BIOTECHNOLOGY

Improving farming for the environment, end users and farmers

Biotech in agriculture includes tools that modify crops to improve the plant for specific agricultural uses or make the end product better for consumers. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer to plants that are genetically enhanced with traits from other organisms to produce a superior crop.

The safety behind biotechnology

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 94% of U.S. soybean acreage is planted with seed enhanced by biotechnology. Before any biotech crop is widely planted, the new variety is closely evaluated by several regulatory bodies including the USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make sure the crop is safe for consumers and the environment and will not impact natural systems.

close up of soybeans growing on a plant

Safe for other plants

The USDA and EPA study new plants that grow from biotech seeds to make sure new traits will not be transferred to other plants growing near crops – including weeds and wildflowers.

Safe for insects and animals

Biotechnology is used to make crops resistant to pests, herbicides, diseases and even drought. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the EPA review new biotechnology crop varieties to make sure they are safe for other organisms, especially the beneficial ones like honeybees and earthworms.

Safe for consumption

New traits are examined by the EPA and FDA to make sure there isn’t a potential for toxicity or an allergic response by animals or humans.

Tools to improve crops for everyone

Biotechnology tools include genetic engineering and traditional breeding methods. Crops may be improved to be resistant to pests or certain herbicides that are used to kill weeds. Other improvements directly benefit consumers, like enhanced nutritional profiles, reduction of allergens, longer shelf life and other attributes.

soybean field in foreground, sprayer in background

Gene editing

Through genetic engineering tools scientists can improve crops to better meet the needs of farmers and consumers. Gene editing involves changing specific parts of genetic code. One of the newest tools in the scientific community’s toolbox to help further crop enhancements is CRISPR, which is making gene editing faster than before. CRISPR stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. By using CRISPR, scientists can more quickly find the section of the plant genome they want to change and add new DNA or remove current DNA to make the changes.
man standing in a soybean field looking as an ipad

Traditional breeding

By crossbreeding plants with desired traits, scientists have produced many new crop varieties. These traditional breeding methods, while still effective, can be a slow process as it takes many generations of plants to get the trait to clearly demonstrate itself. SOYLEIC® – a non-GMO, high-oleic soybean oil developed in Missouri – is one example of a new soybean variety developed using traditional breeding.

More sustainability, more opportunity with biotechnology

Crops enhanced with biotechnology help farmers to be more sustainable.

Increased conservation tillage

When planting soybean varieties that offer more weed and pest control because of biotechnology, farmers can increase conservation tillage. No-till, reduced-till and vertical tillage systems mean producers drive heavy equipment through their fields less often. This leads to a decrease in fuel use, fewer emissions, less soil compaction and reduced soil erosion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION TILLAGE

Improved crop protection

Biotechnology is used to make crops resistant to pests that destroy crops and tolerant of herbicides that are used to kill weeds. Biotechnology can also protect crops from diseases that are hard to control with other methods or withstand weather extremes like drought.

Better crop quality

Biotech crops can be more productive and higher quality. In addition, they can also be more nutritious for consumers. Through improving the end product, biotechnology supports a safe, abundant food supply.

Explore other modern agriculture practices

Precision Agriculture

This management system is focused on using new technology and information to precisely align inputs with crop needs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRECISION AG

Growing Season

Throughout the soybean growing season there are many practices farmers use to get the most out of each crop.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GROWING SEASON

Crop Nutrition and Soil Health

Making sure growing crops are getting the nutrients they need is an important part of farming. It all starts with healthy soil.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CROP NUTRITION

Soybean Varieties

There are many considerations that go into selecting the right soybean variety — length of growing season, end users and potential pest and weed pressures, just to name a few.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOYBEAN VARIETIES

The Cost of Farming

Running a farming operation is an expensive venture – and farmers pay for it with more than just money.

FIND OUT WHAT IT COSTS TO FARM

Sustainability

Sustainability is a pillar of soybean farming. Because of sustainable farming practices, soybean farmers have been able to farm productively for generations. Building on this productivity with best practices and new technologies helps farmers leave a lasting legacy, while cultivating a safe, abundant crop.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY