Biotech Wheat Remains Elusive for Farmers

Growers still await the benefits of genetically modified wheat varieties despite past promises.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:11am

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A bold, abstract painting in muted earth tones featuring sweeping geometric shapes, concentric circles, and botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex scientific forces and potential of wheat biotechnology.Farmers await the promise of biotechnology to transform the wheat industry and address persistent challenges like fusarium head blight.Valley City Today

Despite the rapid growth of genetically modified (GM) crops across millions of acres, wheat growers in the U.S. are still waiting for the promised benefits of biotechnology. Farmers like Allen Skogen were hopeful that Roundup Ready wheat and fusarium-resistant strains would be commercially available within the next few years, but those plans have been delayed indefinitely by major agribusiness companies.

Why it matters

The lack of biotech wheat options is a major disappointment for wheat growers, especially those using no-till and minimum-till farming practices who could benefit from herbicide-resistant traits. Fusarium head blight also causes significant yield losses and quality issues, costing farmers millions, so a resistant variety could be transformative for the industry.

The details

Four years ago, Monsanto was preparing to commercialize its Roundup Ready hard red spring wheat, which university research showed could increase yields by 5-15%. Syngenta Seeds was also in the early stages of field testing a fusarium head blight-resistant wheat strain. However, those plans have now been pushed back, with the best-case scenario for a fusarium-resistant variety being 2010-2011, or potentially as late as 2014 if Syngenta does not accelerate testing. Fusarium, also known as head scab, can cause major yield losses and force costly price discounts at elevators due to the toxins it produces, costing North Dakota wheat, barley and durum growers an estimated $162 million in 2005 alone.

  • Four years ago, Monsanto was in the final stages of readying Roundup Ready hard red spring wheat for commercialization.
  • At the same time, Syngenta Seeds was in the early stages of field testing a fusarium head blight-resistant wheat strain.
  • The best-case scenario for a fusarium-resistant variety is now 2010-2011, or potentially as late as 2014 if Syngenta does not accelerate testing.

The players

Allen Skogen

A no-till and minimum-till wheat, corn and soybean farmer in Valley City, North Dakota, and chairman of a group called Growers for Biotechnology.

Monsanto

An American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation that was preparing to commercialize Roundup Ready hard red spring wheat.

Syngenta Seeds

A global agrochemical and seeds company that was in the early stages of field testing a fusarium head blight-resistant wheat strain.

North Dakota State University

Economists at the university pegged the state's fusarium losses in hard red spring wheat, barley and durum wheat at $162 million in 2005.

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What they’re saying

“What really hurts is that 4 years ago, we were right on the threshold of getting our first biotech wheat, with the promise of more.”

— Allen Skogen, Wheat Farmer and Chairman of Growers for Biotechnology

The takeaway

The continued delay in commercializing biotech wheat varieties is a major setback for wheat growers, especially those using sustainable farming practices like no-till who could benefit from herbicide-resistant traits. The lack of a fusarium-resistant strain also means ongoing yield losses and quality issues due to this devastating wheat disease. Farmers are still waiting for the transformative benefits of agricultural biotechnology to reach the wheat industry.