November 2003

Foundation Crop

These farmers depend on soybeans--and the soybeans they use come from Southern States.

Soybeans are not the only crop grown on Bennett Farms Inc., but they serve as the foundation for a varied rotation ranging from corn to lima beans.

Freddy Bennett (left) inspects crop progress with George Inhof (center) and Gary Rhodes of Southern States.

"We rotate beans behind every crop we grow," says Freddy Bennett, who along with his father, Fred II, and son, Mark, farms 2,000 acres in central Delaware.

The Bennetts grow a Group III and two Group IV (see box, below, for variety details) Roundup Ready Southern States varieties.

"We're pleased with Southern States seed, including corn hybrids," Freddy says. Key to that satisfaction, he adds, is the support he receives from fieldman George Inhof and manager Gary Rhodes at Milford Co-op Inc., the Southern States retailer in nearby Milford, Del.

Rich Collins (right) depends on advice from fieldman Aaron Cooper.

"We like dealing with Southern States," Freddy declares. "Their service and advice are first rate. We depend on them for all of our crop-application services."

The Bennetts aim for soybean yields of 40 bushels or above. "Much of our success depends on weather," adds Mark. "But getting good weed control enhances our chances of success."

Farther south, Rich Collins splits his acreage between the co-op's Group IV and Group V varieties. He takes advantage of a slightly more temperate growing season on his acreage near Lewes, Del.

"Farming is a sideline to my insurance business," he explains. "Reliable advice from Aaron Cooper [his Southern States fieldman] and using their application services is critical. I don't have time to study problems that come up, so Aaron and the rest of the folks at Milford Co-op are important to my farming success.

Bennett Farm
Group III	RT 3799N offers good standability plus cyst-nematode resistance.
Group IV	RT 4098 features tolerance to Sudden Death Syndrome plus good emergence, and RT 446N offers cyst-nematode resistance plus good field tolerance to Phytophthora.
Collins Farm	Group IV RT 4980 is a late-maturing variety with tolerance to Sudden Death Syndrome and Phytophthora.
Group V	Roundup Ready RT 540N is a midmaturity variety with high yield potential plus cyst-nematode resistance.

"I plant varieties they recommend," he adds, noting that he asked for a Group V variety. "Group V varieties are a hedge against bad weather, because they have more time to recover in the longer maturity period."

Although he has cut back the number of acres he farms from a high of 500 several years ago, Collins has remained steadfast in his reliance on the advice and service from Southern States. "The folks are by far the most professional and reliable to deal with," he says. "That's the most important advantage to me."