Ag Facts “The 2005 growing season marks the tenth anniversary that
biotech corn hybrids have been available to U.S. farm operators.
In 1996, only 4 percent of the corn planted in the U.S. were from
biotech hybrids. In 2005, it is estimated that nearly 50 percent
of the corn planted nationwide will be a biotech corn hybrid. The
biotech corn hybrids include the corn borer resistant hybrids (BT),
Roundup-Ready hybrids, and more recently, corn rootworm resistant
hybrids. Biotech has allowed growers the opportunity to control
insect pests without using insecticides and to control weeds with
lower cost herbicides that are less harmful to the environment.
According to a 2004, a study by the National Center for Food and
Agriculture Policy, the use of biotech corn hybrids increased total
U.S. production by 87.5 million bushels, significantly reduced the
total amount of insecticide and herbicide that was used, and increased
total U.S. farm income by $258 million.“
Source: Linder Ag newsletter
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