Genetically Modified Sugar Beet Update

Sugar beets make for a pretty sweet industry in Montana, reports Kyle Lehman for the Missoula Independent. In 2008, it raked in $41 million, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture figures, and beets were used in everything from Flathead Distillery Vodka to nationally marketed sugar.

But an ongoing court case relating to the environmental impacts of genetically modified sugar beets has put the industry’s future in question.

The vast majority of Montana beets are planted with Monsanto Co.’s genetically modified Roundup Ready seeds, which make weed control easier for farmers but are contentious for their potential to cross pollinate with natural chard and table beet plants during seed production.

For an update, click here.