Do Monsanto and other seed companies continue to develop and offer non-GMO crop varieties for sale?

Expert response from Community Manager

Thursday, 09/10/2014 18:03

At Monsanto we develop and sell both conventional and biotech seeds for our row crops, such as corn, soybeans, cotton and canola. In fact, when it comes to our vegetable seeds, Monsanto offers conventional seeds, or those without biotech, in crop varieties in all 22 vegetable crops we sell. The only two vegetable crops that we sell in both a GMO and a non-GMO variety are sweet corn and squash. Within vegetables, the vast majority of our R&D focus is not on GMOs but rather on advanced breeding efforts—more than 98% in fact—and that’s where our research focus will remain. Many other seed companies continue to develop and offer non-GMO crop varieties for sale in a wide range of crops.

Expert response from Andy Hedgecock

Former Director, Scientific Affairs, DuPont Pioneer

Wednesday, 01/10/2014 17:49

Yes. Non-GM seeds are an important part of our business at DuPont Pioneer.

For farmers, the decision about which seed to plant may be the most important one they make all year. They consider which brand and variety will work best for their soil type, growing conditions and crop rotation. We work closely with our farmer customers to make sure they understand all of their options and help them choose the best seed for their unique needs. Sometimes that means choosing a crop with a biotech trait to defend against insects or provide additional weed-control options. Other times, farmers may choose a non-GM seed product to meet a specific market need, for example. 

We work hard to provide the best-quality seed products with the features and traits our customers demand. That means we need to have a strong lineup of non-GMO products for the farmers who are interested in them. And remember that there are some crops, including wheat, of which no GM varieties are available today.

You may be interested in the perspective of an Indiana farmer, which can be found here. 

Expert response from Community Manager

Thursday, 09/10/2014 18:03

At Monsanto we develop and sell both conventional and biotech seeds for our row crops, such as corn, soybeans, cotton and canola. In fact, when it comes to our vegetable seeds, Monsanto offers conventional seeds, or those without biotech, in crop varieties in all 22 vegetable crops we sell. The only two vegetable crops that we sell in both a GMO and a non-GMO variety are sweet corn and squash. Within vegetables, the vast majority of our R&D focus is not on GMOs but rather on advanced breeding efforts—more than 98% in fact—and that’s where our research focus will remain. Many other seed companies continue to develop and offer non-GMO crop varieties for sale in a wide range of crops.

Expert response from Andy Hedgecock

Former Director, Scientific Affairs, DuPont Pioneer

Wednesday, 01/10/2014 17:49

Yes. Non-GM seeds are an important part of our business at DuPont Pioneer.

For farmers, the decision about which seed to plant may be the most important one they make all year. They consider which brand and variety will work best for their soil type, growing conditions and crop rotation. We work closely with our farmer customers to make sure they understand all of their options and help them choose the best seed for their unique needs. Sometimes that means choosing a crop with a biotech trait to defend against insects or provide additional weed-control options. Other times, farmers may choose a non-GM seed product to meet a specific market need, for example. 

We work hard to provide the best-quality seed products with the features and traits our customers demand. That means we need to have a strong lineup of non-GMO products for the farmers who are interested in them. And remember that there are some crops, including wheat, of which no GM varieties are available today.

You may be interested in the perspective of an Indiana farmer, which can be found here.