In low commodity years, find what works for each field

Seed treatments can act as an easy insurance policy to protect young seedlings, but do they pay in low commodity years?

© Lindsey Benne

Seed treatments can act as an easy insurance policy to protect young seedlings, but do they pay in low commodity years?

Unlike corn, soybean treatment isn’t automatic. This legume puts decision power back in farmers’ hands, so what should you do?

Keep ROI in Mind

“Every decision you make needs to show a return on that investment,” says Rick Smith, director of marketing for KSi. “Seed treatment every year has shown [positive ROI] in the field, whether it’s protection from disease or to help early root structure.”

This planting season proved the value of seed treatments. Wet planting conditions put seed at greater risk of key seedling diseases, and even seed-borne diseases such as Phomopsis. Seed treatment helped reduce plant death.

Seed treatment is also beneficial in good planting conditions when seed quality might be lower-than-optimal.

“[This year] we saw most soybean seed tags at between 85% to 90% germination,” says Holden Asmus, of Asmus Farm Supply. “With numbers lower than our comfort zone, we have to make sure farmers have even emergence. That means treating and inoculating the seed so it’s protected and can have the strongest start.”

The seed treatment Asmus recommends costs about $3 per unit and in normal pressure years results in a 3-bu. to 7-bu. positive response.

Extra Layer of Protection

While farmers can’t predict Mother Nature, they can look back on their field histories to determine where seed treatments make the most sense. In fields with histories of diseases, frequent ponding or other stresses that could weaken the plant, it makes sense to add seed treatment.

Experts think farmers will soon be as involved in corn seed treatment decisions as they are in soybeans.

“There is more we can do to elevate growth in corn — and it might be the next frontier.”