Corn Growers Tout Biotech Management

February 1, 2001

The nation's corn growers claim they are maintaining "responsible stewardship" of biotech crops. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says a recent survey shows corn growers overwhelmingly support insect resistance management (IRM) plans designed to ensure continued effectiveness of Bt corn. IRM plans are designed to keep the insects from developing resistance by providing a "refuge" of conventional corn where susceptible insects can breed.

Farmers who plant Bt corn are required to plant refuges of at least 20% of their acreage with conventional corn in the Corn Belt and 50% in the Cotton Belt. In the survey, more than 90% of the growers said IRM plans are important and believed they planted an appropriate refuge.

"The survey confirms that farmers are good stewards of technology and, when given appropriate information, they will do the right thing," said Fred Yoder, Plain City, OH, farmer and chairman of the NCGA Biotech Working Group. "Now as most farmers put the finishing touches on their 2001 planting decisions, this would be an ideal time to remember the IRM requirements."

NCGA says the survey showed 87% of growers planted a refuge of 20% or more. Another 5% of growers planted a smaller refuge, in compliance with previous standards. For crop year 2000 growers also were required to plant their refuge within one-half mile of the Bt field or within one-quarter mile if they maintain the option to treat the refuge. The survey showed 82% of the growers met this distance requirement. Collectively, 71% met both the size and distance requirements.

More than 500 Corn Belt and Cotton Belt growers are covered in the survey. All of them planted Bt corn in 2000. An independent marketing research firm conducted the study for the Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee (ABSTC), in cooperation with the NCGA.

ABSTC is a group of companies involved in the research, development and stewardship of agriculture biotechnology products. Participating companies include Aventis CropScience USA LP, Dow AgroSciences LLC, DuPont, Monsanto Co., Mycogen Seeds, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. and Syngenta Seeds Inc.

Annual survey reports are required under the Bt Corn Industry IRM Plan, developed by ABSTC in cooperation with NCGA and adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in January 2000.The first of these reports was submitted to EPA on Wednesday after a review by the North Central Regional Research Committee 205, a committee of scientists formed by USDA.

NCGA and ABSTC member companies are helping corn growers understand resistance management requirements for the 2001 season through videotapes and brochures for seed dealers to provide better information on "refuges" of conventional corn that must be planted near fields of Bt corn; increased communications through agricultural media; additional information on the NCGA's website; increased communication through the Extension Service.