This week I had the pleasure of speaking to Bob Wyffels, vice president of production for Wyffels Hybrids, regarding concerns about the US seed corn supply. US-based Wyffels Hybrids, like many seed companies, realized last fall that due to the record-setting summer heat during the day and night, there was a lack of pollination that caused target yields for seed corn to be about 75 per cent of expectations.

Wyffels Hybrid production field in Chile.

Depending on carryover levels, many seed companies chose to augment their production by going to South America to fill the 25 per cent deficit needed to avoid a 2012 shortage. Wyffels Hybrids was fortunate in that they recognized what was occurring and how it would affect their overall supply about a month before their competitors.

"Wyffels recognized that yields could be less than anticipated and began our South American launch of product early on," said Mr. Wyffels. "We have been producing seed corn in South America for 15 years and have strong relationships there, so we were able to aggressively line up growers and better fields and locations for our seed production acres. We were able to plant early, and today we are bringing back corn on a timely basis, likely earlier than others."

In South America the seed corn crop is planted in September; pollination occurs at the end of December. Harvest is usually in February or March, and seed comes back to the US about April 1.

Seed production in Chile has been excellent this year. In fact, he said yields are exceptional. About 20 per cent of the seed corn supply will be coming from South America.

To learn more about South American seed quality and how the seed is transported back to the US, click here.

On a separate note… this week I'm excited to attend CropWorld North America 2012 conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. The conference will offer an outlook for the North American crop production industry, featuring the impact of declining water and energy resources on crop production. So watch next week for insights from the conference.

Have a great week!