A recent report commissioned by Bayer sheds light on the potential consequences of a future without glyphosate, a widely used herbicide. Conducted by global intelligence firm Aimpoint Research, the study titled "A Future Without Glyphosate" employed economic modeling, interviews, and military wargaming techniques to analyze the complex effects of glyphosate's absence in agriculture.
The report highlights several key findings:
• Increased Environmental Impact: Without glyphosate, the report suggests that there would be more tillage and reduced cover crops in U.S. agriculture, potentially leading to the release of up to 34 million tons of CO2. This is comparable to the emissions of 6.8 million cars or the deforestation of almost 36.5 million acres.
• Higher Costs for Farmers: The limited supply and higher prices of alternative products would result in a 2-2.5 times increase in input costs for farmers. Smaller farms would be disproportionately affected by this cost escalation.
• Escalation of Production Costs: The rise in tillage practices could add over $1.9 billion in production costs.
• Inflationary Pressure on Food Prices: The heightened production costs may contribute to long-term inflationary pressures on food prices, impacting consumers.
The report underscores the crucial role glyphosate plays in modern agriculture and warns of the significant economic and environmental consequences that would arise in a world without it.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sizsus
Categories: Michigan, Crops