Grain Grab

by Richard Oswald City folks tend to see farmers as wealthy landowners who dig in the soil for something nearly as good as gold. Really though, it’s the value of yellow grain and growing things that decide whether farmers mine bottomless wealth on their land, or just get the shaft. For farmers there’s no such thing as a cost of living increase. We don’t get fringe benefits or health care unless we pay for it. Retirement is funded, Read More …

Monsanto Corn Seed Price Hikes a Threat to Agriculture

Organization for Competitive Markets P.O. Box 6486 Lincoln, NE 68506 www.competitivemarkets.com For Immediate Release: July 24, 2008 Contact: Kristina Hubbard, hubbard@competitivemarkets.com, 406-203-4433 Fred Stokes, tfredstokes@hughes.net, 601-527-2459 Monsanto Corn Seed Price Hikes a Threat to Agriculture Lincoln, NE – The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) says Monsanto’s market power is driving up seed prices and increasing economic risk to farmers. “Monsanto’s market power has been quietly accruing over several years and has now begun materially impacting price,” said Keith Read More …

Corporate Power

The problem of consolidation in the seed industry is well known. One company in particular, the Monsanto Company, controls a high percentage of the global seed market and continues to increase its dominance by acquiring or merging with a significant number of companies in its industry. Monsanto has acquired dozens of independent seed companies in the last decade. It controls 70% of the transgenic corn market and more than 90% of the transgenic soybean market. In 2007, Monsanto Read More …

Seed Concentration Focus

Seed Concentration Project Our Mission The OCM Crop Seed Concentration Project pursues aggressive and appropriate pro-market regulation to bring fairness, innovation and competition back to the U.S. crop seed industry. We engage in public education and advocacy, while building a lasting foundation to achieve these goals. What’s the problem? Higher seed and chemical costs In addition to rising fuel and chemical prices, farmers are also paying higher prices for crop seed with less choice in the market. Companies Read More …

Take Action

The concentration of market power in the seed industry cannot be ignored. The problem is well known and already impacts every farmer, rancher and agricultural producer. In the face of historic fuel costs, farmers are also paying higher seed costs with less choice due to unfair trade practices in the crop seed and genetics industry. Our farmers and rural communities are at a disadvantage. Help us take back an open and fair seed industry. Educate yourself on the Read More …