CROPLAN Seed Helps Farmers Boost Return on Investment and Profits

Brought to You by CROPLAN

ADVERTORIAL

Reflecting on a season of tight margins across the Corn Belt, farmers are seeking answers to make every dollar count in 2026.

For Randy Mette, CROPLAN Regional Seed Product Manager in Effingham, Illinois, the answer comes down to precision input knowledge from an astute advisor.

"In today's challenging commodity market, it's critical to invest in the right places," Mette says. "Every hybrid and variety choice, every input, every acre has to be managed for the best return on investment (ROI)."

Across the Corn Belt, CROPLAN advisors continue to help growers do just that -- turning a mountain of field and plot data into actionable, local insights that drive profitability. "Local CROPLAN seed experts work with individual farmers to know their fields and agronomic goals to optimize a seed and input strategy," Mette says.

Taking a blanket approach -- using the same seed, population, fertility and fungicides across fields and farms -- is no longer the best recipe for spreading risk and optimizing every acre.

"We're definitely seeing farmers spread as much risk as they possibly can, maybe through hybrid selection with different traits and germplasm offerings," Mette says. "That's where working with a CROPLAN advisor can help match germplasm and traits from across the industry to the correct acres with the right inputs and in-season adjustments to drive ROI success."

CROPLAN SEED ADVANTAGE

It all starts with the solid, tested traits and germplasm that earn their way into a CROPLAN seed bag. "We work with leading genetic and trait suppliers," Mette says. "Our job is to select the right experimental combinations that bring agronomic strength and high yield potential that fit specific areas."

Mette and six other CROPLAN seed product managers from across the U.S. spend the summer and fall walking experimental corn and soybean plots with genetic suppliers. Winter months are spent deciding which of these hybrids and varieties to test in Answer Plot locations.

"We test these experimentals for one to two years across our Answer Plot system, looking to bring certain agronomic benefits, certain traits that we need in specific geographies," Mette says. "Those hybrids and varieties that survive our strict criteria will advance into a CROPLAN seed bag."

ANSWER PLOT VALUE

While yield remains king for seed selection, more growers want to know the backstory on hybrid and variety responses to their local environment and input use to improve ROI.

Replicated, independent genetics and agronomic input testing by CROPLAN and WinField United in over 90 Answer Plot locations annually has delivered valuable, localized product backstories for more than 20 years.

"For example, Answer Plot research examines experimental and current CROPLAN corn and soybean varieties for yield, disease, fertility and soil type," Mette says. "This helps us develop national and local recommendations since we understand how each hybrid responds to different soil types, fungicides, nitrogen levels, plant population and yield environments."

RESPONSE-TO INPUT ADVANTAGE

Spending money on the right inputs, like reducing Southern rust that invaded corn last year, depends on planning, quality data and a good in-season advisor and scout.

While it's important to know hybrid disease ratings, CROPLAN seed raises the bar by testing hybrids for Response-to fungicides (RTF). Over the past decade, they've seen a 13 bushel per acre fungicide advantage across hybrids, with individual responses ranging from 0.2 to 38 bushels.

Nitrogen is another critical input that can help growers maximize ROI potential by not leaving bushels on the table. "We use Response-to nitrogen (RTN) trials to judge hybrids that can increase yields if pushed," Mette says. "Over 14 years of hybrid trials, our RTN averages an additional 68.7 bushels per acre, with a range of 40- to 130-bushel increase."

Such RTN data not only helps hybrid and input buying decisions, it also provides insight into which hybrids would benefit most from added nitrogen when shortfalls occur.

Response-to population (RTP) is another critical metric that CROPLAN tests across hybrids for growers interested in pushing populations or evaluating replant scenarios. Mette says their research across hybrids has shown a range from a minus 1.2 bushels per acre to a 22.5 bushels per acre increase.

"When CROPLAN and WinField United Answer Plot research can identify such powerful insights by hybrid and by acre, growers have more confidence to work with advisors and put their dollars exactly where they'll see the optimal ROI potential," Mette says.

SHARED RISK, SHARED REWARD

One of CROPLAN's innovative tools to advance farmer ROI is the Advanced Acre Rx Program. It's designed to assist growers who might be hesitant to try a different practice.

"For example, our advisors might recommend adding a nitrogen stabilizer to a sidedress application or adding MasterLock adjuvant to a fungicide application," Mette says. "If such practices do not return a positive ROI, we help offset the cost. It's a way for farmers to try new practices without taking on all the risk."

To complement agronomic precision, CROPLAN and WinField United continue to offer their popular SECURE financing, helping farmers manage cash flow and reinvest in the right inputs.

Since 2016, the SECURE line of credit has offered low interest and flexible repayment terms that can extend beyond one crop season. Farmers can streamline all seed, crop protection and fertilizer purchases, free from ties to a single product manufacturer, while taking advantage of early-purchasing programs. And since your local retailer, not bankers, backs the program, it's designed to help farmers support their operational goals.

LOOKING AHEAD

Despite commodity market pressures, Mette remains confident about the road ahead. "Every year is a new opportunity to start with a clean slate. And we have the tools to help growers improve on their profit goals," he says.

Seed selection is the most critical decision a grower makes. "Everything after that -- population, fertility, fungicide -- is about maximizing the potential of that seed. That's why CROPLAN and our retail advisors focus on the acre, not the average," Mette adds.

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-- To learn more about seed and program details or find a Croplan retailer, visit https://www.croplan.com/…

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