28 March 27, 2014 2014 LOGAN COUNTY FARM OUTLOOK MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com
“Wide-scale planting of traits that aren’t approved
by key importing countries would diminish the
competitiveness of American grain and feed
exports. To help ensure the continued strength of
U.S. agriculture, we’re all — farmers, elevators,
processors and exporters — well served by making
certain that the crops and products we deliver are
acceptable in key export markets.”
ADM is recommending that farmers confirm that
the seed they intend to plant this spring is approved
for all major export markets, including China.
“If it’s not, we’d encourage them to check with their
seed sales representative to see if their order can be
exchanged for seeds that are approved for global
use,” Anderson says. “We recognize it’s an extra
step, but we’re confident it’s in the best interests of
everyone involved in U.S. agriculture.”
What should a Logan County farmer do if
considering entering a crop in global export market?
Today, the decision of whether the crop is being
grown for the domestic market or as an export is
another factor in the farmer’s choice of seed. The
National Corn Growers Association’s “Know Before
You Grow” program has made it quick and easy to
cross-check if a biotech corn hybrid is accepted in
various export markets.
When handling traits not accepted for all markets,
follow seed agreements and practice good
stewardship: Keep good records, clean equipment,
and use open and clear communications when going
to market.
At Elkhart Grain Elevator, general manager Don
Ludwig said: “We don’t like to tell our growers they
can’t grow something. We like to tell them, if they
want to grow something, we’ll do what we can to
work with them. We just need to know what they
are bringing in.”
In further support of the decisions afforded the
farmer, Ludwig added: “Today, it is more the way
we farm: what kind of tillage practice, insecticide
and weed control in conjunction with GMO traits.
We like to leave it up to the farmer what they plant.”
According to a report released by the USDA in
February 2014:
• The price of genetically engineered soybean
and corn seeds grew by about 50 percent in
real terms (adjusted for inflation) between 2001
and 2010.
• The yield advantage of Bt corn over
conventional seed has become larger in recent
years as new Bt traits have been incorporated
and stacked traits have become available.
• Planting Bt corn continues to be more
profitable, as measured by net returns, than
planting conventional seeds.
As for soybeans, according to an Iowa State
University study: “Without biotechnology, global
food prices would be nearly 10 percent higher for
soybeans.”
By Jan Youngquist
[Bibliography can be found on page 44]
