10 years of GMO canola in Australia: How have farmers fared?

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Australian canola farmer Andrew Weidemann

When genetically modified crops were first mooted for Victorian farmers, agronomic advantages were the last thing that received publicity.

Ten years down the track, even leading proponent Andrew Weidemann is surprised at the huge advantages that have been gained in farming profitability and sustainability from the introduction of GM.

[W]ith the advent of higher yielding GM canola crops, and increasing awareness and issues around weed resistance, the uptake of GM canola in the past five years has surged in Victoria.

“GM canola gives farmers flexibility and options,” Mr Weidemann said.

“It allows you to manage and control weeds in that crop, but it has a continued (cleaning) effect in crops in future years too.

“That value needs to be taken into account when working out the economics of including a GM canola in your rotation.

“It’s not only what that GM crop earns, but what benefits that inclusion adds to their farming business in subsequent years.”

“I hope we use the positive GM canola experience, to allow other new GM crops to come to market, so all farmers have the opportunity to grow them in the next 10 years”.

Read full, original post: Reaping the benefits of weed control in new canola era

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