b'A Call to Action from an Independent: Why Our Voices Matter NowINDEPENDENT SEEDcompanies have alwaysoptions that let them make cash flow for their family survived by being resourceful, creative and close tobusiness.the needs of their customers. Today, those strengthsIn late October, I testified at the anti-competition are being squeezed by a system that limits freedom tohearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. It operate. When innovation funnels into only a few hands,happened faster than I expected: one moment I was independentsand the farmers who rely on uslosetalking with Senator Grassleys staff and the next I was the ability to choose. Thats the reality were facing now.standing there with my hand up, swearing to tell the Its a very difficult time to be an independent. truth. The experience was nerve-wracking but incred-The root of the problem comes down to lack ofibly positive: truly good conversation and bipartisan BY JOHN LATHAM, competition. In an ideal world, independents wouldsupport from both Democrats and Republicans. President, Lathamhave true freedom to operate: we could license from aAfterward, my phone lit up with support: about 80 text Quality, Inc. range of sources and build new innovative products formessages from independent seed companies, from our customers. Instead, we face restrictions in licensingacross the industry and from friends saying they had agreements that limit innovation and our ability both towatched and thanked me for testifying. That response keep prices down and provide options for customers.showed me how widely these challenges are felt and What does an IP system that offers reasonable free- how much we need to make our voices heard.dom and room for innovation look like? I wish I had that figured out. Im as strong an IP supporter as anybody: if you invest in technology, you should be able to get theWhether at the local, state, or national level, fruits of your labor. But, right now, there is no feasible path for new innovation, new innovators, new compa- speak up. Step out of your comfort zone and nies coming to the market due to the current markettell policymakers what is happening in your structure. In theory, IP patents offer 20 years of protectioncompany and for your customers.and then traits should enter the open market. But because germplasm is protected under PVP, compa-nies still cant access off-patent traits. Independents areMy message to other independents is simple: simply looking for options for their customers, espe- make your voice heard. Whether at the local, state, or cially when times are so difficult and many farmers arenational level, speak up. Step out of your comfort zone asking for lower-cost choices. Yet weve seen patentsand tell policymakers what is happening in your com-extended and post-patent products have not enteredpany and for your customers. There is a platform right the market the way many expected. now and leaders are paying attention.I am not someone who usually calls for govern- I believe there can be brighter days ahead, but we ment involvement. I often feel government makeswill need some help to get there. Independents are things worse. But right now, I do believe the govern- used to solving things on our own, but this is a moment ment needs to look at whats happening, because thewhen we need to come together and advocate for a current system is not working for independents or forsystem that allows true freedom to operate. We have a farmers. More traits will come off patent in the nextreal place in this industry. We help our customers. We few years, but there is still no path to access them.support rural communities. We feed the world. Now is That needs to change. Sure, a lot of our customers canthe time to stand up and ensure there will still be room raise 300-bushel corn, but many cannot and they needfor all of us. SW 48/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2025'