Many farmers are at a crucial time of the year when they must determine what to plant in the upcoming season, a decision that for some means contemplating whether to use genetically modified crops.

Grains that possess Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have been a controversial topic since last spring, when several major grain buyers in the United States, Europe and Japan announced that they would not use them.

Last week, Frito-Lay Inc. urged its producers not to use genetically altered corn. Food companies Gerber and H. J. Heinz made similar announcements last fall.

As more discussion takes place about biotechnology, ISU officials are working to keep farmers informed about GMOs.

A GMO task force made up of ISU faculty is studying the issue. Colin Scanes, associate dean of agriculture, is heading the group.

“We will be working to inform the public about GMOs,” Scanes said. “We have got to do a better job of keeping them informed about the benefits and the risks.”

Nearly 55 percent of the 1999 bean crop and 35 percent of the corn crop in the United States was genetically modified, according to a fall 1999 report by ISU experts and professors of economics Bruce Babcock, Mike Duffy, and Robert Wisner. One major concern has been what farmers would do with the GMO grain.

Because of the concerns about GMOs, many local grain elevators will not accept that type of grain. The Heart of Iowa Co-op in Gilbert is one of the few that will accept it.

“I have already told people that want to plant Roundup-Ready grain next year that we will take it because we should have the room,” said Terry Wicks, location manager at the Heart of Iowa Co-op. “We will schedule with them and make it work.

“Here at Heart of Iowa, we are buying the corn,” said Wicks, alumnus of the ISU College of Agriculture. “But they must let us know beforehand what it is. Then we put it in our feed tanks and grind it for animal feed only. It will not be exported.”

Heart of Iowa Co-op has eight branches, but Gilbert is the only one that has taken GMO grain. The Gilbert Co-Op has treated all grain the same, whether it was genetically engineered or not.

“We are giving the same price for all grain,” Wicks said. “We figure that it is all grade-A, No. 2 corn, whether or not the European Union does. We just use it our own way.”

Wicks said his business will continue to take genetically modified grain next year.

“The question with that is whether or not the European Union will keep the ban on GMO grain. Our stance right now is that we will take it next year as long as we have the room,” he said.

Wicks said the feed business is strong, and it should have no problem using up all the grain. He also said he thinks the GMO concerns will pass eventually.

Some farmers think people are overly concerned about GMOs.

“I think the GMO issue is just like spraying apples about 15 years ago,” said Gale Van Aernam, farmer and Asgrow seed dealer from Exira. “People were not supposed to spray the apples for fear of poisoning. Since then, the spray has been vindicated, and they are using it again.”

Discussion about special prices for non-GMO grain are still taking place. This has some farmers puzzled over what to plant for next year. Farmers who plant the GMO seed are paying much more for the seed.

“One problem with the GMO seed is the price, which is almost double,” Van Aernam said. “This isn’t really comfortable for us farmers when the market prices have dropped so much.”

Iowa State is not being directly impacted by the GMO issue because the university itself is not a producer, Scanes said. He does think that Iowa State is affected indirectly, though, since the College of Agriculture may play a big part in researching the problems and benefits of genetic engineering.