Now is the time of year to be deciding on your seed and herbicide plan for 2011. Below are a few highlights and thoughts that I will share.

Seed:

We offer Asgrow and Dekalb seed with very aggressive pricing. If you will look at all the plots that are out there, you will see that they are way ahead of the growth curve for the new upcoming genetics. They are not the cheapest. I repeat, they are not the cheapest, but they are the best. Let me prove to you that by NOT planting this brand of seed is costing you "BIG BUCKS."

REMEMBER THIS SAYING: "SOMETIMES TO SAVE A DOLLAR COSTS YOU TWO LATER."

This is so true on seed. To save $2-$4 an acre up front, only to lose out on 3-5 bu of $10-$12 soybeans is a lot of money out of your pocket. The same goes on corn, where to save $5 an acre only to lose out on 5-10 bu of $5-$6 corn costs you so much.

The last thing I will say on our seed is this.

I WILL NOT BEAT YOUR DOOR DOWN IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

I can't believe the companies out there beating down your door before harvest is even over. You haven't had time to sit down and process your year yet, let alone have time to relax a little after a busy harvest.

You do have a life don't you?

If our seed (and its yields) doesn't sell itself, then it probably shouldn't be on your farm anyway. I've always said that a products best salesman, is itself. That being said, if you want me to come out and talk to you on seed, I will be happy to. I will wait for your invitation to do so first.

We have also invested in a new seed treater and will offer a new product called ACCELERON, available for bulk soybeans and mini-bulk bags for $9.50 a unit. This product is blowing away the competition. We are seeing a minimum of 3 bu per acre increase on soybeans.(at $10-$12 a bu, that is at least a $20 an acre gain in your pocket).We will also have the capability to add OPTIMIZE inoculant as well at the same time as the ACCELERON.

Now on to Herbicide:

You can click on our link for our herbicide prices and they most generally speak for themselves. I will add this though.

"SOMETIMES TO SAVE A DOLLAR WILL COST YOU TWO LATER."

A lot of people are using a generic glyphosate for their farms, which is totally up to them, but I ask you this question. When the glyphosates stop working as well, and they will, what products are you going to use then if the major manufacturers are gone? Do you think the generic companies are producing new products? Do you think the generic companies have any research and development at all? You guys are smarter that that. THINK LONG TERM, not just for today. What products will your kids use when they are running the farm?

I didn't choose to sell the generics because of less profitability. It probably cost me some money. I chose to stay with the major manufacturers because I feel it is best for the long term goal for farmers and that will then help me. I have always believed that if the farmer has a good year, then I will also, as no industry puts money into the economy faster than a farmer after a good year.

I have had this happen to me on several occasions but I will give you one example:

I sold a farmer his soybean seed and he had to replant 500 acres. He had chosen to use generic glyphosate, and because of that his replant seed cost him $7.50 an acre more than if he had chosen Roundup. Figure that up: To save $1.50-$2.00 an acre on his chemical ended up costing him $5.50-$6.00 on all 500 acres. He lost more than the Glyphosate was in the first place. That hurts.

"SOMETIMES TO SAVE A DOLLAR WILL COST YOU TWO LATER."

I can tell you for a fact, that I am in this business for the long term. I will NOT sell out to a big corporation (although I've had my chances). My kids will carry on for the next generation after I'm done. We are not going anywhere and have your best interests in heart. Give us a chance to prove to you that we can help you make more money on more acres.

Thanks,

Rich Tarwater