Learn From The Past…But Maybe Not The Recent Past
As I write this article, it’s the 22nd of October and I’m watching snow fall while my 7-year-old is home from school, riding snowmobile on 10” of fresh powder. Anything but typical. But fitting for this topic.
The past few years have brought extreme weather conditions while at the same time, we’ve had more technology and information to analyze performance than ever before. It’s natural to want to do something with that data; to make smarter choices and rule out the “under performers”. But on-farm data from the last three years can be misleading. Record precipitation, early snowfalls, severe storms, wind, hail, prevent plant, little-to-no tillage—these are all factors affecting performance across the region.
Our own Ole and Sven practical research trials show yield decreases this year, though year-over-year trends still show an uptick. That’s a good reminder to use multiple years of data when making seed decisions for 2021. Your best approach is to dig into your memory bank to make a sound, methodic plan.
Tips for Selecting Seed For 2021
- Take a step back. Look at the calendar objectively and plan for a normal spring with corn planted in late April and early May. Don’t shorten up maturities so much that you leave bushels on the table. I saw many guys lower their maturities by as many as 7 days in 2020 costing them 20 bu/A or more.
- Spread out your risk with maturities and agronomics. Tentatively look at when you would normally plant and book accordingly.
- Don’t walk away from any soybean variety or corn hybrid you’ve planted the last two years—give them some grace after these past few years of adverse conditions. You selected them for a reason and those reasons are still valid.
- Diversify your seed portfolio with three if not four different hybrids to adjust to whatever the 2021 season will bring. Defensive hybrids/varieties have pushed their way to the top, don’t miss out on top-end offensive racehorses.
- Remember just because something didn’t work in 2019 and 2020 does not mean it won’t win all plots in 2021.
More than ever you need to trust your seed advisor and your past decisions to make the best plan moving in to 2021.
We’re in the best position since 2017 when you consider harvest progress, fall fertilizer, tillage and improving commodity prices. Plus, we’re seeing great seed quality for 2021 so you can be assured that what comes in the Peterson Farms Seed bag will be ready to perform for you.
