Production Blog

Let's Tend Those Traits

Posters detailing traits not currently being accepted can be found at elevators this fall, particularly those along the river system where grain heads to export. (DTN photo by Pamela Smith)

DECATUR, Ill. (DTN) -- I popped in unannounced at a Bunge river terminal along the Mississippi River last week. A bright yellow poster detailing delivery restrictions on genetically engineered (GE) corn and soybean traits met me at the door.

A similar reception is likely to greet growers at many major grain companies and elevators this fall. Even grain handlers willing to take some of these GE traits are requiring specific delivery periods to allow the grain to be funneled to domestic consumers.

Why? China and/or the European Union have not put their stamp of approval on a few traits that we are growing commercially in the U.S.

If you've been following our previous stories, you already know this is a complex issue that is getting messier by the minute. Last month, Cargill and Trans Coastal Supply Company, a major exporter of livestock feed products, filed a lawsuit against Syngenta for losses they allege are associated with MIR 162 (Viptera). Friday, farmers from several states filed lawsuits against Syngenta alleging that export markets, and therefore farmer profits, had been damaged by the premature release of Viptera. See story here: http://goo.gl/…

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The Bunge notifications I saw specifically excluded Viptera, Duracade, Enogen traits and listed a DuPont Pioneer hybrid containing Viptera. Some new glyphosate tolerant hybrids from Bayer, Stine and Monsanto were also listed, although most of these traits are still in discovery pipelines and not yet in farmer fields on a commercial level.

Soybean traits on the list include Pioneer's Plenish, Monsanto's Vistive Gold and a hand full of other traits that are in various stages of product development. Plenish and Vistive Gold are grown under contract in strict identity preservation systems and because of that, are less likely to be found in the commodity stream.

Waiting in the wings is Dow AgroScience's Enlist Weed Control System. The 2,4-D based trait received the necessary USDA regulatory thumbs up last month after lengthy review. Dow awaits EPA registration for Enlist Duo, the complementary 2,4-D-based herbicide. "Dow AgroSciences will communicate commercial intentions for 2015 after EPA announces its decision on Enlist Duo herbicide," spokesperson Damon Palmer, U.S. Commercial Leader for the Enlist Weed Control System, told DTN via email. The Enlist trait has been approved for import in 10 countries, but China and the European Union are not among those approvals.

Syngenta decided to ignore the grain industry's pleas last winter to wait to commercialize their new rootworm trait named Duracade until China had granted approvals. Instead, they limited the Duracade launch zone and formed an alliance with Gavilon grain company to shepherd the rootworm trait to appropriate domestic channels in 2014 (that agreement has been extended for 2015). At least they picked a partner with a track record -- Gavilon was the company that stepped in to help Aventis clean up StarLink.

From what I can tell, Gavilon appears to be doing what they can to track and funnel grain containing the Duracade trait to domestic outlets. Every grower I've talked to that grew corn containing Duracade told me they were contacted multiple times about marketing intentions. Gavilon spokesman Greg Konsor told DTN that three strategically timed calls with producers were made to discuss marketing plans, approved destinations and address general questions. The informational calls were followed by three mailings, which included a destination form to track product.

"We created a destination database of approved end-use locations to help producers market their grain," said Konsor. "We made more than 15,000 calls in 632 counties and 18 states and established a toll free number for people to call with questions."

Most of us know the realities. Combine cleanout is time consuming and tedious. Pollen drifts. Grain is fluid and keeping every track of every kernel is well…next to impossible.

Still, growers that used these traits need to remember they signed an agreement stating they would properly separate the product and notify the buyer prior to delivery. Until this issue gets sorted out, it's important to know what traits you are growing and do everything you can to either feed and/or segregate that grain and appropriately deliver it.

The next step is to consider the realities as you select hybrids and varieties for 2015. There are good agronomic reasons to plant these GE traits. However, if you're not willing to properly tend these traits, don't plant them. It's that simple.

Pamela Smith can be reached at Pamela Smith@dtn.com

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