82 



As a seedsman, I have farmer customers brag to me that they made good money illegally 

 by selling their production which came from seed they purchased from me the year before. 



The consequences to me as a seedsman can be serious. If I start with a S3 bushel of 

 wheat, it costs about another S3 to make it into a bag of wheat seed. I add about SI of profit 

 and expect to sell it for $7. 



If my neighbors saturate the market illegally, I have to dump the bags and my certified 

 seed becomes just grain going to the elevator. I lose my profit, and I have to liquidate my 

 certification expense against the value of the grain. 



$3.00 minus $3.00 equals = NOTHING 



As a farmer, I can't do much to increase production by increasing rainfall. 



I have about reached the limit on fertilizer and pesticides. 



I have seen an increase of about 1/2 bushel per acre per year from using the improved 

 varieties. 



This gain requires only a minimum increase in the cost of seed. 



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." 



As the government continues to get out of agriculture, the variety 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. 



I urge the subcommittee and the entire Congress to move ahead on these important 

 amendments. As a farmer, I depend on the development 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. 



Thank you for this experience. I am ready to answer any questions that you or the 

 subcommittee might have for me. 



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