Biotech Issues for the Corn Grower
by Greg Roth
We're fortunate in Pennsylvania in many ways that we avoid some of the biotech issues that surface in the Corn Belt where corn is processed. Even so, there are still many interesting issues that unfold as the biotech revolution unfolds here, too.
Late last year the Prodigene incident unfolded as traces of volunteer pharmaceutical corn ended up in harvested soybeans and resulted in a heavy fine and the destruction of 500,000 bushels of soybeans. Since this episode, the concept of pharmaceutical corn production has come under intense scrutiny. Some feel that "pharma" corn should be restricted from being grown in the Midwest, others feel it should only be grown under tight security, while still others feel that Midwest corn growers should have the right to produce these added value crops. If you think pharma corns are still a "pie in the sky" thing, think again. Several different events are already being tested. The National Food Processor Association expressed their concern this fall over food crops being used for production of industrial and pharmaceutical compounds. This whole controversy has caused the government to begin to reevaluate guidelines on pharma corn production.
Closer to home, there are signals that the Roundup Ready corn market will likely begin to take off. This year both Mycogen and Pioneer added Roundup Ready hybrids to their lineup on a limited basis and more hybrids will be coming in the future. Some industry analysts are projecting 30% market share of Roundup Ready by 2005 or so. I hear mixed signals from producers and industry folks whether this will happen here, although we already have a good start, as I heard estimates that last year the market in Pennsylvania was 8 to 9% Roundup Ready already. Weed scientists are a bit concerned about the idea of Roundup Ready corn grown in rotation with Roundup Ready soybeans. We may see an evolution of herbicide programs that include Roundup and other products to avoid weed resistance buildup and also to preserve some markets for traditional corn herbicides.
Coming soon we'll also see the rootworm Bt hybrids possibly as early as this spring but maybe not until 2004. Cost, performance and resistance management will be issues with these hybrids. Efficacy testing data seems to suggest they work very well on controlling rootworms, but I haven't seen any yield performance data at this point. Other seed treatment insecticides may be an add on to help control secondary insects, but this will add to the cost. Initially, some on farm testing will be necessary to see how these particular hybrids will fit. The seed industry is improving their ability to develop transgenic isolines that perform as well or better than their existing hybrids so hopefully there won't be many surprises in performance.
Resistance management will likely be a serious consideration with the rootworm Bt hybrids. Now, annual surveys of corn grower adherence to Insect Resistance Management (IRM) are conducted with the corn borer Bt hybrids. This year, as part of the IRM program a survey 551 corn producers in four regions of the US was used to estimate the adherence to IRM guidelines. The survey found the 86% of Bt corn producers in 2002 planted the required acreage of non-Bt corn. As part of the reregistration of Bt corn in 2001, An IRM Compliance Assurance program was developed that included this survey and mandated more record keeping and grower awareness education by seed companies.
As these new products come on board in the next few years, all of us will be challenged to position these products and the stacked products where they will have the most value. Seed companies will need to address the seemingly endless combinations of biotech traits and the cost of inventory. Producers will have to push the pencil to make sure they capture some of the value of these more pricey products.