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Independent seed companies have more options

May 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Independent seed companies now have more reduced refuge trait stack options available for 2013.

Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences have announced a joint agreement to offer two reduced refuge trait stacks to independents.  The agreement covers the Agrisure Viptera 3220 and Agrisure 3122 trait stacks.  A five percent refuge will be required with both products.

Under terms of the agreement, Syngenta’s Agrisure traits and Dow AgroSciences’ Herculex traits will be out-licensed for trait stack combinations through GreenLeaf Genetics, which will serve as the primary contact for independent seed companies. Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences will also continue to out-license their respective traits independent of each other.

The agreement will allow independent seed companies access to inbred lines in time for winter production, which should bring product to growers for the 2013 planting season.

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

AgReliant plans new Iowa facility

May 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

AgReliant Genetics is proposing to build a new seed corn production, conditioning and distribution facility on 72 acres near Ogden, Iowa.

The proposed 36-million dollar project would create 34 jobs.  The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board recently approved two-point-one million dollars in state tax credits for the project.

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, News Tagged With: , , , ,

Early planting could create challenges for seed companies

March 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The possibility of an “earlier-than-normal” planting season could create some logistics challenges this spring for seed companies and their customers.

Many seed companies were forced to increase their South American seed corn production this winter after high winds and dry weather reduced Midwestern seed production in 2011.  And, according to a Dow Jones Newswire report, an early U.S. planting season could cause some problems for those depending on those seed shipments from South America. 

The report says supplies are considered especially tight in the northern Plains.

An official of Pioneer Hi-Bred told Dow Jones that his company will have enough seed to meet customer demand.  In his words, “It’s not like it’s not as issue—but it’s not a problem.”

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, News Tagged With: , , ,

Diversification and choice has value for farmers

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Burrus Seed Company exhibited at 2012 Commodity Classic.  Farmers visiting the exhibit had plenty on their mind, according to Todd Burrus. From seed supply to weather, the corn/bean ration in 2012 to what’s left in flex acres, farmers have much to think about.  Todd Burrus told Brownfield that Burrus Seed Company is the right choice for farmers because Burrus consistently does things right, so can be trusted; the product quality is high; Burrus has access to technology and genetics farmers need today; and Burrus focuses on putting the right crop on the right acre.

Conversation with Todd Burrus 03012012

Filed Under: 2012 Commodity Classic, 2012 Events, Featured, Special Reports Tagged With: , , ,

Pioneer executive discusses the company’s ‘strategic focus’

February 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The seed industry has seen major changes in the past 15 years.  One of the biggest changes has been the transformation of Pioneer Hi-Bred from a “self-contained” organization—one that did everything in-house—to one that now forms strategic partnerships with other companies in the industry.

At a recent media event at Pioneer’s headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, we visited with Pioneer’s vice president for the Americas and global production, Alejandro Munoz, about that change in philosophy.  We also asked Munoz how biotechnology fits into Pioneer’s future plans and what it’s going to take to double yields to feed a growing world population.

AUDIO: Alejandro Munoz (5:01 MP3)

 

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Rural Issues Tagged With: , , ,

Pioneer official discusses seed supply, Plenish soybeans

January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

At the recent Nebraska Ag Classic conference, Brownfield’s Ken Anderson visited with Mark Reisinger, senior manager for biotech affairs and regulatory with Pioneer.  They discussed talk of a possible seed corn shortage and what’s new with Pioneer’s Plenish high-oleic soybeans.

AUDIO: Mark Reisinger (4:27 MP3)

 

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Innovations Tagged With: , , , ,

Conflicting reports on seed corn shortage

January 6, 2012 By 3 Comments

There have been conflicting reports this week on whether a shortage of seed corn could affect farmers’ planting intentions this spring.

The Wall Street Journal says an estimated 25 to 50 percent drop in 2011 U.S. seed corn production could create problems for farmers who are planning to plant more acres to corn in 2012.

However, officials of both Monsanto and Pioneer say their seed supplies will be adequate to meet the increased demand. 

Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant was asked about seed supply during the company’s R & D pipeline update on Thursday. “We feel good about our own position and we are ready, willing and able to supply our farmer-customers,” Grant said, “so we’re in pretty good shape.”  

USDA chief economist Joe Glauber tells Bloomberg News while some of the more popular varieties may not be available, there is no evidence to suggest that planted acres will be constrained by a shortage of seed.

Bill Tierney, chief economist with Chicago-based AgResource agrees.  He says while some farmers won’t be able to buy their first choice, there would be no statistically significant impact on corn seedings or on corn yields.

Brownfield’s Dave Russell contributed to this story.

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, News, Top Stories Tagged With: , ,

Channel focused on service, infrastructure upgrades

December 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Channel’s “Seedsmanship at Work” approach has helped the company grow.  And Channel marketing manager Heather Gotto says, as part of that continuing effort, the company is putting even more emphasis on service and infrastructure improvements for 2012.

AUDIO: Heather Gotto (1:38 MP3)

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Innovations Tagged With: , , ,

Seed detasselers voice concerns with child labor law proposals

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Seed detasseling companies are expressing concern over changes to the child labor laws that have been proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor.   

They say that proposal could prevent youngsters who are under the age of 16 from detasseling.  It’s estimated that over 50 percent of seed detasslers nationwide are in the 13-15 age group that could be impacted. 

Thirteen year-old Haleigh Seizys of Lincoln, Nebraska was a first year detassler in 2011. She says it was a great experience.

“It really taught me what it’s like to persevere through hard work and tough conditions,” Seizys says, “and I learned a lot about teamwork as well.”

AUDIO: Haleigh Seizys (2:35 MP3)

Brad Hansen of Ceresco, Nebraska is 18. He has detasseled for the past five years.

“It’s been an excellent opportunity for me to develop a work ethic, develop character, and to make a great amount of money for my age,” Hansen says. “The past couple summers, I’ve made right around 25-hundred dollars for three weeks work—and I just can’t make that at any other job.”

AUDIO: Brad Hansen (2:45 MP3)

Dawn Buell owns and operates NATS Detasseling of Lincoln.  She employs 500 teenagers each summer, about 40 percent of whom are under 16.

“I believe it would really have such a detrimental effect, I’m not sure it would be worth staying in business any more, quite frankly,” Buell says.

If the teen labor force is cut, Buell says many companies would likely turn to migrant labor to get the job done.

AUDIO: Dawn Buell (2:17 MP3)

Nebraska Farm Bureau national affairs coordinator Jordan Dux says it’s just another example of federal government overreach.

“We have been concerned for the past few years on federal government really trying to sink its hands—and really regulate—what farmers and ranchers do a very daily basis,” says Dux.

AUDIO: Jordan Dux (6:27 MP3)

Thursday (December 1st) is the last day to submit comments on those proposed child labor law changes to the U.S. Department of Labor.

AUDIO: News conference remarks-Nebraska State Capitol (26:46 MP3)

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, Feature Programs, News, Rural Issues, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Child labor proposal could impact detasseling

November 22, 2011 By 4 Comments

Across the U.S., each summer, tens of thousands of rural youth are involved in seed corn detasseling—some as young as 12 years old.

That might change, however, if proposed revisions to child labor laws are implemented.  They could impact the types of agricultural jobs that youth under the age of 16 are allowed to perform.

Terry Garner is in charge of U.S. seed production for Pioneer Hi-Bred, which employs 27-thousand detasselers each summer.

“We follow whatever the state laws are,” Garner explains. “So as they raise the worker age to 14, 15, 16—whatever it becomes across the system—that will have an impact–because probably 60 percent of our workers are 14 and under.”

The deadline for submitting public comment on the proposed rule changes to the U.S. Department of Labor is December 1st. 

AUDIO: Terry Garner (3:59 MP3)

Filed Under: Crops, Events/Organizations, Feature Programs, News, Rural Issues, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , , , ,
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