Grain set aside from harvest to be used exclusively as seed for the following year, rather than being sold for feed or food processing. In commercial agriculture, it refers to specially bred and treated hybrid kernels sold by agricultural companies to ensure high germination rates and specific genetic traits.
Heard on the job
We need to order the seed corn early to get the drought-resistant hybrids before they sell out.
Insider tip
Using the term metaphorically for a farm's core capital or future potential is common, hence the old saying not to eat your seed corn.