ASK THE AGRONOMIST BLOG

Stine^® has a unique advantage in the corn market with the industry’s most prolific, highest-yielding breeding program. We’re able to produce generation after generation of the best-performing corn genetics that no other company can put their name on. Even our line of conventional corn features the latest and best genetics that come out of our breeding program. And with a wide range of traited products — from our exclusive line of Stine GT^™ to Agrisure^® Viptera and Agrisure Duracade products, we have the trait packages growers need for maximum performance and protection against problematic weeds, diseases and pests. Many of these options also come with our HP Corn^® designation, which offers growers the convenience of high-performing genetics that thrive in higher populations and narrow rows. Here are a few of the 57 different corn products we have in our lineup this year, including a few of our all-new MX Series Corn by Stine options.

Stine 9212-10

• Agrisure 3010 and LibertyLink technology.
• 88–90 days relative maturity.
• Above-ground insect protection.
• Glyphosate and glufosinate tolerant.
• Consistent high yields coupled with excellent agronomics.
• Broadly adapted west to east.
• Very good roots, plant health and intactness.

Stine 9437-10

• Agrisure 3010 and LibertyLink technology.
• 94–96 days relative maturity.
• Above-ground insect protection.
• Glyphosate and glufosinate tolerant.
• Superior stalk quality in its maturity.
• Unique hybrid background.

Stine MX442-20

• Agrisure Viptera® 3110 and LibertyLink technology.
• 101–103 days relative maturity.
• Best-in-class above-ground insect control.
• Glyphosate and glufosinate tolerant.
• Versatile hybrid for all soil types.
• Exceptional multi-year trial performance.
• Demonstrated superior standability through severe wind events.
• Yielded 107% of trial average in Stine’s 2020 Early/Mid-Season Elite Yield Trials.

 Stine 9714-G

• Stine GT technology.
• 105–107 days relative maturity.
• Glyphosate tolerant.
• Top choice for refuge acres in this maturity.
• Responds well to fungicide applications.
• Performs best at average to higher planting populations.
• YIELD[+] top performer: $66.80 per acre yield advantage.

Stine 9655-G

• Stine GT technology.
• 107–109 days relative maturity.
• Glyphosate tolerant.
• Excellent choice for higher populations.
• Performs best on loam type soils.
• Plant as a full-season hybrid.
• Positive response to fungicide applications.
• YIELD[+] top performer: $58.56 per acre yield advantage.

Stine MX709-20

• Agrisure Viptera® 3110 and LibertyLink technology.
• 110–112 days relative maturity.
• Best-in-class above-ground insect control.
• Glyphosate and glufosinate tolerant.
• Works in any row configuration.
• Strong roots and stalks can handle variable soil types.
• Yielded 112% of trial average in Stine’s 2020 Mid-Season Elite Yield Trials.

Stine 9808E-20

• Agrisure Viptera® 3110 and LibertyLink technology.
• 114–116 days relative maturity.
• Best-in-class above-ground insect control.
• Glyphosate and glufosinate tolerant.
• Works well in all row widths.
• Excellent roots and stalks.
• Very good disease protection.
• Works especially well in loam to clay-loam type soils.
• YIELD[+] top performer: $63.14 per acre yield advantage.

To learn more about our 2022 corn lineup, contact your local Stine sales representative or regional sales agronomist. Or view our 2022 Stine Seed Catalog.

In a year when there’s lingering uncertainty about which crop inputs may be available by the planting and growing seasons, there are ways growers can plan ahead. One option for growers is seed treatments. While there are many seed treatments on the market, a lot of thought and consideration needs to take place before you decide which product will best suit your seed. Our experts provide a few considerations on understanding and evaluating seed treatments.

Back to the basics
One key tip to remember regarding seed treatments is that they do not enhance the yield capability of the seed you purchase; instead, they protect the genetic potential of the seed. To achieve top-end yields, you need to rely on the latest, highest-yielding genetics on the market before you consider your seed treatment options. Once you’re ready to start the conversation about seed treatment options, answer these questions.

