Seed Technology

Corteva Brands Seed And Genetics Business With New Name

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:34:00 GMT

Corteva announced on Monday that its advanced seed and genetics business, formerly operating under the placeholder “SpinCo,” will be branded as Vylor, Inc. The spin-off remains on track to become an independent company no later than the fourth quarter of 2026.

Corteva will continue to sell crop protection products – herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and biologicals.

For farmers who have spent decades planting Pioneer, Brevant and Hogemeyer branded seed products, the changes mark a massive consolidation of research and development power. Vylor will launch with a significant intellectual property portfolio, including more than 4,000 germplasm patents and 2,000 biotechnology patents, according to a Corteva press release.

Heritage Meets High-Tech

The branding is a deliberate nod to the past and the future of the American farm. The name “Vylor” is derived from valor, a tribute to the grit of U.S. farmers and workers who have helped “feed the world.”

Even the new logo carries a hidden meaning: the stylized “l” represents the shape of a single chromosome—the building block of the company’s genetics-first mission.

The company’s visual identity also honors its roots, using a color palette of green, maroon, and blue to pay homage to the Pioneer, Brevant, Hogemeyer and Corteva legacies.

A New Pipeline for the Field

Vylor isn’t just rebranding existing products, according to future Vylor CEO Chuck Magro. He says it is positioning itself to lead the next generation of “gamechanger” technologies. According to the announcement, farmers can expect a pipeline focused on:

Proprietary Hybrid Wheat: A long-sought breakthrough in wheat productivity.
Gene Editing Leadership: Faster development of traits to combat evolving pests and weather patterns.
Multi-Disease Resistance Corn: Reducing the reliance on over-the-top pesticide applications.
Next-Generation Biofuels: Expanding the profit potential of row crops beyond the food supply chain.

“Vylor traces its roots back a century, to a single idea: that innovation could transform agriculture,” Magro notes. “From food security to energy security... Vylor will be uniquely positioned to help solve some of the world’s toughest challenges.”

Global Footprint

Vylor enters the market from a position of dominance, boasting the largest seed production network in the world, Corteva reports. The brands under its umbrella already hold No. 1 and No. 2 market share positions in nearly every global region they serve, backed by a history of world-record yields in corn and soybeans.

While the corporate structure is changing, Corteva says Vylor’s “north star” remains the same: leveraging scientific expertise to help farmers feed and fuel a growing population. As the separation nears its 2026 finish line, Vylor signals an aggressive intent to “vye” for new opportunities in row crops and beyond.

Watch this video to learn more about Vylor.

The 20-Bushel Wake-Up Call One Farmer Is Using To Boost Soybean Yields

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:42:15 GMT

For years, Stephen Butz watched his corn yields climb while his soybeans stalled. The numbers didn’t lie: corn was steadily improving, while soybeans were “average at best,” he recalls, running hot and cold from year to year with no clear pattern.

“Our soybeans were just plateauing,” says Butz, who farms near Kankakee, Ill.

The turning point for Butz came several years ago on a 120-acre field split between two soybean varieties — 80 acres on the north side and 40 acres on the south. Everything matched: planting date, field conditions, management. The only difference was the variety planted.

At harvest, the 40-acre section of the field was 18 to 19 bushels per acre better.

A talk with Butz’s seedsman revealed the answer: the higher-yielding soybeans carried the Peking source of resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN). That single difference explained nearly 20-bushels-per-acre the farm had been losing to SCN for years.

“Honestly, it was just one of those deals where our seed guy had said, ‘Hey, this is a good number.’ So we’d planted the variety kind of naively,” Butz says. “But lo and behold, it was a huge benefit for us and showed us a problem we had on this farm and other farms, too.”

With the initial finding of SCN, Butz started soil testing to identify how significant the problem was across his farm. Surprisingly, soil tests revealed SCN populations ranging from the low hundreds to as high as 5,000 per sample.

“We’ve got a good amount of farms in that 3,000 to 5,000 count, which is an extremely high amount that I need to address,” says Butz, who samples fields ahead of planting.

Spring 2026: Going 100% Peking

After splitting acres for several years between non-GMO and Enlist soybeans, Butz made a decisive shift to the latter for 2026 as the non-GMO soybeans do not carry resistance to SCN.

“This spring, we are going with 100% Peking,” he says

For Butz, the move is less about chasing bonus bushels of soybeans and more about stopping the hidden losses SCN has been causing. He’s certain he’s left a lot of yield potential on the table in previous seasons.

“We’re not so much adding bushels (with the Peking) as we expect to relieve the stress that’s been taking bushels away,” he says.

Going all-Peking this season is only part of his management plan. The other piece is rotating more between corn and soybeans and, over time, between different SCN technologies, including Peking and PI 88788.

Butz’s cropping pattern follows a rough structure of thirds in any given year: about a third of his total acres in corn or soybeans and another third in continuous corn. That same structure drives his soil sampling schedule and will, in the future, he says, guide how he rotates SCN resistance traits across the landscape.

He also hopes to bring new technology into the mix, including the new SCN solution on the way from BASF Agricultural Solutions, called Nemasphere. It is the first-ever biotech trait designed specifically to address SCN.

Unlike traditional native resistance found in PI 88788 and Peking, Nemasphere is based on a transgenic trait — a Cry14 protein engineered directly into the soybean — explains Hugo Borsari, BASF vice president of business management for seeds in North America.

Beyond Yield: Logistics And Longevity

For Butz, the case for more soybeans, and especially better-protected soybeans, isn’t just agronomic. It’s logistical and financial.
Soybeans help spread out workload during planting and harvest, he explains, easing the strain of managing continuous corn acres. They also inject rotation into fields that might otherwise lean too heavily to continuous corn.

“Years of continuous corn in some spots is fine, but rotation is obviously better,” he said during a recent panel discussion hosted by BASF.

Like he found out by accident, Butz says he believes many other growers might be losing significant yield to SCN without realizing it.

“You might live in an area that you raise 75-bushel beans all the time, or 80-bushel beans, and that’s amazing. But what if the potential is 90 or 100 bushels?“ Butz asks. “There’s plenty of people out there that might be losing 10, 15 bushels off the top, and that adds up fast. You’re freaking losing $100 an acre pretty quick that would help a lot with your bottom line.”

Corteva Unveils Executive Team Lineup For Its Two-Way Company Split

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:58:00 GMT

Corteva Inc. has reached a pivotal milestone in its corporate restructuring, announcing the executive leadership teams that will guide its transition into two independent, publicly traded entities.

The separation, which will result in the formation of New Corteva and SpinCo, is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2026.

New Corteva: A Focus on Crop Protection

Luther “Luke” Kissam has been appointed as the future chief executive officer of New Corteva, the entity that will retain the company’s crop protection portfolio. Kissam is scheduled to join the firm on June 1 as CEO.

Corteva’s Greg Page says the company board of directors selected Kissam following a global search, citing his ability to drive growth through innovation. Page notes that Kissam’s history of leading public companies and delivering market-focused solutions will benefit farmers and shareholders alike, according to a company press release.

Kissam brings a background in both agriculture and specialty chemicals to the new role. He previously served as the chairman and CEO of Albemarle Corporation and held legal and executive positions at Monsanto and Merisant Company.

Joining Kissam at New Corteva in key leadership roles will be:

Jeff Rudolph, chief financial officer
Brook Cunningham, chief commercial officer
Ralph Ford, chief integrated operations officer
Reza Rasoulpour, chief technology officer
Jim Alcombright, chief digital and information officer

SpinCo: Advancing Seed and Genetics

The second entity, provisionally named SpinCo, will operate as a standalone seed and genetics company. This business will focus on elite germplasm and cutting-edge biotechnologies, including gene editing and molecular breeding for row crops.

Current Corteva CEO Chuck Magro will transition to the role of SpinCo CEO at the time of formal separation. Magro says SpinCo’s success will be built on technological investments that allow farmers to increase yields in row crops and potentially new markets.

Along with Magro, the leadership team for SpinCo will include:

David Johnson, chief financial officer
Judd O’Connor, chief commercial and operations officer
Sam Eathington, chief technology officer
Audrey Grimm, chief people officer
Brian Lutz, chief digital and information officer
Jennifer Johnson, chief legal officer

The $10 Tool Randy Dowdy Uses To Grow Record Corn Yields

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:08:35 GMT

For high-yield corn grower Randy Dowdy, a successful harvest doesn’t start with the combine; it starts with a ratchet strap and an open furrow.

While many growers rely on high-tech in-cab monitors to guide their planting process, Dowdy argues the most critical data they need is found in the dirt behind the planter. By using ratchet straps to hold closing wheels up and out of the soil, he creates an “open furrow” that allows for a level of diagnostic evaluation he believes covered seeds cannot provide.

The Depth Deception

The logic behind this unconventional start to corn planting is rooted in the physical reality of soil settling. Dowdy, based near Valdosta, Ga., notes that even when a grower sets the planter for a standard two-inch depth, the final result often differs from what they were trying to achieve.

“Whenever the farmer goes back and looks at the plant, once it’s emerged, they find the germination depth is not the same depth as they planted,” he says. “Why did they not look at it and set it appropriately in the beginning? Chances are they can read that popsicle stick and measure depth. They know how to do that. But one thing I’ve found is that ground, when it’s been worked... it just settles.”

Whether a field is under conventional tillage, strip-till or no-till, the act of moving soil creates a “fluff” factor that can deceive even experienced corn growers. To compensate for this tendency, Dowdy advocates for planting slightly deeper in tilled or loose ground so the seed remains at the desired depth after the soil settles.

Open Furrow Diagnostics

To verify seed placement depth, Dowdy likes to use an open furrow for evaluation. He says this method allows growers to see exactly how the row unit is interacting with the soil environment without guesswork.

Randy Dowdy likes to check seed placement depth in an open furrow.

(Farm Journal)

“I don’t like to stand on top of my head and scratch for seed and all that garbage,” Dowdy says. “The first thing I want to do is make sure the row cleaners are set properly. I can do that better with an open furrow. I can look at spacing that way. I’m not standing on top of my head scratching, spending all this time trying to find it.”

The open furrow provides a clear window into the planter’s performance. Beyond spacing and row cleaner settings, it allows the grower to inspect for sidewall smearing—a problem that can severely limit root development if the soil is too tacky when the opening discs pass through. The visual check of an open furrow also tells the grower whether the down pressure is sufficient to maintain a consistent planting depth.

The Centering Challenge

Once the open furrow confirms that the row cleaners, meters, and depth settings are dialed in, the focus shifts to the closing system. Dowdy warns that even the best closing wheels can fail if they aren’t perfectly aligned over the seed.

He says standard V-press wheels are known to drift off-center. If they aren’t tracking directly over the seed trench, they don’t just fail to close the furrow—they actively change the planting depth at the final stage of the process.

“It doesn’t matter whose system it is, V-press wheels just do not like to stay centered,” he contends.

When the wheels drift off-center, they often pinch the furrow, leaving a raised ribbon of soil in their wake. This misalignment can create a less than desirable environment for the seed than what the grower intended.

A Systematic Start

Dowdy’s systematic approach—checking gauge wheels, setting opening discs, inspecting the open furrow, and finally calibrating the closing wheels—is designed to eliminate the variables that lead to uneven emergence. For Dowdy, the goal is to ensure that every seed is given the exact same opportunity to start strong, leading to the “picket fence” stands required for high yields.

By starting with an open furrow and systematically lowering the closing system only after everything else is verified, he says other corn growers can eliminate the guesswork that often leads to costly mistakes at planting.

“We’re not done, but this is the process of how we get started,” Dowdy says. “Next, we’ll let the closing wheels down, close that trench and see what we got.”

Replant Or Ride It Out? How To Manage The Challenges Of Early-Planted Soybeans

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:32:01 GMT

A burst of early soybean planting across parts of the Corn Belt last week has some farmers feeling ahead of schedule, while others are already bracing for replant decisions and dealing with seed challenges.

Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie reports in central Illinois, the convergence of record early planting, heavy spring rains, and uneven seed quality is testing stand establishment. Farmers are now facing tough choices regarding which fields — and which seed lots — will make the cut.

“The past 10 days, a lot of soybeans went in the ground,” Ferrie says. “I believe this may be the most beans ever planted in March for our customer base. We planted some here at the Crop-Tech campus, and they went in very well.”

However, that promising start was quickly met with adverse weather.

