April 1, 2004

US Farms Plant More Biotech Soy, Corn, In 2004
 
U.S. farmers will continue to increase the amount of genetically modified soybeans and corn in 2004, according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture prediction made Wednesday.
 
The USDA, in its annual prospective plantings report, said 86% of all the soybeans planted this year will be biotech varieties, an increase from 81% in 2003 and 75% in 2002.
 
U.S. farmers will use genetically modified seeds to plant 46% of the corn. That is up from 40% last year and 38% in 2002, according to the USDA report. The cotton planted this year will be 76% biotech, an increase from 73% in 2003 and 71% in 2002.