Ohio Biotech Crop Variety Use Increases Considerably
July 1, 2013 The use of biotechnology varieties for corn increased considerably in Ohio from last year, according to Cheryl Turner, state statistician of the USDA, NASS, Ohio Field Office. Biotechnology varieties accounted for 85% of the corn acres planted in Ohio, up from 76% last year. Soybean plantings included 89% biotechnology varieties, up slightly from last year.
Nationally, biotechnology varieties of corn totaled 90% of the acres planted, up 2% from 2012. Soybeans acreage planted to biotech varieties was unchanged at 93%.
Farmers were asked if they planted corn or soybeans that, through biotechnology, are resistant to herbicides, insects or both. Conventionally bred herbicide-resistant varieties are excluded. Insect-resistant varieties include only those containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The Bt varieties include those that contain more than one gene that can resist different types of insects. Stacked gene varieties include only those containing biotech traits for both herbicide and insect resistance.
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