History Lesson 🌱 Glyphosate

This one’s for you, Mark.

The Rise of RoundUp: A History of Glyphosate

When it comes to farming, there are few things more important than a good herbicide. And when it comes to herbicides, there is perhaps none more well-known than glyphosate. But what is glyphosate, and how did it become the go-to herbicide for farmers around the world? Let's take a look back at the history of this powerful chemical.

The Beginning: The Discovery of Glyphosate

It all began in the early 1970s when a chemist named John E. Franz discovered the herbicidal properties of glyphosate. He was working for the Monsanto Company at the time and found that the chemical could effectively kill weeds without harming certain crops like wheat, barley, and oats. This was a revolutionary discovery, as previous herbicides had a tendency to damage crops as well as weeds.

The Emergence of Glyphosate: The Introduction of RoundUp

Monsanto quickly recognized the potential of glyphosate and developed a product called RoundUp. It was a broad-spectrum herbicide that works by inhibiting the production of certain amino acids in plants, leading to their death. RoundUp was the first glyphosate-based herbicide to hit the market, and it quickly became a popular choice among farmers.

The Rise of Glyphosate: Increased Efficiency and Productivity

With the introduction of RoundUp, glyphosate quickly became one of the most popular herbicides in the world. Farmers found that glyphosate was an efficient and effective way to control weeds, and it allowed them to increase crop yields. Additionally, glyphosate was considered to be less toxic than other herbicides and it was also biodegradable.

This led to scientists working to develop resistance in other crops as well. RoundUp Ready corn and soybeans were genetically modified to to be tolerant to glyphosate, allowing farmers to use it for weed control without damaging their row crops.

The Controversy: Health and Environmental Concerns

Despite its popularity, glyphosate has been the subject of much controversy in recent years. Some studies have suggested that glyphosate may be linked to cancer and other health problems, while others have raised concerns about its impact on the environment. As a result, some countries have placed restrictions on the use of glyphosate, and the European Union has recently voted to phase out the use of glyphosate by the end of 2023.

Despite fringe groups pushing back on the use of glyphosate, the herbicide is still widely used. Bayer acquired Monsanto (and with it, RoundUp) in 2018 for approximately $63 billion. Today, RoundUp is still commonly used and is available in various forms, including concentrates, ready-to-use sprays, and pre-mixed products. While the basic formula of Roundup remains the same, some products may contain additional ingredients to improve its effectiveness or to enhance its safety and handling characteristics.

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