GMO canola, cotton increased profit, reduced pesticide use by Australian farmers

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Australian farmers produced an additional 226,000 tonnes of canola through the use of bioengineered/genetically modified crops from 2008-15, according to a report released June 2 by CropLife Australia. Combined, Australian cotton and canola farmers have gained A$1.37 billion ($1.01 billion) worth of extra income since bioengineered crops first were approved for cotton in 1996.

The technology allowed Australian farmers to reduce their use of insecticides and herbicides by 22 million kilograms (48.4 million lbs) of active ingredient from 1996-2015. The reduced use of pesticides led to a savings of nearly 27 million liters of fuel and 71.5 million kilograms (157.3 million lbs) less carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, according to the report “Adoption and Impact of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops in Australia: 20 Years’ Experience.” Graham Brookes, director of PG Economics, Dorchester, United Kingdom, developed the report.

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Read full, original post: GMOs yield more cash, canola in Australia