Keep in mind that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) include plants that have been created through gene splicing—the introduction of DNA from a different species to make a new one. Roundup Ready (glyphosate tolerant) beets have been modified to survive chemical applications that kill weeds.
According to Relka, there really is no such thing as genetically modified organism (GMO) sugar. (This is due to chemical action when sugar beets are processed in the factory.)
When a sugar beet is delivered to the sugar factory only about 15-20 percent of the beet is actual sugar. Therefore, the factory has to process the beets and extract the sugar from the rest of the beet. In the process, the sugar goes through many purification processes that extract out only 100 percent pure sugar.
“Sugar is a carbohydrate, and all DNA and protein associated with the GM trait is removed during extraction,” Relka explained. “So by extracting only a carbohydrate you are left with a product that contains no protein, no DNA, and therefore no GMO. No lab is able to determine the difference between sugar that came from a GMO plant and sugar that came from a non-GMO plant.
“So our sugar is the same today as it was before we started using biotech sugar beets.”
So why do farmers choose to use GMO technology?
Relka said GMO’s are just one tool that has helped the U.S. farmer become a better steward of the land, as well as being able to feed a growing population.
“For instance, having glyphosate, or Roundup Ready, tolerant sugar beets has allowed farmers in our area to produce better yielding crops,” Relka said. “Weed pressure has a huge impact on yield and by being able to control the weeds with glyphosate, growers are able to see improved yields. Farmers also have a smaller carbon footprint because they are making fewer trips across the field with equipment. No-till practices with beets would have been unheard of prior to GMO sugar beets. Now growers are able to limit the number of times they have to drive across the field because they do not have to use tillage as a way to control weeds. By not disturbing the soil, the farmer is also able to conserve water and create a healthier plant and soil microbial population. The increased control of weeds with glyphosate has allowed growers to control weed populations with fewer chemicals, as well as smaller amounts of chemical. By using GMO technology, beet growers apply what equates to only about two cans of soda on an area the size of a football field. This is a much lesser amount, as well as fewer applications, than prior to GM technology.
“Overall, GMO sugar beets have been a huge tool and asset to local farmers,” she concluded.
Relka is joined by Rebecca Larson, an agronomist with a doctorate in plant pathology at Western’s Denver office, in clarifying public perceptions about whether sugar is genetically modified.
According to Larson “If you have 3 billion people coming to dinner, you have to be able to feed them.” This is in reference to the projected world population growth.
She believes U.S. farmers are well equipped to provide their share of the meal, but it can’t be done without some changes in farming practices.
“It’s really disheartening that farmers are painted with such a bad brush by the public media,” Larson said. “They are the best environmentalists of all.
“The bottom line is that glyphosate is one of the most effective herbicides, and one of the safest that have been developed over the past 40 years.”
Larson noted that with less competition from weeds, beets will concentrate more on producing sugar rather than trying to get a sustainable amount of water and sunshine. Reduced fuel consumption translates into cleaner air, and more money in the farmer’s pockets. Cleaner fields make it possible for farmers to use reduced tillage practices, saving water and fuel.
Larson also discussed some of the health concerns of modified sugar beets.
“The World Health Organization has declared glyphosate is safe, yet you hear more about the charges from one of the four groups that studied glyphosate, than from the three that support it,” she said, adding that glyphosate is no more likely to cause cancer than alovera or cellphones, according to that organization.
“Most people have no idea of the dedication it takes to farm,” Larson said. “And they have no idea of the huge risks involved in farming. Farmers borrow more money in one year than many businesses borrow in a lifetime. It’s a huge risk, so you know they don’t do it for the glory.”
According to Larson, part of their financial risk is the result of taking money from their own pockets to promote better farming practices. She said they strive to make sure reduced incidents of weeds and pests will establish an ever-improving foundation for their children to work from.
Larson said the local beet growers association spent $300,000 last year on public research to create long-term sustainable practices that will last and be effective for generations to come. One of those efforts is a project with University of Wyoming researcher Andrew Kniss, a Panhandle native, who is working on a project to improve weed control through crop rotations.
Efforts on the part of the producers, researchers and sugar processing companies have produced one of the best yield and quality crops in the history of the local facility.
Genetically modified seed has increased yield by 20-30 percent, Larson said, adding, “It’s a no brainer. Our farmers don’t get enough credit.”
Source: www.starherald.com