Ponding, Cool Soils, And Replant Calls

In parts of Illinois, recent storms dumped 3" to 3.5" of rain in a single night, leading to widespread ponding. While many of those areas drained within 24 hours, the status of those early-planted soybeans remains uncertain.

“Only time will tell, but because soil temperatures remain cool, I expect most of the beans will survive,” Ferrie contends. “If it were saturated and hot, they would die off quickly. But in cool conditions, you’d be surprised how long they can last.”

Ferrie urges growers to stay disciplined: scout fields, evaluate stands, and avoid guessing.

“If you’re scouting ponded areas and find soft, discolored seed, we’ll obviously need to replant. The quicker we get them back in the ground, the better the yield potential. We still have time to replant and maintain an early bean advantage,” he notes.

Crusting: The Hidden Threat

While ponding areas are highly visible, Ferrie warns that soil crusting on conventionally tilled fields may pose a greater threat to late-March soybeans.

“The bigger job is monitoring conventional-till soybeans for crusting. Heavy rain can create a seal that slows or stops emergence,” he explains. While no-till soybeans typically face fewer issues, they are not immune to crusting challenges and still require monitoring.

Ferrie believes many growers underestimate the importance of timely intervention.

“We may need to help these March beans out of the ground. Get the rotary hoe ready,” he advises. “The time to break a crust is when it’s light and the bean is not yet pushing hard against it.”

Waiting too long can turn a simple pass into a stand-loss event. “If the crust hardens and the bean hypocotyls become swollen trying to push through, your chances of success drop significantly. The trick is to go early. If you wait until the beans are clearly in trouble, the rotary hoe won’t be able to save them,” Ferrie says.

Seed Quality Under the Microscope

Weather isn’t the only risk factor this spring; seed quality is also under scrutiny. Seed labs are reporting a wide range of saturated cold test results.

“Samples are coming back all over the board,” Ferrie reports. “We’ve seen saturated cold scores ranging from 95% down to 9%. I suspect the samples falling below 40% may be carryover seed from previous seasons.”

The low cold score numbers are causing ripples in the supply chain, with seed companies pulling questionable lots from the system. This has led to canceled orders or last-minute substitutions for may growers.

“While it’s frustrating to not get the exact genetics you ordered, this is good seed stewardship,” Ferrie says. “Your supplier is doing the right thing by pulling that seed before it becomes a stand disaster in your field.”

Ferrie attributes these quality issues to last season’s production challenges, including heavy disease pressure and late-season drought.

Action Plan For Next Steps

Ferrie outlines several practical steps to help farmers manage the current volatility with seed quality and planting:

Scout Aggressively: Dig for seed in ponded spots for evaluation. If the seed is mushy or discolored, make the replant call early.
Ready the Rotary Hoe: Be prepared to move as soon as a crust begins to form. Ferrie refers to this as “Hoe before you know.”
Monitor Seed Tests: Work closely with your dealer to ensure you are planting high-quality lots.
Be Flexible with Genetics: A sound, high-quality substitute is better than a preferred variety with poor vigor.
Use Rain Delays Wisely: Focus on equipment maintenance and planter calibration so you are ready to roll when conditions improve.

Hear more of Ken Ferrie’s agronomic insights in this week’s Boots In The Field podcast:

Bayer And Iowa State Partner On Seed Innovation Center

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:06:30 GMT

In the world of row-crop farming, a great-yielding seed product is the result of dozens of efforts in engineering and data. To ensure those victories keep coming, Bayer’s Crop Science division and Iowa State University (ISU) announce they have opened the doors to their new Seed Production Innovation (SPI) Innovation Center.

Located in heart of Ames at the ISU Research Park campus, the tactical hub is designed to help Bayer make seed production more efficient, more precise and more reliable for U.S. farmers, the partners say.

By placing Bayer’s innovation teams side-by-side with ISU faculty and students, the company anticipates shortening the distance between a “good idea” and a field-ready solution.

“Its location allows us to work side-by-side with Iowa State’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab,” says Amanuel Ghebretinsae, Bayer’s head of global innovations for seed production, in a press release. “We are accelerating the development of practical solutions that strengthen our seed production operations and support our farmer partners.”

What This Means For Your Farm

While the research and development will happen in Ames, the impact is designed to be felt at the farm gate. The partnership will focus on three key pillars, according to Bayer:

1. Maximizing Seed Quality: Using the latest in precision agriculture and automation to ensure the Bayer-branded seed in your shed meets the highest possible standards.

2. Digital Ag Advancements: By collaborating with ISU’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab, the center will push the envelope on data analytics and automation, aiming to take the guesswork out of seed production.

3. A Workforce Pipeline: The center serves as a training ground for students. For farmers, this means the next generation of agronomists and tech reps will hit the field with hands-on experience in some of the ag industry’s most advanced technology.

A Hub For Farmer Education

The facility is also set to become a destination for corn and soybean growers. Plans for the space include innovation workshops and producer education sessions, focusing on scientific and engineering solutions that provide “value-add” to the farm.

“Bayer’s investment underscores the Research Park’s mission to connect leading companies with Iowa State’s research strengths and talent pipeline,” says Rick Sanders, president of the ISU Research Park, in a press release. “Bayer’s presence enhances our innovation ecosystem and creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration with faculty, startups and students, particularly in digital and data enabled agriculture.”

Early Soybeans Benefit From Protection In Cold Soils

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:11:26 GMT

When the calendar says it’s still a little early for soybeans but field conditions are just right, growers face this increasingly common dilemma: plant and risk the outcome in cold, tough soils—or wait and risk missing the best window.

More farmers are deciding to go early. As they do, seed treatments and inoculants are playing a bigger role in helping growers manage the risks, reports Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Field Agronomist, based in south-central Michigan.

The Case For Inoculant Use

While soybeans naturally fix nitrogen through root nodules, the process depends on the presence of Bradyrhizobium bacteria. Inoculants introduce these essential microbes to maximize nitrogen fixation and crop performance.

Inoculants are most often useful, the Crop Protection Network (CPN) reports, when fields have no history of soybean production, or when the field has gone four or more years without being planted to soybeans.

Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer says her field research in south-central Michigan indicates inoculant use can also be a net positive in “ultra early” soybean planting. She has spent the past three years evaluating Preside Ultra, a “super-concentrated” soybean inoculant.

“The results are pretty positive,” says Bauer. “We’ve seen good early growth all three years that we looked at this product.”

Three years of field testing show a solid return-on-investment for the inoculant.

(B&M Crop Consulting, Coldwater, Michigan)

Her data shows the product has added about 2.4 bushels per acre on average, delivering roughly $25 per acre in return for about $1.10 per acre more cost than a “standard” inoculant.

“I’ve been pretty happy with what we’ve seen with the enhanced early growth,” Bauer says. “I think the product pairs well with when I plant early, what we can do to get these beans going better knowing that they’re in a tough, cold environment.”

Seed Treatments Continue To Play A Valuable Role

When it comes to protecting early-planted soybeans, Bauer says seed treatments like Ilevo and Saltro still earn a place in growers’ plans as important production tools.

“While we aren’t continuing to research the Ilevo, we have that good history of Ilevo seed treatment and still recommend growers use it or Saltro,” she says.

For Bauer, that “good history” matters. Even without continuous new trials every season, a solid base of multi-year data gives her confidence to keep recommending both products, particularly when growers want to push soybeans into colder soils ahead of the traditional planting window.

Her message to farmers is that early planting doesn’t have to mean planting unprotected. With a strong track record and comparable performance in her trials, she views Ilevo and Saltro as dependable options when the goal is to capture the yield upside of early soybeans while managing the risk that cold, challenging environments can bring.

While Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer says she is not conducting further testing on Ilevo or Saltro, she has confidence in their performance in soybeans, especially in early-planted crops.

(B&M Crop Consulting, Coldwater, Michigan)

The CPN says the benefit of a seed treatment is most evident when reduced soybean seeding rates (140,000 seeds per acre or less) are used. In many regions, the minimum plant stand for highly productive soils is 100,000 plants per acre. Because farmers want to minimize input costs while maximizing yield, they may reduce their seeding rates and use seed treatments to help protect the stand, CPN reports.

Next Steps For Your System

For most soybean growers, adopting a different inoculant or seed treatment won’t require a major overhaul. In many cases, it’s a conversation with a seed dealer or custom treater, Bauer says.

Four next steps she recommends:

Talk to your seed dealer about the inoculant and seed treatment options they offer and the potential benefits.
Review local data from plots in your area, especially where beans were planted early.
Match products to your planting plans — early planting into cold soils typically justifies a more robust treatment package.
Consider a strip trial for evaluation purposes. Compare your standard package against an upgraded inoculant or seed treatment.

For farmers looking to protect their early-planted soybeans — and squeeze a few more bushels out of every acre — upgrading the inoculant and revisiting their seed treatment package may be one of the simpler, higher-return changes they can make, Bauer says.

Corteva’s Hybrid Wheat Aims to Close the Yield Gap with Corn and Soybeans

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:29:52 GMT

Corteva Agriscience is betting its new hybrid technology will change the trajectory of U.S. wheat yields. The company plans to introduce its first hybrid wheat seed product in 2027 and then expand into additional wheat classes by the end of the decade, according to Dan Wiersma, global product manager for wheat at Corteva.

He notes the company has been working to develop hybrid wheat for over 30 years. “What’s different now is we finally have a system that’s efficient, stable and broad enough in its genetic fit to make sense for farmers,” he says.

Hybrid Wheat, A Difficult Nut To Crack

For years, seed companies and researchers tried to make hybrid wheat work, but most attempts fell short, according to David Bowen, data lead within the digital seeds group in research and development at Corteva. The main challenge was how to produce hybrid seed efficiently and reliably. The biology, genetics, and economics never lined up well enough to make hybrid wheat work at scale in the past.

“There was too much cost and inconsistency,” he reports.

A turning point came in 2018, after the wheat genome was mapped and then published by the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC), a global collaboration of over 200 researchers from 73 institutions.

Five years later, in 2023, Syngenta was able to launch three hybrid hard red spring wheat products in the U.S. Northern Plains under the AgriPro brand.

HRS wheat is considered the “aristocrat of wheat” used in designer wheat foods such as bagels, artisan health breads, pizza crust and other strong dough applications, according to the U.S. Wheat Associates.

The bulk of HRS wheat is grown in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho and Washington.

Hard Red Winter Wheat Is Up Next

Corteva’s initial launch, expected in 2027, will be a hard red winter hybrid. The product has been built around what is known as a nuclear male sterility (NMS) system. Unlike the earlier system used, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), the sterility gene for NMS is in the nucleus —where most of the DNA is better understood, more controllable and stable – the latter two are especially important in highly variable field conditions.

The advantage of this approach with NMS, Wiersma says, is efficiency and flexibility. The system doesn’t require extra “restorer lines,” which simplifies seed production and reduces cost.

“Where CMS can be limited in the genetics it works with, this system has worked with all the germplasm we’ve applied it to,” he says. “In our testing, we’ve not seen any breakdown of the sterility system. That’s critical. Other systems can be a lot more environmentally sensitive.”

That stability and breadth matter because they allow Corteva to chase greater genetic gain—bringing in a wide range of parent lines, testing broadly and selecting harder and faster for yield, resilience and disease resistance.

Farmers Need Higher Yielding Wheat Products

The most obvious question from growers is simple: what will these hybrids actually deliver in the field?

Wiersma doesn’t hesitate. “The No. 1 benefit is yield and productivity,” he says. “We expect the first product we release to deliver a 10-plus-percent yield advantage over the leading competitive varieties.”

Wiersma says the yield advantage researchers have seen for the company’s wheat hybrid testing grows even more striking under stress. In water-limited environments, where overall yield levels fall for every wheat product, Corteva has seen a valuable advantage for its new technology.

“It’s lower yielding of course, because of the stress, but the yield advantage [over existing wheat products] jumps to 20-plus percent. The crop is just more stable under those stressful conditions,” he says. “That’s the heterosis effect of hybrids—hybrid vigor—which we really haven’t been able to experience in wheat before.”

That hybrid vigor shows up not just in top-end yield but in resilience and standability under tough weather and resource constraints. For wheat growers accustomed to watching corn and soybeans outpace them in genetic progress, the performance is attention-grabbing.

