Print This PageConservation Tillage Brochure
Biotechnology not only provides farmers with a new and effective way to fight agricultural pests, but also accomplishes this with less reliance on some types of pesticides.
There are a number of forces driving increased adoption of conservation tillage, but the potential to grow this more earth-friendly system of agricultural production is huge. The drivers include economics, environmental concerns and government programs that support soil conservation efforts.
One of the most significant barriers to increased use of conservation tillage is the age-old struggle with weeds. It is essential that these pests be kept in check. Until now, the farmer's primary tools for the job have been plows, crop protection chemicals, cultural practices like crop rotation and other practices. They now have a relatively new tool, and it's a good one: biotechnology.
Of course, biotechnology has been around for a few years, but the science is already bearing fruit in crucial fields such as medicine and agriculture. Biotechnology is enhancing medical research and treatment, and it is helping farmers be more productive.
Agricultural biotechnology is already facilitating increased use of conservation.
Biotechnology not only provides farmers with a new and effective way to fight agricultural pests, but also accomplishes this with less reliance on some types of pesticides. While more herbicides like Roundup® branded products are used in place of plowing to control weeds, the end result is often reduced use of certain types of herbicides and insecticides that pose more environmental risk.
Reduced use of plows and the fuel it takes to pull them. Bountiful harvests that continue to feed and clothe us. Fewer pesticides applied on our farms. A more sustainable agriculture with minimal effect on the environment. Biotechnology is already making these contributions, and there’s even greater promise for future crop improvements that will benefit all of us.
