Lakeside Seed --
local seed dealers who care
by Olivia Richards,
Herman Review
The month of March has arrived. Can spring be far behind? About this time of the year farmers begin to think about getting into the fields, and wonder when it will happen. Do they have the right seed to meet their needs?
Lakeside Seed dealers, Larry Vipond and Paul Kirkeide provide Pioneer® products to fit the needs of their customers. The dealership is located about three miles southeast of Herman at the Larry Vipond farm at 12643 270th Avenue.
Larry is part of a family farming operation, where Larry's father, Stan and brothers, Joe, Terry, Mark, and Tim, along with Larry's sons, Eric and Todd operate Vipond Farms near Norcross. Paul is married to Larry's sister, Joan. Paul joined the Lakeside dealership about four years ago. The Viponds raise corn, soybeans, dried beans, sugar beets, and some wheat.
Vipond Farms has used Pioneer® seed for many years. Larry took over the Pioneer® dealership from Neil Johnson of Herman about 14 years ago. Bulk seed wheat was also available then, using the Herman Market Company as the distributor.
Today Larry and Paul have a lineup of over 240 distinct Pioneer® brand corn hybrids for the grower to choose from. Technology traits are also available to help protect against insects and weeds. Pioneer® Hi-Bred International, Inc., a DuPont company, is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, serving customers in nearly 70 countries. They also offer over 50 new Pioneer® brand soybean varieties introduced since the year 2000. Forage seed is also available.
As Pioneer® sales professionals, Larry and Paul strive to match hybrid varieties with field conditions, helping the grower decide which variety will be best for his operation.
Paul noted that selling seed today warrants more than taking the order and delivering the seed. It has become more "service" oriented. Farmers are encouraged to plant side-by-side comparison plots, trying new varieties from Pioneer® and use competitor varieties, as well. They will call on the farmer to observe the progress of the corn crop, checking for plant problems such as corn borer or root worm and give advice. If a further diagnosis is needed, they can call upon a Pioneer® agronomist.
When harvest season rolls around, They will bring a weigh wagon to the field to provide plot testing data, which ultimately will provide the farmer with bottom line figures, taking into consideration drying costs, etc.
Near the end of August, Larry and Paul host a plot tour at Larry¹s farmsite. Farmers are invited to come and view the many varieties available from Pioneer® suited for our area. A supper rounds out the evening's event.
Lakeside Seed invites farmers to try Pioneer® products. Paul said, "It¹s not too late to get seed for this spring. I'm more than willing to meet with the farmer and invite him to try our products on his land."
For more about Pioneer® brand seed, check out the Pioneer® website at http://www.pioneer.com/growing point/login/login.jsp. For a personal visit with Larry or Paul, call Lakeside Seed at 320-677-2535 or 326-677-2721.2623. Please use the answering machine, if he's not available at the time. He will get back to you.
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