Is glyphosate (a broad spectrum herbicide manufactured by Monsanto) removed from GMO-glyphosate tolerant crops of horse hay (alfalfa, timothy, bermuda, etc.), and straw before it is baled and bulk shipped to California race tracks and feed stores?

Expert response from holmquist1x

Friday, 05/18/2018 17:25

When glyphosate is applied to plants (e.g., crops or weeds) a certain percentage is absorbed and transported throughout the plant. The amount absorbed is variable depending on the application rate and the type of plant. Very little of the absorbed glyphosate is degraded by the plant and cannot be removed. Its persistence in plants is also variable. Federal regulatory agencies have established allowable limits for glyphosate residues in many different crops to protect human and animal health.  The tolerance for glyphosate in grass, forage, fodder and hay, and non-grass animal feed is either 300 ppm (e.g., timothy or Bermuda) or 400 ppm (e.g., alfalfa). Concentrations below these tolerances would be considered safe to feed to livestock such as cattle and horses; concentrations above these tolerances would be considered adulterated and should not be fed to livestock. It is important to point out that allowable concentrations have wide margins of safety built in to their determination.