“There’s a real hunger for new technology in wheat,” Wiersma says. “You look at the yields of corn and soybeans, and they’ve gone up pretty steady. Wheat hasn’t quite kept up. With wheat hybrids, we get a step change, plus we get a better rate of genetic gain. It’s not just the normal, everyday gain—it actually goes up at a steeper level.”

Traditional, Conventional Plant Breeding At Work

Just as important for many farmers, Corteva’s hybrids are conventionally bred. There is no gene editing and no genetically modified (GMO) traits.

“We don’t have gene editing, we don’t have GMOs—none of that to worry about. That’s a great advantage,” he says.

That conventional status means growers can focus on agronomics and economics, rather than worrying about trait approval or market acceptance. It also means they don’t have to rethink their fertilizer strategies or field operations to accommodate the new hybrids.

“We treat our hybrid plots and competitor varieties exactly the same,” Wiersma says. “We don’t expect to have to change any management practices to grow hybrid wheat as compared to varietal wheat.”

For millers, bakers and grain buyers, the concern is grain quality. Wiersma is acutely aware that pushing yield harder can sometimes tempt breeders to let quality slip. He insists that Corteva has built quality safeguards into the program from the start.

“People worry that if you crank up yield, grain quality will go down,” he says. “We’ve been testing and have a pretty extensive program around quality, because we know that’s a sensitive area. We have to maintain grain quality that’s good for the end user—the millers and so forth. That’s been a vital part of the program.”

Beyond yield and quality, Wiersma sees hybrids as a powerful tool to accelerate gains in disease resistance and pest tolerance. Because hybrids combine genetics from two parents, breeders can bring together better packages faster than in a straight varietal system.

Corteva is also leaning into the sustainability narrative, which is straightforward: more grain grown on the same land, with the same inputs. In trials, hybrid and varietal plots are given the same fertilizer, the same water and the same management. When the hybrids deliver 10 percent or more yield on that same foundation, they effectively improve output per unit of input.

“If we can grow 10 percent more yield on the same nutrients, the same water, the same inputs—that’s a more sustainable approach,” he says.

More Hybrid Wheat Products Under Development

Looking ahead, Wiersma says the 2026 season will be a build year, not a go-to-market year. Much of the work remains behind the scenes as Corteva refines products, scales seed production and trains internal teams.

The company will introduce its first hybrid in 2027, with an initial, limited commercial launch centered in Kansas.

“Initially, we’re going to market through the Pioneer channel,” Wiersma says. “We’ve got a good distribution of sales reps around the country. We feel that’s the best support the farmer will get, because we have a great agronomy team and a well-trained team of salespeople that can support the product.”

For growers in Kansas and surrounding hard red winter regions, that means the first step in accessing hybrid wheat will be as simple as talking with their local Pioneer representative. As the technology matures, Corteva plans to expand into the soft red wheat market around 2029, followed by hard red spring wheat around 2030, with breeding programs already active in all three classes.

Asked what message he most wants to leave with wheat farmers today, Wiersma comes back to timing and opportunity for the new hybrid technology.

“Be patient,” he says with a smile. “It’s coming.”

Use This 4-Step Checklist for 97%-Plus Waterhemp Control

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:44:09 GMT

In the constant battle to keep soybean fields clean, few weeds have proven as difficult for farmers to control as waterhemp.

“Last year, in 2025 we struggled a lot with waterhemp, and that’s a weed that’s going to continue to present problems for us,” notes Mike Hannewald, field agronomist with Beck’s Hybrids.

Seasonlong competition by waterhemp (more than 20 plants per square foot) has been shown to reduce soybean yield by 44%. Waterhemp emerging as late as V5 soybean reduced yields up to 10%, according to Take Action .

Hannewald’s message to farmers for 2026 is this: Controlling waterhemp isn’t about a single product or pass. It’s about designing a thoughtful, layered herbicide program that starts before the planter rolls.

Here is a summary of the four key practices he recommends:

1. Begin the season with clean fields.

The first principle is deceptively simple: start clean.

Hannewald advises using a burndown herbicide pass or properly set tillage if you’re in conventional tillage to completely remove existing weeds before planting.

“Make sure the tillage tool is actually set to tear the weeds out, checking that they’re fully uprooted and not just being knocked over,” he says.

2. Use a “three in the pre” herbicide application

Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR) data shows when three modes of action are used in a pre-emerge application to control waterhemp, 97% control was achieved and maintained 45 days after treatment.

“That residual can be either made after we do our tillage or combined with our burndown pass,” Hannewald says.

Adding a third site-of-action chemistry delivered an 8% boost over the use of two SOAs.

(Beck’s Hybrids)

Because there are many active ingredients available — and even more brand names — it’s easy to not succeed in getting three different chemistries in the tank. To help minimize confusion, Hannewald recommends tuning into the chemistry group numbers.

He recommends soybean growers use some combination of three herbicides from these four groups:

Group 2: Amino acid synthesis inhibitors, such as cloransulam.
Group 5: Photosynthesis inhibitors, such as metribuzin.
Group 14: Cell membrane disruptors, such as sulfentrazone
Group 15: Seedling root growth inhibitors, such as metolachlor, acetochlor and pyroxasulfone

“Now, if you are planting XtendFlex soybeans and you’re using an approved version of dicamba as your burndown, dicamba does have residual value, so that counts as one of the three,” Hannewald says. “But if you’re using 2,4-D on Enlist soybeans, 2,4-D does not have residual value, so that doesn’t count. You need to add three additional modes of action there.”

For more insights on specific Group Numbers, the MOAs, and product brand names, be sure to check out the 2025 Take Action Herbicide Classification Chart.

3. Make a post-herbicide pass prior to flowering

If building a strong pre strategy is partly about chemistry, the next step—timing the post pass—is about mindset. For many soybean growers, waiting to spray until weeds are obvious is a common course of action. Hannewald believes it’s time to change that thinking.

“This is the biggest mindset shift for us to stay ahead of waterhemp, and that’s spraying your soybeans before flowering,” he says.

In practical terms, this means moving the post pass much earlier than many farmers are used to—often when the field appears relatively clean (e.g. around V3 rather than R1).

“In most cases, you’re probably going to be driving through the field thinking, ‘I don’t need to be out here at this point because there’s not much weed pressure, if at all,’” he says.

But targeting small weeds early, before the beans canopy, allows you to get good coverage and control. This is especially important if you’re going to spray glufosinate (Liberty), reports Isaac Ferrie, Crop-Tech Consulting field agronomist.

According to the label Liberty can be sprayed on LibertyLink soybeans from emergence up to the R1 growth stage (first bloom).

“That means once 50% of those plants out there have one flower on them, we can’t spray Liberty,” Ferrie says.

Another consideration is the impact of later herbicide applications on yield potential.

A PFR study that compared herbicide applications in soybeans at V3 to those made at R1 found the latter application caused a yield decrease.

“We saw losses of 1.2 bushels to 2.5 bushels per acre just from the R1 application stressing that soybean plant,” Hannewald explains. “Even though our beans are tolerant to these herbicides, it still takes energy for that soybean plant to process that herbicide, metabolize it, break it down and get rid of it, and that energy causes stress on the plant.”

A post application with glufosinate (Liberty) gets another chemistry in the weed-control mix, which helps stop weeds and the opportunity for resistance to build.

(Beck’s Hybrids)

4. Add an in-season residual with the post pass

Step four is adding an in-season residual to the post pass. This is what makes the early post pass work.

“At this point, we still have some soil visible, and when we add that in-season residual, it’s like you’re laying a blanket across that soil to stop late-emerging waterhemp from growing,” says Hannewald.

He adds that he likes using a Group 15 herbicide as the residual now, because they’re effective on small-seeded broadleaf weeds.

Hannewald says Beck’s PFR shows farmers get 6% additional control – going from 88% to 94% control of waterhemp at harvest – by adding the in-season residual.

“While 6% may not seem like a whole lot, that works out to 17.1 million fewer viable waterhemp seeds per acre going in our seed bank for the next year and future years,” he says.

Fewer weed seeds means fewer waterhemp to deal with the following year.

(Beck’s Hybrids)

In summary, Hannewald boils his recommendations for 2026 down to a four-step framework: start clean, layer three modes of action into the pre pass, move the post application earlier—before flowering—and add an in-season residual to carry the field through canopy and into harvest with fewer waterhemp.

He adds that soybean growers can adapt those four steps to their own equipment, weed spectrum and trait platforms, but the underlying strategy remains the same: think proactively, diversify chemistry, and protect yield potential for this year and in the future. Listen to his full list of recommendations here .

The Technology Poised to Revolutionize Corn Yields — Just as Biotech Did in the 1980s

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:25:10 GMT

As Pioneer celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the company is looking both backward, measuring a century of yield progress, and forward. Looking ahead, Dean Podlich with Pioneer says one technology could revolutionize yield and corn production, almost as much as biotech did in the 1980s.

Gene editing, currently at the same inflection point where biotech traits once stood, is poised to revolutionize corn yields. While still early in development, the genetic engineering technique is poised to push the yield ceiling higher for farmers and influence productivity for decades.

A Century in Two Kernels of Corn

During a look back at 100 years of Pioneer at Commodity Classic this week, Podlich, who leads the digital seeds group within R&D at Corteva Agriscience, held up two types of kernels. One traced back to genetics from Raymond Baker that won the Banner Trophy, which was the state yield contest at the time, in 1927. The other was Pioneer P14-830, the hybrid grown by David Hula when he set a world corn yield record .

The 1927 genetics yielded 60 bu. per acre. The modern hybrid: 623 bu. per acre.

“You’re contrasting 100 years of progress between these two seeds,” Podlich says. “They basically look identical from the outside, but under the hood, these are very different genetics.”

To the naked eye, the two kernels appear to be the same. But when you think about the technology and innovation that helped drive a new world corn record, it’s complex.

“One has gone through 100 years of selection, 100 years of the breeding gauntlet, 100 years of drought selection, 100 years of improved agronomics,” Podlich says. One has some biotech traits to protect that yield. On the outside they look identical. Under the hood, in the DNA, this is what technology looks like from a seed industry standpoint. 60 bushels to 600 bushels through that technology.”

That radically different genetic makeup sets the stage for what Pioneer believes is next.

Gene Editing: The Next Big Yield Builder

Podlich draws a clear distinction between gene editing and the first generation of biotech traits.

“With biotech traits, we were bringing in DNA from another organism that helped protect that yield,” he says. “Gene editing is a native solution. It’s a modern breeding technique.”

Instead of introducing foreign DNA, gene editing works within the plant’s own genome. With tools such as CRISPR, breeders can make precise changes, edits that would have been technically impossible or extraordinarily slow using conventional breeding methods alone.

“By understanding the genome, we can start to bring together different genes in precise ways that we could never do before,” Podlich says. “Previously, genes were sort of scattered across the genome. We’re able to use some of the CRISPR technology to assemble them into a common region.”

He describes the concept as a multi-trait locus, essentially grouping valuable traits into one location in the genome.

“That simplifies the breeding process a lot more because we can stack them together and deliver them through the product,” he says.

Through this process, the company is combining resistance to multiple pathogens in one genetic package. The work is ongoing and early stage, but Podlich believes it represents the kind of step-change that could shape future yield protection.

“We’re very much at the early stages of this,” he says. “Where we are with gene editing today reminds me of where we were in 1980 with biotech. We know it’s going to be impactful. We don’t know exactly how it’s going to be used. But over the coming decades, it’s going to be a key part of how we get to that next level of productivity and protect that productivity moving forward.”

Five Minutes vs. a Full Year

The acceleration of genetic progress isn’t just about editing tools. It’s also about data.

Podlich points to the dramatic shift in sequencing and genotyping capacity over the past 25 years.

“In the late ’90s, we had what was quite a sophisticated molecular marker department,” he says. “But today, we can generate the same amount of genotyping data points every 5 minutes that we created in all of 1999.”

It’s that leap in speed that fundamentally changes breeding.

“It’s incredible how this technology has revolutionized what we can do in breeding and our understanding of the genome,” he says. “Sequencing technology has allowed us to generate so much more sequence data than we used to. And that allows us to really understand the interaction between the genome and the traits that farmers care about. It’s about how to increase yield and protect that yield.”

Data Also at the Root of Yield Gains

For David Bowen, a data lead in the digital seeds group within R&D at Corteva Agriscience, the story of yield advancement is, at its core, a story about data.

