Know what you are getting when buying seed treatments

Increased seed costs have resulted in reduced seeding rates in some situations and increased the need to protect the seeds that are planted. Seed treatments are easy to use and relatively safe to handle.

Many of these seed treatments are relative new pesticides with good safety profiles. They are also relatively profitable for manufacturers compared with traditional treatments. There is also public and legislated pressure to remove older, in-furrow pesticides in favor of new seed treatments because of lower use rates.

Many of the seed treatments we currently use have documented value in preventing crop losses. Products like Poncho and cruiser in corn have a long enough history of use the strengths and weaknesses are understood. Recent testing of insecticide treatments in soybean throughout the mid-south has documented their potential value.

The bad news is that we are losing some options. Some alternate treatments are being removed from the market in favor of seed treatments that may not always provide the same level of plant protection. Some companies have vertically integrated or partnered with seed treatment providers and once optional seed treatments are sometimes becoming standard if not mandatory. Standard seed treatments are not necessarily the optimal rates across all situations. In addition, new seed treatments can reach the market before they are adequately and independently tested to determine their value if any. Finally, add-on active ingredients are sometimes being included on seed as much for brand protection and differentiation than for need.

What can you do to manage seed treatments?

Growers should have reasonable expectations. Many existing insecticide and fungicide treatments already provide substantial protection against yield loss. There may not always be much room for improvement above these current options. New seed treatments are not likely to provide miraculous increases in yield.