SEED SELECTION TIPS The potential for high yields begins with choosing the right seed BY KRISS NELSON
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eeds, insects, diseases and weather — whatever the battle may be, the best line of defense begins with seed selection. “This is probably the most important decision you are going to make to achieve good yields next year,” says Scott Nelson, senior field services program manager for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). Here are six considerations when making soybean seed selections for 2022.
1 // Climate variability. Combat the unpredictability of the weather, Nelson suggests planting a broad base of soybean varieties. “Having several varieties in your operation is important to buffer yourself against extreme weather that may come,” he says.
2 // Consider costs. If input costs Needto rise a subhead continue and commodity prices drop, some producers might look to a less expensive seed. But is that a wise decision? “Sometimes the most expensive seed a farmer buys are at the cheapest cost,” Nelson says. “Sometimes, the best seed deals aren’t the best for your farm.” Nelson advises understanding the farm’s production history, doing an economic analysis and finding a trusted advisor. “Farmers should have a few seed advisors or agronomists they trust and companies they want to do work with and depend on to help pick their products,” he says. “A good seed advisor is golden — but you don’t want to talk to just one.”
This is especially critical in soybean seed variety selection. “It is important to go through that exercise of placing products and understanding where this soybean fits on the farm versus just going to the local co-op and buying whatever is popular,” Nelson says.
3 // The fight against Soybean
Cyst Nematode. If you know your farm has a history of heavy Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) pressure or you have recently done fall soil sampling to find an SCN presence, find a soybean seed with the Peking resistance trait. “SCN is developing tolerance to the most common cyst resistance trait that has been on the market and that is PI88788,” Nelson says. “Peking is another type of resistance to SCN that affects its reproduction.”
Todd Thilges, farmer f rom West Bend.
20 | DECEMBER 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM
