August, 2003

Hayden Eicher (above left) and Winston Ellis inspect a harvest-ready field of SS 560 wheat.

When it comes to growing wheat, no area in Virginia consistently matches the yield standards of farmers in and around Essex County. Among these outstanding wheat growers, Winston Ellis is routinely one of the top producers. He won the state yield contest, with 105 bushels per acre, in the only year he entered the competition.

"Winston is as good a grower as you'll find," says Hayden Eicher, a Southern States Certified Crop Advisor in eastern Virginia. Eicher is a 24-year veteran field salesman who, through extensive training and continuing education, has earned the Growmaster® Professional Certified Crop Advisor designation.

This season Ellis planted the co-op's new SS 560 wheat in place of FFR 555, the co-op's reliable medium-maturity variety that's been so popular with growers throughout the East Coast and Mid-South.

"I selected SS 560 based on results of Extension service trials from Virginia Tech," Ellis says. "Standability is important, as well as disease resistance. I like the idea that it's more resistant to mildew and leaf rust than some of our stand-by varieties."

This year, he adds, the resistance really paid off. Eastern Virginia experienced its wettest spring and early summer in years."Keith Balderson, our local Extension agent, has an excellent on-going test-plot demonstration program," Eicher explains. "Our SS 560 performed well in last season's trials, and our growers responded with heavy demand for the seed."

For years, soft red winter wheat varieties from Southern States have delivered outstanding results in local, state and national yield trials. This proven performance comes from intensive research and testing to develop the best seed size, disease packages, standability and yield potential for a grower's investment.

Eicher also conducts test plots, comparing Southern States varieties with competitors. "We have a field day each season and let the chips fall where they may," he notes. "We're proud to stack our varieties up against all competitors."

Eicher explains that SS 560 is pretreated with Gaucho® XT, an all-in-one treatment for control of a variety of aphids and wireworms, plus early-season control of Pythium, Septoria, Fusarium and root rot. "It's the most comprehensive package we've ever offered," he says, noting that sales to his customers last fall were limited by the amount of seed available in the first year SS 560 was offered.

Ellis booked his wheat right after harvest last season. Because demand for SS 560 is expected to be even greater this year, Southern States advises growers to book next season's SS 560 now.It certainly proved to be a good move for Ellis, who buys not only seed but a variety of products from Southern States. For this champion grower, the co-op is a vital link in his formula for success.