“When we look at 60-bushel-per-acre corn 100 years ago and the possibility of 600-bushel corn today, data has absolutely played a role,” Bowen says.

He points back to one of agriculture’s early data champions, and the founder of Pioneer, Henry A. Wallace. Bowen says Wallace was a statistician, agronomist and politician, who understood the power of side-by-side comparisons long before “data-driven” became a buzzword.

Wallace insisted on entering his hybrid corn in yield contests across Iowa, not just for bragging rights, but for proof. By planting hybrids next to farmers’ traditional open-pollinated varieties, he created real-world comparisons that generated measurable results. Some years hybrids won; some years they didn’t. But over time, the data showed a clear trend: the best hybrids consistently outperformed conventional varieties.

“That ability to show value with replicated, side-by-side data was critical,” Bowen says.

A century later, the tools have changed dramatically, but the principle remains the same.

Most agronomic data still originates in the field: yield, plant height, stand counts and other observable traits. But today’s datasets stretch far beyond what Wallace could have imagined. Researchers now capture detailed genetic information at the molecular level. Drones sweep fields collecting high-resolution imagery. Satellites deliver in-season insights on crop health and variability. Sensors stream environmental data in real time.

The opportunity, and the challenge, is pulling those streams together into one.

“We have data coming from so many different sources,” Bowen says. “Now the challenge is aggregating that information so we can make effective decisions.”

From Wallace’s handwritten yield notes to today’s cloud-based analytics platforms, Bowen says one thing hasn’t changed: better data, consistently applied, drives better decisions. And those decisions continue to push the ceiling on what farmers can grow.

No Ceiling in Sight for Corn Yields

When asked about the top-end potential for corn yield, Podlich didn’t want to put a number on it. Instead, he referenced David Hula’s 623-bu. record with P14-830.

“Just 10 years ago, no one would have believed that we could get to 600 bushels,” Podlich adds. “I’m not a brave person who would predict how high we would get.”

Instead of naming a ceiling, he pointed to a symbol embedded in Pioneer’s logo, the infinity sign in the center of the trapezoid.

“That infinity symbol represents endless progress,” he says. “It was deliberate from our founders that we want to continue to drive that yield. We’ll sort of see where we get to. But as we continue to use these technologies, I’m sure it’s going to increase. Because genetic improvement and the interaction with management is not going to stop.”

He says improved genetics paired with improved management has defined the last century. The jump from roughly 25 bu. per acre 100 years ago to around 180 bushels on average today didn’t happen from genetics alone.

“You think of increased use of hybrids. You think about mechanization on the farm. You start to use synthetic nitrogen. You look at biotech traits and precision ag of today,” Podlich says. “All of those things cumulatively allow us to move from 25 bushels to 180.”

He says it’s improved genetics with improved management practices that have already led to and will continue to drive higher yields.

Unlocking New Farm Revenue: Bayer’s Newgold Targets The Biofuel Boom

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:36:47 GMT

At the intersection of low-carbon fuels and practical farm economics, Bayer’s newgold seed brand is being developed, offering an opportunity for farmers to make additional income from their existing acres.

By inserting high-oil, low-carbon intensity crops such as camelina and canola into idle/fallow acres or wheat rotations, growers can tap into a new income stream that feeds the fast-growing biomass-based diesel market.

The new opportunities are backed by defined grain contracts, downstream demand, and long-term R&D investment, according to Chad Bilby, Bayer biofuel crops innovation and commercial lead.

Bilby says Bayer’s biofuel crops portfolio is currently centered on three crops:

1. Camelina (spring and winter): Under the newgold brand, initial focus for 2026 is in the northern Great Plains (southern Saskatchewan, southeast Alberta, eastern Montana, western North Dakota), with potential expansion as the program and value chain build out.

2. Winter canola: Also under newgold, the crop is targeted for commercial planting starting in September 2027 in the southern Great Plains (Kansas, Oklahoma, northern Texas) within wheat rotation systems.

3. CoverCress: This offering is a joint venture between Bayer, Chevron and Bunge and has been in place for several years. CoverCress is an oilseed targeted to corn-soybean farmers in the Midwest and used to produce low-carbon intensity oil for renewable fuels and high-protein meal for animal feed.

“All these crops that we’re focused on are geared for the biomass-based diesel segment of biofuels,” Bilby says. “When you look at biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel… a lot of the higher horsepower engines where electric vehicles are not going to play a role are really seeking a path to get access to biofuels,” he adds.

Seed to Market: Closed-Loop System and Value-Chain Alignment

Newgold is being built on the recognition by Bayer that agronomy alone doesn’t make a new crop successful for farmers — marketing certainty is needed.

Because many specialty oilseeds, such as camelina, don’t have a standard commodity market behind them already, Bayer is structuring a closed-loop, contract-based system from the outset.

“Some of these crops aren’t a commodity trade, so something like camelina or CoverCress, you don’t have a market for those crops,” Bilby explains. “There will be a grain contract in place that will establish the pricing and delivery options… farmers will have that grain contract available. And then in the case of a camelina or winter canola, we will then sell the seed to the farmer against that contract to fulfill the contract.”

In parallel, Bayer is working across the entire value chain to align agronomy, grain flow and processing capacity.

“We’re collaborating closely with value chain partners,” Bilby says. “So as crush and renewable fuel capacity comes online, [farmers will] have a locally relevant crop and clear contracting options, kind of a seamless path from seed to market,” he says. “This is going to help ensure that agronomic fit, and that grain logistics and crush demand start to scale together.”

On the distribution side, newgold will tap into Bayer’s existing retail networks but says it won’t be locked into any single channel. Bilby notes that Bayer will leverage relationships and brands like DEKALB, WestBred, and others, but the newgold label gives the company the freedom to choose the best local partners.

More formal announcements around the Bayer newgold brand and opportunities are expected in the coming weeks. Farmers can learn more of the various program details by contacting their local Bayer representative.

New Seed Tender Built for Narrow Planting Windows

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:55:50 GMT

Spring planting windows aren’t getting any wider—and labor isn’t getting any easier to find. That’s the reality the new 60-Series Seed Runner from Unverferth Manufacturing is built to address.

“The planting window can be very narrow some years, so our goal with this seed tender is to give farmers more operational efficiency so they can get the job done faster and with less downtime,” says Andy Unverferth, director of marketing for the company.

Smarter Technology, Faster Turnarounds

The new 4960, 3960, 3760 and 2760 models boast hopper capacities of 500, 400, 375 and 275 seed units and bring operational efficiency to the next level with the innovative CAN bus communication system, electronically carbureted Honda engine and redesigned hydraulic system, Unverferth reports.

Key upgrades to the 60-Series include:

CAN bus communication system for integrated machine control electronically carbureted engine with a 15% increase in fuel efficiency and redesigned hydraulic system that allows operators to run multiple hydraulic functions simultaneously with seamless precision.
An auto-tension belt conveyor uses a spring-loaded tensioner that automatically keeps the belt in proper tension for reduced maintenance requirements and has a convenient gauge for quick tension reference.
A standard five-function wireless remote controls the conveyor on/off, conveyor raise/lower, hopper door open/close, engine start/stop and engine throttle. The remote features a weight readout for units equipped with scales, controls the conveyor speed, turns the LED work lights on/off, and operates optional accessories such as the talc and graphite applicator, hydraulic jack, hydraulic roll-tarp, and tank shaker kit.
A new DG3520 scale package is standard on DXL and XL models (optional on 3760 and 2760 models) and features a split-screen display, automatic conveyor shutoff for unloading a predetermined weight of seed, field calc function and Bluetooth connectivity so the user can operate limited wireless remote functions from a mobile device if the remote is misplaced.
Hopper access doors allow the operator to easily reach inside of the hopper for complete cleanout at the end of the season or between seed varieties.
New limited Midnight Edition Seed Runner tenders are available for DXL and XL models and feature a midnight metallic gray paint scheme, specialized decal package, aluminum wheels and upgraded standard features.

When it comes to raw speed, Unverferth says the unload rates on the 8-inch conveyor are about 45 bushels per minute. “So there is a faster filling process to get the planter going again,” he adds.

Available For The 2027 Planting Season

Unverferth says dealers can start entering orders this coming May for the new tender, which will be available for the 2027 planting season.

Available options and accessories for the new 60-Series Seed Runner seed tenders include new six- and seven-function wireless remote kits, talc and graphite applicator, hydraulic jack kit, new hydraulic roll-tarp operation, and tank shaker kit.

For more information about the new 60-Series Unverferth Seed Runner tenders, farmers can check with their nearest Unverferth seed tender dealer or visit UMequip.com.

Rethinking Nitrogen for Short-Stature Corn

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:43:32 GMT

Since its debut, the buzz around short-stature corn has often focused on standability—the promise of a crop that won’t fold like a lawn chair when a July windstorm sweeps across the field. But as these hybrids increasingly move from company test plots into real-world acres, farmers are discovering that standability is only one piece of the story.

In a recent deep dive into the technology, University of Minnesota Extension agronomist Jeff Coulter urged growers to look past the “miniature” aesthetic of short-stature hybrids, which are usually 7-feet tall or less (traditional hybrids are typically 9 to 12 feet).

Instead, he believes the way these new hybrids access and use nitrogen (N), other nutrients and moisture could be the key to their long-term fit on your farm.

A Different Architecture Below Ground

The most significant changes in short-stature hybrids happen where you can’t see them. Coulter says research from Purdue University found that these hybrids often feature dramatically larger and deeper root systems than traditional corn.

“[One] study found that the short-stature hybrids had 35% to 42% greater total root biomass and a deeper root system than the standard stature hybrids,” Coulter reports.

This expanded root zone acts like a web, allowing short-stature hybrids to capture more nutrients and water throughout the growing season.

Tactical Nitrogen Use

Farmers often ask Coulter if the smaller plants have lower nutrient requirements. He says the data suggests otherwise. While yields remain competitive with traditional hybrids, short-stature plants are more “tactical” with their nitrogen use.

Key research findings include:

Higher Nitrogen Harvest Index: Short-stature corn shows a 3.5% greater N harvest index, meaning more nitrogen ends up in the grain rather than in the stalks and leaves.
Late-Season Uptake: These hybrids show a 20% greater total above-ground N uptake from silking to maturity, as compared to most traditional hybrids.
Better Efficiency: Research indicates an 18.5% greater recovery efficiency of applied N fertilizer.

“If you have greater N uptake, that means potentially less residual nitrogen in the soil will be lost,” Coulter notes. This efficiency helps protect the environment by reducing nitrate leaching post-harvest.

Application Timing Is Important

Research across Illinois and Indiana suggests that short-stature hybrids respond exceptionally well to split nutrient applications.

“Compared to applying all of the N near planting, researchers found that splitting the application with half of the N at the V6 stage increased yield in 60% of the trials for the short-stature corn,” says Coulter.

Delaying that second application to V12 was less consistent, showing yield benefits in only about a quarter of the trials.

For upper Midwest corn growers, a base nutrient rate at planting followed by a substantial in-season application around V6 appears to be the strongest strategy.

Despite the smaller stature of these new hybrids, Coulter warns against cutting nutrient rates, especially N. Total nutrient demand is driven by plant population and yield, not just height. Because short-stature corn is usually planted at higher populations (40,000 to 50,000-plus plants per acre), the total N, phosphorus, and potassium needs may actually be slightly higher than in traditional systems.

Three Tips for Managing Short-Stature Corn

Maintain Your Rates: Do not reduce N applications based on plant size; short-stature hybrids’ larger root systems and higher populations require full fertility.
Prioritize V6: Use some base level of nutrients at or around planting. Aim for an in-season application around the V6 growth stage to maximize yield response.
Run Strip Trials: Use the crop’s shorter height to your advantage by running ground-based trials to compare different rates and timings on your own fields.

Coulter stresses that short-stature corn is still in the early stages of use and needs more research. That future work includes refining economic optimum nitrogen rates for short-stature hybrids at different populations and row spacings, understanding their response to starter fertilizers, and quantifying phosphorus and potassium use in the new architecture.

In the meantime, short-stature corn offers farmers a compelling combination: strong yield potential, improved standability, a more efficient root system, and the management flexibility to deliver nitrogen later and in ways that can benefit both profitability and environmental stewardship.

Coulter addressed the nutrient needs of short-stature corn, along with other agronomic insights, during the 18th Annual Nutrient Management Conference in Mankato, Minn. You can watch his presentation via YouTube here .

