Why do some farmers choose to grow GMO crops?

Contributed by Dewey Caron

Genetically modified crops – do you believe they are “good” for agriculture or are “bad” for us? Maybe you believe Monsanto and other big ag companies force farmers to use GMO seeds and then lose money because they unnecessarily have to spend money on pesticides to grow GMO crops? Or you might believe GMOs and treated seeds are simply the latest technological advance designed to bring us cheaper food? [which we all know we want]. There is of course a wide middle ground between such viewpoints.

Snake River ID Sugar Co. Chairman Duane Grant recently talked about the experience the cooperative’s member-growers in Idaho and Oregon have had with Roundup Ready sugar beets. Sugar beets are genetically modified to withstand the herbicide glyphosate, which Monsanto, and other companies, sell as Roundup. He said that co-op members, for which he is also a grower, planted 178,000 acres of GMO sugar beets last year. Duane stated that growers’ cost of herbicides has dropped from $66 per acre to $11 per acre since they switched from non-GMO sugar beets in 2008. The cost of hand labor has dropped from $60 an acre to zero,since field weeding is no longer needed. He continued that although the price of seed has increased, from $44 to $143, yields have also increased. Overall, the net margin increase has been $122 per acre and the switch to GMO sugar beets has meant a $22 million benefit to the cooperative and its members.

A meta-study — which reviewed 147 other studies — found that by growing GMO crops, farmers have reduced pesticide use by 37 percent. At the same time, farmers’ profits have increased by 68 percent. So the bottom line – the reason to grow GMO sugar beets – is basic economics. [Information and statistics from editorial of Capital Press, Jan 30, 2015)

Like many other activities in life, farming is about choice. Some farmers choose to grow GMO crops as is their right, just as other farmers have the right to choose to grow organic or conventional crops. This can be a challenge as there is a risk of accidental transfer of GMO pollen from one crop to another.

Note: Governor Kitzhaber is seeking to have ODA regulate where GMO crops might be grown in OR. There is such a “voluntary” plan now in effect in the Willamette Valley as regards GMO canola. Voters in Jackson and Josephine Counties have said no GMO crops in their Co, which currently is on hold as the matter is now in court. Will the governors proposed legislation work? Will the courts uphold the voters choice? Is there a better plan? Let your state senator/representative know your views as the guessing is this legislation will be subjected to considerable modifications this spring legislative session.