Hoegemeyer Hybrids excited about drought-tolerant corn

At the recent Hoegemeyer Hybrids field day near Hooper, Nebraska, we visited with company president Stephan Becerra and chief technology officer Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer.  Becerra talks about new technologies in the Hoegemeyer lineup and the company’s pending acquisition by Pioneer Hi-Bred.  Dr. Hoegemeyer discusses the recent prolonged spell of hot weather and its possible impact on yield, and what he regards as “the most exciting new technology”, drought-tolerant corn.

AUDIO: Stephan Becerra-Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer (9 min MP3)

Latham announces new additions to its seed lineup for 2011

Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, headquartered in Alexander, Iowa, has announced the addition of 18 “breakthrough seed technologies” for the 2011 growing season.  Latham president John Latham calls it “the broadest, deepest lineup of traits and technologies available in the seed industry.”  He also discusses the advantages of being an independent seed company, which he says “allows us to offer growers more high-quality choices from leading global providers.”

AUDIO: John Latham (5 min MP3)

DuPont gains in seed market share

DuPont says it has increased its North American market shares in both corn and soybeans.

According to a company news release, DuPont’s Pioneer Hi-Bred business increased its corn market share in North America by two points and its soybean market share by four points.  The company says those gains were equally split between the Pioneer brand and other brands distributed through its PROaccess business strategy.  

For the first half of the year, Pioneer’s global seed sales increased 14 percent on eight percent volume gains.

An update on Pioneer’s ‘Refuge-in-the-Bag’ AcreMax 1

Pioneer has received U.S. EPA approval for Optimum AcreMax 1, the first in-the-bag solution for insect refuge management.  Pioneer’s senior marketing manager Bill Belzer says AcreMax 1 will offer growers increased convenience, reduced refuge and an additional tool for maximizing field-by-field productivity.  He says Pioneer is demonstrating the product in farmers’ fields this year to show its value and to support a 2011 ramp up of the new product.

AUDIO: Bill Belzer (5:30 MP3)

Wolftrax guarantees performance of products

A guarantee on the performance of their products is what sets Wolftrax apart from other companies according to company president Geoff Gyles. Brownfield’s Cyndi Young spoke with Gyles about Wolftrax, the differences it has from other companies, and where they are headed in the future. Gyles says his company is focusing on sustainability, good value for the dollar, and seed nutrition.

AUDIO: Geoff Gyles (5 minutes, mp3)

Protinus from Wolftrax increases seed nutrition

Seed genetics is a growing market with producers spending more on it every year. Protinus, a product that increases the nutrition of young seeds, was developed by the folks at Wolftrax for growers to apply directly to their seed. Brownfield’s Cyndi Young talked to Jereleen Brydon, director of marketing for Wolftrax, about the Protinus line. Brydon says Protinus is easily available for growers and can provide a return on investment of up to $25 per acre.

AUDIO:Jereleen Brydon (4 minutes, mp3)

DuPont acquires three regional seed companies

DuPont has announced the acquisition of three regional seed companies as part of its PROaccess business strategy.

The companies are AgVenture, based in Kentland, Indiana; Hoegemeyer Hybrids of Hooper, Nebraska; and, NuTech Seed of Ames, Iowa.   Closings are scheduled to occur later this year.  Terms were not disclosed.

Through PROaccess, DuPont makes Pioneer seed genetics available to other seed companies.  The company has distribution agreements with several independent seed companies, including Beck’s, Burrus, Doebler’s, Seed Consultants and Terral Seed.  Pioneer also sells seed under the Curry Seed Brand.

Link to DuPont news release

Link to related Brownfield story

Study says biotech seed good for farmers, environment

A new report from the National Academy of Sciences says many farmers who grow genetically engineered crops are realizing substantial economic and environmental benefits, including reduced use of pesticides.  However, the report also warns that, without proper management, Roundup-resistant weeds are likely to become even more prevalent and urges government agencies and private companies to work with farmers to better manage the problem.

The NAS panel of scientists says that improvements in water quality could prove to be the largest single benefit of genetically engineered crops, although it says there is no system in place to actually track and analyze the impact on water quality.

Syngenta Seeds offers 17 new NK soybean products

Syngenta Seeds is offering 17 new NK Soybeans products for the 2010 growing season.  According to Syngenta area agronomist Mark Lawson, the new products have outstanding disease resistance packages, including Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) and excellent tolerance to both Sclerontinia White Mold and Sudden Death Syndrome in several varieties.  Lawson visits with Brownfield’s Ken Anderson about NK soybean genetics and performance, and throws in some spring planting tips as well.

AUDIO: Mark Lawson (6 min MP3)

Discussing the competitive dynamics of the seed industry

Much of the focus of Friday’s workshop on agricultural competition in Ankeny, Iowa was on the competitive dynamics of the seed industry–specifically Monsanto’s dominance in seed traits and whether the company is using that dominance unfairly.  Some of the more interesting exchanges took place between Diana Moss with the American Antitrust Institute and Jim Tobin representing Monsanto, both part of a panel discussing seed price, choice and innovation.  

AUDIO: Diana Moss and Jim Tobin (3 min MP3)

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