Living Sensors Turn Soybeans into Fungal Disease Detectives

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:06:49 GMT

For Aidan Kleinschmit, trying to get the upper hand over white mold disease in soybeans used to involve a frustrating amount of guesswork.

White mold can lurk in soybean fields undetected for weeks, causing significant damage before any visible symptoms appear. Kleinschmit says his annual struggle with the disease turned a corner this past season when he decided to trial the use of CropVoice from InnerPlant.

“I remember they sent out an alert on a Saturday night about white mold being detected, and by Monday we had decided we were going to treat,” recounts Kleinschmit, who farms in northeast Nebraska with his dad and brother.

“That put us way ahead of the white mold, because by the time you see it some damage is done,” Kleinschmit adds. “You might get disease suppression from a fungicide at that point, but you’re going to have some yield loss.”

Early Detection: A Game-Changer For Disease Control
The proactive treatment Kleinschmit made included whole-field fungicide applications as well as some targeted spot spraying with a drone over 500-plus acres. The payoff was evident in yield results Kleinschmit saw at harvest.

“We sprayed one entire field in our bottom ground, and it made about 86 bushels per acre,” he says. “That was well over, probably 25 bushels better, than what some of the other fields in our bottom ground yielded.”

Gary Schaefer, chief commercial officer at InnerPlant, says the big takeaway with CropVoice is the tool gives farmers real-time disease detection, informing decisions on whether to spray a fungicide. This directly addresses the ambiguity that farmers like Kleinschmit have long faced with disease management decisions.

“CropVoice is designed to deliver ROI by either saving costs in years when spraying isn’t necessary, or by enabling timely, effective action during heavy disease pressure, significantly improving the efficacy and financial return of fungicide applications,” Schaefer says.

While Schaefer doesn’t say what the return-on-investment for using CropVoice is, he contends that for every dollar a farmer spends on technology or an input “they should get at least $3 back,” a number Kleinschmit affirms as being on par for his expectations.

A ‘Cell Phone Tower’ for Soybean Fields
CropVoice is the first product InnerPlant has designed for farmers. How the technology works hinges on a seed biotech trait the company has developed that turns soybeans into living sensors that detect disease at the molecular level. The soybeans emit a fluorescent optical signal within 48 hours of a fungal infection – before any visible symptoms appear.

The company is placing its soybeans in sentinel plots that act like an early alert system in a defined geography. CropVoice analyzes the data coming from the plots 24/7. If a foliar disease moves into the plots, farmers and retailers working with InnerPlant are alerted that the disease is in their area.

Schaefer says to think of the sentinel plots as working like a network of cell towers for farmers whose fields are the cell phones.
“What you’re subscribing to is the network of cell towers that gives coverage for a broad area,” he explains.

For 2026, InnerPlant is placing 100 sentinel plots in fields across Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota to achieve the cell tower network effect for farmers in those states. Each plot will range in size from one-eighth acre to one-fourth of an acre.

Cultural Practices Play An Important Role
The soybeans grown in the sentinel plots mimic the cultural practices representative of soybean growers in each state. The strategy ensures highly relevant data for farms that are enrolled in InnerPlant’s program, which is implemented through strategic partnerships with retailers, Schaefer reports.

Farmers enroll their soybean acres in the InnerPlant network for a fee ($6 per acre for 2026). Retailers facilitate the process, mapping fields into the company’s program for retailers’ continuous monitoring throughout the growing season.

Participating farmers get weekly scouting reports, which include a disease score indicating risk levels in their area along with a detailed map showing any disease progression in their area. In addition, the company provides real-time disease alerts that are pushed directly to farmers via text anytime CropVoice detects a disease in the sentinel plots in thearea.

“The plants will turn on to any fungal pathogen,” Schaefer reports. He says end-of-year scouting reports from 2025 in Nebraska and Illinois revealed the detection of between five and seven different fungal pathogens in the company’s plots.

Kleinschmit says the proximity of the sentinel plots to his soybean fields and the early text alerts are two of the factors that sold him on enrolling a portion of his acres in the program.

“We’re only going to spray acres that we think are going to be affected by white mold at this point. I thought the technology really gave us a good benefit there,” says Kleinschmit.

“There are so many variables and moving parts in farming, so if there’s a way to help minimize the guesswork to help us make a good decision, I’m going to look into it and try it,” he adds.

Other technologies are also being explored by researchers for early soybean disease detection, such as hyperspectral imaging for charcoal rot and the Sporecaster smartphone app from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The latter predicts white mold risk based on weather data and field conditions.

Expanding the Network: Coverage for 2026 and Beyond
InnerPlant expects to scale up to more than 500,000 soybean acres across Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota in 2026 and plans to expand beyond those states over time.

To learn more about the technology, farmers can connect with participating ag retailers or reach out directly to InnerPlant.
Schaefer says the companyis hosting demos this winter, offering a firsthand look at this real-time, plant-based technology that could redefine how farmers address key diseases in the future.

He adds that InnerPlant will start field testing a corn fungal sensor in 2026, aiming to expand the plant-based disease detection technology to even more farmers and geographies in the coming years.

InnerPlant is partnering with local ag retailers to introduce CropVoice. The 2026 retailer network includes:

Illinois
Sun Ag

Iowa
Agriland
FSC
NEW
Nutrien

Nebraska
Aurora Cooperative
CHS
Hwy 75-Chem
Norder Supply
Nutrien
Rawhide Fertilizer, LLC

South Dakota
CHS
Nutrien

Red Crown Rot Rising: What Every Soybean Grower Needs to Know For 2026

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:06:16 GMT

Red crown rot, a soilborne fungal disease that can cut soybean yields by 70% in severe cases, warrants consideration as farmers in affected areas finalize their variety selections and management plans for next year, agronomic experts say.

Historically prevalent in the southern U.S., red crown rot (RCR) is now moving northward with confirmations in at least seven key soybean-producing states since 2018, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to the Crop Protection Network.

The speed at which the disease can move is illustrated by its progress in Illinois. A single infected field was identified there in 2018. Since then, RCR has spread to more than one-third of the state’s 102 counties.

In Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, agronomists confirmed isolated cases of the disease in farmers’ soybean fields for the first time just this year.

“When the disease was found in Minnesota (Rock County) in August 2025, the nearest known location with red crown rot was over 400 miles away in NW Illinois,” says Dean Malvick, University of Minnesota Extension plant pathologist.

Compounding concerns is that the modes by which red crown rot is spreading into the Midwest aren’t fully known, he adds.

Red crown rot is on the move in the Midwest, with isolated cases confirmed in Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin soybeans just this year.

(Crop Protection Network)

Seed Companies Are Working On Solutions
“Most or all soybean varieties” adapted to the Midwest that have been evaluated by researchers to date appear to be susceptible to the disease, although differences in disease susceptibility have been reported, Malvick notes.

“Certainly, the seed companies are looking at resistance… and are getting some idea of what genetic backgrounds relate to resistance to red crown rot,” he said during a recent podcast .

While no soybean varieties are fully resistant, high-performing, disease-tolerant seed can help growers reduce the potential impact of RCR, according to Bill Kessinger, Stine technical agronomist.

Red crown rot can be tricky to identify early in the season, and its symptoms tend to be more prevalent in July and early August. On leaves, it often looks like SDS, showing yellowing and browning between the veins, according to Dean Malvick, University of Minnesota plant pathologist.

(University of Illinois plant pathologists)

Kessinger tells growers in affected areas he believes the No. 1 goal is to continue focusing on selecting high-yielding soybeans that will provide the best return-on-investment. Secondly, then consider how well those varieties score for resistance to RCR before making your final selections.

“We have to understand, with regard to seed, what we are going to give up compared to what we are going to get, and what risk we want to take as a grower,” Kessinger says. “It’s not an all or nothing decision … and everything still has to revert back to yield.”

BMPs And Seed Treatments Can Help
Integrated management practices are critical to addressing RCR, as the fungus overwinters and survives in the soil, reports Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Ohio State University assistant professor of soybean pathology and nematology.

“Once established, this pathogen is nearly impossible to eradicate, so integrated management is the only sustainable path forward to reduce its impact on our soybean crop,” Lopez-Nicora explains in an online article .

He says practices such as crop rotation with nonhost crops, improving drainage, using seed-applied fungicides and managing soybean cyst nematode populations — which can intensify red crown rot severity — will be important to farmers working to protect yields in RCR-affected areas next season.

Malvick adds that some seed treatment fungicides are reported to reduce the impact of red crown rot in soybeans.

“There’s more evidence building now that’s showing some of them work against both SDS and red crown rot,” Malvick says. “We don’t again have that evidence for the northern U.S. but we have enough information to say we probably have products that will be reasonably effective at least.”

Current soybean seed treatment options include Saltro and Victrato (pydiflumetofen, cyclobutrifluram; Syngenta), ILeVO (fluopyram; BASF) and Pretium SDS, a biological seed treatment (natamycin; Nufarm). Manufacturers advise checking with local retailers to see which seed treatment products are approved for use in your specific location.

Your next read: New Seed Treatments Available For Soybeans, Cotton & Cereals

Farmers Ask How To Set Up A Hybrid Chisel To Achieve Maximum Tillage Results This Fall

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:11:35 GMT

Ken Ferrie gets a lot of questions this time of year from farmers on how to do a good job of setting a tillage tool. “Farmers want to know what depth to go after, where to run it, when to use the cutters and shanks,” says Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.

But before he can answer any of those questions, he says farmers need to be able to tell him what kind of system they use. Most commonly in central Illinois, row-crop growers are going with either conventional horizontal tillage or conventional vertical tillage.

Conventional Vertical Tillage: In this system, farmers often use a disk ripper or a chisel plow to work the soil in the fall and then finish it in the spring with a vertical harrow prior to planting.

Conventional Horizontal Tillage: Because you’re going to make your seedbed with horizontal tillage in the spring – using something like a soil finisher, disk field cultivator or high-speed disk – how deep you run the tillage tool this fall is important but not critical.

“With conventional horizontal tillage, it comes down to how fast do you want to pull the tool – more so than how deep you want to go – how much coverage you want of your corn stalks,” Ferrie says. “For a lot of people, they’ll find that spot where they have the horsepower to pull it at the speed they want, using their front-end cutters like we have here to try and get that coverage. That’s an OK approach, because you’re going to build your seedbed in the spring with a soil finisher.”

In a new video, Ferrie demonstrates how he sets the up a hybrid tillage tool for both horizontal and vertical tillage.

Achieving Full-Width Shatter
Ferrie says with vertical tillage if the fall pass is your primary tillage that you’re doing – where you’ll chisel or rip in the fall and then run a vertical harrow in the spring before planting – that requires a bit of a different result with the fall pass.

“We have to get what’s called full-width shatter from shank to shank,” he says.

To achieve that, Ferrie sets the tillage tool a bit differently. “I’m going to suck these disks up as high as I can to make sure flow still goes through the rig, so you’re not plugging up. But I don’t want these disks doing much work. I want the shanks doing all the work,” he says.

(Crop-Tech Consulting)

“This tool is doing a good job of laying things down level, and the amount of residue on both sides is somewhat equal. From the road, you would not know this tool is set differently for these two different types of passes,” Ferrie says.

You have to get behind the tool and down into the knife tracks to see what kind of shatter or soil fracture you’ve achieved.

After making the conventional horizontal tillage pass, digging behind the shanks reveals a humped soil bottom and solid berms in the video. These are problems Ferrie says you would be able to address next spring before planting, using a disk or soil finisher to shear off the berm.

In this photo, Ken Ferrie shows berms that have not been shattered but could be fixed next spring with horizontal tillage using a disk or soil finisher.

(Crop-Tech Consulting)

In contrast, a vertical tillage system requires more extensive shatter. The columns between knife tracks have to be fractured all the way down and across, leaving no solid berms. Otherwise, you’ll get a lot of chatter and bounce in your planter as you go across the field.

“We’ve got to shatter this thing in that 6” of this column. It needs to be busted up and shattered so it’ll disperse when we hit it in the spring,” he says, showing shattered berms in the photo below.

For conventional vertical tillage, the tool is set deeper to achieve full shatter from shank to shank, ensuring soil is well-tilled for a spring seed bed. Ferrie demonstrates here how easily the berms collapse as opposed in a conventional horizontal tillage scenario.

