Technology
focus has changed over the years, but two things remain
important for well operated seed companies.
Planning
Long product time lines require
accurate market need assessments and coordinated breeding
goals. The breeding or biotech selection, field trial
evaluations and seed increase are a seven year or longer
cycle, depending on crop.
The other area where planning is
important is managing inventory levels. Market knowledge of
customers unit purchases and low cost worldwide production are
managed to minimize asset committment yet provide adequate
inventory for sales.
Business of details
In the end the seed industry is still
a business of details. After years of breeding selection,
stock seed increase, production seed increase, and market
assessments, your eight dollar per hour hired man can bag the
wrong seed and all is lost. What was a money making product is
now a liability. The seed business requires strong people,
organizations with clearly stated goals and management than
can keep their eye on the strategic horizon and their feet on
the day to day details.
