An inside look at the movers and shakers of seed

No other input carries the importance of the seed. Yet the industry responsible for delivering this all-important ingredient is often cloaked in competitive secrecy. The stories below are an opportunity to step inside the offices of some of the most powerful seedsmen in the industry today.

Kent Schulze, a consultant who tracks the consolidations and transitions in the seed industry, says a review of the shares tells a tale. "From the early beginnings of hybrid corn, it took us 60 years to grow to 305 seed companies. It has taken only the past 14 years to reduce that number to almost half," Schulze says.

Seeds of Change: Can a new strategy reverse Syngenta's fortunes?

Show Me Momentum: Mega seed giant Monsanto battles back.

More than a Slogan: A commitment to personal service drives Pioneer.

Chemical Conversion: A new emphasis on seed germinates at Dow.

Self-Reliant Success: An independent shows it can run with the big dogs.

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