It seems logical that a drought year would conclude with a discussion on seed supply concerns.

Most seed companies say this shouldn't be a major issue for 2013. Irrigation, increased acreage and more South American production are the major ways seed companies boosted production for the 2013 planting season.

Eric Sitzman, Mycogen's corn product manager, says their plan relies on irrigation and diversification spread across the Corn Belt.

"About two thirds of our corn seed production is under irrigation," Sitzman notes. "It's spread across the Grain Belt in Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska."

SUPPLY CONCERNS: The drought has many worrying whether seed supply will be an issue for 2013. Many seed companies will rely on a mix of domestic and South American production.

Additionally, Mycogen has secured a solid position in South American seed production. So, any shortfall from U.S. production will be made up with winter seed, Sitzman says.

While South American seed production will figure heavily in many companies' plans, two family-owned seed companies said they will meet demand largely with domestically-grown seed.

Bill Wyffels says Wyffels Hybrids is actually in a stronger position this year than last year. Fortunately, many of Wyffels' growers lucked out and received timely rains throughout the year.

And, while it was hot, Wyffels says it wasn't nearly as bad last year, when night-time temperatures wreaked havoc in much of their seed-growing area.

"This year, we had the high daytime temperatures like last year," he notes. "But, it got to rest at night."

Wyffels also uses some South American acreage for production. This year, Wyffels says they booked only about one third of what they did last year.

Sonny Beck's seed production was hit by the drought. However, the president of Beck's Hybrids planted twice the number of acres he thought he'd need for 2013. Increased demand was a big part of it. Plus, Beck's recently acquired a cold storage facility. Thus, he'd planned on storing up on seed in case something like a drought hit. Timing is definitely everything.

Beck says most of his growers expect to get about half of typical yields. So, with twice the amount of acreage, he expects they'll have just enough to go around next year. He also plans to buy a little insurance seed with some South American acres.

It seems most seed companies are in a fairly strong supply situation despite this year's drought. Of course, many companies will rely on a good growing season from South America. As most know, that's not always a sure thing. So, for now, seed supply seems to be a nonissue. Stay tuned this spring.