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Idaho farmer Phil Geertson was an alfalfa seed grower for many years, before losing out on big parts of his export market.

He saw it coming.

“We were in the plant-breeding business along with raising alfalfa seeds, so I knew what would happen when genetically modified alfalfa was introduced into the area,” Geertson said. “It would contaminate our seed and we would lose markets because of it.”

His conventional alfalfa was planted near fields of genetically modified alfalfa. Because of cross-pollination, his crop was contaminated.

Many overseas markets, including Europe, won’t touch crops with even a trace of genetic modification.

Geertson understands the concern.

“There have been no tests to determine they’re safe. I know this will surprise a lot of people but it’s the truth,” he said.

Geertson is concerned about what GMOs are doing to the nation’s crops. He says conventional alfalfa is ruined because of cross-pollination. But he’s also concerned about what it’s doing to food when GMO alfalfa sprayed with massive amounts of pesticides is fed to cows.

“The glysophate in the alfalfa does not dissipate, and it’s then fed to the cows,” he said. “I think everyone realizes what you feed to the cow then comes back in the milk.”