The Van Trump Report

Month: April 2023

Say What… MeliBio is Now Making “Bee-Free Honey” in the Lab

Honey is one of the most widespread sweeteners in the world with a history that dates as far back as human records. Across the globe today, it has grown into a $9 billion industry. However, some believe honey production in its current form is actually damaging the estimated 20,000 wild and native bee species in …

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We All Need to Keep an Eye on How The Government Handles “Colorado River” Water Rights

As water in the Colorado River continues to shrink, the US Federal government is getting ready to impose reductions in water supplies to states for the first time. Officials earlier this month laid the groundwork for what could be substantial cuts in an effort to protect the minimum “responsible” water levels. This comes as states …

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Will “Synthetic Biology” Disrupt Traditional Agriculture?

We currently have more than enough plant-based protein to meet current demand. In time, however, as costs decline, there is a point at which Lab Grown protein may become competitive. It will take several innovations in precision fermentation. On the flip side, “synthetic pesticides” seem to be losing some of their luster. They take longer …

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92-Year-Old has Grown Tomatoes from the Same Seed Lineage Since 1965

Sybil Gorby, a 92-year-old resident of Tyler County, West Virginia, has been planting seeds from the same heirloom tomato lineage since 1965. Every spring, she cultivates the seeds in her garden, and by mid-August, she is rewarded with plump, shiny, and delicious tomatoes. Gorby believes there is something exceptional about these seeds and the tomatoes …

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What You Might Not Know About “Buttermilk”

Buttermilk is one of those old-fashioned food items that are not that common in modern-day pantries. Outside of delicious buttermilk biscuits and pancakes, most Americans don’t have a lot of experience with the stuff. But even those that do might not realize that today’s buttermilk is a far cry from what their grandparents probably had. Before …

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“Orange Corn” Aims to Boost Both Poultry and Human Health

Torbert Rocheford, the Patterson Endowed Chair in Translational Genomics for Crop Improvement in the Purdue College of Agriculture’s Department of Agronomy, has spent over two decades working to improve the nutrition profile of corn. The result, a variety with boosted carotenoid levels known as “orange corn,” was meant to help improve nutrition in developing countries. …

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“Well Above Normal” Flood Risk for Mississippi River This Spring

An enormous amount of snow fell across the northern plains this year and as the weather warms, the resulting water is going to be looking for a place to go. While the US National Weather Service (NWS) recently lowered the risks of major flooding from the snowmelt, the risk remains nonetheless.  Based on snowmelt alone …

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