By Aaron Ofseyer

EUGENE, Ore. -- Nearly all of the nation's sugarbeets are grown right here in the Willamette Valley, supplying nearly half the nation's sugar. These sugarbeets have become the first in valley to incorporate genetic engineering wholesale.

Even though it's only been available for two seasons, Monsanto's roundup ready sugarbeets have taken over the market. The beets contain technology licensed by monsanto making them impervious to weed killing herbicides. Organic farmers are concerned that the pollen from the genetically altered crops will cross contaminate with their organic seed crops.

Last month, a group of organic seed farmers asked a federal judge to bar planting of genetically modified sugarbeets. Monsanto says the claims of the plaintiffs aren't based on scientific evidence.

Despite the environmental concerns of the crop, growers have embraced the technology. More than four-fifths of the nation's corn, cotton and soybean crops are being engineered to resist pesticides and insects. According to opponents of Monsanto's sugarbeets, the crops most at risk of cross-pollination are also close relatives of the plant: swiss chard and table beets.

In January 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by Monsanto overturning a 2007 ruling banning them from growing their roundup ready alfalfa. The court's ruling could have major impacts on the future of sugarbeets in the Willamette Valley.

The Supreme Court will hear arguements starting in April. The Monsanto Alfalfa case should be decided by the end of June.