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Harvest supplies some of
the final factors in the decision-making process for next season.
Farmers make field observations and use recorded data collected from
the combine cab to assess how well that year's crop produced.
In addition to how well the field performed, the past year's inputs
are considered. Inputs include the cost of seed, fertilizer,
herbicide, planting and harvesting costs.
Another variable factor is the market, what's in demand and what is
the going price.
Crop rotation can boost performance. Rotation between corn and soy
beans can reduce costs associated with fertilizer, herbicides and
pesticides. Nitrogen fixation in the soil by soy beans reduces
fertilizer costs a corn crop demands. Alternating crops also reduces
insect populations. Can't you just hear one insect saying to
another, "Follow me, I know where to find the tastiest stalks. Wait,
where did it go? It was right here last year. " Concentrated buildup
of same crop residue lends to conditions that invite hard to control
diseases and insect infestations (soy bean rust, corn borers...).
Even weed infestation can be thwarted to some degree by a change in
field coverage and by what arsenal of herbicides and pesticides are
available for use on a given crop.
By alternating between corn and soy beans, farmers can create
confusion to the infidels, save on inputs, and win a battle now and
again.
Once the crop is settled on, there are many varieties of seeds to
choose from and whether to add traits at a higher cost to the seed
package.
Making the right selection reduces the burden of managing pesticides
and diseases. When deciding which seed is right farmers take into
consideration:
1. Soil – Testing the soil texture, compaction, cation
conversion, and organic content. Choosing the wrong seed for the
soil will cost the farmer expensive fertilizers, frequent
cultivation, and various planting methods.
2. Indigenous adaptability – The best seeds are adaptable to
the atmosphere and field location.
3. Disease resistant – When a farmer is able to identify
diseases based on previous crops, he or she can select seeds
resistant to that disease.
4. Assess the past varieties of seeds – Reflecting on the
previous year's planting and environmental changes, and reports of
insects and diseases prevalent in the region gives the farmer a
better idea of which seeds might produce a more successful harvest.
5. Companion planting – Novel today, but done in some areas,
planting furrows between rows can offer resistance to disease,
insects and reduce weeds, and the right companion can even improve
the nutritive value of grains.
6. Current demand in the market – The best seeds to plant
are, of course, the ones that will produce a product that is in high
demand in the current market, and holds greater potential of profit.
Hybrid grains focus primarily on pest or disease resistance, but
also may be on color, size, and harvested crop volume. Another
preference is seed that takes fewer days between plant date to
harvest, as it reduces environmental risks in the field.
A hybrid seed is produced by cross-pollination of two plants with
different characteristics. The season-by-season development takes a
lot of time and expense. Seeds saved from a hybrid will have a mix
of characteristics. Hybrid seeds must be bought each year.
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant that has been
genetically altered in a laboratory. Specific individual genes are
transferred. One advantage to GMOs has been faster improvements in
seed for better crop production.
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The use of GMO grain met with
resistance and conflict in some foreign markets initially, but they
have since gained widespread acceptance. Some farmers believe that
chemical companies may, eventually, have control of the seed market
and a reduced variety of seeds will be available.
Heirloom stock piles
Variety trials can highlight crop traits suited to the farmers
unique environment, market trends, and management necessities and
can help farmers identify alternative varieties with similar or
superior qualities to a standard seed.
Some seed traits are developed
and improved through traditional plant breeding, while others are
accomplished with technology. The genetic characteristics of a seed
include maturity, emergence, and stability. It is the genetics of
the plant and how these genetics react to the environment that the
farmer needs to study. Traits are added to protect the yield
potential that is already there genetically.
Seeds can be purchased with pesticide and herbicide protection
packages; however, those traits are not cheap. It takes years of
research and regulatory approvals to develop and get on the market.
Adding traits does not produce the same result in all seed
varieties, so it makes sense for the farmer to know exactly what he
or she is purchasing. That's when consulting a seed salesmen (they
want return business), or sitting for a cup of coffee at the
elevator, co-op or chat at the implement store, where ever farmers
hang out is beneficial.
In the long winter days ahead, seed catalogs are a great place to
look for variety recommendations.
Also, area agronomists offer current insights. They use research
tools and techniques to develop new hybrids and varieties that grow
more efficiently. These agriculturalists research ways to produce
crops and manage soils in the most environmentally friendly way.
Agronomists are employed as teachers, weather forecasters, and
environmentalists around the world working for USDA, State
Departments of Agriculture, and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service. They can be found working for banks, farm co-ops, seed and
Ag supply.
Selection of seed is a serious decision for the farmer. Before the
harvest is complete, a farmer starts researching and meeting with
representatives from seed companies to learn about seed selection
for the next growing season. With so many options, farmers can
select seeds that are tailored for their area, soil profile, and
expected moisture availability. Ultimately, the goal is to grow more
grain more efficiently while protecting the environment. Seed
selection is a task to ensure the best harvest possible.
Articles
of side interest:
First tribe in U.S. sends heirloom seeds to
global seed vault
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
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