(Crop-Tech Consulting)

“In the conventional vertical system, we went down an inch to an inch-and-a-half more, so we could get the shatter so these points don’t make it all the way to the top. Digging behind the knife shanks here you see the columns in the middle, but the difference is these columns are fractured. So I’ve got these columns fractured, and I’m going to be able to come in here in the spring and buff this thing off to get a nice seedbed to plant into,” he adds.

Your next read: Drought Conditions Require Careful Attention To Fall Tillage Practices

Corn Yield Champions Share Their Top 4 Hybrid Selection Strategies

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:54:56 GMT

Yield potential is always top of mind for farmers in the middle of evaluating and selecting corn hybrids for the next season, and this year is no exception. If anything, farmers are more tuned in than ever on hybrid evaluation, given the outlook for commodity prices in the year ahead.

Here are four ways David Hula and Randy Dowdy are approaching their hybrid selection process for 2026 and, in sharing, they hope their information will be helpful to you as well.

1. Balance yield potential with the other top two or three agronomic benefits you need.
“My No. 1 focus for a hybrid is it had better be standing when I get ready to harvest it, because there is nothing more miserable than having to take more time and risk equipment damage in harvesting down corn,” says Dowdy on the latest Breaking Barriers With R&D podcast.

His second priority is grain quality. Dowdy says he studies data from hybrid field trials and the performance of hybrids he tests on his own farm to evaluate plant health and what vulnerabilities they might have to specific diseases and insects common to the area.

His third priority is yield. While this ranking might differ from what most agronomic experts recommend, Dowdy puts it in perspective this way:

“We can make high yields with nearly all the hybrids out there that fit our farm today, so for me it’s more about managing the risks associated with them than just the yield potential alone,” explains Dowdy, who farms near Valdosta, Ga.

Dowdy and Hula share more insights on how they pick hybrids during their discussion earlier this week on AgriTalk:

2. Select hybrids for broad acreage use only if you have tested them on your own ground first.
Hybrids change so quickly today that Hula says it’s more important than ever to have evaluated new seed technology on your own ground.

“I challenge growers to try just a couple, three to five, new hybrids and evaluate them,” says Hula, Charles City, Va. “The results from your own personal management style, soil type, and weather conditions are going to give you the best data.”

Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie agrees with Hula.

“I’ve seen the same hybrid vary by 20 bu. to 40 bu. per acre because of different management practices used in a company test plot versus a farmer’s field,” Ferrie says. “Few farmers do plots, but the cost of seed today makes it worthwhile.”

Hula adds that he makes a point to split his planter with two different hybrids. “So when we’re going across most of our acres, that’s a way for us to compare a hybrid we know against a new one,” he says.

3. Look at a variety of performance data beyond your farm
While Hula and Dowdy are especially tuned in to how new technologies perform on their respective farms, they believe it’s still important to evaluate hybrid performance trial data companies provide.

“I like to consider how the trial is harvested, whether the data is just done by a yield monitor on a combine or with an actual weigh wagon,” Hula notes. “Sometimes the winning hybrid is not the one that the yield monitor says it is, so you have to be careful to filter out data that might not be accurate.”

Look for hybrids that perform consistently across locations and are well adapted over a wide range of climates and conditions, advises Jon LaPorte, Michigan State University Extension farm business management educator.

“Alternatively, evaluate data for testing locations nearest to you and your soil types. Make sure you consider at least three years of data for each hybrid. This will provide insight to how a hybrid performs over different weather scenarios. No two years are the same. Hybrids that are consistently performing at the top indicate that they are well adapted to various climates, LaPorte says in his article, Seed Selection: Beyond Yield and Disease Resistance.

4. Build relationships with seedsmen whose companies have a good product lineup for your area and who will help you succeed with their products.
Good seed dealers have integrity, a deep understanding of their company’s products, are good problem solvers and are looking for mutual success.

“Ask your seedsman what hybrids you need to be looking at,” Hula advises. “They’ll want to stack the cards in your favor and theirs, so they’re going to tell you the best hybrids to look at out there from start to finish.”

Talking to your seedsman and reading his company literature can give you some insights into product performance, but be prepared to ask more questions to get answers to the nitty gritty details about yield potential--especially for those new-to-you hybrids.

“Sometimes you have to read between the lines to figure out how a hybrid will perform,” Ferrie says. “With disease ratings, which can go from 1 to 9, the company literature might only use the 7 to 9 ratings and nothing lower because they know the competition would pick them apart otherwise. A good seedsman knows this information and will tell you the weaknesses to look out for, where to put that hybrid on your farm or whether you should even grow it,” he adds.

Your next read: 8 Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Seed Corn for 2026

Watch this week’s Breaking Barriers With R&D on YouTube . In this episode, lifelong farmers and founders of Total Acre, Randy Dowdy and David Hula, explore how technology, genetics, and innovation continue to redefine what’s possible on the farm.

New Seed Treatments Available For Soybeans, Cotton & Cereals

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:00:26 GMT

Farmers looking to address plant-parasitic nematodes and diseases in soybeans and cotton now have access to a new seed treatment from Syngenta. The product, branded as Victrato, has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Syngenta reports Victrato features a new active ingredient, Tymirium, and will be “available in 2025 in preparation for the 2026 planting season, subject to state approvals.”

In soybeans, Victrato addresses Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and a broad spectrum of nematodes, including soybean cyst nematode, root knot, reniform, lance and lesion.

“I’ve worked with this compound under field evaluation over the last 10 years, and I am thrilled for soybean growers to experience this never-before-seen level of protection,” says Dale Ireland, Syngenta Seedcare technical lead, in a prepared statement.

“Victrato preserves more yield than any other molecule available, and it protects against all life stages of nematodes: eggs, juveniles and adults. This stops in-season feeding and limits future populations, giving growers the most robust solution available,” Ireland says.

Victrato is also the first federally labeled seed treatment management tool for Red Crown Rot, according to Syngenta. In addition, the product “will fortify soybean plants through early-season suppression of important foliar diseases such as Septoria brown spot, frogeye leaf spot and target spot.”

Targeted Issues In Cotton
For cotton, Victrato addresses cotton root rot and nematodes, including root knot, reniform, lance and sting.

Syngenta reports root knot and reniform nematodes led U.S. cotton yield losses in 2023-2024, while Cotton Root Rot can cost Western growers up to $100 million annually in lost yield, fiber quality and harvest efficiency.

New Premix For Cereals
For the 2026 season, Syngenta will be offering CruiserMaxx Vibrance Elite, a fungicide and insecticide seed treatment premix. The product has been registered by EPA for use in the upcoming growing season.

The premix, positioned by the company as an upgraded formulation of CruiserMaxx Vibrance Cereals, provides protection from a broad spectrum of early-season seedborne and soilborne diseases and insect pests. In addition, the product will help cereal crops emerge “evenly with strong stand establishment and root mass and help maximize plant populations.”

CruiserMaxx Vibrance Elite includes two modes of action on Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and Pythium, including mefeboxam- and ethaboxam-resistant isolates.

“The mixture of trusted ingredients helps cereal crops emerge evenly with strong stand establishment and root mass, helping to maximize plant populations,” says Bryn Hightower, product lead for Syngenta Seedcare, in a prepared statement. “Compared with other seed treatments available on the market, we’ve observed an average of 18% greater plant stand and a 3.3 bushels per acre yield increase in Pythium-inoculated winter wheat,” Hightower adds.

Your next read: Nutrien Says Quality and Resilience Are Its Fertilizer Focus, Will Review Options for Its Phosphate Business

Green Stem Syndrome Poses Tough Harvest Choices for Soybean Growers

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:09:10 GMT

Soybean growers have been calling Ben Pieper the past couple of weeks, telling him how tough their bean crop is to cut this harvest. The problem many are citing – green stem syndrome.

“I’ll have somebody in Iowa tell me that ‘these are the best beans I’ve ever had on the farm, and they cut beautifully, and are absolutely phenomenal,’” says Pieper, an agronomist for Merschman Seeds. “Then, with the same exact bean two hours to the east, the growers are dissatisfied with them, saying they cut hard, and aren’t yielding quite as high as maybe a different bean that we have in the lineup.”

University of Minnesota Extension notes green stem syndrome is a tricky issue for agronomists and growers to address, as the exact cause is unknown. That makes the problem difficult to prevent or address effectively in-season, and impacts harvest decisions.

Taylor Dill says the disorder contributes to a delay in crop senescence (maturation) of plant stems while pods and seeds mature and ripen normally – a so-called “source to sink” issue in the plant.

How this problem develops: Stems and leaves (the sources) typically send nutrients to the pods and beans (the sinks). But when stress reduces pod or bean development or causes them to abort, the nutrients and moisture get stuck in the stems and don’t get allocated well. That keeps the stems green even after the beans are ready to harvest, explains Dill, a PhD student at Ohio State University, in a video .

Two Basic Options For Soybean Harvest
While green stem syndrome might not contribute to direct yield losses, harvesting affected soybeans turns into a slow, hard slog for growers, contributing to increased fuel and harvesting equipment maintenance costs.

Farmers with fields impacted by the syndrome have two basic options at harvest, according to Shaun Casteel, Purdue Extension soybean specialist, on the latest episode of the Purdue Crop Chat podcast .

One option is to go ahead and harvest the beans when the grain quality is likely at at its best.

The downside, says Casteel, “We have the nasty combination of around 9% to 10% moisture in beans with green stems and have to slow down the harvest.”

The tough going in fields means you’re likely to use more fuel and put extra wear and tear on the combine.

Your second option is to wait until a freeze and the stems turn brown before harvesting. The downside? You might lose a fair amount of yield.

“I’ve seen this week where we had some early beans where the pods are opening up and the seeds just shattered,” Casteel says. “It’s just a mechanism of survival because [the pod is] trying to save itself. If your fields weren’t ready yet, that’s probably not going to be the case, but if we catch another cycle of rain, or we get into these two to three cycles of wet-dry, wet-dry, that pod really gets to the point of shattering in the field before the combine even gets there.”

Mark Licht, Extension cropping systems specialist at Iowa State University encourages growers to harvest when soybeans have a good moisture content, despite the tough conditions.

“Make sure the sickle bar on the combine is sharp and well-maintained,” he says, in an online article . “Slower harvest speeds will be needed to account for more soybean biomass coming through the combine.”

A poll by Reuters estimated 58% of U.S. soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, Oct. 12.

Some soybean varieties might be at more risk than others to green stem syndrome.

(Soybean Research & Information Network)

What Factors Contributed To The Syndrome This Season?
Pieper, citing University of Minnesota research, says there are a lot of theories about the causal effects of green stem syndrome — everything from plant viruses, low soil moisture, and potassium deficiency, to high plant populations, genetic mutations and insect damage.

He says he believes many of those issues are factors and that heavy stink bug feeding has been another significant contributor to the problem this year.

“There is a crap ton of stink bugs and grasshoppers and insects in the chaff,” says Pieper who has observed the pests’ impact on soybean crops while doing yield checks.

Environmental stressors, drought in particular, were another contributing factor this season in Ohio soybeans, adds Dill.

Farmers often ask agronomists whether fungicide use is involved in the development of green stem syndrome.

Ohio State Extension reports certain modes of action can have a “stay green” effect on soybeans that can delay senescence and can be confused or contribute to green stem.

Pieper and his colleagues might be on the fence with that finding. They note in their podcast, Cup Of Joe , that fungicides contributed to soybean yield benefits this year – especially on marginal ground – with increases of 7 to 10 bushels per acre in some cases.

Bottom line, there are conflicting views regarding the role of fungicides in the disorder and more research is needed to pin down a definitive answer.

Your next read: New Seed Treatment Offers A Solution to Soybean Cyst Nematode

Machinery News: JCB Fastrac 6000 Tractor, Väderstad and Valley Debut New Products, Unverferth Acquisition

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:18:33 GMT

JCB Launches New Fastrac 6000 Series Tractors

(JCB)

British machinery manufacturer JCB says its new Fastrac 6000 Series tractors provide farmers with a feature-laden, highly productive power unit suited to a multitude of field and transport tasks.

Some notable features on the new machines include:

Two models will be available in the series, the 6260 (284 hp) and 6300 (335 hp)
25,240 lb. rear lift capacity plus a four-speed PTO shaft; optional 11,023.6 lb. front lift and 1000 rpm PTO.
A new chassis design combining sculptured front casting and rear fabricated structure, new engine and powertrain combinations for optimum power, torque and fuel efficiency, and a new central tire inflation system (CTIS).

