As a family-owned company and the largest privately held seed company in the United States, Stine® is not subject to the whims of a disconnected corporate board and Wall Street investors, or the volatility of the stock market. We have the flexibility to make timely decisions that ensure our research, products and programs are leading edge. Here are some facts that show you how we got where we are today and how we help deliver the highest-yielding corn and soybean products to growers’ fields year after year.
History
The Stine name has a proud history dating to the 1940s when Bill Stine began cleaning public variety soybean seed with a portable cleaner. Since then, Stine has grown and expanded, becoming one of the most recognized and respected names in the corn and soybean industry. In fact, Stine is currently celebrating its 40th year in the retail seed industry and more than 50 years of soybean research. We also own more than 800 patents (in collaboration with affiliated companies). We are the industry’s largest privately owned seed company.
Soybean Breeding
Stine is synonymous with soybeans, and that’s because we’re home to one of the most prolific, highest-yielding soybean breeding programs in the world. That is why two-thirds of the soybean genetics planted in the United States each year are comprised of genetics developed by Stine. We’ve led the industry in the introduction of soybean technologies such as Stine® LibertyLink® soybeans and Stine Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans, and now we’re uniquely positioned to provide growers multiple new choices for weed management, including the latest new soybean technologies to hit the market — Stine LibertyLink® GT27™ soybeans and Stine Enlist E3™ soybeans. Stine currently possesses one of the industry’s broadest lineups of Enlist E3 soybeans for the 2019 growing season, with more than 37 options for growers to choose from this planting season.
Stine Corn
Though we’re known for soybeans, Stine actually owns and operates one of the industry’s largest and most prolific corn breeding programs. Keeping with our philosophy that breeding is a numbers game, we develop and evaluate hundreds of thousands of unique hybrids per year. We are one of only a few companies that breeds and develops its own corn inbred lines, which helps us deliver our customers more, diverse and profitable options.
In fact, the success of our corn program proves that our research is working and the products we’re placing in growers’ fields produce yields and increase growers’ ROI. To keep the momentum going, we’re expanding our research by increasing our corn plots. To paint you a picture, last year, Stine planted 350,000 corn plots. This year, we’re planting close to 700,000. Next year, we’re on track to have more than 1,000,000 plots. Our corn breeding program is backed by data, and that data is only going to get stronger the more we continue to grow.
High-Population Corn
Historical data shows that a clear correlation exists between increased plant populations and increased yields. Stine is using this correlation to help growers maximize yields in their fields.
For years, Stine has been using its own line of genetically unique inbreds to custom build Stine HP Corn® hybrids. These hybrids are ideally suited for planting in narrower rows and at higher populations, producing shorter, narrower plants than traditional hybrids, with leaves that grow upright to catch more sunlight. HP Corn hybrids produce plants that have superior standability and disease resistance to ensure they won’t lodge or break down prematurely under increased pressures, and they feature less biomass for more efficient water utilization, making them suitable for high populations.
These new genetics, paired with narrower rows, are shaping the future of corn production. Visit our HP Corn microsite for more information.
Research
When it comes to research, yield is what matters most. Our breeders and scientists take their cues from the tradition of company founder Harry Stine, striving to reach the next level of excellence in corn and soybean performance. Being an independent seed company means we have the speed and agility to move seed aggressively through our research program and into your fields faster.
Combined with our base of high-yielding genetics, priority access to key traits and technologies, a proven system to evaluate performance of those technologies and a channel to market, Stine is well positioned for success now and in the future. To learn more about Stine, our history and innovative corn and soybean breeding programs, visit our website.