Farming isn?t easy. I think we can all pretty well agree on that. You have to have the right seeds, the right crop protection, and the right conditions. Many of those conditions are out of our control. Mother Nature is moody, and she doesn?t tell us what she plans to do on any given day, the best we can do is estimate based on the data available.
As we have said many times, your growing season starts with selecting the right seeds. Providing those seeds is no easy task either. Companies need to find varieties that can work in certain areas. They must be drought-tolerant as well as be able to stand up to high moisture conditions. Not only that, but they also must be able to handle disease and insect pressure as well. And that is only a part of what seed companies have to do. They also need to have options available for those who want to plant organic or conventional breeds as well.
So, you need to have a seed producer who has the experience and knows their customer area well. That is why Wyffels Hybrids is certain they will continue their tradition of producing the best seed product for the corn belt, because that is all they do, and they do it well.
Mitch Heisler is Product and Agronomy Manager at Geneseo, Illinois-based Wyffels hybrids. They have been serving the ?I-States? for over 75 years. As 2022 gets ready to get rolling, he looks back at 2021, the varying challenges that Iowa saw across the entire state. He reflects on the lessons they learned.
Corn rootworm was a big problem in the state as well. Even on traits that are bred to be resistant to the ?billion-dollar bug?. Heisler talks about the research they are doing to stay ahead of the game but also reminds farmers that we cannot rely on traits alone to handle this issue. Traits are just the first step in an extensive pest management playbook.
Inputs going into 2022 are very high. Many farmers are experiencing sticker shock as they look at 2022 input prices and are just figuring out how to do the best job they can without breaking the bank. Heisler says that Wyffels realizes that these prices make for challenging decisions. He encourages farmers to do their best to take emotion out of it and really work around with their budget and get the best support they can for their seeds. Heisler says that if we cut corners on providing for the corn seeds and plants, we end up losing out in the end.
When it comes to the hybrids they are excited about, Heisler says you cannot leave Wyffels W7876 out of the conversation. It has become a strong base for them to continue to build on. Heisler also talks about some other hybrids that are pulling their weight in Iowa fields. These are hybrids that have taken on drought and disease pressure.
If you still have some acres to figure out for 2022, Heisler recommends you take a look at what Wyffels is doing for their Iowa growers. It is part of the story that has kept Wyffels growing across the Cornbelt for the past 75 years, and they plan to continue that legacy for at least another 75 years. If your seeds are books and you weren?t able to include Wyffels in your 2022 plans, they also encourage you to stop and look at those fields with the Wyffels signs next to them. See what those growers are getting in their fields and be ready to give them a shot on your acres in 2023.
Learn more about Wyffels on their website or talk to your local Wyffels seed rep.
