Kevin, Genetically altered alfalfa fears

In Wisconsin, a genetically altered form of alfalfa, called Roundup Ready alfalfa, was planted in 13,000 acres. This alfalfa allows farmers to use Roundup Ready weed killer without hurting their crops. There was a ban put on the planting of this crop, however, because of the worry from organic farmers. The organic farmers worry that this genetically altered crop will cross pollinate with their unaltered crops, giving their crops the same characteristics as the Roundup Ready variety. Not only would it affect the alfalfa farmers, but alfalfa is a very common form of feed for cattle. The potential cross pollination and feeding of altered alfalfa to organically raised cattle would violate the trust between organic farmers and their customers. Developers of the Roundup Ready alfalfa state that with proper farming techniques the possibility of cross pollination between the altered and unaltered crops is slim to none. They also state that there are no concerns in terms of both human and animal health. A study done by the University of Minnesota found that cattle that had been fed with the Roundup Ready alfalfa produced 8% more milk than those fed on unaltered alfalfa.

Cross-pollination- the process of transferring the pollen from one plant to another, usually via insects or wind.

I think that the organic farmers are making a big fuss out of nothing. The only aspect that is altered in the new kind of alfalfa is its ability to survive herbicides. Nothing else about it is change, and if they still haven’t used herbicides in their own crops, I don’t see how the use, accidental or otherwise, of the Roundup Ready alfalfa would hurt the organic food industry.

Where the information might lead: further development of herbicide resistant crops.

Barrett, Rick. “A Change in the Air: Organic Farmers Fear Spread of Genetically Altered Alfalfa” Knight Rider Tribune Business News (Sep. 16, 2007) ProQuest (6, Feb 2008)