A FOREWORD FROM WILLIAM W. WILSON, PH.D

SEED TO FEED: UPDATE FROM THE FIELD

By Cole Peterson, ProSeed Company Agronomist

1. How does the plot look? How are the soybeans growing?

Everything is looking good as it can be. I’m very happy with our products, and happy with how they have performed despite the drought stress and heat stress.

2. Can you talk about the varieties on the plot? What are the characteristics, and why did you choose those?

Varieties of the soybeans—90.80.3, 10.70.3 We chose soybeans with a maturity group that performs well for this region. The further north you are, maturity gets lower. Further south, maturity gets higher. These beans are .7 maturity and .8 maturity. That is in the right zone for this geographical plot.

We also wanted to use beans with Enlist technology. Using Enlist, this particular seed is tolerant to 2,4-D, a low volatile chemical that helps us control weeds. This ensures that the product will be weed-free without being harmed by the chemicals.

3. How do they (these varieties) compare with the rest of the region? What are you seeing when you go to other fields?

The Seed to Feed soybeans are performing very well, especially considering the conditions they were dealt. Some varieties of the same maturity and technology in this area are not performing as well.

For example: A well-performing bean right now has plenty of bean sprouts, and looks healthy and lush. A bean under heat stress will show signs of wilting, leaf cupping, and won’t have as many pods or blossoms.

4. Overall, how is this year going for farmers?

It’s very territorial. Down in South Dakota, things are going incredibly well for some. Up here in our area (North Dakota/Northern MN), it’s not where it could be as far as crop potential because of drought and heat stress. We’re not expecting bin-busting yields. We are praying for rain to help keep the yields that we have. But a lot of our product from ProSeed seem to be performing very well, and we are proud of that.

In particular, the two products we contributed to the Genesis Feed Technologies’ Seed to Feed plot are doing well, despite the conditions we’ve been dealt.

5. What are some of the ways ProSeed works with growers to help be successful in their farming operation?

We pride ourselves on customer service and quality product. For our seed, we do a lot of third party and in-house research on our products to be sure that we provide the best quality product we can. We want our products to be the best. We want the farmers to make money, to have a beautiful, bin-busting year. When they do better we do better.

We also work with them to give them the best customer service that you could ask for. We faithfully believe that business should be done in person and not over the phone. If a grower has questions or issues—we’ll be the first at their door to help them find a solution. Be it agronomic, financing, or any other farming question, ProSeed is right there to help you.

This year, we’re helping farmers scout their fields and know what to expect. We’re working together to keep that light at the end of the tunnel.

6. What are some things growers should be thinking about, to finish the year as best they can?

Right now we are in the point of the year where we are seeing certain insect pressure. If there is a nice crop out there, it’s important to be timely scouting your crop and taking care of issues immediately. Save what yield you have. And pray. Pray for rain. We’ve been joking with each other every day saying, “Before you go home do your rain dance.” And of course, if you need seed, think ProSeed.