WOODSTOCK - The old way of buying soybean seed has been sacked. With the launch of First Line Express, growers can now have certified bulk soybean seed delivered to their gravity box or truck.

"First Line Express, the latest innovation from First Line Seeds, is designed to provide greater convenience and savings to growers," says First Line Seeds president Peter Hannam. "We’re committed to finding new and innovative ways to serve growers’ needs. With First Line Express we can make life easier for growers and give them significant savings," says Hannam.

First Line Express is a certified bulk seed delivery system that offers fully conditioned Certified Roundup Ready® seed to growers from November through to planting. Growers who pick up or take delivery of seed in November and December can save up to 24 per cent on Roundup Ready seed costs compared to last spring.

Hannam says eliminating several steps in the traditional seed delivery system allows First Line to deliver seed more efficiently. "Since bulk seed means we don’t have to purchase, handle or store seed bags, our cost savings are passed directly to growers," says Hannam.

First Line Express also presents an excellent opportunity for growers to access the outstanding weed control, flexibility and crop safety of Roundup Ready soybeans. Five top performing Roundup Ready varieties have been chosen to launch First Line Express. Each variety is a proven performer in its maturity range and there’s a variety for soybean growers in every part of the province.

First Line Seeds is the only seed company with seed stations across the province. "That’s why we can offer bulk seed in every part of the province," says Hannam.

Seed retailers are also greeting First Line Express with enthusiasm. "Taking bags out of the system will definitely make soybean seed easier to handle," says Cargill Ag Horizons Ontario seed marketing manager John Bell. "It makes us more efficient and helps improve our customers’ bottom line." Cargill Ag Horizons will offer First Line Express through all five of its Farm Service Groups (FSGs) in southwestern Ontario.

"Growers need continuous innovation to remain competitive," says Hannam. "First Line Express is the first bulk delivery system of its kind in North America and we’re bringing it to Ontario farmers first."

For more information on First Line Express, growers should contact their local First Line dealer.

First Line Seeds is a Guelph-based seed company founded by Ontario growers and co-owned by Monsanto Canada Inc. First Line Seeds is the leader in bringing soybean genetics and technology to the Canadian marketplace and providing growers with varieties that meet market needs. First Line Seeds is Canada’s leading domestic supplier of soybean seed and related products and an exporter to major international markets in the United States and the Pacific Rim.