Take a Corn Seedsman to Lunch for a Change!
This time it may be in your interest to spring for the check.
Tom Bechman
Published: Nov 14, 2011
Farmers often enjoy lunch with their seedsman one or two times a year, and the seed rep usually picks up the check. After all, he wants your business. This year, though, you may want to have an even closer relationship with whomever you choose to sell you seed. That's because seed corn production was down in parts of the Midwest, especially in Indiana and parts of Ohio and Illinois where poor weather conditions left to below average seed corn yields, sometimes even on irrigated land.
OK, the idea isn't to buy your seedsman lunch so he or she will give you more of their limited supply of hot hybrids. But it is to stay in touch, and stay in the know so you can make sure you wind up with hybrids suited to your farm. Most companies, especially those with locations across more than one state, say there will be plenty of seed, even though production was short.
However, they also all say that certain hybrids may be hard to get. If you're one that likes to stay up on the latest and hottest products available, you may want to make sure you're in the know. Hence, buy your seeds person lunch now and then!
Dave Nanda, a crops consultant and director of genetics and technology for Seed Consultants, Inc., is concerned that some companies offering refuge in the bag this next year may have a hard time finding enough seed that matches up with the hybrids with traits to carry off their intentions. Companies have said they want to match hybrids so both have similar cultural and physical characteristics.
However, one national company says they don't anticipate that being a problem. With locations across the continent, they believe they will have enough seed of different types to make the products they want, including refuge –in-a-bag hybrids.
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Tagged: SURE, farm, corn production
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