A COLAC district farmer has stopped growing genetically modified canola because of problems marketing, harvesting and storing the crop.
Genetic canola runs into problems
A COLAC district farmer has stopped growing genetically modified canola because of problems marketing, harvesting and storing the crop.
One Response to “Genetic canola runs into problems”
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The economics of genetically manipulated (GM) canola do not add up. Other varieties are more productive and profitable. Grain traders have been paying up to $50/tonne discount for GM, in response to strong local and overseas demand for GM-free grain. For instance, Viterra’s quote for April 19 was $30/tonne less for GM canola at its Victorian silos. In response to farmer reluctance to buy GM seed, Monsanto guarantees NSW growers a maximum of $10/tonne less for GM than non-GM, provided they forward sell and deliver to Cargill in Newcastle. A Birchip Cropping Group report has also found that GM canola seed yields no more than top alternative varieties and has similar oil content. Birchip’s gross margin analysis {reported in the Australian Farm Journal April 2012, Pp 20 & 21} also found that due to the GM harvest discount, GM seed royalties, brand-name chemicals required to be used, and extra transport costs to distant silos, GM canola is over $150 per hectare less profitable than other canola options. Richard Barclay made the right decision, to say ‘no’ to GM and many other farmers agree. GM canola also poses a GM contamination threat that no-one can afford. Why grow what no-one wants to eat and is a profit gouger? Let’s ban it again.