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U.S. agricultural regulators on Friday said despite a court ban, they would allow commercial planting of genetically modified sugar beets under closely controlled conditions while they complete a full environmental impact statement.

The United States said on Thursday farmers could proceed with planting genetically altered alfalfa without any of the restrictions that opponents say are crucial to protect organic and conventional farm fields from contamination. The decision, closely watched by supporters and protesters around the world for its potential implications on biotech crop regulation, was seen as a boon to biotech crop developers and comes as research into additional biotech crops accelerates. But opponents of biotech crops were disappointed.

U.S. agribusiness and trading giant Cargill posted sharply higher quarterly earnings on Wednesday, helped by strong growth from its leading fertilizer producer The Mosaic Company. Gains in Mosaic’s business, tied to good demand amid rising global food prices, were a key reason the company more than tripled income for the quarter compared to a year ago.

Monsanto Co reported on Thursday that early orders for spring planting of corn and soybean seeds were up and said it was on track for good growth as it advances an array of new products closer to market. The company’s shares rose 3.2 percent after the rosy outlook from the leading biotech agricultural seed and genetic trait developer, even though its first-quarter results offered few surprises.

DuPont said on Wednesday it was launching a new corn seed that would yield better in “water-limited” environments, as growers around the world seek ways to maximize production during droughts.

Amid complaints of environmental harm and pressure from a federal court, U.S. agriculture regulators are considering a compromise approval for genetically altered alfalfa that would allow the crop to be grown with certain restrictions aimed at protecting non-GMO crops, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Thursday.

The derailment of DuPont’s intended acquisition of a top South African seed company — a deal that would have doubled DuPont’s African seed business — is emboldening activists opposed to creeping control by both DuPont and rival Monsanto of the lucrative emerging market.

Investments in U.S. wind energy are continuing and primed to grow once questions about government financial support for the burgeoning industry are resolved, according to a key market player.

Africa as has long been a target for wealthy philanthropists who donate money in a fight against the continent’s poverty, disease epidemics and food shortages. Now, taking a cue from the nonprofit world, profit-hungry investors are eyeing Africa in a new way, putting a charitable spin on their pursuit of double-digit returns.

Monsanto Co said on Wednesday it would appeal a U.S. court order that the company's biotech sugarbeet seedlings be uprooted. The "secklings" planted by U.S. farmers are aimed at developing seed for a future crop, are harmless, and removing them will be costly for producers, said Monsanto, the world's biggest seed company.