Agricultural adaptation is critical in a changing certified seed world. As commodity prices continue to stay depressed and inputs increase, the exodus of seed growers and seed mill plant operators will continue to occur. In the last few years, our customer base for sales have dropped by 50% but most customer orders have increased their bushel amounts.
Finding niche crops with strong agronomic traits can provide seed sales in other markets such as organic and food grade trades. These crops would include winter rye, buckwheat, conventional soybeans, and yellow flax.
Increasing breeding pipeline connections are crucial to success. The RECs work with NDSU, the ND Crop Improvement and Seed Association, and private companies. Having access to new experimental lines or newly released varieties from North Dakota, other states, Canada, or overseas with improved genetics are critical. Early plot testing throughout the state provides the plant breeders with results on a potential release to the foundation seed program.
Diversification is essential. We typically work with eight or nine different crops and with 20-25 varieties to broaden our market base. Crops include hard red spring wheat, durum, barley, winter rye, buckwheat, field peas, flax, soybeans, hay barley and silage corn. The hay barley and silage corn are supplements for the CREC livestock unit.
Source : ndsu.edu