November 15, 2002

Biotech communication is
key to consumer acceptance

By Tom Nicolette
TFB Director of Media Services

Agricultural biotechnology gives farmers another tool with which to accomplish their mission of producing food and fiber for an increasingly hungry world.

That's why producers and a varied cross-section of the ag industry gathered in Lubbock recently to discuss the changing dynamics of biotechnology.

The fifth annual Texas Agricultural Biotech Conference, sponsored by the Texas Ag Industries Association, attracted approximately 100 people to this South Plains city Oct. 22. Texas Agriculture and the Texas Seed Trade Association were co-sponsors.

"This is the first conference we've had with growers who informed suppliers of their views of biotechnology, how they make decisions about biotech and its impact on their business," said TAIA Vice President of Marketing Bob Sasser.

One of the producers in attendance was TFB State Director Lloyd Arthur of Ralls. The Farm Bureau District 2 director served on a three-person panel that answered questions addressing present and future prospects of biotechnology.

Arthur, who raises cotton, grain sorghum and wheat, has planted Roundup Ready crops for several years. Over the last three years, his cotton crop has been planted 100 percent in Roundup Ready varieties.

"Labor is less, due to less hand hoeing and less use of spot sprayers. Hand hoeing has been totally eliminated the last three years. Spot sprayers are still utilized, but are used only on a limited basis," Arthur said.

Besides reduction in labor, Arthur cited other changes he has made to his operation due to biotech crops. These changes include less cultivation, the use of more no till techniques and the use of wheat and oats as a cover crop to help wind erosion and cover for less water evaporation in center pivots, the Crosby County producer said.

But he does have concerns such as the price of biotech seeds.

"(With) commodity prices being so low, once again the biggest problem is putting this higher cost of production into a tighter operating budget. This is one reason in my local area this year I have seen a change to planting more conventional type cotton," Arthur added.

Who learns these messages is a major challenge facing the industry. Dr. Gary Wingenbach, assistant professor of agricultural journalism at Texas A & M University, said biotechnology can be taught to the general public.

"But we have to understand that the public in America, by and large, does not have the same understanding of science or the same scientific background as that of most plant breeders, fertilizer dealers and members of the Texas Agricultural Industries Association," Wingenbach said. "We have to create a message about biotechnology that consumers understand," the TAMU professor continued.

Two segments of the population which need to be targeted by biotechnology education are youth and elected officials.

"I really believe we can make great inroads with educating the youth, in particular, because they do not have fully formed perceptions about science and biotechnology because of their age," the college professor told the conference.

"Before they become too entwined with state-mandated curriculums that teach around a test specific knowledge base that is included on a test, we have the opportunity to influence what they think about science, in particular, and biotechnology processes on a day-to-day basis, by finding ways to teach that now in the curriculum in the fifth, sixth and seventh grades," Wingenbach said.

The other group is elected leaders.

"These are the people who do pass laws, who do regulate the processes. Since they are elected they represent us. But if they are only listening to one side of the story—the emotive response of groups whose political purpose is to destroy biotechnology for some reason—then we will never get our say. So, we must continue to communicate the science of biotechnology to our elected leaders so they can make informed decisions," Wingenbach said.

Biotech Conference attendees also received an update on congressional views of biotechnology from the deputy staff director of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.

"In the Farm Bill passed earlier this year, new funding was provided for biotech research—both on new products and risk assessment. Funding was also earmarked for research into how biotechnology products can be utilized in lesser developed countries," said Tom Sell.