Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84She explains that ILeVO provides foliar and root pro- tection from SDS. “In the root rot phase, SDS can cost up to 2-4 bushels per acre of yield loss,” Chu says. “ILeVO has been tested across a number of varieties and over a number of sites with varying levels of pressure. On average, we see a 4.7-bushel-per-acre yield increase with 84 percent con- sistency.” Jeremiah Mullock, Bayer product development man- ager for ILeVO, says that even when there are no visual symptoms of SDS, the use of ILeVO provides an added 2 bushels of yield 70 percent of the time, according to data from the past five years. He explains that it consist- ently manages both SDS and SCN, which thrive in different growing conditions. Cool, wet conditions favor root rot from SDS, Mullock says, adding that if it stays that way through- out the season, then we’ll see visual symptoms. SCN likes hot and dry conditions. “We know we have insects and diseases out there that will damage the seed,” he says. “During the past two years, we had record rainfall in the Midwest and record crops because of it. “When it rains every two to three days, you don’t need a strong root system. But this is not the case when you get into dryer climates; a strong root system is essential.” Another option for soy- bean growers is Vault HP plus Integral biological seed treatment, a part of the BASF portfolio. Clark says the com- pany has been doing trials for the past five years. With close to 300 trial sites, Clark says the data shows a 2-bushel- per-acre yield advantage. He explains this added yield comes from increased root protection. “The cost [for Vault HP] is less than half a bushel,” Clark says. “So if you recoup 2 bush- els per acre, it’s a no-brainer.” With a focus on roots and root health, Clark says for customers who are renting land, or have recently added new ground to their farm operation, and don’t know the history, he recommends using an inoculant. “An inoculant will help in areas where rhizobia are needed, especially in low lying areas of a field where flooding may have occurred or in areas where a soil fumigant has been used and killed off the microbial population,” he says. “It’s like an insurance policy for your crop.” A majority of farmers seem to agree. Ginisty shares that about 80 percent of the soy- beans are treated with a fungi- cide, and about 55 percent of soybeans are treated with an insecticide. “This is a true sign of the return on investment grow- ers see,” he says, noting that soybeans are treated downstream — it’s something customers ask for. A Different Package When we shift our focus to corn, Pedersen explains that seed treatments shouldn’t be as much of a focus for the grower, because they are sold as a package with the hybrid. Companies will match the right seed treatment to the right hybrid. But Pedersen says that like soybeans, the return on investment for corn is signifi- cant and there’s a reason why fungicides and insecticides are used on most acres and that the adoption of nematicides is increasing. Ginisty says that compa- nies have to ask: “How do I make sure I offer growers a seed package that is going to work and help maximize genetic potential?” The seed treatment should complement the genetics and traits, he says. “The minute that bag of seed is opened, everything is trying to get at it,” Ginisty adds, explaining that for corn, there is no trait to control most secondary insects such as wireworm. “This means growers rely on seed treat- ments for protection. “Seed is extremely suscep- tible to wireworm. Wireworms cut off the roots and black cutworms reduce plant stands. We have to make sure that seedling can get through that first stage of growth.” Clark adds that for corn, yield is established early in the season and protecting those young plants is critical. He says growers can layer a seed treatment with an in-furrow insecticide and fungicide for longer protec- tion from below-ground insects and diseases. He cites Manticor LFR or Xanthion, of which both have the F500 molecule, as options for pro- tecting corn. Increasing Pressures While seed treatment costs vary, experts say the result is the same: added protection and minimized risk, for extra yield. But as farmers look at seed treatment costs, they are also considering other prac- tices that might help better position their operation for the year ahead. During these times, Pedersen says he tends to see an increase in no-till, which puts more moisture into the seedbed at planting. “This makes a good seed treatment even more critical,” he says. Additionally, seed is one of the highest input costs, so often in a low commodity price environment, farmers might consider reducing plant populations. “This means every seed counts,” Pedersen says. “Every seed must pro- duce a plant.” According to research conducted by Adam Gaspar and Shawn Conley at the University of Wisconsin in 2014, seed treatment use, especially insecticide/fun- gicide treatments, may help avoid replanting because it is a management practice for increasing initial plant stands by 20 percent on average. Meanwhile, during the past few years, farmers have increased their adoption of cover crops to improve the soil structure, according to the 2016 Cover Crop Survey, JANUARY 2017 SEEDWORLD.COM / 29