High yielding, genetically modified crops have transformed the economics of U.S. farming. But they also pack an unexpected punch: Their tougher stalks are puncturing tires and stranding farm equipment in the field.
Iowa corn and soybean farmer Mark Dimit said tire damage from the prior season’s corn and soybean stalks, much tougher in GM crops, repeatedly brought spring planting to a standstill on his 4,000-acre farm near Grinnell two years ago.
“It’s not as easy as taking a tire off your car,” said Mr. Dimit, who blames stubble for at least a half dozen flats on a new planter. “You do that for about two hours every morning, and you start to get a little bit frustrated.”
View the original article here: GM crops lead to genetically modified tires