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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: House stands in the way of transportation deal ... National Guardsmen return to praise and hugs in Medford ... Triple digit heat will stick around Rogue Valley for awhile ... Our View: House stands in the way of transportation deal ... National Guardsmen return to praise and hugs in Medford ... Triple digit heat will stick around Rogue Valley for awhile ... Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 18, 2014 at 4:28 PM Posted Nov. 18, 2014 at 4:28 PM » Social News Two Jackson County farms that grow Roundup Ready alfalfa have filed a lawsuit asking a state court to end the county's voter-approved ban on genetically modified crops or force the county to pay them $4.2 million, which they claim is the value of the crop they would have to destroy. Portland law firm  Markowitz Herbold PC filed the suit in Jackson County Circuit Court today on behalf of Schultz Family Farms LLC of Gold Hill and James and Marilyn Frink and their family trust. A coalition of farming, agriculture and biotechnology organizations is assisting the farmers, the firm said in a news release about the suit. The suit claims that the GMO-ban ordinance, approved by by Jackson County voters May 20, conflicts with state law and will require farmers to destroy crops they have already planted and grown for sale. It explains that Roundup Ready alfalfa can withstand the application of herbicide, enabling farmers to control weeds that would compete with the alfalfa. Once established, hay could be harvested from the alfalfa plants for up to 10 years, the suit says. In the complaint, Bruce Schultz estimates he would lose $2,205,000 by removing his existing alfalfa and planting a less lucrative grain crop for four years, which would be necessary to control lingering alfalfa plants. The Frinks also claim in the suit that they would be forced to tear out 200 acres of Roundup Ready alfalfa and would lose $2 million. No other crop would be as profitable on their land and after waiting four years to replant, they would have lost customers and would be too old to start anew, the complaint says. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 18, 2014 at 4:28 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501