By ANN HINCH
Associate Editor ATLANTA, Ind. — Beck’s Hybrids had much to celebrate at this year’s Becknology Days at company headquarters in Atlanta, not the least of which is gearing up for its 75th anniversary next year.
In 1937, father and son Lawrence and Francis Beck started the hybrid seed corn business, a fairly new idea according to Sonny Beck – Francis’ son and current company president. In 1964 the company instituted practical farm research studies, or PFR, to “help farmers farm better.” The idea was the better farmers’ business was, the better Beck’s business would be, as well.
It seems to be working. While other small seed companies have been consolidating during the past two decades, Beck’s has been growing rapidly; in fact, it is expanding research and storage facilities at its Atlanta headquarters during the next few years in anticipation of future growth.
In addition, the company has other research and marketing facilities in Indiana and Illinois. Earlier this month, in fact, Beck’s announced the purchase of the former Pfister Hybrids facility in El Paso, Ill. Sonny Beck said the facility will provide additional seed processing capabilities, expanded warehouse space and additional research and testing facilities to north-central and central Illinois.
During his hourly shared talk with his son, Vice President Scott Beck, the two men conducted a few audience polls with electronic voting and rapid tallying in the tent in which they were speaking. These were largely designed to segue into brief presentations on new products or specials Beck’s is offering.
One poll Sonny Beck put to listeners was to ask about Roundup herbicide resistance in weeds. One-third of the 11 a.m. Thursday audience has not yet seen resistance, but another 57 percent of farmers attested they began seeing Roundup resistance last year or earlier in their fields. Beck used this as an opportunity to inform growers of a company special: Order LibertyLink soybeans to plant next year, and get Ignite herbicide for free. (Those ordering before Dec. 1 can take an additional $8 per unit off the price of the bean seed.)
Beck praised Roundup as a still-viable herbicide for soybeans, but likened it to driving on the interstate – every so often, one may need to exit and detour on a side road. In this case, the “side road” is some other herbicide that will give weeds the chance to lose some of that Roundup resistance so Roundup can be applied again in a later year.
“You’ve got to start to think about it, or you’re going to see resistances on your own fields,” he added.
Other specials Beck’s is running include a $5 per-unit additional discount for corn seed ordered before Sept. 15, as well as $2 per unit for soybeans ordered by the same date.
Scott Beck talked about an additional pest-resistance trait for corn that should be added to trait stacks in the near future. The company is awaiting federal approval of the trait, and Beck estimated it would likely be ready for 2013. This will lend to the idea of 5 percent “refuge in a bag” the company is touting.
One of the polls he conducted was about planting issues farmers in attendance have had. Thirty-five percent of the 11 a.m. crowd said larger seed size has presented problems with planters. Beck said this is about the same percentage the company has been hearing from all its customers – for good reason. A typical bag of Beck’s seed corn has gone from about 50 pounds in 2008-09 to 56 pounds in 2010-11, for the same number of kernels.
Larger seed sizes are not going away, Beck said, but the company is trying a few tricks to hold it down where it can, such as applying less fungicide to plants with larger kernels. He said farmers can also get around this problem by using recommended talc and graphite to make seeds go more smoothly through their machinery. “One of the most important things you can really do is follow your planter manufacturer’s recommendations,” he added.
Senior Beck’s researcher Kyle Smith said corn seed yields across the Corn Belt this year will likely be down in number, which means more space on the individual ears for the kernels on there to expand, many of which will be “rounds.”
“There’s nothing wrong with rounds,” he said. “It’s just that people reject the way they go through their planters.”
Smith also suggested talc and graphite for planting next spring, since in his estimation corn seed for sale will likely be 90 percent rounds and 10 percent flat kernels.
With proper application and patience, he said rounds are just as viable as flats – he cited a farmer who planted nothing but rounds and harvested 200 bushels per acre.
Scott Beck pointed out customers may notice the company doesn’t just sell its own developed seed, but also other brands. He explained it’s more important for Beck’s to provide buyers the best seed quality and field performance than it is to sell them a bag with the Beck’s name emblazoned on it, if that’s what their needs dictate.
Win a chopper
Something else Beck’s is doing to celebrate its 75 years is giving away a custom Orange County Chopper (OCC) designed specifically for the company. Farmers and bike enthusiasts across the Midwest will have the chance to win a second custom OCC motorcycle in the “We Care for Orphans Adoption Fund” Sweepstakes.
According to Beck’s, the We Care for Orphans Adoption Fund helps unite children with loving families. The average cost to adopt is around $30,000 and Scott Beck said it is the company’s desire to help provide families with the resources they need to make their adoption a reality.
The bikes will tour the Midwest until Feb. 18, 2012, and visit field events and trade shows, with a drawing held Feb. 22; the winner will be announced at next March’s Commodity Classic. Donations will be accepted at all events with proceeds going to We Care for Orphans. In addition, limited edition OCC and Beck’s Hybrids t-shirts will be on sale with profits going to the charity.
The motorcycles’ next stop will be at the Farm Science Review in London, Ohio, Sept. 20-22. To learn more about the sweepstakes and see remaining shows where they will be on display, visit www.beckshybrids.com/wecare |
