Schillinger Genetics Blog

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Last week, Schillinger Genetics hosted a delegation of Food Buyers from China.  Amongst the group were Soyfood Manufacturers, Equipment Manufacturers, and Chinese Soybean Association Members.  We were one of a couple stops made in Iowa by the group.  After stopping at equipment manufacturers and a soyfood processor, they came to Grinnell to learn more about the genetics and what goes into improving soybean varieties for food purposes.  While China has the biggest market for US crush beans, they have been relying very heavily on their own domestic production of soybeans for their food industry.  I think that they will eventually need to import a lot more of their food beans as well and we spent the time to talk about how and why we have improved soybeans for that market.

After the visit to our research station, we traveled up the road to visit Weaver Farms of Gilman, Iowa.  This was a great experience for the group as they were able to see what goes into a modern Midwest farming operation.  Our hosts, Todd and Denny Weaver, talked about their production methods, size of the farm, and yields.  The biggest attraction for them was the samples of corn and soybeans that were on display in the shop.  The group marveled at the quality and appearance of the grain.  I think they would have liked to buy on the spot.  I am sure that the commodity product that they have been exposed to looks nothing like it does from the bin by the time it is handled and comingled in the transportation system.  The other big draw was the equipment line and being able to get up close and get their pictures taken,

I certainly hope that China continues to see the value in our US grains and other agricultural products in the future and remains a strong contributor to demand well into the future.  It was a fun filled morning with lots of good questions and lots of pictures!

Corey

Schillinger Genetics got the Thanksgiving Holiday started yesterday already as our Iowa employees all gathered at our Grinnell research facility to celebrate a fabulous year with many additions and many breakthroughs.  We were treated to an excellent feast and great fellowship amongst the employees and the station neighbors who make our work there possible by allowing us to rent the prime land for our research.    John’s son Doug Schillinger attended the celebration and addressed the group after lunch.  He made mention of the fact that our country, in its retail and competitive mindset, basically skips Thanksgiving after the Halloween holiday and directs its full attention towards Christmas which is apparent as more and more retailers are even open on Thanksgiving day.   It was a great time to stop and think about all the things that we truly are thankful for.  Not only as a company; but personally as well.

Doug had us write down 3 people to especially thank this week.  First, we were all to choose someone from within the company to take the time to thank this week for a special effort, help on a project, or just being a great person to work with.  Secondly, we were asked to think about someone at home or in the family.  As we all know, during busy times at work, family doesn’t always get the thanks and recognition deserved.  And finally, we were asked to write down a name from the past.  Someone who has made us what we are today, who has made a special effort to help us in the past, or for just being a friend.

Everyone had the chance to share with group events and people that they were thankful for.  We are blessed as a company and as individuals.  2010 has been a year of many breakthroughs in the research side, new markets on the sales side, fabulous product performance, and health, safety and increased growth across the company.

I know I am very thankful for my job and the opportunities that have been given to me.  I am also very thankful for a loving wife who has given me a wonderful family and keeps us all in line.  I also want to thank you, the customer of our seed products, grain, and ingredient products.  It is you who makes us successful and we certainly hope that our products have made you successful as well.

I hope that everyone can take some time this Thanksgiving season to think about all that you are thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Corey

Well, the report came through Tuesday morning and while there were no big surprises for me on the corn, I was a little surprised by the soybean reduction again, and the trend continues to tighten the supplies.  When you couple this with the actions of the Fed last week, our US grain is still looking pretty attractive for international markets and leading to some pretty large upticks in the futures again.  I am concerned about how our domestic users will handle these high prices.  The ethanol producers seem confident that as Crude Oil continues to rise, they will be able to pass the higher priced ethanol into that market.  The livestock feeders will undoubtedly need to receive a higher meat price to stay whole as well.  It would appear that the biggest loser is going to be the consumers in their fuel and food prices.  The all important South American production reports should start adding more fundamentals into the situation soon as well.  From what I have heard, Argentina has had a very optimal corn planting season and planting a lot of beans right now.  Their final planted acreages could help ease world supply in some crops but this spring will be a huge battle for US acres with cotton at all time highs, huge acres of wheat already planted, and very dry conditions across the Midwest going into the winter months.

