Because of drifting pollen, non-StarLink grown within 660 feet of StarLink could test positive for Cry9C protein. Aventis says it will pay the 25 cents on buffer corn, too. Elevator managers and grain traders predict a rush to collect. Farmers whose land borders fields planted with StarLink will insist on the premium. Selling corn is all about timing.
Prices shift daily.
They vary by county and by type of corn. Today's selling price is typically below the price a farmer can get by ''forward contracting,'' or agreeing to deliver his grain at some future date. And elevators with StarLink could sue if they are limited to the animal feed market, where grain often sells for less than the going price offered by food processors. And not all livestock operators are eager to be outlets for StarLink. Tyson Foods recently said it would not feed the corn to its chickens.