Big Farmer?

Yet another claimed horror story concerning the reported historical research practices of 2 big, linked agrochemical producers (Monsanto and BASF). They initially developed glyphosphate (Roundup)-tolerant seeds, whose fields could be sprayed with the herbicide, killing only the weeds (both the seeds and the herbicides had to be purchased from the companies). When the technology started to fail, as weeds developed tolerance to the herbicide, it is claimed that they started work on an alternative, privately knowing that this was likely to damage some US farmers (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/30/monsanto-crop-system-damage-us-farms-documents). What they broadly did was to develop crops that were tolerant to another of their herbicides, dicamba, knowing that its volatile nature would result in it causing drift damage of nearby plants. Emails suggest that the companies were fully aware that their assurances on spraying technology would not solve the problem. They also appear to have discouraged any third party studies on their 'voodoo science' (their words). This is a strange application of science.