Published Sep 13, 2013

Organic Corn Breeding Tour

By Sarah Carlson

Few public dollars go to breeding corn for non-gmo or organic corn hybrids. Even fewer dollars are spent on developing open pollinated corn varieties.

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With funding from the USDA’s Organic Research & Extension Initiative organic corn breeders did site visit and strategic planning September 9-12, 2013 in Illinois and Wisconsin.

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Some PFI farmers have been developing OPs on their farm while most want to buy corn hybrids developed to perform well in their systems.

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These breeders have working on corn to have improved yield performance and disease and insect resistance since chemical crop protection options are not available for organic growers.

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After almost 4 years of working together materials from this group are making there way to the market for companies or farmers.

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