The percentage of corn acres planted using biotechnology varieties in Ohio increased from last year, according to Cheryl Turner, state statistician of the USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Biotechnology varieties accounted for 91 percent of the corn acres planted in Ohio, up from 89 percent in 2021. Soybean plantings included 94 percent biotechnology varieties, down from 96 percent last year.
Nationally, 93 percent of this year's corn acreage was planted with biotechnology seed varieties, the same as last year. Biotechnology seed includes traits for insect resistance (Bt), herbicide resistance, or stacked gene which contains traits for both herbicide and insect resistance.
Farmers were asked if they planted corn or soybeans that, through biotechnology, are resistant to herbicides, insects, or both. Conventionally bred herbicide resistant varieties are excluded. Insect resistant varieties include only those containing bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The Bt varieties include those that contain more than one gene that can resist different types of insects. Stacked gene varieties include only those containing biotech traits for both herbicide and insect resistance.
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Corn