Farmers have retained the majority of value from new technologies like biotech corn seeds, which have increased yields while reducing costs per acre for chemicals and labor. However, rising land rent and fertilizer costs have increased overall expenses for farmers with little technological improvement in those areas. Biotech seeds and improved equipment have displaced older technologies and lowered costs, but high land and fertilizer prices have impacted farmers' bottom lines.

1. Farmers have retained the majority of incremental value created through Biotech Corn Low High Yield Drivers (Interrelated Technologies) Improved Seed Genetics & Biotech, Chemistry Pest Mgmt, Improved Seeding & Harvesting Equipment, & Farmer Innovation (Labor) Biotech Corn Seed Displaced and Reduced Chemistry & Labor Cost/Acre Land Rent and Fertilizer lead cost increases with little to no technological improvement or yield increase Source: USDA, Land Rent Averaged using Corn & Soybean, Doane Ag, dmrkynetec data, Pre Biotech Seed Yield Drivers Cost/Acre 1983 1995 Change between 83-95 Cost Change Pre Biotech Seed Chemistry Equipment Labor Land Rent Fertilizer (NPK) 12 Year Change in Cost