JayThomps - 9/17/2024 11:25

I'm unsure why there are so many attacks on new seed companies attempting to bring new genetics and competition into the current duopoly the American seed corn industry has become? I understand that it's your family, your livelihood, your farm, your reputation, and I can promise you that any Independent seed corn company understands that too. So why spew venom and attack companies that are, quite literally, trying to bring you, the farmer, other viable options that don't put you into $300-$400 bags of seed? Any attempt to persuade you gets met with attacks. Any attempt to explain the extensive costs of developing new, competitive corn hybrids is waived away with "I can buy traited seed for the cost of X non-GMO hybrid." What you don't know is the massive costs Independents, including the company I work for, endure to bring you these hybrids and the majority of you won't give them the time of day. Your favorite multi-national company with billion dollar R&D budgets are sitting in their offices coming up with ways to pinch every dollar off your farm, and from your family, to leave you with just enough to continue operating. THIS is what the new Independent seed companies are attempting to break American farmers out of. There are, indeed, companies bringing off-patent germplasm to be utilized on marginal acres, and that is a great option. It is another tool in the farmer's tool belt. No one is saying any one of these new companies is the end all be all, just another tool.

This platform absolutely roasted Bass hybrids for merely trying to make you aware of new options available in the market. They've identified native traits that help alleviate the "necessity" of insect traits and boost effectiveness of insecticides. If you know the first thing about breeding - that's not easy. Not too long ago, UnBranded, the brand I represent, received a similar "warm" welcome. If you're happy with sending your hard earned dollars to companies that only care about your hard earned dollars, then fine, stick to supporting China and investor groups. Those companies only care about lining the pockets of their investors and couldn't care less about you, your family, your livelihood, your farm or your reputation. Note, I am not talking about those company's seedsmen but the ones who sit behind desks with pressed suits.

It was mentioned in the Bass hybrids roast that these new hybrids probably lag behind in yield by 50 bu/acre. No one breeding corn commercializes a hybrid that lags that far behind. That's illogical and clearly misinformation being spread on here due to not having the proper knowledge about the breeding processes. UnBranded does 3rd party testing with the many of the same plot cooperators that all the multi-nationals use. We don't use FIRST Trials because it's not within our current budget, which is a concern that would take selling hybrids to alleviate.

So why? Why not try something different? If you don't, your seed corn prices will continue to raise 10-15% every year regardless of commodity prices, as they do every year. For that to stop, there has to be competition.

The American farmers are literally the backbone of our society and without you all - we don't have food. We appreciate you for what you all do, and it is a very thankless life. Allow the Independent companies to help you keep your hard earned revenue. We shouldn't be fighting with each other but looking out for one another and I hope we can have an actual discussion.