Planting the Right Genetics and Traits

1. It is important to choose hybrids which best match your soil type, fertility, soil drainage and fungicide use practices. A general rule is to try new hybrids on better soils and stick with more tried and true hybrids on poorer soils.  Hybrid blends can work best on variable soils.
2. Many people are no longer using Glyphosate or Roundup® type post-emergence herbicides and have managed insects with rotation and insecticide if needed. In this case conventional corn and soybeans make sense. People planting conventional are generally are saving $30 – $60/acre and the new varieties are yielding equal to or better than traited hybrids. Putting these dollars toward fungicide and fertility often create a profitable advantage compared to the cost of GMO traits. Premiums are also available for conventional varieties, especially in soybeans, which adds more profit potential to a conventional program.
3. If you have high root-worm pressure, using stacked root-worm hybrids can help. This is especially true under drought or high winds but in most areas crop rotation still gives adequate root-worm protection. Rotating these stacked hybrids is recommended in continuous corn situations.
4. Plant a range of maturities with about 20% early, 50% mid-maturity, and 30% full season.
5. Plant an equal balance of hybrids that have been in your area for 4 years or more, some that are 2-3 years old and some new hybrids, to maximize yield without high risk in changing climates.
6. Use new herbicide tolerant beans that offer choices to control troublesome weeds like Water hemp.

Bob Miller | President & Owner