Seed corn still in play?

[gil.gullickson]

All,

I was on a trip last week to some seed companies, and an official said at this point, about 15--20% of the seed corn out there is still in play and unsold. He said it wasnt' so much that farmers were still making up their mind. Instead, it was a matter of if they could get financing or not.

What are you seeing in your areas? Are things really tightening up like that to where financing is getting to that point? 

Thanks,

Gil Gullickson

Crops Technology Editor

[BA Deere]

Right or wrong i ordered my seed early and got the 'hot numbers", early you suposedly get the biggest discount...and if you have the land you know you`re gonna need the seed.  i`ve heard seed was slow to sell, there are rumours about land not having a renter yet, so that might have something to do with it.

Swinging for the bleachers on yield is in our DNA, perhaps this will be the year when that isn`t the most profitable course.

[gil.gullickson]

Thx BA Deere. That swinging for the bleachers DNA is good to have. Better, I think, to plan for a good year rather than just handicapping your self right off-the-bat in reduced yield potential anticipating a bad year.

Gil 

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

I'm not hearing of that kind of financing issue.  I think most farmers are self-limiting in seed corn costs.

I'm going for good performers but not the race-horse types.  One way I'm keeping costs down is to pass up the seed treatments.  Most don't assure one of a positive return.  If one thinks of them as insurance, I'm self-insuring.