VIDALIA — The oldest life-sustaining business in the world rolled out a line of new, modern and technically hip products last week, and Concordia Parish residents were among those in line to see them.

Farmers from across the region gatherd Thursday to see new-and-improved corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum seeds at a field day in Greenville.

LSU AgCenter Concordia Parish County Agent Nan Huff said viewing new varieties of crops is essential to picking the best variety for your field.

“An event like this is a pretty big deal,” she said. “Going through and touring the different variety trials and demonstration plots gives them a chance to see the actual results.”

The field day was sponsored by Terral Seed Company, and the company’s Concordia Parish representative Bruce Jones said local farmers have always participated.

“We are trying to bring variety to our farmers in the mid south,” Jones said. “That is why every year we show farmers what we have gotten from our research and development. We always have 500 to 1,000 farmers at the field day trying to find a new crop variety to plant.”

Some of the new crop varieties include things like extra insect protection, sun protection and drought protection that give the crops a better chance at producing to their fullest potential.

The crops are even rated based on many features like yield potential, disease resistance, root quality and their ability to be irrigated.

Concordia Parish wheat farmer Jordan Hughes said he always jumps at the chance to find the best quality seed he can.

“It is amazing to see the amount of science that goes into making crops better,” he said. “Just to see how many different types of one crop they can make is incredible.”

Hughes left the field day empty handed, but said he still has plenty of time left to search for his 2011 crop choice.

“I think I am going to plant a bunch of different types of wheat this year,” he said. “I can have a few test plots of my own.”

Jones said Hughes is representative of many locals.

“Concordia Parish farmers are just like every other farmer, they just want the best producing crop they can find,” he said.