U.S. wheat farmers want biotech wheat - survey

By Carey Gillam

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb 26 (Reuters) - A large number of U.S. wheat growers would embrace genetically altered wheat to help them combat a range of crop problems and keep wheat competitive with other crops, according to a survey by the National Association of Wheat Growers.

More than three-quarters of wheat growers responding to the recent NAWG survey approved a petition supporting the commercialization of biotechnology in wheat, the organization said on Thursday.

NAWG CEO Daren Coppock said the goal of the survey was to demonstrate to technology providers that the industry is ready to back the introduction of genetically altered wheat, a controversial idea in many areas of the world.

"It is a strong response and a very positive response," Coppock said.

The survey was mailed in January and February to about 21,000 producers with more than 500 acres of wheat and 1,000 acres in total production.

About 32 percent of the producers have responded so far, with 76 percent of those in favor of the petition for biotech wheat.

The survey results come five years after negative market reaction pushed biotech crop leader Monsanto Co (MON.N) to shelve a herbicide-tolerant, "Roundup Ready" biotech wheat that the company had planned to market.

Farmers still remain largely uninterested in a Roundup Ready wheat but are clamoring for wheat that is tolerant of heat, cold and drought and enhanced with higher yield potential, Coppock said.