Babcock, George 1984-09-25

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George Babcock discusses his career in seed development and the history of the Growers’ Seed Association in Lubbock, Texas.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: George Babcock

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: September 25, 1984

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Background, Hybrid sorghum, Farmer acceptance, Asgrow Seed Company, AMAC corporation, Proliferation of varieties, Advertising, Asgrow (again), Texas Planting Seed Association (TPSA), Mission, Success, Cotton varieties, Lankard 57, Promotion, Establishment of competitive market, Internal dispute, 1964, Growers Seed Association (GSA), 1965, Karl Moosberg, GSA 71, Arrangement with GSA, GSA 71 (again), G. N. Strogman, Background, Acala cotton

Tape 1, Side 2: G. N. Stroman (continued), Recognition of public breeders, Acala cotton (again), Storm King No. 1, TPSA cotton varieties, Difference from GSA, Dispute, 1964 (1964), GSA (again), Cooperatives on the Plains, Factors of success, GSA (again), Delinting operation, Waste disposal, Contract production, Marketing, Varietal purity, Glandless cotton seed, Anecdote: field mice hull seeds, Fiber production, Seed classes, Breeder's seed, Foundation seed, Registered seed, Select seed, Proliferation of varieties, San Joaquin Valley, CA, Imperial Valley, CA, Texas

Tape 2, Side 1: Texas (continued), GSA (again), Revenues, Market domination (mid 1970s), Relationship with Plains, Cotton Cooperative, Revenues (again), Marketing, Grain sorghum, Seed corn, Reasons for failure, Sale of company, Financing of Plains cooperatives, Farm credit system, GSA (again), Seed treatment, Employees, Marketing territory, Seed corn (again), Independent breeders, Corporate domination of agriculture

Tape 2, Side 2: Corporate domination of agriculture (continued), Rex Dunn, Dunn 56, Public varieties, Seed certification institutions, GSA (again), Seed bank, Major developments in seed business, post 1940, Hybrid development, Plant Variety Protection Act, U. S. production of commercial seed, Babcock's assessment of his life's work

Range Dates: 1933-1984

Bulk Dates: 1940-1984


Access Information

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