Japanese scientists succeed in first soybean genome-editing

TOKYO, Oct. 16 — A group of Japanese scientists using advanced genome-editing technologies has succeeded in editing genes that contribute to the size of soybeans. The team of agricultural scientists, from Hokkaido University, Yokohama City University and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, edited the genome from grain. Genome refers to the entire DNA sequence of an organism, and genome editing is to make specific changes to the DNA of an organism. The research team focused on the crop size. “But the results in the lab that show promise could lead to reduced molecules of soy allergens,” said Tetsuya Yamada from Hokkaido University’s graduate research faculty of agriculture. Yet, … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Japanese scientists succeed in first soybean genome-editing

Farmers in Tateno, Minamiaso, still unable to resume business 1.5 years after Kumamoto earthquakes

KUMAMOTO, Oct. 18 – In the Tateno district in the village of Minamiaso, Kumamoto Prefecture, farmers are still having difficulties resuming their business even 1.5 years after the destructive earthquakes in April 2016. Reconstruction efforts have been successfully made to recover water supply and rebuild new roads gradually, but most of the farmers in the region are still not able to resume their business back in their farmlands. Lack of construction vendors The Tateno district was severely hit by the earthquakes on April 16, 2016, with its most evident damage on the large Aso Ohashi bridge. Currently, the rice fields and other farmlands close to the collapsed bridge are filled … Continue reading

Posted in Others | Comments Off on Farmers in Tateno, Minamiaso, still unable to resume business 1.5 years after Kumamoto earthquakes

JA Miyagi groups push Japanese pear exports to Vietnam

MIYAGI, Oct. 15 — Japanese agriculture cooperatives in northern Japan have held a promotional event for their pears in Ho Chi Min city, after Vietnam lifted a 10-year ban on this crunchy fruit from Japan in January. The Japanese pear, known as nashi, is apple-shaped with golden speckled skin and is somewhat different to a European pear; it is firm, crispy, sweet and juicy. JA Miyagi Sennan and groups from its area displayed their Miyagi Zao nashi and offered tastings to customers at a Japanese chain supermarket in the southern Vietnamese city on Oct. 14. JA Miyagi Sennan officials said Southeast Asia is a potential market worth pursuing. The Japanese … Continue reading

Posted in Cooperatives, Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on JA Miyagi groups push Japanese pear exports to Vietnam

Farmers live longer, healthier lives, with less risk of hyperlipidemia and hypertension, Shimane University’s study says

SHIMANE, Oct. 5 – Farm work is effective in controlling the occurrence of lipid disorders and hypertension, according to the new study by Masayuki Yamasaki, associate professor of Shimane University, and his research associates. The study suggested that, compared to farmers, those who are not engaged in farm work have a nearly-doubled likelihood of developing lipid disorders, while the blood pressure of farmers is relatively lower. Yamasaki explained that farm work “can help people live longer their healthier lives” by controlling lipid disorders, which can be a cause of myocardial or cerebral infarctions, and high blood pressure, which can be a cause of arterial stiffening. The study was conducted between … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Farmers live longer, healthier lives, with less risk of hyperlipidemia and hypertension, Shimane University’s study says

App developed to estimate weight of pigs from their images

TOKYO, Oct. 4 – Livestock feed maker Itochu Feed Mills Co., Ltd. and IT firm NTT TechnoCross Corporation have jointly developed an application which calculates an estimated weight of pigs from their images captured by smartphones and tablet computers. Determining the weight of pigs before shipment is important because pork carcass quality is first classified by weight and a carcass’ ranking will drop if it weighed below or above the standard. Developers believe the new app can help reduce the burden on pig breeders, as more farms are increasing the number of pigs they raise and weighing them using a scale is becoming an exhausting work. A user can photograph … Continue reading

Posted in Others | Comments Off on App developed to estimate weight of pigs from their images