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Yield, not just traits, important in planting decisions

(Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 -- CropChoice news) -- Planting costly genetically modified corn doesn't necessarily mean yields will equal those of "the best elite conventional hybrids in all growing conditions," according to the Sept. 1 edition of Farm Industry News.

Performance of Bt-corn rootworm (CRW) hybrids in university performance trials during 2003 (Source:Farm Industry News)

State Average yield of Bt-CRW hybrid compared to trial average Corn following corn locations (bu./acre) All locations (bu./acre) Trial average all locations (bu./acre) Number of times CRW hybrid beat trial average
Iowa -6.9 182 0 of 7 districts
Illinois -1.0 197 7 of 17, 1 tie
Nebraska -13.8 -20.8 223 0 of 8
Michigan -7.3 -9.1 202 0 of 3
Missouri None +2.1 100 4 of 6
North Dakota +10.1 148 2 of 2
Wisconsin -0.6 -7.5 193 5 of 11
All locations -8.2 -5.7 189 18 of 54, 1 tie (33%)
Data compiled by Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin

Triple-stack versus conventional costs

Conventional corn YieldGardPlus with Roundup Ready Corn 2
Seed/acre $30.00 $59.31
Herbicide/acre $29.56 $25.85
Rootworm insecticide/acre $15.00 0.00
Total cost/acre $74.56 $85.16
Difference $ 9.60/acre
Compiled by Monsanto Company using Doanes for herbicide costs

Source: http://farmindustrynews.com/mag/farming_yieldtrait_debate/