Hard Work, Dedication Pay Off as Next Generation of Corn Products Enters the Market

"We applaud the release of products that provide growers with options that allow them to diversify or improve their operations. At the same time, this success renews our dedication to grower access to technology. I strongly urge farmers to consider the power that grassroots activism has as demonstrated by these events," said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chad Blindauer.

With the increasing farmer and consumer acceptance after more than 15 years of biotechnology advocacy and support for science-based regulation, new biotech products are currently being put in the market. These include more stacked traits in GM corn that reduce inputs needed to protect crop and maintain yields. This year, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) deregulated corn that contains alpha-amylase gene which breaks down starch to sugar, facilitating ethanol production. Very soon, biotech corn varieties that are abiotic stress tolerant (drought) would be released as APHIS is now in the final stage of evaluation. In the pipeline are other biotech corn for cooler climate and a few more biotech crops which will address other climate-based stresses.

"The introduction of additional options continues to allow growers to produce the corn needed for food, feed, fuel, and fiber in a rapidly growing world," Blindauer added.

Details of this article can be viewed at http://ncga.com/hard-work-dedication-pay-next-generation-corn-products-enters-market-5-18-11