Two back-to-back La Niña weather patterns have already occurred, and a third straight year is in the forecast, according to Dennis Todey, USDA Midwest Climate Hub director.
La Niña, a weather pattern that occurs over the Pacific Ocean, reduces the ocean temperature and contributes to volatile conditions – including drought, heavy rains and extreme temperatures – in the U.S. and around the world.
BOOTS IN THE FIELD
These volatile weather patterns are not lost on U.S. seed companies, who are intent on developing corn genetics that deliver high yields despite an uncooperative Mother Nature. The 2012 drought is just one case in point.
“Farmers often say, ‘If this catastrophic weather event would have happened 20 years ago, my crop wouldn’t have survived,’” says Whitney Monin, national agronomy manager for AgriGold. “Seed tech has different tools to bring to the field today, where they wouldn’t have in the past.”
Monin says decades of focused research bring the resilience of seed genetics down to three concepts:
- Qualitative and Quantitative Breeding
- Genetic Traits
- Differentiated Quality Focus
Together, Monin says, each concept is put into breeding programs that center around screening for the highest quality germplasm hosts – plants, seed or culture – for studying and extracting genetic information.
“Tar spot originally came from Mexico; we know germplasm coming from Mexico had to be tolerant to it,” she says. “This is an example of how breeders prioritize natural tolerance to prepare for existing and potential diseases.”
BACK IN THE LAB
Another angle of seed resilience is rooted in a process of “blocking and tackling” hybrid genetics under the microscope, says Shane Meis, director of research for Wyffels.
“Our average breeder has over 20 years of experience,” he says. “We have the ability to tap into a quality stand and make decisions based on genetic performance as opposed to minute field placement or seed quality differences.”
This has lead to hybrids that showcase resiliency and stability in the field, Meis says.
Jenna Hoffman is a content creator who uses her passion for science, technology and policy to follow what matters from D.C. to farm country.
