Skepticism, Science & Pseudoscience

Since 2009, glyphosate tolerant sugar beets have made up more than 95 percent of the commercial sugar beet production in the U.S. Over that time, inputs and productivity data gathered from farmer-owned cooperatives show 25 environmental benefits to using GE sugar beets, ranging from 20 percent higher yields and reduced chemical input, to implementation of conservation tillage and reduced fossil fuel consumption. The findings highlight the importance of genetic engineering in the long term sustainability of the farmer-owned industry.

https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/12/14/myth-busting-no-thing-gmo-sugar/

...The growers’ cost of herbicides has dropped from $66 per acre to $11 per acre since they switched from non-GMO sugar beets in 2008. The cost of hand labor has dropped from $60 an acre to zero, since it is no longer needed.

And, yes, the price of seed has increased, from $44 to $143. But at the same time, yields have also increased.

Overall, the net margin increase has been $122 per acre, said Grant, who farms near Rupert, Idaho.

In total, the switch to GMO sugar beets has meant a $22 million benefit to the cooperative and its members, he said.

A meta-study — which reviewed 147 other studies — found that by growing GMO crops farmers have reduced pesticide use by 37 percent. At the same time, farmers’ profits have increased by 68 percent....