You may have seen the recent BASF television advertisement that conveys the essence of their company, “We don’t make the product, we make it better!” That is exactly what they have done for farmers through their Plant Science division, ExSeed Genetics and the NutriDense® brand of genetics.

NutriDense is “Nutritionally Enhanced” through non-GMO breeding methods to deliver significant benefits to the livestock feeder compared to yellow dent commodity corn. The modified nutritional profile includes the following: elevated content of quality protein, dramatic increases in essential amino acids, increased oil/energy content, higher total and available phosphorus, improved digestibility of amino acids and phosphorus, and reduced nutrient excretion.

For 2004, Beck’s Hybrids is offering two NutriDense hybrids for sale, 5602NDCB (111 day) and 6702ND (114 day), as well as two hybrids for testing. There are several delivery points where farmers can obtain contracts and deliver NutriDense grain. Cargill, The Anderson’s, Consolidated Grain and Barge, Tomen and potentially some other delivery points along the Illinois River are all paying premiums for NutriDense grain.

To ensure sufficient quantities of NutriDense grain are available for a select group of animal feed end-users, and to encourage farmers to try NutriDense in 2004, ExSeed Genetics is offering an incentive of $15 per acre ($42 per unit) through their Grower Sign-On Bonus program. Growers must order a minimum of 20 units of NutriDense and agree to the terms of the Sworn Statement to be eligible. The program ends January 30, 2004 and growers must complete the Sworn Statement and include it with a sales invoice or sales order, postmarked by February 15, 2004 to ExSeed Genetics.