Wyffels Hybrids began in 1941, with the marriage of William Wyffels Sr. and Alma Francque. The couple planted diversified row crops and ran a livestock operation. President of Wyffels Hybrids John Wyffels says his grandfather, William Wyffels Sr., got into the seed business through raising oats.
?He had a plot of oats on a highly travelled highway. After a significant wind storm came through, it blew down many varieties of oats and left one standing. As local farmers travelled past, they inquired. They wanted to know what variety he had planted there and where they could get it. That was inspiration to getting into the seed business,? Wyffels said.
After 71 years in the seed business, the company remains American farm family-owned and operates under the third-generation. Wyffels says being family-owned gives the company an edge over its competition.
?We?re American farm family-owned. You look around the industry, and there?s not many of those left in the business today. That?s really exciting for us. In addition to being family-owned, we?re independently-owned. Independence isn?t just focused on our ownership, it?s also how we think and do business. It allows us to speak freely and focus on what?s most important, which is our customer success,? Wyffels said.
The company offers a modest product portfolio, the most exciting portfolio offered by the company, according to Wyffels.
?We have confidence that we can go up against our competition and leave a wonderful impression with our grower customers,? Wyffels said. ?We have corn hybrids that range from 93-days to 116-days. As far as technology goes, we have products offering corn rootworm protection, above ground herbicide trait resistance, corn borer resistance and a strong line of non-GMO products. We try and make our offer simple and offer growers what we believe is going to bring more yield to their farm year after year.?
Wyffels said the biggest challenge the company faces is remaining different in the marketplace.
?It?s going to be really interesting with the mergers, restructuring and sales taking place in the seed business today. We?re going to go from six major players to three or four in the next three years. Those folks are going to have more power and leverage. It?ll be interesting to see how they approach the marketplace, but I think we have a wonderful opportunity to continue to serve corn growers and focus on their needs,? Wyffels said.
