In-season seed variety switches happen all the time. Planting may be earlier than anticipated. It could be delayed. You may need more of one crop than you had planned on, or there could be any number of other reasons why you feel you need to make a change. It happens all the time. The important thing is to obtain seed that’s going to help you reach your goals and not create a problem. All too often, these decisions get made in a rush and important details are forgotten.
Here’s my list of key factors to consider if you’re changing seed varieties in-season.
DEFENSIVE CHARACTERISTICS
If you miss Goss’s wilt tolerance, IDC tolerance, or another key defensive trait with your replacement variety, you could face big problems down the road. Communicate with your seed supplier that your most important defensive traits are non-negotiable and find the appropriate variety to switch to.
YIELD POTENTIAL
You picked the first variety for a reason, and yield potential was likely it. Make sure the replacement variety can perform well, too. If you’re switching to a later-maturing variety, this isn’t usually a problem – otherwise, why would you switch? When choosing an earlier variety, there is most likely still plenty of top-end potential there, but you’ll need to discuss this with your seed dealer, along with any management changes that need to take place to ensure top performance. Shorter season crops mean every day counts even more, so reduce stress and make timely applications, etc.
PRICE
If you prepaid the seed you’re exchanging for, make sure you’re getting the same deal on the replacement. This should go without saying, but let’s face it – bookwork is not normally a strength for salespeople. Double check your bill and make sure you get the new paperwork when you pick up the seed.
SEED TREATMENT
Seed treatments can help your crop for two to three months after planting, so use treated seed even in a later planting situation. You have one chance to get this protection, so don’t miss it. If you aren’t a believer in this, leave an untreated check each year and compare. While seed treatment gains are not consistent year to year, the average is really good. Also, remember if you’re planting late, there is no option for replanting again later, so do everything you can to protect the crop. By the way, if planting is delayed, it is likely due to one thing: wet soil conditions. Wet soil conditions also happen to be the number one reason why more disease issues will pop up compared to normal. So, again, we do not recommend skipping the seed treatment regardless of when you plant.
POSITIONING
Spend a few extra minutes before choosing your new seed variety to ask questions about things like the ideal planting population for that variety at the time of the year you will be seeding. Ask about soil and fertility preferences and if a timely harvest will be needed. In short, this is your one shot to do this right, so don’t miss it.