Seed

Trying to decide what seed to buy isn’t always an easy decision. Knowing what seed varieties are going to work best on your operation is determined by a number of factors. So how can you decide which seeds will work for your farm? We’ve developed our FBN Seed Selection Playbook: How to Use Data to Boost Your Seed ROI to help you make informed, educated decisions for your operation. Using our playbook will help you develop a seed strategy that’s focused on ROI and backed by data-driven insights.  [Click here or complete the short form below to unlock the free guide] Download the Playbook below to learn more about setting yourself up for success with a solid seed strategy in place. Here are a few of the key takeaways from the Seed Selection Playbook: Why ROI needs to be your top priority when buying seed Putting data-backed insights to work on your farm Knowing which seeds have the best yields Optimizing planting populations Knowing which seeds are a good fit for your fields Paying a fair price for seed Download the FBN Seed Selection Playbook To get a free copy of the Seed Selection Playbook, click here or simply fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All product recommendations and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business,or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

As you get ready to buy your inputs for the season, you may be considering financing options that will let you pay for your purchases on a schedule that fits your financial needs.  Financing can be a great way to let you purchase now and match payments to your cash flows, but it’s important to make sure you look at all aspects of financing offers before choosing one. You'll want to consider things like rate, term, and whether or not financing is restricted to specific products or bundles.  Terms to Know Understanding the basic terminology of financing will help you understand what you’re looking at as you make your decision. Annual Interest Rate The rate paid if a loan was carried at that rate for a full 12 months. Sometimes rates can change over the term of your loan; make sure you’re comparing rates over the time period you plan to keep the loan. Term Length of the loan. WSJ PRIME Rate The Wall Street Journal surveys 30 large banks about their current prime rate, which is the rate at which they lend money to their qualified customers. (1)  The PRIME rate is then used by many financial institutions to determine their rate for lending money to customers.  All-In Price This is the fully loaded cost of a product, including the financing cost. [READ: How to Purchase Inputs with an Input Loan or Operating Line of Credit] When comparing financing options, it’s important to look at things like rate and term to get a true idea of which program will work best for you.  Think about when you’ll be ready to pay for your inputs and calculate the overall cost of what you will pay between the time you purchase and the time you’ll be paying. You should also check to see if financing is available on all products and if you have to bundle specific products to be eligible. New Customer Financing Program If you’re new to FBN or have not recently ordered from FBN Direct®, take advantage of the New Customer Financing Program .  You could get 0% financing for 30 days from the date of your first qualifying purchase, plus the ability to lock in 0% interest through August 31, 2023 by spending a minimum $20,000 on all product categories or $5,000 on livestock products within 30 days of your first purchase. ( Terms and conditions apply; see program information for details. ) [VIEW: The FBN 2023 Crop Protection Guide] Source: https://www.bankrate.com/rates/interest-rates/wall-street-prime-rate/ Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. *Terms and conditions apply. Price subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. FBN Finance, LLC commercial operating lines of credit are offered by FBN Finance, LLC and its financing partners, and are available only where FBN Finance, LLC is licensed. Terms and conditions apply. All credit is subject to approval and underwriting and additional documents may be required to verify information on your application. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. Equipment financing provided by Ritchie Bros. Financial Services, Ltd. and TCF National Bank. Land financing provided in connection with Farmer Mac. Input financing provided in connection with our financing partners. To qualify for a financing offer, a borrower must be a member of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. and meet the underwriting requirements of FBN Finance, LLC and its lending partners. All credit is subject to approval and underwriting. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those

Field trials can show you what works and what doesn’t work on your ground. Planning your trials and managing them throughout the season will help set your operation up for success. DIY Precision Farming Guide: Running Your Own On-Farm Field Trials will help you better understand why conducting on-farm trials on your own acres could potentially save you time and money.  With a wealth of helpful information about running on-farm trials, the guide will teach you: How to try something new on your farm Planning your trial How to set up and run your trial Data collection and evaluation Reasons why big data is good for the farm How to get the most out of your on-farm trials To get your free copy of the DIY Precision Farming Guide: Running Your Own On-Farm Field Trials , simply fill out the short form at the bottom of the page.  Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.  The material provided is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific professional advice. Neither Farmer’s Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. The information and opinions expressed by others in this material are their own and are not endorsed or approved by FBN or its affiliates.

