U.S. Farmer Biotech Crops Adoption continues to rise

[Wifezilla]

"American farmers continue to enthusiastically choose genetically engineered (GE) crops over their conventional counterparts, according to a new USDA report.

USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) report, Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S. was released July 1, 2010. Key findings include:

Adoption of GE soybeans is 93 percent in 2010. (up from 91 percent in 2009) Adoption of all GE cotton climbed to 93 percent in 2010. (up from 88 percent in 2009) Adoption of all biotech corn reached 86 percent in 2010. (up from 85 percent in 2009)"
http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/U-S-Farmer-Biotech-Crops-Adoption-continues-to-rise-579746

 

[Mackay]

Strange. I read that the organic industry is growing by leaps and bounds.

i wonder how much the bull they put out is propaganda, trying to convince the farmer that if everyone else is doing it they would be wise to follow?

 

[Wifezilla]

Very good question

 

[2dream]

And I also wonder how much of that "CHOICE" has to do with previously signed contracts.

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Anyone else notice that the crops studied were the cash crops and not food crops? I bet that the organic interests are increasing in zucchini, potatoes and kale.

 

[Mackay]

And strawberries
Even our Fred Meyer has organic strawberries!

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Yeah, I just meant those three to serve as an example of all the actual food crops, you know, greens, fruits, berries, squashes... I guess I fully expected you guys to read my mind

 

[abifae]

Strange. I read that the organic industry is growing by leaps and bounds.

i wonder how much the bull they put out is propaganda, trying to convince the farmer that if everyone else is doing it they would be wise to follow?

I wonder that on both sides, actually. Is the organic industry actually growing? Is GMO? When you can't trust anyone to tell the truth, it's very hard to find anything out. I have tons of reports and trust none of them.

It's why I have no opinion on so many matters that are big right now. No one actually knows anything.

It's why I want to go into analysis. Maybe if I'm working where the reports actually come IN, I can get a better idea of the world. And I wouldn't tell any of you. LOL! It'd be in my contract.

 

[me&thegals]

Strange. I read that the organic industry is growing by leaps and bounds.

i wonder how much the bull they put out is propaganda, trying to convince the farmer that if everyone else is doing it they would be wise to follow?

I wonder that on both sides, actually. Is the organic industry actually growing? Is GMO? When you can't trust anyone to tell the truth, it's very hard to find anything out. I have tons of reports and trust none of them.

I think both are true. Organic food IS growing and has been a growing sector for a while now. But when you start out as a small fraction of a percent of the total (just pulling this from thin air) and then grow 15% per year (again, an estimate), you still are not talking huge numbers yet.

I think you're giving farmers very little credit if you believe peer pressure is leading them to GMO. The promise of increased yield and decreased risk, along with fewer and fewer non-GMO options, is leading farmers to GMO. Farmers have incredibly small profit margins and do what they can to make it.

But, I see plenty of evidence around here that some farmers are fed up with Monsanto especially and smaller seed companies are refusing to sell out to them.

If you want to cut GMO's Achilles, buy organic. Right now, it is THE only way of guaranteeing you are not buying GMO. And fight for labeling, so that we can ALL see whether our food is GMO or not, whether organic or not.