The Farm Journal On-Line | October 8, 1999 | Bob Coffman
Even with the caveat "These data are not official estimates of the Agricultural Statistics Board" USDA nevertheless was cited as identifying the trend and acceptance of genetically-modified crops the past two years, in its October Crop report.
The data matches earlier assumptions about the pervasive use of (GMO)crops. USDA reports, based on their survey techniques, 30% of the corn fields carried Bt (bacillus thuriengus) traits to provide protection against insect damage. Likewise, about 27% of the cotton was Bt cotton.
Growers were also asked about the use of "herbicide resistant" genetically-modified soybeans (largely Roundup Ready). Some 57% of U.S. soybean acreage may have contained these traits, based on USDA findings.
USDA relied on survey responses from growers in the seven corn states which account for 69% of the U.S. harvested acreage. They sampled the eight soybean states which represent 71% of harvested acreage the past two years. The cotton sampling came trom five states, accounting for 60% of the U.S. harvested cotton acreage the past two seasons.
