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Q. From a trait standpoint, what are the big issues for growers going into the 2008 planting?

A. The U.S. crop is almost 93 percent transgenic, so obviously growers value existing pest management trait technologies. We will not, cannot go back. While newer technologies such as Bollgard II and RoundupReady Flex are no doubt superior to the first generation technologies, the benefits of first generation technologies in superior-performing varieties overshadow the advantages of newer, improved technologies in inferior varieties.
Growers in Georgia will only leave DP 555 BG/RR "kicking and screaming," and will resist change until something truly better comes along. The conversion from conventional pest management systems to Bollgard and Roundup Ready was more dramatic and more beneficial than the current change to Bollgard II and RoundupReady Flex. And unfortunately, in Georgia we've not seen newer technologies in competitively yielding varieties.
We need to convert to two-gene Bt systems for resistance management. But growers here are hard-pressed to do so because they would be possibly giving up 200-400 lb/A in yield and paying more for the seed/technology. The ultimate goal is profit, which means yield and quality. Successful pest control is merely a step towards that goal. Again, first generation technologies are good enough to get us there most of the time. Why pay more and get less?

Answered by
Steve M. Brown
Professor, Extension Agronomist-Cotton, University of Georgia, Tifton

Q. Where do you see the technology going for the future?
A. As good as RR and RR Flex technologies are, they need help to deal with resistance. We hear reports of HELP coming. If the expiration date (September 2009) for Bollgard registration is in fact excercised, it will be a mad scramble to find replacements for BR cultivars. Presently, there is no clear winner, at least in our state where DP 555 BG/RR dominates. Until there are reasonable replacements, we would like to see expiration of Bollgard delayed and are beginning to build the case for it. For example, giving up 150 lb/A yield (potential) could easily cost Georgia farmers $100 million. [Again, if Bollgard needs to go because of resistance problems -- true problems not theories -- we are supportive of the change. We also realize that once a problem is detected, it may be too late to gain the full advantage of switching to BII, Widestrike, etc.] One serious issue as we think about the future is cost. We can expect better technologies in a number of areas, including pest management, water use efficiency, fiber quality, etc. But can we pay for these newer, better ways?