Canadian farmers should be at the leading edge when it comes to the commercialization of genetically modified wheat.
That's according to Morris area farmer and Western Canadian Wheat Growers Vice-president Rolf Penner.
He points to Australian farmers and their dilemma with marketing canola as example of why we should adopt genetically modified crops.
When canola was first becoming popular, Australian farmers decided against adopting GM canola thinking they would receive a premium for their non-GM product.
However, the Australians have failed to see much, if any premium, while competing against higher yielding gm varieties grown in North America.
Penner argues there are also environmental benefits associated with the introduction of GM wheat, such as reduced pesticide use.
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