I have been to a lot of different field days comparing products.  Channel mentioned "that hybrid" up north and touted how good it was.  They said they have a southern version that comes this far south and I can't quote you the number.  These hybrid numbers are impossible to remember like the days of 3394 vs B-81 or whatever.  The trait combo's made the numbers explode and I don't see how they keep all that production straight.

Crow's had a big presence here but lost two big dealers over the years and I have one friend who was all Crow's who planted all Pioneer instead of Channel and I see quite a bit of that around here.  It's like Pioneer is getting some of their business back they lost.  I was at one of their field days last night and saw lots of the Crow's customers with no Channell signs in their fields this year.

At all the field days, the reps and a few farmers make light of the refuge requirements as if lots of people aren't following them.  I did meet a few who don't plant one and some who plant one row of six which is not 20% and few planted hybrids that don't require because of the price.  Many make light of refuge in a bag too.

I hope to meet a few of you tomorrow in Rush County Indiana where I will get a better handle on indepent seed companies dealing with their competitor's traits.  We are a garden spot around here compared to not too far away and the ear drop due to insects might drive a few more conventional guys to traits.  The plot data this winter will be interesting.

I didn't mean to hijack your post but you got me thinking about all I have been seeing and hearing the past couple of weeks.  I may have even cost myself enough bushels per acre to pay for the traits but year in year out I haven't seen it until last year.  The past two years it may have paid but I think it is as much traiting the pushing the best pedigrees.

Ed