Multiple Considerations in Seed Choices

Just because a particular hybrid or variety does well in the plots doesn’t mean it will do well on your farm. You should look at your farm, “field by field,” said Craig Loen, Federated ag sales rep in Osceola. Within each field, you need to consider the following factors.

• Soil Type
  • Sand, gravel, lighter textured, coarse?
  • Clay, loam, higher organic matter?
• Soil nutrient levels
• Drainage – or lack of drainage
• Crop Rotations
  • Corn after corn plantings should use traits of VT Double PRO® (VT2P), Smart Stax®, or Smart Stax® Pro.
  • Corn and soybean rotations “probably don’t need Smart Stax or Smart Stax Pro,” said Loen.

 And aside from the field specifics, consider your fertility management levels and the variables within the seed genetics.

• Drought tolerance
• Plant population response
• Emergence and vigor
• Root and stalk strength, and ear flexibility

 Sam Johnson, Federated ag sales rep out of Albertville, noted the top performers in the Discovery Plots and Answer Plots®, noting that many of these hybrids are “hard to beat.” In the Albertville and surrounding geography, he put forward these products for consideration, all of which fall into the 95- to 101-day range:
   
Johnson highlighted Dekalb 101-35, stating that “it’s the premier product for all the brands.”
 
In the end, however, it’s all about your fields and your crop management choices. “If you have certain [seed] numbers that worked for you in the past, we can see if those are available” for 2025, said Johnson.
 
Multiple seed products proven in the plots have great yield potential for your fields in 2025. But don’t just grab a number. Talk through the nuances of your farm with your Federated Agronomists before placing your seed orders.
 
“Federated has a great selection of seed companies and a variety of products to match up to your farms,” said Loen.