The two most common questions we’ve received in the last few weeks are both about soybean seed treatments:
- “How can I tell which seed treatment is the best one for me? Everyone in the area charges around $15/unit for their best option.”
2. “You guys are always talking about having 20 or 30 seed treatments on your beans. Are they all needed? How much does that cost?”
These are great questions, and with soybean planting upon us, they’re timely, as well.
Let’s take them one at a time.
EVERYONE’S TREATMENT IS ABOUT $15. HOW CAN I TELL WHICH IS BETTER?
First of all, you’re right. The market is around $15 for the “premium” treatment at most seed dealerships. You’re also correct that there is quite a difference in what you get for $15 from one dealer to the next. Two things separate the wheat from the chaff.
- Look at the components. Make sure you’re getting three if not four fungicides, an insecticide, inoculant, and other biological products. Then, ask about the rates of each to make sure they’re not cutting you back too far trying to save a buck. Don’t go by the amount of colorant on the seed and think that always relates to the strength of the product.
- Ask about the replant and respray policies up front. Some companies offer up to two free resprays on insects that pop up in-season and free seed treatment on replanted seed. Those things add up to quite a bit versus dealers that don’t offer either.
WHAT’S THE STORY WITH DOZENS OF SEED TREATMENTS ON YOUR SEED?
We do a great deal of research each year to learn how to grow more bushels and get a better return on investment on the farm. There are lots of new products and concepts that we look at, and over the years we have found some really good seed treatment components that add incremental yield gain. Many of these are natural products (or biologicals, as some call them), which most simply means beneficial microbes and organic acids.
With four systemic fungicides, growers are seeing disease protection not just up to emergence, but well into the early part of the growing season. The beneficial microbes in the treatment are working inside and outside the plant to help with nutrient uptake, water regulation, and much more. While there are many components within the seed treatment, the use rate is very similar to standard industry soybean treatments, so flowability of the seed in your planter should be excellent, especially with the polymer we use to coat the seed.
Best of all, Hefty Complete Soybean Seed Treatment comes with extra protection for your farm, including up to two free resprays on several foliar insects, as well as free seed treatment on replant seed that was treated with Hefty Complete the first time.