Typically more corn is grown in southern Minnesota than in the northern part of the state, and the northern half has grown more wheat. But with the price of wheat going up, more farmers in the southern half of the state are thinking about getting into, or back into, wheat production.

This year wheat seed has become increasingly difficult to come by and almost impossible to buy any new varieties at this point.

A steady increase of roasting of homegrown soybeans, corn, oats, barley and wheat is happening for dairy cattle and hogs. Even beef cattle are enjoying the “new taste” of their rations. Livestock growers are also finding roasting is a convenient way to salvage “off-flavor” grains.

With trait technologies now an accepted fact in corn production, and as growers cover more and more acres, some seed industry officials have a growing concern about refuge usage for biotech corn.

“EPA certainly has the capability of making the system much more accountable, even to the extent of removal of this particular trait. Resorting to the use of insecticides to control European corn borer would be tremendously costly both in economic and environmental impact.”

With 2008 corn acres likely to be down anywhere from 5 million to 8 million acres nationwide, logic suggests hybrid seed corn supplies should be more than adequate. So much for logic. If you have not yet ordered, finding both the genetic and trait package you desire could be an issue.

Mike and Geno Butler tend to be particular about the genetics of their crops each year. Growing 3,300 acres of corn and soybeans will do that.

2008 Seed Selection Guide — Corn Hybrids

Lawhon Midwest announced its decision to close its business. Its customers better know Lawhon Midwest, a marketer of corn and soybean products, by its well-recognized brand name, Stauffer Seeds.