From the beginning when the potential of biotech corn hybrids emerged it quickly became evident that the promise also came with a need for caution.

New data on the performance of these hybrids has crop experts urging caution. They fear the allure of higher yields and the reduced needs for costly chemicals could pose future problems with the effectiveness of these products.

University of Illinois entomologist Mike Gray said farmers have accepted the new technology because yields are so good and because they don’t have to use as much pesticide. But he is concerned is that farmers will be tempted to break their promise to plant the 20 percent refuge of non-biotech corn in order to make more money. Refuge areas allow corn pests to feed on non-biotech corn, reducing the possibility that the pests develop resistance to the biotech crop. If that were to happen, the technology will be wasted.

Emerson Nafziger, a University of Illinois crop scientist, presented some interesting findings at the recent Corn and Soybean Classic. According to Nafziger, transgenic hybrids with traits that kill insects like corn borers and rootworms have consistently produced 200-bushel yields in trials.

“Those hybrids did much better than the non-Bt hybrids,” Nafziger said. He noted that seed companies are now using their best genetics to create hybrids with bacillus thuringiensis to kill pests.

Tom Heinhorst, a longtime farm manager, said the results highlight new income opportunities for farmers who want to take advantage of prices for corn now in the $4 range. “In years past, there have been yield drags if you planted corn after corn. Now with rootworm or corn borer corn, continuous corn yields as much or more,” he said.

Gray said seed companies are working to make sure customers follow the refuge rules because huge investments are at stake. Farmers who have been caught violating the rules have lost their rights to plant the new varieties. But in the end, individual growers should let their conscience and their business sense be their guide.

In this case doing the right thing means you will have longer term access to a viable technology that can increase your yields, provide more flexible planting options and reduce the amount of chemicals you have to handle.

Source: Illinois Ag Connection – 02/20/2007

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Website