seedcorn
Garden Master
20+ years ago, there were 20+ plus soybean breeder companies w/countless breeders in the country.
A breeder would develop a new line only to have a farmer buy a few bags, multiply it, never buy again. Sometimes, he would sell extra seed to his neighbors. Breeders couldn't recoup their costs so they quit or sold out. Now we're down to about 5 major soybean breeders in the USA. They do not want to go bankrupt so they charge enough to make a profit, pay their salaries, bills and STOP anyone trying to profit from their lines w/out their permission. It has also happened in the wheat industry.
So who is to blame for the situation we are in? People who used lines w/out paying for them or getting permission OR from business's from buying out bankrupt breeders?
I've made this somewhat vague because it's not just one company but an industry direction.
A breeder would develop a new line only to have a farmer buy a few bags, multiply it, never buy again. Sometimes, he would sell extra seed to his neighbors. Breeders couldn't recoup their costs so they quit or sold out. Now we're down to about 5 major soybean breeders in the USA. They do not want to go bankrupt so they charge enough to make a profit, pay their salaries, bills and STOP anyone trying to profit from their lines w/out their permission. It has also happened in the wheat industry.
So who is to blame for the situation we are in? People who used lines w/out paying for them or getting permission OR from business's from buying out bankrupt breeders?
I've made this somewhat vague because it's not just one company but an industry direction.