• What are the agronomic challenges that could come about this year? What were the challenges last year, and could they be present again this year? Could a seed treatment help?
• What ingredients are in the seed treatments? How do these ingredients provide value to the seed?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the seed treatment? Will it help protect my seed from the issues I’ve seen in the past that could potentially impact my fields this spring?
• What are the rate and unit recommendations? What rates will make the product more effective for my seed?

It’s also important to understand the three components of seed treatments:

• Insecticides: Insecticides provide additional protection from below- and above-ground pests. They can protect your seed investment against below-ground pests such as wireworms, seedcorn maggots and white grubs. And, early on, they can protect against above-ground pests such as various worm species, bean leaf beetles, aphids and thrips. For insecticides, another consideration is the dosage level. Protection will only last if the dosage remains lethal in the plant, so as the plant’s biomass increases, the level of insecticide within the plant will likely decrease. This is where continual scouting for pests and post-emergent insecticide applications may be necessary.
• Fungicides: If soil-borne pathogens, such as Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium spp., are present in your fields or if seed-borne Phomopsis and Sclerotinia are a concern, fungicide treatments should be a consideration. Fungicides help protect your seed investment from these unwanted pathogens.
• Additives: Just as their name implies, additives essentially add more value to the seed treatment products, whether it provides extra protection or an easier way to apply the product. Common additive products can include:
  • Nematicides — Nematicides are added to seed treatments to help combat soybean cyst nematodes in soybeans and stinging nematodes in corn.
  • Planting polymers — Adding planting polymers to a seed treatment can result in smoother, better-flowing seed, which enables more accurate planting.
  • Inoculants and/or bio-stimulants — Inoculants and bio-stimulants are live bacteria applied directly to the seed to provide better protection against pests and/or achieve a faster-growing seed.
  • Boosters — Growers can add other fungicides or insecticides (boosters) to their desired seed treatment to boost the performance of a given weakness of the treatment. For example, if the main fungicide is weak on Rhizoctonia, a booster product may be added to fill in this gap in protection.

Lesson summary
Remember, before you identify which seed treatment will best suit your seed, understand your field history, and then ask the right questions. Which pests and diseases could pose a threat to your fields this year? Of the seed treatments you’re considering, what value would they add to protect your seed? What ingredients are in the treatment and at what rates are recommended? Would an additive provide extra protection? Would an additive provide extra protection? It’s critical to choose the treatment that addresses your needs and will adequately protect the investment in the genetics you have purchased.

As always, your local Stine sales representative and regional sales agronomist will help you every step of the way to protect your high-yielding Stine genetics. Considering seed treatments for 2022? Give us a call, and be sure to ask about our line of Stine XP soybean seed treatments.

Farm show season is upon us! Stine is exhibiting at a number of trade shows throughout the Corn Belt and beyond this winter and spring. Our sales reps are eager to learn about growers’ 2022 planting plans, and they are available to assist with any seed or agronomic-related questions. We look forward to visiting with growers across the country at the following trade shows.

Fort Wayne Farm Show, Fort Wayne, IN — January 18–20

Sioux Falls Farm Show, Sioux Falls, SD — January 26–28

KMOT-TV ND Ag Expo, Minot, ND — January 26–28

Iowa Ag Expo, Des Moines, IA — February 1–3

National Farm Machinery Show, Louisville, KY — February 16–19

Hawkeye Farm Show, Cedar Falls, IA — March 1–3

Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo, Great Bend, KS — April 7–9

Don’t see a farm show in your area? No worries! Your local Stine sales rep is only a call or email away. If you are unsure who your local rep is, you can easily find them through our Find Stine tool or contact us at 515-677-2605. Once connected with your local sales rep, they are available to walk you through our 2022 corn and soybean lineup — including our extensive lineup of Stine Enlist E3 soybeans and the all-new MX Series Corn by Stine — as well as discuss any questions you might have on super management of corn or how to navigate supply chain issues.

We look forward to seeing you at a show near you!