The Fastrac 6000 Series will be available in North America in Q2 2026.

Learn more about the Fastrac 6000 Series at jcb.com/en-US/ .

Implement Innovator Väderstad Launches Trio of Products

E-Connect

(Väderstad)

Väderstad announces its new digital machinery telematics platform, E-Connect, as well as a next generation row unit for Tempo planters and a new front tool option for its disc cultivators Carrier XL 425–725.

The manufacturer says E-Connect provides farmers with a digital tool to monitor and manage Väderstad-branded machinery in real-time, with comprehensive visibility into fleet activity and machine performance. Users can track fieldwork progress, analyze operational efficiency and make informed decisions based on accurate, up-to-date data. The platform also integrates with several major Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS).

In 2026, Väderstad will also introduce its next-generation row unit for the Tempo planter. The new row unit comes with a long list of new features, including:

Planting depth setting from a prescription map
Easier seed tube change
Easier switch between crops
Upgraded seed meters with one-handed seed meter opening

And its new third disc axle configuration, available for Carrier XL 425–725 tillage tools, increases disc density from two rows to three, reducing the disc spacing to just 3.3". The company says this results in 50% more tillage tool contact to the ground, delivering highly intensive mixing, crumbling and residue management.

All three solutions will debut at Agritechnica 2025. You can learn more here .

Valley Irrigation Launches Brand Agnostic Pivot Control Panel

(Valley Irrigation)

Valley Irrigation introduces the ICON+ Smart Panel, the newest addition to its ICON family.

Valley says the new digital control panel combines simplicity with essential functionality while offering a balance of performance and affordability. Valley says it shares the proven capabilities of the ICONX panel while delivering essential control at the panel and advanced management from any electronic device. Farmers can remotely manage an entire fleet of pivots, regardless of the brand or age of the equipment.

The ICON+ Smart Panel is available through authorized Valley Irrigation Dealers. To learn more visit valleyirrigation.com/icon or contact your local dealer.

The company also announced the Valley Irrigation Grant, a $100,000 initiative designed to help growers tackle their most pressing water challenges through smart farming innovation.

Two North American farmers will be awarded in-kind grants through the program, $75,000 for the grand prize and $25,000 for the secondary prize, redeemable for Valley equipment, technology and services through their local Valley dealer.

Applications are now open at valleyirrigation.com/grant and will be accepted through Dec. 15.

Unverferth Acquires Premier Tillage

Minimizer Blade Plow tillage tool.

(Premier Tillage)

Unverferth Manufacturing Co. has acquired the Premier Tillage lineup, including its popular, weed-eradicating Minimizer blade plow tillage tool.

Unverferth says the addition of Premier Tillage products strengthens its commitment to providing a full range of equipment solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity and agronomic performance.

Production of the Minimizer blade plow tillage tool will be moved to the Unverferth production facility in Lexington, Neb. Premier Tillage was founded by Dan Chupp in 1985 and is based in Quinter, Kan. The acquisition ensures Premier Tillage customers will continue to receive product support, now backed by Unverferth’s dealer network.

Learn more at umequip.com .

Your Next Read: Central Iowa Farmer Says Corn Yields Are 30 to 40 Bu. Per Acre Lower Than Last Year

Generational Wisdom, Disruptive Thinking and Access to Biotechnology Will Change Mexican Agriculture for Good

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:16:38 GMT

By Jose Luis Quintana: Rosales, Chihuahua, Mexico

One of my goals as a Mexican farmer is to supply the peanuts for your M&Ms.

We have been working towards this goal as part of our family farm’s business strategic growth plan here in Chihuahua, where we grow the peanuts that are the essential ingredient in one of the world’s favorite candies.

As we overcome water shortages and improve our access to technology, I believe that we can nurture an agricultural renaissance in which challenges become opportunities. When supported by science and collaboration, Mexican fields like mine can outperform the world.

My grandfather started our farm, and he introduced peanuts to the operation half a century ago. Back then, they were a rotational winter crop alongside wheat and enabled by abundant water. Today, with water scarce, peanuts are a part of a rotation strategy with alfalfa and corn.

We seek to grow high-quality peanuts in large quantities. After harvest, our raw peanuts undergo a rigorous selection and eventually join the value chain in products such as sauces and small-batch peanut butter as well as packages of shelled peanuts with assorted flavors, roasted peanuts in shells, and premium natural roasted peanuts.

Our strategic plans include meeting the export compliance requirements that will allow us to provide peanuts to Mars, the company that makes M&Ms. It already buys more than 300 million pounds of peanuts each year, mostly for Snickers candy bars. That’s about the weight of 25,000 full-grown elephants.

This huge demand has put Mars in “a race against a fast-changing climate that has brought waves of disease and pests that threaten the world’s peanut supply,” reported the New York Times in July.

My farm is on the front lines—and we’re in a living laboratory where research institutions, technological pioneers, and international partners can test solutions, from irrigation driven by artificial intelligence to drought-resistant genetics.

Right now, for instance, we’re seeking to improve peanut nutrition with an experiment in specialized micronutrients that deliver potassium, which fuels late-stage maturation and results in heavier kernels.

Our most urgent task, however, is to provide our crops with the water they need. Northern Mexico is dry, and climate change is making it drier. We receive some rainfall, but we mostly rely on water allocated to us by the government. It’s often not enough and droughts can devastate.

Precision irrigation technologies are a part of the solution. We also plant with GPS-guided equipment that achieve optimal crop density in our fields, improving seed germination, reducing input costs, and boosting yields. All of this helps conserve water and lets us grow more with less.

These investments are substantial but also necessary. Together, they can make sure our crops get the water they need and that nothing goes to waste.

Soil quality is a constant challenge. A lot of farms in our region have suffered from erosion and compaction plus an overreliance on chemical fertilizers. This has taken a toll. On our farm, we’re starting to fight it with cover crops on fields previously harvested for peanuts.

Ultimately, though, we need better genetics—in other words, peanuts bred to thrive in our region’s climate and soil. My perspective is shaped by my own background in biotechnology.My first-hand experience in synthetic genetics is a driving force behind my conviction that embracing cutting edge genetic technology is not a choice, but a necessity for propelling Mexican agriculture forward.

The peanut seeds we currently use are better adapted to other profiles. We do our best with them, but they often suffer from water stress that depresses yield. Many barely meet our minimum profit thresholds.

Ideally, we’d grow peanuts that can endure dry periods, resist herbicides so that we can control weeds, and increase biomass so we can use the plants for both peanut production and animal forage.

We’ve found that specialized products can make a difference. Our family once collaborated with a Mexican researcher who enhanced peanuts through hybridization, and he created a variety that tripled yields. Unfortunately, the company backing his work declared bankruptcy before commercialization.

This shows the amazing potential of Mexican peanuts—but only if government regulators and others are open to technology in all its forms, including genetic modification and editing.

Success will take a deliberate effort. As a peanut scientist told the New York Times: “We are not going to stumble on the perfect peanut. One that resists drought and disease is not going to be discovered by accident. It has to be grown.”

By combining generational wisdom, disruptive thinking, and a determination to achieve, we can make Mexican agriculture both innovative and aspirational—and turn farming into a career that attracts our best and brightest.

Jose Luis Quintana produces peanuts, wheat, corn and alfalfa on a farm started by his grandfather in Rosales, Chihuahua, Mexico.Jose Luis is a Biotechnology Engineer with specializations in Molecular Biotechnology and Entrepreneurship, and a Masters degree in Innovation and Enterprise Administration. Jose Luis Quintana is a member of the Global Farmer Network. www.globalfarmernetwork.org

New Tool Helps Farmers, Ranchers Identify Conservation Incentive Programs

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:55:23 GMT

Conservation incentive programs that fit your farm and specific agronomic practices and/or livestock are not always easy to identify and sign up for online.

But those hurdles could soon be problems in the past, thanks to a new online platform, the Conservation Connector, which was just launched this week by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC)

The new tool allows farmers, ranchers, and farm advisers to easily evaluate conservation incentive programs and connect with technical support at one online site, according to Ryan Heiniger, CTIC executive director.

As a fourth-generation farmer, Heiniger says he knows firsthand how challenging it can be to identify programs, companies and the individuals in charge of them who can provide more details in a phone call or an email.

“You might visit four or five government offices and a dozen websites, only to collect bits and pieces of information on those programs that would be a good fit for you. Our goal with the Conservation Connector is to bring all of that under one roof, so to speak, to help farmers, ranchers and advisers more easily find what is available in their area and fits with their needs,” Heiniger says.

The platform currently has around 500 programs and service providers in the Midwest that are participating, Heiniger says. He notes the tool is continually updated with the latest program offerings from trusted agencies, organizations and conservation partners. In addition, Connector.ag has no associated costs for farmers, ranchers and advisers to use.

“I want to underscore that it’s free for farmers; none of the information is behind any kind of paywall,” he says. “It’s also free for people who want to create a listing.”

The Conservation Connector is easy to navigate – it’s searchable by geography, commodity, incentive type, and/or management practice.

“We’ve made it easy for people who are on a specific mission to filter through,” Heiniger says. “You might be in New York looking for help with pasture renovation, and you don’t want or need to see what programs are available in Iowa. So, you can default right to New York. Or, you can default to a specific crop. The filters can help you ratchet down to the specific information you want to dive deeper into.”

Heiniger says the idea for Conservation Connector originated from Houston Engineering, the Nature Conservancy, and Open Team, and the CTIC invested the past 18 months in developing it.

CTIC invites farmers, ranchers, technical service providers, and conservation partners across the country to explore the platform at Connector.ag . You can provide feedback about your experience to help inform future iterations of the platform here .

2025 Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College: Making A Stand

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 22:38:21 GMT

A record-breaking harvest of corn or soybeans is built on the foundation of a good stand. That concept is the focus for the 2025 Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College.

Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie and team will be addressing some of the key agronomic practices and tools farmers use to accomplish high yields during the two-day event – slated for July 22 through July 23 – near Heyworth, Ill.

“We’re going to focus on what the elements of a good stand are in corn and soybeans and how you can achieve them through agronomic decisions and the tools you use,” Ferrie says.

The program includes a variety of both in-the-field sessions as well as inside, classroom sessions.

Planter Selection For Your Farm

One of the key topics being addressed this year for corn growers is the planter and how to select one that’s a good fit for your specific farm.

“There are so many different systems out there today, and when it comes to making planter purchases, add-on purchases and such, you have to think through the whole process and how they will work for you,” Ferrie says.

Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer will also be on hand to help farmers identify the impact of planting practices on corn and soybean stands.

“Missy will be talking to us about how to identify a good stand and also what contributes to a poor stand,” Ferrie notes. “We’re going to talk about hybrid characteristics and different aspects of the rooting structure of corn. We’ll then blend that information all in with farmers’ tillage practices, including strip-till, no-till, and also cover crops.”

Success With Early-Planted Soybeans

On the soybean side of the two-day program, Ferrie and team will be addressing early-planted soybeans and how to build a systems approach to growing them – from variety selection and planting preparation through harvest.

“We want to talk about row spacing, population, soybean characteristics, when can we stress plants and when to not stress plants,” Ferrie says. “We want to help farmers adopt a systems approach to early soybeans versus just planting them early and then trying to treat them like you would normal beans.”

In addition to these topics, the in-field and classroom sessions at the event will address:

Science behind spray nozzles: selecting the right nozzles for the job and making sure they perform well in the field.

Establishing corn ear count: examining the differences in rooting depth and stand establishment across a variety of tillage practices.

Closing systems: analyzing a variety of systems in different agronomic conditions to demonstrate how such systems impact stand establishment.

Put everything together, corn edition: evaluating everything from hybrid characteristics, leaf orientation, ear flex and how plant height affects light interpretation to ear development and plant stress in conventional corn and short corn.

Put everything together, soybean edition: looking at planting date, variety characteristics, tillage system, plant nutrition, row spacing and population all play a hand in bean stand establishment, overall light interception and yield.

The two-day event brings together presenters, farmers, and industry personnel that are passionate about raising the bar in farming, Ferrie says. “This is an unsponsored event making more time for our agronomists to spend with attendees, getting their questions answered, and more time to spend in the field,” he says.

Day 1 of the Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College starts at 8 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, and runs through happy hour/dinner.

