Sure the genetics are better, and the traits add value, but GOOD GRIEF! Seed costs have gone up faster than college tuition and medical supplies.

My seed bill if I receive my "loyalty" price and discounts, will have gone up by $140,000 in the last two years!

I have told my supplier and others that I am drawing a line in the sand. We need to be partners in the process. I'm not interested in incurring additional costs per acre and not additional net profits.

Many of my soils are not the best, and I'm going to have to do a better job of analysis of where I put different products.

I have soils that just won't give enough of a return for the cost of some of the products that companies are pushing.

Five bushels better just won't cut the mustard. Seed corn that costs $50 more per bag and yields 5 bushels per acre more than previous hybrids nets you a loss of $5 an acre at $3 corn. At $4 corn it's a break even deal.

I'm not interested in break even. I'll spend more to make more, but I don't want to spend more to make the same or less just so I can brag about yields. It's profits I'm interested in.

So for me, it's back to the drawing board as I reassess (again) just what will give the most return per acre. When it comes to seed, it's going to be more challenging than last year.