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APHIS deregulates low-lignin alfalfa
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has granted non-regulatory status to Monsanto and Forage Genetics International for a genetically engineered low-lignin alfalfa variety. The variety, known as HarvXtra was developed by the two companies in cooperation with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center.
Lignin increases as an alfalfa plant matures, it is indigestible and binds with cellulose to reduce fiber digestibility in the plant. The cells of the genetically engineered alfalfa were manipulated to reduce the production of lignin, increasing digestibility and widening the harvest window for the alfalfa. The U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center says increased digestibility would mean more beef and milk produced per pound of feed and less manure from those animals.
The alfalfa is not currently available for sale and is still pending regulatory approvals from key export markets with functioning regulatory systems.
Read the APHIS determination here:
Read the HarvXtra white paper here:
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