Rich Keller, Editor, Ag Professional  |   February 25, 2013 resize text

Because of some truth and some exaggeration, the seed corn supply for 2013 planting has made the news. Reports have worried some farmers that there won’t be enough quality seed for farmers to plant as many acres as they want.

In an article earlier in the week posted in this website news section, farmers were warned to make sure they had placed their seed orders for the best race horse hybrids and were taking early delivery of their seed so there aren’t any supply situations at the last minute.

But seed availability naturally varies from company to company based on where the company had seed corn fields planted in 2012 and if Southern Hemisphere seed farms were used to grow additional seed.  

A prime example of a company taking exception with quality corn seed being unavailable is Beck’s Hybrids. “Even with an increase of more than 15 percent in corn orders (from farmers), Beck's Hybrids has an excellent supply of high performing corn and soybean products still available for Midwest farmers to purchase,” the company responded.

"Last spring we planted twice the amount of seed we sold the previous year, across a wider geography and across a nine-week period, giving us an advantage in our overall seed supply," said Sonny Beck, president of Beck's Hybrids. "With this increase in production acres, the use of winter production, and seed in cold storage, we're able to have many of the best performing products available for Midwest farmers."

From 101 to 115 day, Beck's Hybrids has a wide range of high performing corn products available, including its number one selling product, which is a 112-day, refuge-in-the-bag product,” the company further noted.

Beck’s Hybrids is an independent family run seed company based out of Atlanta, Ind.

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Comments (9) Leave a comment 

Illinois  |  February, 25, 2013 at 03:04 PM

Nice advertisment for Beck. Nice reporting job there Rich.

Benton Ky  |  February, 25, 2013 at 03:16 PM

looks like Becks needs to movie more corn lol it still not the corn for this country and good luck on the growers that fall for this advertisment

Nabraska  |  February, 25, 2013 at 03:16 PM

Its available because its not worth planting.

North Dakota  |  February, 25, 2013 at 03:22 PM

I agree with Farmer1... A bold headline to throw out based on only one seed
companies supplies and not report how the overall South America production will
come in or other maturities supplies are. Soybeans in this geography are being
pulled and reject by the thousands of units because of lost germinations.

Nabraska  |  February, 25, 2013 at 03:32 PM

I wonder how much you have to pay Ag Proffesional to get a favorable article published for your company?

SE IL.  |  February, 25, 2013 at 03:38 PM

Nice story Beck's, Too bad all I plant is Dekalb. Ran trials against Beck's for 5 years. Not 1 time did they come close to winning. I think the best was 19 out of 26 hybrids. They did beat Pioneer ! Pioneer was 24 & 26. Beck's was 19 & 25th.
Story behind our operation. Was a Garst dealer turned DeKalb buyer. After 5 years of DeKalb in plots, Decided I was planting the wrong corn. If you can prove DeKalb is wrong. You will have to do it 5 years in a row with the top 10 hybrids at least 4 out of 5 years. We have planted DeKalb for 10 years now.

February, 27, 2013 at 10:48 AM

I agree completely. DeKalb is king right now and I would say watch out for Mycogen. They're starting to close the gap with DeKalb, and they're kicking Pioneer's butt!

Graves County,KY  |  February, 28, 2013 at 07:23 PM

Not worried at all. I am 100% DeKalb and it is already setting in my shop. I had no problem getting what I wanted however I did start selecting in October. The problem I have with many brands is that they compare with older DeKalb numbers. I have done many side by sides and, for a while at least, I am done with them.

Indiana  |  March, 07, 2013 at 05:35 PM

I am 50/50 Dekalb and LG and I have the best from both. Becks can't hold a candle to
either of these brands