Seed supply should be adequate for the 2013 growing season. (Photo by Carrie Muehling/WJBC)

By Carrie Muehling

SPRINGFIELD - Seed supplies should be adequate for 2013, but companies are encouraging farmers to get their orders in early.

"We've been promised supplies are going to be adequate.  Maybe not always our first or second choice.  We will have good hybrids to sell, so the earlier you secure your order, the better off I think you'll be," said Mark Powell, seed sales manager from Brandt Consolidated in Springfield.

Risk mitigation is done by the grower, where they have diversified where they have planted the genetics and used irrigation in many cases.  Companies grow in different states and sometimes in South America to ensure adequate seed production.

"The newest hybrids that are yielding the best are the ones we're short on.  You just can't grow enough of them in the first inception year," said Powell.

Popular hybrids coming into 2013 include SmartStax varieties, especially for continuous corn acres.  A lot of growers are also excited about RIB Complete with Triple Pro from Monsanto, which offers one bag convenience for refuge compliance.

Harvest further along to the south

In the Springfield area, the corn harvest is nearly finished, with yields ranging from 20-130 bushels per acre on average.  Farmers in that area are just starting to get into soybeans with yields ranging from 20-60 bushels per acre.

"It's been tied back to soil type and the guys that lucked out and got the local rain.  We're just seeing a grave difference in soil types.  The low ground that hurt us the last two to three years is the ground that's delivering the bacon for us this year," said Powell.

Carrie Muehling can be reached at carrie@wjbc.com.