GROWER FAQs
Questions? We Have Answers.
What are the qualifications to become a production grower with Mid-State Seed?
Mid-State Seed interviews each potential grower to determine if a partnership would be mutually beneficial. Give us a call or contact us and we’ll sit down to discuss the possibilities.
How often and when do Mid-State Seed’s crop production specialists visit growers’ fields?
Our crop production specialists take the time to train and educate our growers on our specific processes when they become a Mid-State Seed partner. Subsequent visits follow two to three times during each growing season—planting, flowering and prior to harvest. These visits are both to ensure quality of the seed and to provide advice and guidance to the grower.
The initial inspection is at the emergence stage to determine stand counts and weed pressures that might exist, the second is during the flowering stage to determine varietal purity and the final inspection is at harvest. We also visit every grower one to three times during the off-season to plan for the following year. Mid-State Seed crop production specialists are always available for consulting or questions.
How do growers earn premiums?
All Mid-State Seed growers receive the market value for their seed plus a premium based on the conditioned bushels of seed crop that meet quality specifications and requirements under a hand-clean-out method of testing. If seed meets the quality specifications and requirements, but Mid-State Seed still does not accept it, the grower qualifies for a premium payment per harvested bushel. These bushels also qualify for storage payments.
What are premium levels based on?
The level of the premium payment is heavily influenced by the number of splits found in the beans. Other quality specifications such as moisture, foreign material, germination, and varietal purity also influence the premium. Mid-State Seed tests each shipment to identify the condition of the beans.
When can growers price their beans and how does that happen?
Once a grower’s contract has been signed, they may price up to 50% of the anticipated yield. After the beans have been harvested, and either delivered to Mid-State Seed or stored in a farm bin any percentage may be priced. If beans are being stored in the grower’s bin, Mid-State Seed, will advance up to 75% of the bin estimate at the grower’s request. The rest of the payment will be made after beans have been brought to Mid-State Seed. A grower may call in for the market price with Mid-State Seed at any time except on days that the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) is not trading.
Who decides if the crop will be stored at Mid-State Seed or on a grower’s farm?
At the time of contract, Mid-State Seed will discuss the possibilities for seed storage with the grower.
How does Mid-State Seed guarantee the quality of seed that is stored on farms?
Mid-State Seed conducts routine probes of the beans stored on individual farms to ensure the quality of the product.
Who should I contact if I have other questions?
You can call our office at any time at 660-886-5578, or contact one of our crop production specialists directly: Jack Crumbaugh: 660-886-0072, jack.crumbaugh@midstateseed.com.
When can growers price their beans and how does that happen?
Once a grower’s contract has been signed, they may price up to 50% of the anticipated yield. After the beans have been harvested, and either delivered to Mid-State Seed or stored in a farm bin any percentage may be priced. If beans are being stored in the grower’s bin, Mid-State Seed will advance up to 75% of the bin estimate at the grower’s request. The rest of the payment will be made after beans have been brought to Mid-State Seed. A grower may call in for the market price with Mid-State Seed at any time except on days that the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) is not trading.
Who decides if the crop will be stored at Mid-State Seed or on a grower’s farm?
At the time of contract, Mid-State Seed will discuss the possibilities for seed storage with the grower.
How does Mid-State Seed guarantee the quality of seed that is stored on farms?
Mid-State Seed conducts routine probes of the beans stored on individual farms to ensure the quality of the product.
Who should I contact if I have other questions?
You can call our office at any time at 660-886-5578.