum.  Offline is a better choice for wheat
discussions.
 

Charles

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