Growers for Biotechnology Changes Name, Broadens Focus

Growers for Wheat Biotechnology recently changed its name to Growers for Biotechnology, a move which leaders say reflects a broader mission of having a grower voice to support the research, development, and market acceptance of biotech crops.

 “The biotech success stories in many of the crops we already grow will ultimately help pave the way for biotech development and market acceptance for other crops in our rotation, including wheat,” says Al Skogen, a Valley City, N.D., farmer and chairman of the group. “It’s hard to talk about biotechnology adaptation in new crops without discussing the successes and challenges existing biotech crops have experienced.  This technology offers so much opportunity in several if not all crops grown in the region, and we support the producer option to access the technology wherever possible.”

This year marks the 10th harvest of biotech crops, and 1 billion acres of commercial biotech crop production experience across the world, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (www.isaaa.org).

Soybeans comprise about 56% of global biotech crop acreage, followed by cotton (28%) canola (19%) and corn (14%).  More than 50 first generation ag products (including sugarbeets, sweet corn, and potatoes) now have commercial approval, according to the Council for Biotechnology Information.

As well, figures released this fall by UK-based PG Economics Limited (www.pgeconomics.co.uk) estimated that farmers have gained $27 billion in incremental net income from biotech crops since they were first introduced, while reducing fuel consumption by 468,000 gallons and reducing pesticide applications by 378 million pounds.  The decrease in the volume of pesticide spraying globally since 1996, because of genetically enhanced crop production, is equivalent to eliminating 1,514 rail cars of pesticide active ingredient.

“Farmers around the world are already benefiting from reduced use and handling of many toxic pesticides being replaced by biotech traits,” says Skogen, “and the truth is, the use of this more precise technology and greater regulatory scrutiny make biotech-derived food as safe and likely even safer than conventionally or organically produced foods.”

Skogen – who also serves as biotechnology committee chair for the National Association of Wheat Growers – says Growers for Biotechnology will continue to press for research and development of biotech wheat.

Other producer/directors of Growers for Biotechnology are Kim Murray and Mike Waters, Froid, Mont.; Bruce Freitag, Scranton, N.D.; Doyle Lentz, Rolla, N.D.; Terry Wanzek, Jamestown, N.D.; Jeff Topp, Grace City, N.D.; Tom Anderson, Barnesville, Minn.; and Paul Aasness, Fergus Falls, Minn. The group’s web site: www.growersforbiotechnology.org .