Hello World! Welcome Friends! Today’s farmers have access to an unprecedented variety of seeds. That incredible variety is a blessing, but in some ways, it’s also a curse. It makes choosing the right seeds for the next year’s crops much more challenging.
It used to be the case that farmers just had to decide what type of crop they wanted to grow, then find a seed supplier who sold the right variety. Now, just selecting which crops to grow is only the beginning. Farmers also need to decide what brands to trust, whether to buy genetically modified or non-GMO varieties and which seeds will best fit their pest and disease management strategies. Read on to find six tips for selecting the best ones.
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
1. Choose Disease-Resistant Varieties
Every type of crop is susceptible to different diseases. The good news is, much of today’s commercial seed is engineered to provide natural resistance to certain pathogens and ecological factors that could leave them predisposed to the disease. Whether farmers choose to buy genetically engineered or organic seeds, they can also get help from My Yield choosing the right seed treatments to maximize disease resistance.
2. Test the Soil First
The type of soil on the farm will have a dramatic impact on what types of crops and even which varieties of seed for a particular crop will be able to thrive. Factors like soil texture, compaction level, cation conversion, and the soil’s organic content all play a role. Of course, farmers can add amendments or perform complex earthworks projects to alter their soil, but that’s not a very cost-effective solution. It usually makes more sense to perform a soil test, then buys seeds that will fit the land’s existing soil profile.
3. Consider the Climate
While farmers have some control over the soil quality on their land, they can’t control the climate. Some plants require long growing seasons, lots of water, low humidity, or other growing conditions that can’t easily be altered to suit their needs. It’s wiser to choose crops that are well adapted to the local climate and buy seeds accordingly. In many cases, certain named cultivars are adapted to specific growing conditions, so farmers may be able to benefit from buying seeds from local suppliers.
4. Assess Recent Experience
Established farmers have the benefit of being able to go back and evaluate how different species perform on their land. Obviously, if they’ve had problems with small yields or poor crop quality in recent years, farmers aren’t going to buy the exact same seeds. They may, however, be able to evaluate what environmental factors led to their crop failures, then purchase seeds that will be less likely to experience the same problems.
5. Consider Companion Planting
Companion planting is a process that allows farmers to harness the power of nature to maximize yields and minimize problems with diseases or pests. Don’t assume that all the plants need to produce food crops to be good options. Some companion plants are seeded in fields to divert insects, provide nutrition to food crops, or perform other valuable ecosystem functions.
6. Consider Market Demand
It makes little sense to buy seeds for crops that won’t produce a good profit. Before deciding what to grow, make sure there is enough demand for the final agricultural product. Market research is especially important when farmers decide to switch crops.
Final Thoughts
Seed selection can be a challenge even for established farmers. Following the advice above can help anyone choose the right crops and varieties for their land.
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