The Forum editorial regarding genetically modified wheat (May 23) was a disservice to Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers members. I am a farmer and a MAWG member and I disagree that Monsanto’s decision to shelve their Roundup Ready wheat was disappointing.

Roundup Ready wheat does not make sense. Using the same weed control chemicals on different crops will only hasten already existing weed resistance. This would render Roundup less effective.

It does not make economic sense either. Our overseas customers, who care about what they eat, do not want to buy GM wheat.

Since we export the majority of our wheat, we cannot afford to have our customers going elsewhere for their wheat and losing those markets. Why would we want to grow something that our customers do not want?

Additionally, for those of us who do not wish to raise GM crops, pollen drift from GM wheat fields will infiltrate non-GM wheat fields and show up in residue test lab results, ruining our markets even though we chose to not grow it.

In the end, Monsanto’s decision to shelve GM wheat is in the best interests of wheat growers in the Upper Midwest.