Organized Money The Bad Seed: Another Side Of The Farmer Revolt
Nov 11, 2025
In this engaging discussion, John Latham, a third-generation seed producer, and Todd Martin, an esteemed seed industry executive, dive into the monopolistic grip on the seed market. They reveal how giants like Bayer and Corteva dominate seed prices, squeezing farmers and impacting food costs. John shares his experience breeding tar spot-resistant corn and testifying before the Senate on competition issues. Both guests highlight the challenges faced by independent producers amidst rising seed royalties and corporate consolidation, painting a vivid picture of the agricultural landscape.
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Seeds Are High-Cost, Seller-Controlled Inputs
- Seed prices are a major input cost and are set by a tiny number of firms, not by farmers.
- Farmers have little control over seed pricing despite selling the final crop into competitive markets.
IP Dominates Seed Pricing
- Intellectual property makes up over half the cost of a corn seed bag.
- Traits account for ~35–40% and germplasm another ~15–20% of seed pricing.
Biology Slows Generic Seed Competition
- Biological products complicate generic entry because traits must be bred into suitable genetics over years.
- Post-patent access to traits like NK603 has been tightly managed, blocking easy generics.