36 



moot point. I have about reached the limit on fertilizer and pes- 

 ticides. Possibly, we are going to see those limits decrease. 



I have seen an increase of about one-half bushel per acre per 

 year from using the improved varieties, meaning that we have 

 gained about a 10 bushel yield advantage over the last 20 years, 

 which is solely attributable to better varieties. So this gain only re- 

 quires a minimum increase in the cost of seed. 



It costs me about $100 to plant an acre of wheat. It wouldn't take 

 very much more to use certified seed. In other words, there isn't 

 much difference considering the total cost of planting that acre. 



I also note that the K-State drill box survey shows about a 5 

 bushel per acre increase when a farmer plants certified seed as 

 compared to bin-run. 



Both the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the National 

 Association of Wheat Growers have passed resolutions stating that 

 they support the provisions of the Plant Variety Protection Act. 



As the Government continues to get out of agriculture, the vari- 

 ety improvements coupled with gains from planting certified seed 

 will make a very real difference. 



I believe it behooves all of us to work with seedsmen and farmers 

 to make the principles of the Plant Variety Protection Act effective 

 and better for all concerned. In other words, we need to be working 

 together. 



I urge the subcommittee and the entire Congress to move ahead 

 on these important amendments. As a farmer, I depend on the de- 

 velopment of new and improved varieties. I want to know that I 

 will keep having a good selection and the improved seed that I 

 need to make a living. 



Exactly the same thing would I state as a seedsman. We need 

 these new varieties. We need them protected. 



I thank you for this experience. I will try to answer any ques- 

 tions that you or the subcommittee might have for me. Thank you, 

 Mr. Chairman. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Strouts appears at the conclusion 

 of the hearing.] 



Mr. Stenholm. Thank you, Mr. Strouts. Next, Mr. Clemons. 



STATEMENT OF LESTER CLEMONS, PRESIDENT, WASHINGTON 



SEED COUNCIL 



Mr. CLEMONS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the 

 subcommittee. It is indeed an honor for me to appear before you 

 today to discuss our position on the Plant Variety Protection Act 

 Amendments of 1993. The Washington seed industry wishes to 

 thank you and your committee for allowing us to offer our com- 

 ments for your consideration. 



H.R. 2927 is of great importance to our Nation's agriculture, to 

 the plant breeding community, and especially Washington State's 

 seed industry. 



The seed producer, the farmer, must be able to successfully com- 

 pete, especially on price, with seeds imported from Third World na- 

 tions and/or nations which subsidize, to varying degrees, seeds 

 moving into the United States. Our farmers find, due to a constant 

 escalation of production costs, that they must borrow operating 

 capital. 



