Salmonella Ourbreak in Mangoes

Adrienne Bard reports on a salmonella outbreak linked to mangoes in Mexico…

“the US is stopping the import of mangoes from a packing house in Mexico saying the fruit has been linked to salmonella in 15 US states. So far 121 people have come down with the stomach disease which is serious but usually not deadly. Mexican officials inspected the plants said to be the source of the disease but did not find signs of contamination. Due to the alert, the company must submit the mangoes for testing to prove they are safe.”

Gas prices have been particularly high the last month. Is relief in sight? CBS' Frank Settipani reports…
 

“AAA says the average driver is paying $3.87 per gallon of gas, and a lot more than that in some cities. But even the average price is 24 cents more than last year at this time. Analyst Tom Closes says relief is on the way as refiners are switching production from summer gas to less expensive winter blends: ‘We finally got over the hump here. September 15 is the last day for summer gas specs, which are pretty difficult for a lot US and foreign refineries to meet.’ Gas prices are up a nickel in the past week, 16 cents in the last month.”

Organic food isn't any more nutritious, scientists say, but it still might be healthier. Dr Sean Kenniff has more…
 

“Buying organic produce and meats is widely considered to be a health conscious and environmentally friendly way to shop. But is going organic really healthy and worth the higher price? In some respects it is. But in others its not. According to a new study from scientists in California. The researcher analyzed 200 previously published studies, some of which looked at the health of people who ate organic versus those who ate conventional foods. Other studies examined nutrient density or contamination levels. The researchers found in terms of being nutritious or vitamin dense, there was no difference between conventional and organic. But organic produce was significantly less likely to be contaminated by pesticide residues. Organic chicken and pork were less likely to be contaminated with anti-biotic resistant bacteria.”
 

Scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service have found sorghum to be an ideal candidate as a bioenergy crop because of its drought tolerance, adaptability to diverse growing conditions, low nitrogen fertilizer requirements and high biomass content. Sorghum is a top candidate for production in the southeastern region of the U.S. because it can extend the biofuel production and use the same equipment.
 

High grain prices due to the drought mean some extra income for farmers whose crops survived. But even those with partial yields should be able to make some money, according to the American Bankers Association’s Matthew Williams.
 

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Representatives educated congressional staff members through the Beef 101 series on Monday about the estate tax’s impact on cattlemen and cattlewomen. Tackling the death tax is the top priority for NCBA, according to NCBA Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus, who says the tax directly affects the 97-percent of American farms and ranches owned and operated by families because of the burden it places on families hoping to pass their business on to the next generation.