New Releases

Good evening. I have attended two hours of conference calls this week talking about new releases of corn hybrids for the year 2011 and 2012. That is next year and the crop hasn't even been planted this spring. The reason for talking about them now is that the new hybrids will be in test plots this spring. It is too early for me to talk about all the atrributes these hybrids bring to the table. I want to see them in action before I really speak. I also want you to see the new hybrids in test plots this summer. One big difference you will see immediately is the different plant structure. New germ plasm has been introduced into the hybirds. This new germ plasm comes from Europe and Asia. This brings unprecedented yield improvements for our industry along with longer stay green of the plant. Leaves will look different in that they may be broader and more upright. This will change how far we can go up in planting populations. With more upright leaves, plants can be place closer together. These plants will also be able to compete better with each other.

There will also be plenty of technology to go along with these hybrids. Remember that this technology is added for crop protection.

It is a very exciting time in the seed business. Each year brings improvements. This is important so that yields can be doubled by the year 2030. If you have heard the commercials from our competition, they hope to double yields by 2050. They are going to do this "One seed at a time", twenty years late.

Have a good week.

Perri

319-929-7851