A foot-long ear of corn would grow an extra inch or two. And while that seems like a small gain, it’s a big deal considering corn is used for everything from animal feed and fuel to soda and cereal.

Five of the animals died following abdominal surgery last month.  A USDA inspection report means more vets and vet technicians monitoring students, having vetinary staff and student monitor animals after operations, and doing procedures in surgery suites. 

A Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting analysis of the USDA data found that Monsanto has been responsible for introducing 37 different genetically engineered seeds approved by the USDA. That number is about one-third of all USDA-approved GMOs. Most of those approved seeds have been for corn, soybean and cotton.