8 Aug 2012
ERJ staff report (DS)
Washington DC -- A report on a respected US Radio show says tractor tyre life is being cut from 5 or 6 years to just 2, due to punctures caused by genetically-modified crop stalks. The stalks are now stronger and stiffer, and can pierce the tractor tyres, leading to a higher number of punctures, reducing tyre life.
According to the report on the Marketplace programme of National Public Radio, each tractor unit can use up to eight tyres, each costing up to $1000.
The result is that tyre makers are having to use linings made from aramid fibres to protect against punctures.
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Transcript and audio from Marketplace
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