Make the most out of your seed
By Shanyn Silinski, 20/20 Seed Labs
Rutherford Farms is a leader in innovation and seed production. Their customers have come to rely on their expertise to get the most out of the seed they purchase. Part of that comes from agronomic advice and a deep understanding of precision agriculture. Growers looking to manage the challenges of the growing season need to be confident they’ve started right with quality seed planted for the best stand establishment to reach their yield goals.
The right seeding rate gives you the best chance for the harvest you want, even in challenging conditions.
Rick Rutherford and his team, including agronomist Emily Laudin, have done a lot of work in preventing lodging using thousand kernel weight (TKW) and precision agriculture technology. They are working on moving their growers away from relying only on set bushel weights and moving towards plant stands (plants per square foot, using TKW).
Rick Rutherford and Emily Laudin of Rutherford Farms in Gross Isle, Manitoba.
For producers who don’t purchase certified seed for the only reason being cost, and who have always seeded two bushels an acre of wheat when they don’t know their seed size, when sown down to the pound, in some cases, it would probably pay for the certified seed verses their cost on home grown seed. “, says Rutherford.
Thousand kernel weight testing and precision planting equipment can help growers get the most out of their seed and inputs and manage in-season challenges. The seeding rate can be calculated based on several factors, including TKW, germination, and vigour. Growers also consider seed mortality and seeding conditions when planning.
Using chemical supports that mitigate lodging isn’t always an option as they can impact seed quality and have very tight application timing. They also add to input costs for growers already looking at tight margins. Agronomically, lodging can be managed using TKW and seeding rate, and this has benefits for both seed and ROI.
A good seeding calculator (many companies like FP Genetics, commodity groups, and provincial governments have one) helps. Knowing TKW, germ, and vigour lets growers and their agronomic advisors decide on a seeding rate to support their yield goals.
Weather can impact seed sizes. TKW lets growers plant precisely to establish the correct plant stand based on their seed size and weight.
Starting with seed
Seed growers work very hard to produce high-quality seed, and that includes handling the seed in preparation for sale. Growers looking to maintain that quality should consider how gentle their system is for maintaining seed quality. From augers to seed treaters to tendering units and seeder fans, there are many ways for seed quality to be impacted, leading to mortality. Reducing seed mortality can help with good plant stand establishment. A 5% mortality rate is often thought of as an average, but depending on a grower’s system, it could be higher.
Reducing lodging using a TKW based seeding rate saves money and puts bushels in the bin at harvest.
Growers often believe that if they plant with a heavier seeding rate, they compensate for seed mortality, mechanical damage, or environmental conditions. While that might sound like a good plan, the opposite can actually be true. Dialing back on seeding rate can really help with lodging, but that can be a concern for those facing drought.
As an agronomist for a seed grower, it can feel strange to recommend a lower seeding rate to customers,” Laudin says, “But it makes sense because we’re building trust with them. Helping them get the most out of their seed gives us confidence they’ll be return customers.”
A heavy seeding rate can lead to increased stress and early maturing during droughts. Early maturity from stress can lead to a lighter crop with smaller heads. While having a lighter seeding rate may seem counterintuitive, it actually can make agronomic sense for the season.
A lighter seeding rate gives the plants an opportunity to mature with less stress and reach their yield potential.
The seeding rate for cereals can be 23 – 25 plants per square foot for wheat and barley to 25 – 28 for oats. As a more straight-up crop, giving the plants room to grow can help them access moisture and nutrients and manage canopy humidity (which can be a factor in disease and pest management).
Cereals are less space-filling, but nutrient uptake with a lighter seeding rate can be better, and without the losses from lodging, the seed can reach its’ full potential.
Many times, growers facing drought or seed issues will up their seeding rate to compensate, but this can open them up to new challenges like lodging. Rutherford Farms has spent a lot of time working on ways to reduce lodging. It can reduce yields starting early in the season all the way to harvest, where losses can be even greater. A downed crop is harder to combine and can expose vital equipment to rocks and other ground-level hazards, leading to costly breakdowns and repairs.
Other crops like canola, soybeans, or pulses are larger, bushier plants, which can compensate for a lighter seeding rate by taking up space with a larger, branching plant.
Acres of experience
Quality seed growers, their agronomists, and highly trained seed lab analysts and technicians work together to bring acres of experience to their customers. It’s a trust relationship that grows even in tough conditions and is there year after year.
Using an accredited laboratory, like 20/20 Seed Labs, gives growers the information they need to reach their agronomic goals. Find out more about TKW and other testing at 2020seedlabs.ca, and learn about pedigreed seed production at rutherfordfarms.ca
