USDA Approves Genuity Roundup Ready Alfalfa

Posted by Matt Hopkins|1 February 2011

ST. LOUIS, Miss., United States – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized resumption of the sale and planting of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready alfalfa, according to the company.

“This is great news for farmers who have been waiting for the green light to plant Roundup Ready alfalfa,” said Steve Welker, alfalfa commercial lead at Monsanto in a prepared statement. “USDA’s action gives farmers the choice to enjoy the benefits of this product, including superior crop safety and high-quality yield opportunity.”

Roundup Ready alfalfa was developed by Monsanto and Forage Genetics International (FGI). The USDA decision comes in time for spring planting.

Roundup Ready alfalfa was commercialized in 2005. More than 5,000 farmers had planted Roundup Ready alfalfa on over 250,000 acres before a court ruling regarding USDA’s administrative process halted further sales and planting, according to Monsanto.

“The overwhelming positive feedback from the farmers who first planted Roundup Ready alfalfa and ongoing grower surveys indicate significant farmer interest in this product,” Welker said.