U.S. Farmers Choose Biotechnology

Des Moines, Iowa - “As farmers around the world are given the opportunity to choose and use the best technology for their farms – regardless of the size of their operation – they are continuing to plant more acres to biotech crops.” That was the opening statement made by Dean Kleckner, Truth About Trade and Technology Chairman, as he read the latest USDA numbers reporting the total U.S. acres planted to biotech crops in 2006. This morning, the USDA released the latest numbers confirming that US planting of biotech crops continues to expand. Total acres of biotech corn, soybeans, cotton and canola planted in the US for 2006 increased by 11.1 million acres to 128.3 million acres - an increase of 9.5 percent from the 2005 total of 117.2 million acres. “This report confirms our earlier estimate that somewhere in the world in early June of this year the 1.3 billionth acre of biotech crops was planted since commercial introduction began in 1996”, continued Mr. Kleckner, an Iowa farmer. “While the U.S. continues to lead in total biotech crop acreage, it is estimated that biotech crops have been or will be planted in at least 22 countries during calendar year 2006.” In the United States, soybeans continue to have the highest adoption rate at 89 percent, up 2 percentage points from last year with a total acreage of 66.7 million acres of biotech soybeans. Corn ranks second in biotech crop acreage in the U.S. at 48.4 million, a 13.9 percent increase from last year, and the fourth highest adoption rate of 61 percent. Cotton has the third highest adoption rate in the U.S. at 83 percent, up 4 percentage points from 2005, and the third highest plantings at 12.4 million acres. Ross Korves, Truth About Trade and Technology Economic Policy Analyst, has been tracking global biotech plantings for several years. “Farmers in the U.S. and around the world continue to increase their biotech crop acreage because of lower total costs and improved yields” stated Mr. Korves. “Adoption rates continue to vary based on the types of pests, the suitability of varieties that meet local growing conditions and the need to maintain pest refuge areas to protect against resistance.” Total plantings of biotech crops in 2006 in the northern hemisphere are currently estimated at 145 million acres in 14 countries. Plantings in the southern hemisphere in 2005 were estimated at 72 million acres and could exceed 80 million acres in 2006. Planted in 8 countries, Brazil will likely have the largest growth in acres planted in 2006 as biotech soybean varieties become available for more regions of the country. Source:[ http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=5945]

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