By Robert Pore

This year, much of the nation's Corn Belt suffered from above-normal wet
weather that either caused planting delays or flooded fields, forcing
farmers to replant.
The same was true in Nebraska. More than 20 inches of rain fell in the Grand
Island area during April, May and June -- more than 8 inches above normal
for the three-month period.

But despite the rain, Nebraska's corn crop is forecast at 1.39 billion
bushels. Yield is forecast at 161 bushels per acre, four bushels above last
month's forecast and the second highest of record, 5 bushels below the
previous high set in 2004.

The reason for the high productivity is biotechnology crops, according to a
new study from grain crop specialists and entomologists at the University of
Kentucky.

In a seven-year study, the researchers found that Bt corn is most beneficial
to growers who are forced to plant behind schedule, because late-planted
crops are the most susceptible to pests.

According to UK researchers, Bt corn is a genetically modified organism.
That means a small amount of genetic material from a different, naturally
occurring organism was added to its genetic makeup.

The modified gene can control a pest or a group of pests, thus preventing
potentially significant yield losses, the researchers said. One of the most
common pests Bt corn protects against is the European corn borer.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, biotechnology varieties
accounted for 86 percent of Nebraska's planted acreage, up from 79 percent
last year in Nebraska.

Ric Bessin, entomologist in the University of Kentucky College of
Agriculture, said Bt corn has been safely distributed, grown and consumed
since its introduction into the agricultural sector.

"And since it controls pest populations, it's even helping farmers that do
not grow Bt corn," Bessin said.

He said producers may find Bt corn extremely useful in today's grain market.

With higher-priced corn, Bessin said, any damage to the crop is more costly
than in past years.

"Bt corn can help producers keep crop loss at a minimum and retain higher
profit margins," he said.

Bessin said it also saves producers the time and money associated with
scouting for pests and spraying pesticides on infected crops.

"We found that Bt corn can prevent as much as a 22-bushel per-acre yield
loss," Bessin said.

Bt corn became available to growers in 1996, and in 2008 makes up more than
half of all corn acreage in the United States. Most of the crop is used for
livestock feed or ethanol.

As technology has advanced, Bessin said, varieties that protect against
different pests were developed, such as varieties that are now available to
control a single pest or group of pests. At UK, researchers are studying
corn that has as many as five modified genes.

"There is always the potential for pests to become resistant or tolerant to
the genes," Bessin said. "We want to be proactive and continue to work to
anticipate pest resistances and make improvements to the genes so plants can
keep pests at bay before they develop a resistance to previous varieties."

During a recent crop tour in Iowa, sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers
Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB), Prairie City grower
Gordon Wassenaar told those on the tour, including representatives from 10
foreign countries, that his biotech corn was responsible for him having a
crop this year.

Iowa was particularly hard hit by the heavy rain this spring, causing
widespread flooding that had many fearing the worst about the state's newly
planted corn crop. Iowa is the nation's leading corn state.

"We wouldn't have the crop we have now if it wasn't for biotechnology,"
Wassenaar said. "Despite devastating flood conditions early in the planting
season, we are still witnessing strong yields, and we will have a reliable
supply for our domestic needs and for our overseas customers."

According to Julius Schaaf, an ICPB past chairman and a U.S. Grain Council
at-large director, Iowa went from "one of the driest seasons last year to
one of the wettest this year."

"Yet, we managed to have the largest harvest in history (last year), and
this year will likely be the second-largest," Schaaf said. "Given the same
conditions 10, 15 or 20 years ago, we would have half the crop we will bring
in this year. We have the seed varieties to stand up to stress, insects and
variations in temperature."
www.checkbiotech.org