Make The Most Of Your Seed Investment Next Season

By: Farm Progress, Nebraska Farmer

Balancing risks and rewards when evaluating seed options is more important than ever in times of economic uncertainty and lower commodity prices. Maximizing profitability requires choosing a corn hybrid with traits and disease tolerance packages that match the needs of your field history and environmental conditions.

“Choosing the right seed upfront can save money throughout the growing season and lead to better value and return on investment,” says John Long, Mycogen Seeds commercial agronomist.

Because seed purchases are among a grower’s top investments, Long recommends keeping management zones, disease tolerance and trait packages top of mind when selecting corn hybrids.

Evaluate management zones

Growers can optimize their seed investments by evaluating management zones in each field and strategically building a planting plan for each zone. Long says growers should split management zones into two or three categories to maximize their seed investments and increase overall efficiency.

In top-producing acres — or “A” zones — growers should invest in strong genetics and higher plant populations. For the lower-producing areas in a field — “B” and “C” zones — growers may not want to push populations as high.