The American Soybean Association has published a guide for farmers thinking about planting genetically engineered soybean varieties this year. There are both costs and benefits that farmers need to consider, says ASA.

"One of the most frequent questions farmers ask is what seed varieties they should plant in view of the current controversy surrounding biotechnology," says ASA President Marc Curtis, Leland, MS. "Understanding the current factors influencing demand for both biotech and non-biotech soybean varieties will help all of us make sound decisions."

ASA is distributing the guide, "Planting Decision 2000," to more than 250,000 soybean farmers this month. The information also is available on ASA's web site at www.amsoy.org/biotech

Curtis points out that the demand for non-biotech soybeans represents "a small fraction of the total demand for U.S. soy products." There are some customers buying identity preserved, non-biotech supplies, and "the opportunities for premiums for non-biotech IP production do exist," says Curtis.

ASA is advising producers "to weigh these facts, to talk with their local buyers and to compare the total cost and benefits of their seed and herbicide selections on a field by field basis for both biotech and non-biotech varieties," Curtis says.