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Two companies enter research, distribution arrangements.

Tom Bechman 1, Editor, Indiana Prairie Farm

June 21, 2009

3 Min Read

Two seed companies with strong Indiana ties will now work together in specific areas in the hope that their efforts will benefit both, and help customers at the same time. Pioneer, owned by DuPont, is a national company, based in Johnston, Iowa, but they have a strong presence in Indiana. Many seed corn growers in Indiana produce for Pioneer, and they still maintain a strong presence at their Tipton facility. Beck's Hybrids is a regional seed company based at Atlanta, Ind.

The two companies entered into research and distribution agreements last week. The end result is that they will collaborate in research efforts and in the distribution of corn hybrid seed and soybean varieties under the XL brand.

For Beck's Hybrids, the XL brand is still marketed in bags similar in appearance to other Beck's hybrids and varieties, notes Scott Beck, vice-president of Beck's Hybrids. A small number of XL products were available this year. What's totally new is the research agreement, Beck notes.

"Teaming with Pioneer, an organization with one of the premier germplasm development programs in the world, enables synergy between us to identify seed products that excel in Beck's geography," Beck says. "These agreements allow us to create, test and identify new hybrid combinations that give our growers a new source of elite products, while maintaining our family ownership, independence and freedom to operate."

Indeed, sources say Beck's Hybrids will still offer state-of-the-art technologies from Monsanto and other companies, just as before. Beck's mantra over the past decade has been their insistence that customers get the best of all worlds- access to whatever genetics and trait options the customer thinks is best.

On the flip side, Pioneer sources see the new agreement as a way to get their top-flight genetics into more hands. "We are truly excited about his business relationship with Beck's Hybrids," says Frank Ross, vice president and regional director for North America, with Pioneer. "It broadens our marketing footprint by utilizing one of Pioneer's core strengths- our world-class genetics. Both businesses will benefit, and we will also enhance the choices of technologies and genetics available to the grower."

To clarify what customers can expect, Pioneer sources emphasize that seed marketed and distributed by Beck's Hybrids, or other companies Pioneer works with, will be unique. It won't be available from Pioneer sales reps. On the other hand, Pioneer brand products will still only be available from Pioneer sales reps, not from anyone else.

About the Author(s)

Tom Bechman 1

Editor, Indiana Prairie Farm

Tom Bechman is an important cog in the Farm Progress machinery. In addition to serving as editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer, Tom is nationally known for his coverage of Midwest agronomy, conservation, no-till farming, farm management, farm safety, high-tech farming and personal property tax relief. His byline appears monthly in many of the 18 state and regional farm magazines published by Farm Progress.

"I consider it my responsibility and opportunity as a farm magazine editor to supply useful information that will help today's farm families survive and thrive," the veteran editor says.

Tom graduated from Whiteland (Ind.) High School, earned his B.S. in animal science and agricultural education from Purdue University in 1975 and an M.S. in dairy nutrition two years later. He first joined the magazine as a field editor in 1981 after four years as a vocational agriculture teacher.

Tom enjoys interacting with farm families, university specialists and industry leaders, gathering and sifting through loads of information available in agriculture today. "Whenever I find a new idea or a new thought that could either improve someone's life or their income, I consider it a personal challenge to discover how to present it in the most useful form, " he says.

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