Anyway you frame it up; it is going to be a very interesting to see where these markets go.  I don’t envy those making marketing decisions throughout the growing season and I certainly hope that everyone is able to take advantage of the current markets whether it is from the bin or on paper.

Until Next week!

After a blessed weather pattern this fall to help speed harvest along, we are now back to reality with this windy and cooler pattern that has arrived this week. We are certainly very relieved to have all of our Midwest research completed and working very hard to finish up on the East Coast as they have had some wetter patterns this fall. But certainly, what a change we have seen from last year. As yield data continues to arrive, we are seeing excellent results in both our private and the public trials. This week has seen results come in from Missouri, Mississippi, Illinois, and Michigan.

We are still seeing very consistent results from several value added products and the commodity product line. At this time, from the value added product line, 389F.YC is the clear cut leader with yields rivaling the best in the industry leaders from both the GMO and Non GMO sides. This product should be considered for any Non GMO contract out there along with those who want to just get away from the glyphosate production system and have grain in the bin that could be sought after from end users. The other emerging opportunity will be with e3520. We are still promoting this product with end users and traders as the ultimate B82 replacement. The protein and yield results support our claims and efforts and will become a major player in the black hilum, high protein market.

The commodity product line also continues to impress with Group II products like 235.T and 289.TC working extremely well in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. In the Group III’s, keep a spot for 348.TCS(STS) and 389F.YC in your 2011 acreage plans. Finally with the later material, e4510S is going to have a big impact on Southern IL, Central MO, and points further south. E4910 topped all GMO and Non GMO products across the 3 locations published so far in Southern Missouri and showed very well in the Mississippi trials as well. Our more established products like 435.TCS and 477.TCS continue to show up well also.

As contract season is beginning, we will be promoting those programs very aggressively that utilize varieties from eMerge. We hope to have those contract opportunities to you as soon as possible.

Stay Tuned for new exciting results and future opportunities on the feed side and have a Happy Halloween!

The extended period of above normal temps and below normal rainfall has not only sped farmer harvest progress ahead of schedule but also been very favorable to research plot harvest.  Internal research plots, dealer strip trial, and public research trial results are coming in on a daily basis.  We have been very pleased for the most part as we begin to summarize the data and definitely seeing the impact of SDS infestation and its relationship to final yields.  This has been a great sorting year to reaffirm the tolerance we have in our product line and also a great way to discard varieties in the pipeline that may not be carrying the level of tolerance and resistance that we would like to see.  There have also been some isolated pockets of Frog Eye Leaf Spot and some White Mold that have allowed us to sharpen those scores as well.

Products that continue to impress and show up well from the commodity Non GMO side include 289.TC, 235.T, and 348.TCS in the Northern and Central zones.  These are great choices for those Non GMO crush programs, Non Variety Specific (NVS) Non GMO barge programs, and also for those producers just interested in getting away from a glyphosate program for the purpose of managing glyphosate weed resistance and soil health concerns.  We are also very early on in looking at the southern maturities but is appears that 4310, 4510, 4920, and 5110 are well on their way to becoming huge boosts to that later product line and delivering growers maximum bottom lines.

When we get to looking at Food Grade and Variety Specific products, there are 2 that completely standout for performance and end user demand and acceptance.  389F.YC and e3520 are performing very well and will become the 2 largest selling products in our lineup for 2011.  Even with limited contracts being promoted yet, there is a good bet that one of these 2 products will qualify for the upcoming contract announcements.  Even for those growers that don’t initiate a contract prior to planting, you can plan on having a bin full of grain with these 2 products that will be in demand following harvest.

Remember to keep an eye on the eMerge Marketplace for updated 2011 grain contracts and also stay tuned to those state yield trial result websites.  Contact your local eMerge Dealer today to learn more about the early pay and pricing programs or contact us direct at 515-225-6134 or whoener@schillgen.com

Welcome to the new Schillinger Genetics Blog.  The purpose of this blog is to help relay exciting news,  information and methods about all aspects related to the Non-GMO World.

Our plans are to weekly update with posts from various Schillinger and eMerge personel about happenings in the field, lab , and world with regards to Non GMO soybean and corn production.

Our goal is to be a resource and information source as it relates to Non-GMO production.