Across 900 hectares near Carlinville, Illinois, a massive combine harvester traverses the Young family’s land from sunrise to nightfall. Joshua Young, 40, harvests corn in the morning and soybeans in the afternoon. His crops consist solely of these two genetically modified plants, a practice he’s employed for the past fifteen years. A brief conversation ensues during a driving break.
“Our aim is to manage the farm responsibly, ensuring its sustainability for generations to come. We strive to be conscientious land stewards.”
Glyphosate’s efficacy diminishes
At the field’s edge, Josh grapples with the increasing weed infestation accumulating in the harvester’s header. He indicates the onboard computer display.
The yield is 75 bushels, approximately 5 tons per hectare, a significant increase from the 3.5 tons per hectare achieved fifteen years prior using conventional, non-genetically modified seeds. Having visited Germany, Josh is aware of European apprehensions and opposition to genetically engineered crops, and the negative perception of Monsanto, the American agrochemical giant.
“To date, I’ve encountered no scientific proof demonstrating that genetically modified crops pose environmental hazards or health risks to humans. While emotional arguments exist, I find them devoid of scientific foundation.”
Initially, the adoption of genetically modified plants and their corresponding herbicides in the Midwest resulted in weed-free soybean fields. However, weeds are now making a comeback. The once-effective glyphosate is losing its weed-killing potency.
