From recent conversations with a real California farmer (also, I schooled in Iowa, by the way):
In a message dated 97-12-09 16:47:06 EST, CF Seattle writes:
<< Note the biggest problem here is farmers who can't get Monsanto products, because there isn't enough supply.>>
Absolutely Dan. You hit it right on the mark again. The latest problem on the farm is not that the seed manufacturers have not kept up technolgy wise, the main problem is that even after they cross the legal hurdles, it generally takes some time to be able to fill the demand. Believe me the demand is there for a plant (corn, cotton, tomatoes, etc) that is insect resistant, disease resistant, herbicide resistant, or any combination of the three. The odd part is that on our end, we are talking a reasonable dollar amount per acre higher to be able to plant this altered seed over the standard seed. Yet our income now has the potential to be raised by several hundred dollars per acre.
One area I really have neglected also Dan is the huge benefit from eliminating pesticde applications. Since I live and farm in California, environmental concerns run rampant here. Every chemical company is considered evil, and of course every farmer the same, because in part, we rely heavily on chemical applications. What Monsanto and others are bringing to the market front will save a phenomenal amount of pesticide applications which in turn will have a very positive spin environmentally. Its a win win situation for both Monsanto, farmers, and environmentalists.
Continued success,
Sam |