Day 2 starts at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, and sessions will go through lunch.

“We will finish the second day with a Q & A following lunch. Our agronomists will be available to answer questions until your questions run out, so be sure to come with your list,” Ferrie says.

Price: $625 (includes access to one-day virtual event in January 2026).

Get the complete agenda details and register here .

Bayer to Exit U.S. Seed Treatment Equipment Business, Email Says

Thu, 08 May 2025 16:16:09 GMT

Bayer is exiting the seed treatment equipment business in the United States to help the company’s finances, according to an email sent to customers that was seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The German maker of drugs and farming pesticides has struggled recently with weak earnings, rising legal costs and a lagging share price.

A spokesperson confirmed that Bayer was exiting the business, which manufactured equipment involved in the process of treating farm seeds with products like fungicides and insecticides before planting in efforts to protect crop yields.

“This is a difficult decision, but necessary to help secure the financial future of the company,” the email said. It added that Bayer decided to direct resources toward primary areas of strength in crop protection products.

The company will begin the process of closing a seed treatment equipment manufacturing facility in Shakopee, Minnesota, over the next few months, according to the email.

Bayer in 2015 opened a $12 million SeedGrowth Equipment Innovation Center in Shakopee that sought to improve research links between equipment and seed treatment products.

Bayer is committed to seed treatments though it will no longer manufacture seed treatment equipment, the email said.

Master The Use of Growing Degree Units to Boost Corn Yield Potential

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 16:11:15 GMT

The calendar used to play a significant role in David Hula’s decision on when he would head to the field and start planting corn. That’s not the case anymore.

“I’m not so hung up on the date now as I am on the temperature at which we’re putting seed in the ground,” says Hula, owner of Renwood Farms near Charles City, Va.

That doesn’t mean he pays no attention to the calendar, though. Sometime during the last week of April through the first week of May is usually the sweet spot to start planting corn, Hula says.

But that’s not always true. Experience has taught him that it’s more important to focus on the extended weather forecast than the date, making sure he has a soil temperature above 55°F at planting time and growing degree units (GDUs) that are accumulating quickly.

“Fifteen or so years ago, we used to talk about wanting to get 40 GDUs in a five-day forecast after planting,” he recalls. “Now, as we’re getting into these higher-yield environments, I want an even higher GDU accumulation in those first five days after planting.”

That kind of attention to detail has helped Hula achieve top honors in the National Corn Yield Contest 12 times over the years. His 623.8439 bu.-per-acre yield in 2023 marked the fifth time he set the record for U.S. corn yields.

The More GDUs, The Better For Emergence
While the required amount can vary somewhat by hybrid, a common range of GDUs needed for corn to emerge is between 100 to 150 GDUs, according to Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist.

Ferrie says referencing GDUs offer growers a more reliable method to predict corn emergence as well as key development stages during the season than the use of calendar days.

“The amount of GDUs a specific corn hybrid requires to reach each development stage during the growing season remains constant from year to year,” he says. “However, the amount of time a specific hybrid needs to accumulate those heat units can vary considerably each year due to planting date, field conditions, soil temperature and weather conditions.”

Those factors, which can be highly variable, are why Hula focuses so much on having a good extended forecast at planting. “We want that corn to come up out of the ground fast,” he says. “In our best yielding years, that’s one of the things we’ve had.”

Hula defines fast as seeing the crop spike at between six and (not quite) seven days, emerging in a uniform, picket-fence stand across the field.

Scrutinizing management and agronomic details and tweaking them as Mother Nature dictates instead of just relying on a calendar date makes fast, uniform emergence achievable, he tells fellow corn yield champion and Total Acre business partner Randy Dowdy, who’s based near Valdosta, Ga.

Planting Practices Impact Corn Development
Something Dowdy and Hula say other corn growers could benefit from is paying more attention to planting depth and germination depth. Ideally, they end up being one and the same.

“I want my seed to be planted at 2”, and I want it to germinate at 2” and stay there,” Hula says. “I don’t want a scenario where all of a sudden we get some rain, and the soil is compressed, so now that seed germinates at 1.5”.”

Planting corn at a depth of 2” when soil moisture is adequate is ideal for nodal root development , according to Paul Yoder, Pioneer field agronomist. Nodal roots are vital for structural support and are responsible for most of the water and nutrients the plant needs. Five sets of nodal roots are optimal for maximizing potential.

The Mystery of Shifting Soils Explained
Dowdy tells Hula that corn growers are often puzzled by how their corn roots have developed when they check fields a month or so after planting. The growers are certain they planted their corn at 2”, but the evidence says otherwise.

“We’ll be digging some plants, and we’ll see a lot of brace roots above the ground,” Dowdy says. “That initially makes me wonder if the farmer had a wind event or some type of stress, because there’s a lot of issues with the root development.”

More often than not, Dowdy says the issue is the soil above the seed settled – either because of poor attention to detail while the farmer planted or from a significant rain event. If the ground settled, then the corn likely germinated and emerged at a soil depth shallower than desired.

“It often depends on what type of tillage you’re using, if you’re running trash sweeps, or a no-till coulter, and then what kind of closing system you have,” Hula explains. “A lot of times people don’t want to believe that, but it happens.”

Dowdy adds that it’s not just the conventional growers who experience the problem of the ground settling.

“It happens in all scenarios, whether in vertical till, strip-till or even in a stale seedbed,” Dowdy says. “Year to year, we just don’t know how much that ground is going to settle.”

A Pro Tip For Checking Planting and Germination Depth
Corn growers can simulate ground settling with a practice Dowdy and Hula use for that purpose: they smack the soil.

“Take your hand and use the bottom of your palm to hit the soil just above where you planted the seed. That’s going to simulate a rain event and give you a good indication of how that ground would or did settle, and what your emergence depth is,” Dowdy explains.

For growers in the process of planting corn, Hula encourages them to get off the tractor and check the quality of their planting practices.

“Check every corn row, not just one of them,” Hula advises. “Every row is an individual, so take time to check each one and make sure they’re all the same. Adjust as necessary for uniform planting.”

More Insights Available In Breaking Barriers Podcast
Dowdy and Hula are sharing their agronomic insights in their Breaking Barriers podcast to challenge growers to think differently to farm better and maximize profits.

In this week’s discussion, they address a variety of timely topics, including:

reasons to plant three or four different populations of corn in a field
how to use a flag test to evaluate emergence and development
the value of setting yield goals to reach higher yield levels
using tissue sampling in-season to add more yield

Watch the podcast at Farm Journal TV - Agriculture video on demand

For more insights on Hula and Dowdy’s planting progress and agronomic insights, check out their discussion with Chip Flory on Breaking Barriers - AgriTalk

Your next read: Want to Boost Soybean Yields But Not Costs? Sunlight Can Help

Ferrie: Elevate Your Corn Planting Game Instantly With 7 Proven Tips

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:16:04 GMT

Soil conditions, temperatures and weather outlook are finally aligned this week in much of Illinois and other parts of the Midwest. “Let the big dogs run, and keep the planters running until you’re finished,” says Ken Ferrie.

In the process of planting, he offers corn growers this reminder: to get a 250-bushel corn yield average at harvest, you have to start with a 300-bushel picket-fence stand.

Here are seven recommendations Ferrie offers that can help you grow what could be the biggest corn crop of your career:

1. Plant early-maturing corn hybrids first and end with your full-season hybrids.

This will mitigate the risk of having all your corn pollinating at the same time, says Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.

“If you do it the other way around, all your corn is going to pollinate in the same week, and then it’s all going to be ready to harvest at the same time, which puts a time crunch into your harvest,” he explains. “So, let’s stretch out the risk by mitigating it, planting our shorter season hybrids first, our full-season hybrids last.”

Going with that approach will also make it easier on the rest of your farming crew when it comes to scouting, spraying and harvesting the crop this season.

2. Consider your planter closing system.

Ferrie explains that your planter closing system has two things it needs to accomplish: It needs to close the furrow from the bottom up, and it needs to firm the soil over the top of that seed so that moisture doesn’t get away.

Ferrie says spike wheels struggle with the firming part in dry conditions – if that describes your situation.

“In dry conditions, go back to the solid wheels if you still have them, especially in tilled fields,” he advises. “Make sure the depth wheels stay snug against the disk opener and don’t allow dry surface soil to fall into that trench and get onto the seed before we close it.”

In tilled soils, Ferrie says you may have to increase your downforce on your depth wheels to hold a true V, which can help prevent surface soil from falling in on the seed.

“We need to be at 100% contact but we’ve got to make sure that we’re not sloughing dry soil into the trench,” he says. “You may have to go up on your margin – up on your down pressure.”

3. Do cross-sections of the furrow to see if you have sidewall smearing.

Sidewall smearing results from too much downforce, in conditions that are too wet or in soils that are a combination of wet and dry.

If the monitor tells you to lighten the downforce, lighten it until the monitor tells you you’re not maintaining the needed planting depth. Then, add downforce until you reach what the monitor says the correct depth is being maintained.

At this point, get off the tractor and do your cross-sections of the furrow, checking for any sidewall smearing.

“We don’t want to see a scene in the furrow where both sides come together. We want that furrow closing without any evidence of how that seed got there,” Ferrie says.

“If you can’t get rid of sidewall smearing without losing adequate depth, it’s too wet to plant,” Ferrie says. “Don’t only check the dry parts of the field, of course, check the wetter ones as well.”

4. Evaluate the performance of row cleaners. If you’re faced with a planting scenario where there’s dry soil on top of the field and too much moisture present at the planting depth, take care with how much of the residue you remove. Push it aside only enough that your disc openers can flow through the soil.

“Don’t plow all the dry real estate off the top with your row cleaners and then set your depth wheels in the wet soil,” Ferrie advises. “Run on top of that dry soil and plant into the soil moisture.”

5. Trust but verify what the monitors tell you. Technology can help you but don’t rely on it. You have to get off the tractor and check soils and your planting quality.

“Check a couple of times in every field to verify what the monitor tells you,” Ferrie advises.

He offers more corn planting tips during his Wednesday AgriTalk discussion with Host Chip Flory.

6. Keep a seed sample from each hybrid, if you didn’t do any seed testing ahead of planting.

Keep samples in a cool, dry place until the crop comes up. “If you get good emergence, discard the sample. If you end up with poor emergence, send the sample off to check the quality of it. This will allow you to identify if seed quality had anything to do with your poor stand,” he says.

7. Do a good job of labeling each hybrid in the monitor. Make sure you put in the correct information prior to starting every field.

“The better job you do, the easier it’ll be for everyone that comes behind you, from your sprayer operators to bug scouts, to combine operators all the way to the yield map meetings in the fall,” Ferrie says. “Everyone else will appreciate it, plus it beats writing the information down in a pocket notebook that many times ends up going through the washing machine.”

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a written copy of what you planted, but digital records can be shared so much faster and easier than what you jotted down in a notebook, he adds.

Check out this week’s Boots In The Field podcast if you’re planting soybeans this week, for more great agronomic tips:

Your next read: Rain Slows Record Start to Iowa Planting Season, but Farmers Optimistic About Early Finish

Benson Hill Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:06:47 GMT

On March 20, Benson Hill released it has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

The company will sell its business under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, while continuing to support its farmers, partners, and customers during the Chapter 11 process.

Founded in 2012, the company says its work is at the intersection of food science, data science and plant science. The company was headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Its revenues in 2023 were $473.3 million. In 2023, the company sold its grain facilities in Seymour, Indiana and Creston, Iowa as part of adopting an asset-light business model.

In the past two years the company had 465 employees and served market categories including: bakery, oil, alternate dairy, protein, snacks, and pet food.

Dan Jacobi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Benson Hill, said the company’s fate is the result of industry challenges and financial constraints.
“Benson Hill has made significant strides in advancing our seed innovation portfolio by developing soybeans with enhanced compositional traits that deliver value creation for end users and improved sustainable solutions for growers,” Jacobi said in a statement.

Additional product development included (over the company’s duration):

Development of 30 soybean varieties for specialty product platforms
Ultra-High Protein, Low Oligosaccharide soybean meal for poultry
Ultra-high protein soybean meal for aquaculture
Yellow pea breeding for alternative meat products

The company separated from its co-founder Matt Crisp in 2023. Its most recent CEO was Deanie Elsner, who had a career in the consumer products industry including Kraft Foods, Quaker Oats, Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble.