The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Work with Me
    • Speaking
    • Giveaways
    • Social Media Consulting
    • Sponsored and Guest Posts
  • Gift Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • About Me
    • Media
    • Terms of Use

Study: GM Crops Good for the Environment

August 15, 2013

The feedback I always get from the anti-GMOers is that there are no studies showing GM products are safe or sustainable. Of course nothing could be farther from the truth. GMOs are studies for years and millions of dollars are used to accomplish it. Even once the company perfects it, the FDA requires another 7 years of their own testing to make sure.

But, here’s another study conducted by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing that shows the use of Bt crops is actually good for the environment overall. (Refresher: What is Bt corn?)
Without getting all scientific about it, I’ll break it down like this: when we spray pesticides, it isn’t just the bugs eating our crops (“the pests”) that die, but also the other bugs. Left to their own devices, some of those other bugs could be a predator pests. But we have to spray because, without it, we’d have no crop. After the introduction of Bt corn, which certain insects are unable to digest, only the pests die. This leaves those predators to go work in the non-GMO fields and attack the bugs there, thus reducing the overall need for pesticides.
In fact, since the introduction of Bt corn, pesticide use has dropped 50%. 
Now, it doesn’t help with all pests and some of them don’t really have a natural predator that is going to really make a difference. This fact accounts for why the use hasn’t dropped even further. 
The conclusion: 

Broadly speaking, the deployment of Bt crops may favour biocontrol services and enhance economic benefits not only in Bt crop fields but also in the whole agricultural landscape.

So the use of Bt, which is completely safe for human beings, has a side effect of lowering overall pesticide use — which should make the organic folks happy. Don’t get me wrong, the proper use of pesticide application is safe and environmentally compatible, but it’s also costly. Lowering our use of it is a positive if done in a smart way (as compared to just going organic).

Oh, and something foreign to the anti-GMOers, this study actually used scientific principals:

The new research, published in the journal Nature, monitored both insect pests and predators between 1990 and 2011, during which time Bt cotton swept aside traditional GM cotton. It examined 36 sites across six big cotton-growing provinces in northern China, where about 2.6m hectares of cotton and 33m hectares of other crops – notably maize, peanut and soybean – are grown each year, by more than 10 million small-scale farmers.

If you’d like a link to the full study, click here.

signature
Share this:
«
»

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: education, environment, FDA, federal government, GMO, science

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via Email

Archives

Latest on Twitter


Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/w7tip1fvtc2x/domains/thefarmersdaughterusa.com/html/wp-content/plugins/wd-twitter-feed/includes/Resource/TwitterResource.php on line 154

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/w7tip1fvtc2x/domains/thefarmersdaughterusa.com/html/wp-content/plugins/wd-twitter-feed/includes/Resource/TwitterResource.php on line 163

Error: You currently have access to a subset of Twitter API v2 endpoints and limited v1.1 endpoints (e.g. media post, oauth) only. If you need access to this endpoint, you may need a different access level. You can learn more here: https://developer.twitter.com/en/portal/product (error code: 453).
For more information, visit Error Codes & Responses.

Latest on Facebook

The Farmer's Daughter

2 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

In my latest for AGDAILY I take a look at that status of plant-based "milks" and the FDA's moves on labeling.

... See MoreSee Less

'Almond Beverage': Yes, a label is finally doing it right! | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

The FDA's draft guidance on the milk label is a decent compromise on which the nutritional differences with actual milk must be clearly stated.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

This man is a menace to society. It scares me to see certain groups giving him a favorable look."Conspiracy stories are simple, whereas reality is complicated."

... See MoreSee Less

Why RFK Jr.’s Science Disinfo Keeps Outrunning the Truth

plus.thebulwark.com

A conspiracy theory can be halfway around the world before a peer-reviewed replication can alphabetize its sources.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

It’s harvest season in Michigan. Remember that even if you have to slow down to 20 mph and follow a tractor for one mile, it takes only three minutes of your time – about the same amount as waiting for one stoplight.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

I'm just starting to look into the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act as a response to California's latest antics. This article is a good start.

... See MoreSee Less

Don’t let California override the EPA and hijack national farm policy

thehill.com

Some states — California, in particular — are trying to circumvent EPA’s career scientists with pesticide labeling regulations that conflict with the EPA’s scientific conclusions.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over t I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over the top and wonderful. And she had so much fun surrounded by people that love her. 💕

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate my little love. 💜
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

Go to mobile version