Bayer's Seed Corn Evolution: A Century of Innovation
The Bayer Production Site in Waterman, Illinois has been producing seed corn since 1936. Over the years, the site has undergone significant changes to improve efficiency and quality. In 2022, the full corn production process ended at the Waterman facility, and it now focuses on soybean production.
Jon Calease, the site lead, noted that each year, the facility ships just under 1 million units of seed corn to Farmer City for packaging. The shift in technology has been remarkable, with Bayer introducing various innovations to enhance seed corn production.
Rusty Baie, a farmer from Waterman, recalled using two-row pickers in the 1960s and switching to traditional rows. He also mentioned that seed corn patterns have changed over time, from two male rows followed by six female rows to one male row and four female rows for better pollination.
The industry has seen significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of direct harvest, which eliminates the need for picking ear corn in the field. This method reduces loss through transportation and de-husking, making the process more efficient. The Bayer facility at Waterman is expected to fully transition to direct harvest by 2026.