GMO acreage data

American farmers' confidence in genetically modified crops remains strong, according to a survey released Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The report indicates that 54 percent of soybean acres have been planted this year with varieties that have been genetically modified to tolerate Monsanto's Roundup herbicide; 25 percent of the corn crop is genetically modified; and 61 percent of acres planted with cotton contain genetically modified plants.

Because this year's survey is the first to ask farmers about their use of GM seeds, it is not possible to make direct comparisons with prior years. The survey results are similar to projections of farmers intentions that USDA released in March, indicating that concerns about access to foreign markets and about domestic consumer antipathy to biotechnology did not reduce farmers' enthusiasm for GM crops. ...