Our Story
Unique Breeding
With a passion for agronomy, an eye for corn and an instinct for the future of the corn industry, Kyle planted his first nursery in 2008 believing seed corn naturally carried untapped genetic potential. His approach to breeding was unique and in just a few years, the results were noticeable.
Success was not measured by the number of crosses, the number of rows, or the acres of production, but rather by improvements in yield, plant health, and growth characteristics throughout the season. In less than ten years, it was clear something truly unique and exciting had been discovered. It was not through gene manipulation, but by bringing out natural genetic potential of the corn genome. Summit Genetics quickly became one of the top breeding programs in terms of new and unique products.
How did Summit Genetics start?
As children raised on western Iowa farms, we loved the land, rural communities, western Iowa values and hard work. As recent college graduates with experience in a variety of agricultural companies of all sizes, we started a research business with our meager savings and a small loan.
Our Core Beliefs
Corn holds great genetic potential waiting to be discovered.
Seed corn industry consolidation leaves room for small companies to provide products to meet the specific needs.
Early-stage research on genetic lines would better serve Midwest farmers.
GMO products would be met with resistance by consumers.
We can effectively compete with larger breeding programs, not in dollars spent, but in looking at corn and corn breeding in a new and creative way.
Germplasm Development Program
Building upon our respected Research program, we started our germplasm development program. Since we desired to remain independent, we invested our own funds as well as our blood, sweat and tears, quite literally, into developing a germplasm base that would meet the needs of growers and consumers for future decades. Without outside investments, we could operate without the seasonal pressure to satisfy stockholders or the “experts” who had been breeding for a lifetime. Instead, we used creativity, rigorous selection strategies, faith, and open minds to build upon our success each year.
If corn is only grown and tested in one environment, it will likely not perform well in varied environments. From our early years, we were able to compete with industry standard hybrids in terms of yield. Working through on-farm evaluations in cooperation with producers, we carefully advanced products that could compete in much more than yield.
Corn breeding is a process with a great time investment.
It takes at least eight generations to produce a finished inbred line and additional time to increase seed stock before producing hybrids. We have been actively involved in each stage of this process, making improvements each year.
By remaining committed to our initial beliefs, we…
Discovered genetic potential not previously utilized
Resisted opportunities for genetic manipulation
Developed a customer base excited to see what is coming next
Consistently produced competitive hybrids that stand up to the most adverse conditions
Are years ahead of large programs in terms of advancement of resilient non-transgenic hybrids
Our Future Story
By viewing corn breeding as a form of art, treating it like a science, and trusting in divine providence, we discovered some unique characteristics in multiple lines in a few years ago. By continuing to develop these lines and characteristics and fully understanding their potential, we are about ready to launch a product line that is not available anywhere else.
Our new line of products, currently being evaluated in fields across the western Cornbelt, will be the answer to age-old challenges for many farms. Current and new customers will be among those first farms to benefit from our latest developments.
This story is still being written and you can be a part of it. To learn how Summit Genetics works on your fields or how you can set your farm apart, contact us today.
Want to know more?
Summit Seed is Life. We stepped up to the challenge of looking at every aspect of the seed industry in a new way. We challenge you to do the same and consider what you are doing to promote life in your fields. We look forward to becoming your seed for life.