Canada: Will more GMO soybeans be planted in 2021?

Published 2021년 1월 1일

Tridge summary

The article discusses the pros and cons of growing non-GMO food-grade or identity preserved (IP) soybeans in Canada, particularly in the context of potentially lower commodity prices. While growing non-GMO soybeans can lead to price premiums and higher market demand, it also presents challenges such as lower yields, difficult weed control, and segregation. The article also touches on the history of non-GMO soybean production in Canada, its decline, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food value chain. Additionally, it discusses the need for value-added and further processing of food products in Canada, the importance of food safety, traceability, and sustainability, and criticisms of Canada's regulatory framework for its disincentive of research and innovation.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

By Ralph Pearce, CG Production Editor Any time there’s an outlook for lower commodity prices, the question comes up: “What would I plant instead?” On many farms, that’s when the non-GMO side of the soybean sector gets a fresh look. But one thing doesn’t change. Planting non-GMO food-grade or identity preserved (IP) still means having to balance the positives and negatives. On the plus side, there’s the opportunity for price premiums and higher market demand. On the negative, the sector still has challenges with lower yields, difficult weed control, and segregation. Put simply, growing non-GMO means walking away from the comparative ease of growing GMO varieties. After the 1997 Canadian introduction of glyphosate-tolerant soybean technology, non-GMO production quickly changed. Markets for Japan and countries in Europe offered an optimistic out- look buoyed by Canada’s reputation for food safety and regulatory guidelines. In 2000, Statistics Canada figures showed non-GMO soybean ...

Source: Agropages