[RWG] 2,4-d resistant corn

[Krohn, Alison]

Has anyone on the list kept up with or followed the expansion of herbicide resistant crops?  Monsanto is petitioning USDA to approve 2,4-D resistant corn (isn't corn already resistant?).  I'm very concerned about the widespread reintroduction of 2,4-d in response to Roundup resistant "superweeds" and to kill alfalfa (especially roundup ready alfalfa) for rotation into another crop.  I know the organic farming community has been fighting this but what about restoration folks?

We grow native forbs and grasses in Nebraska for seed and experienced 2,4-d drift last spring when an adjacent alfalfa field was sprayed with 2,4-d and glyphosate to rotate into corn.  I can't isolate the herbicide damage from the August dry weather but we did experience a 70% decline in perennial sunflower seed production.  We filed a complaint with our state regulators and after finding the "lost" report they warned the operator not to do it again.  The tissue samples showed evidence of both herbicides on our field.

We use herbicides to manage some troublesome species but we spot spray.  It seems to me the potential impact on roadside refuges of native plant communities may be severe if herbicides like 2,4-d and dicamba are used more frequently.  Have any other agencies or advocates weighed in on the proliferation of herbicide resistant crops and the potential impacts on adjacent native plant communities?  Am I overreacting?

Thanks for your time
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