Milling & Baking News - July 14, 2009 - 24

Industry Activities 

Guarded optimism indicated for
bioengineered wheat outlook

scientists have improved base genetics
of corn and soybeans.
"This has been a real surprise of biotechnology," she said.
Ms. Cline said Monsanto has
not been conducting research on
wheat since 2004, but scientists believe drought tolerance or improved
nitrogen utilization are possible
for wheat.
"The key to success with new products is dialogue," she said.

WASHINGTON - The future of ag- including wheat, she said.
Offering aggregate global statistics,
ricultural biotechnology is bright and,
more than ever before, could involve Ms. Cline said 13 million growers
wheat, according to participants in a worldwide plant bioengineered crops,
panel discussing bioengineered wheat. 90% of whom are in developing counThe discussion was a highlight of tries. She said the technology is useful
the annual meeting of the Indepen- for growers "whether it is a Chinese
dent Bakers Association June 17-19 farmer with a single mule or a U.S.
at the Washington Court hotel in cotton farmer with 13,000 acres."
Monsanto estimates that agricul- Pressure to raise wheat production
Washington. Panelists were Molly
Taking a forward look at issues conCline, executive director for industry tural biotechnology adds tens of
fronting wheat cultivation,
affairs, Monsanto Co., St.
Mr. Coppock identified a
Louis; and Daren Coppock,
number of challenges to
chief executive officer of
be addressed, including
the National Association of
the need to double world
Wheat Growers.
food production by 2050,
While Monsanto shelved
yield growth in corn that
its work on bioengineered
currently is quadruple the
wheat in 2004, the company
growth rate in wheat and
has remained in close conthe need to increase food
tact with the wheat indusproduction sustainably.
try, Ms. Cline said.
The challenges facing
She said the work toward
the wheat industry are
introducing bioengineered
daunting, Mr. Coppock
wheat stopped because "we
said. He cited analysis by
decided Roundup Ready
Bill Wilson, a professor at
spring wheat was not of inNorth Dakota State Uniterest to growers."
versity, who said any reaMs. Cline devoted much
sonable scenario over the
of her presentation to a look
back demonstrating the Molly Cline, left, executive director for industry affairs, Monsanto next five years should rerapid adoption of bioengi- Co., St. Louis; and Daren Coppock, chief executive officer of the sult in wheat planted area
falling below 49 million
neered grain and counter- National Association of Wheat Growers.
acres in 2016.
ing criticisms of agricultural
He said that drought rebiotechnology.
millions of dollars to grower income sistance technology will add 60c a bu
and additional crop production while in opportunity cost for growers thinkDramatic expansion since '96
She reminded the group that bioen- cutting 630 million lbs of pesticide ap- ing about planting wheat instead.
In a strategic planning session,
gineered corn has not been on the mar- plications.
Looking at consumer attitudes, Ms. NAWG established a goal of increasket very long, first introduced in 1996.
From the 4 million acres planted that Cline said varied studies have yielded ing wheat yields 20% by 2018.
"We began with a goal of 50%
year, area devoted to bioengineered a range of results, depending on what
but decided that is not achievable,"
crops grew to 308 million acres in 2008. is asked, but generally are positive.
When asked an unaided question Mr. Coppock said.
"Critics say this technology has
In addition to biotechnology, UG-99,
been forced on growers," she said. "It about their greatest concerns about
isn't true. Farmers ask for this technol- food, safety, contamination, han- wheat rust that is wreaking havoc with
ogy. Today, 25 countries have commer- dling, preparation and sources rank yields in many areas of the world, has
far higher for consumers than agri- emerged as a major concern, Mr. Copcialized a biotech product."
pock said. He noted that 70% to 75% of
The most recent crop move to cultural biotechnology.
"The one result that is consistent wheat varieties currently planted in the
adopt bioengineered varieties is
sugar beets, which enjoyed a 50% about consumer attitudes is that the United States are vulnerable to the rust.
Research into alternatives is conmarket penetration in the first year more they know the more comfortable
tinuing apace, and biotechnology may
and could grow to 90% in 2009, the they become," she said.
Moving toward issues of biotech- help provide an answer, Mr. Coppock
second year, Ms. Cline said.
While at least 10 years will elapse nology and wheat, Ms. Cline noted said. He noted that rice is not suscepbefore bioengineered wheat will be the decline in U.S. wheat plantings to tible to rust, and that the possibility of
introduced, Ms. Cline expressed cause 51 million acres from 78 million acres incorporating resistant traits from rice
for optimism. She noted that China during the 25 years ended in 2007. The into wheat is being explored.
Mr. Coppock reviewed what he dehas moved forward to position itself decline was not entirely due to the
for the introduction of bioengineered emergence of biotechnology in other scribed as good progress at the Wheat
rice. Such an adoption "could help crops. Concomitant with the emer- Summit with a number of key activipave the way for other food crops," gence of agricultural biotechnology, ties that may help move toward the
24 / July 14, 2009 Milling & Baking News

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Milling & Baking News - July 14, 2009

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