The latest FBN® plot trials results from the 2022 seed trials are in — and we’re putting you in the driver’s seat for selecting the seed varieties that best fit your return on investment (ROI) needs. Here are our top products based on performance and ROI in specific states and regions. [READ: Ask These 5 Questions Before Buying Seed This Year] ROI Win Rate refers to the percentage of trials in which the product delivered a higher ROI than the checks.** Central Delta Great Lakes High Plains Missouri North Northeast Ohio South Central [READ: Data-Driven Seed Selection and Placement Strategies (Video)] Selecting Seed for the 2023 Season Once you’re ready to move forward with your seed selection for the upcoming season, here are a few ways to get started:  Review Seed Options from FBN Direct® : With a number of diverse seed options, exclusive savings opportunities, an easy online ordering experience, and direct to farm delivery, FBN helps you take control of your seed selection and purchase process.  2023 FBN Seed Lineup : In this training session from Farmer2FarmerVI, German Muttoni, PhD, and Joey Jedlicka, PhD, walk through the FBN seed portfolio and breeding pipeline. 2023 Seed Guide : Find products that fit your farm by reviewing agronomic performance notes, management details and disease tolerance for traited corn, conventional corn, sorghum and non-GMO soybeans in the latest edition of the FBN Seed Guide.  Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network,” “FBN Direct,” “F2F Genetics Network” and “FBN” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. Master Farmer" is a registered trademark of Rob-See-Co, LLC. PALOMA IS A TRADEMARK OF M.S. TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C., WEST POINT, IA. The transgenic event in the Enlist E3® soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. ®™ Enlist, Enlist E3 and, the Enlist E3 logo and Colex-D are trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Paloma Seed™ products are sold by FBN Direct as a distributor for Warner Seeds™. Viptera and Duracade are trademarks or registered trademarks of Syngenta Group Company. *Yield based on 2022 plot trials. Individual results of seed products distributed through FBN Direct may vary and are dependent upon additional factors, including but not limited to weather, agronomic conditions and practices, and commodity prices. **For purposes of calculating the ROI comparison, Master Farmer corn ROI was calculated at a price of $159.90 - $227.14/bag, assuming a seeding rate of 80,000 seeds (1 unit) per 2.5 acres, a commodity price of $7/bu as of November 14, 2022 and production costs per acre of $650 (excluding seed cost). Pricing for competitive checks obtained from grower-contributed FBN network data. ***For purposes of calculating the ROI, PALOMA Enlist E3 untreated soybeans were calculated at a price of $43.46/bag, assuming a seeding rate of 140,000 seeds (1 unit) per acre, a commodity price of $15/bu as of November 14, 2022 and production costs per acre of $450 (excluding seed cost). Pricing for competitive checks obtained from grower-contributed FBN network data. ****For purposes of calculating the ROI comparison, F2F Genetics Network corn ROI was calculated at a price of $114.80/bag, assuming a seeding rate of 80,000 seeds (1 unit) per 2.5 acres, a commodity price of $7/bu as of November 14, 2022 and production costs per acre of $650 (excluding seed cost). Pricing for competitive checks obtained from grower-contributed FBN network data. ˆFBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status.  FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. Nothing contained on this page should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.

This panel was originally presented live at Farmer2FarmerVI in Omaha, NE.  Sign up to be first in line for Farmer2FarmerVII by clicking here.  In this educational session from FBN® University at Farmer2FarmerVI, FBN team members walk through the seed selection and placement process, share best practices, and outline the resources available on FBN.com to empower farmers to make informed seed decisions based on data. Featured Speakers: Kit Barron: Head of Data Science and Analytics at FBN Alex Foeller: Seed Category Management at FBN Matt Herrmann: Data Operations Team Lead at FBN View the  FBN  seed portfolio on FBN Direct® by clicking here. [Sign up to be first in line for Farmer2FarmerVII!] Neither FBN nor its affiliates endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, opinion, product, or service referenced by third parties during Farmer2Farmer. Copyright © 2014 - 2022 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.

This panel was originally presented live at Farmer2FarmerVI in Omaha, NE.  Sign up to be first in line for Farmer2FarmerVII by clicking here.  In this training session from Farmer2FarmerVI, German Muttoni, PhD, and Joey Jedlicka, PhD, walk through the FBN seed portfolio and breeding pipeline. They'll explain what sets FBN seed apart, how FBN empowers farmers to take control of their seed selection and overall operation, and how yield relates to overall ROI with FBN seed. Featured Speakers: German Muttoni, PhD: Director, Seed Category Management at FBN Joey Jedlicka, PhD: Senior Director, Corn Breeding & Product Development at FBN Session Recording (Video) Agenda: Why Select FBN Seed? How to take control with FBN   Yield vs. ROI ($/Ac) 2023 Seed Portfolio & Performance FBN Breeding Pipeline View the FBN seed portfolio on FBN Direct® by clicking here. [Sign up to be first in line for Farmer2FarmerVII!] Copyright © 2014 - 2022 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. Any product suggestions or preselected bundles are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for consulting the applicable product label or independently determining the appropriate product offerings and quantities for your operation. FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.

When it comes to being a member of Farmers Business Network®, there are some definite advantages. All you have to do is ask any one of our 55,000+ members and they’ll tell you why FBN® has not only changed the way they do business on their operation, but also helped them secure huge savings along the way.  Let’s take a look at the the short-list of what you’re missing by not buying your inputs through FBN Direct®. 1. Convenient, online shopping One of the ways we are different from everyone else is that we offer our members the ability to go online and shop for the crop inputs they need. Right now, you can go to FBN.com and find herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, seed, animal health products like vaccines, antibiotics, implants, feed and more — if you’re growing it or raising it, there’s no better place to be. 2. Direct-to-farm shipping Now that you’ve found what you need and made your purchase, you can arrange to have it delivered right to your farm when you need it. No need to get in the truck, drive to town and pick it up. We make sure you keep working. The best part is that you can choose your own delivery window to accommodate your timelines. 3. 0% input financing* You can finance your input purchases with either an input loan or operating line of credit and not pay a penny in interest all season long*. With flexible financing options, you’ll be able to do more for your operation like pay for rent, equipment and repairs, labor and more. 4. Transparent pricing We really shook up the ag industry when we introduced price transparency. Now our members can see market averages, quotes, and invoiced prices on hundreds of inputs so you have the best information when you buy, allowing you to save no matter who you buy from. 5. Products value priced Browse the competitively-priced product selection at FBN Direct and you’ll see we sell both brand-name and generics. Often, they have the same active ingredient but the generic is priced lower than the branded product. You get comparable performance but at a better value. 6. Membership is free Best of all, you can put all of these benefits to work for you today when you join over 48,000+ farmer members in the U.S., Canada and Australia and it won’t cost you a penny.  What are you waiting for? Now’s the time to check out what you’ve been missing. Become an FBN member today and start shopping at FBN Direct .  Copyright © 2014 - 2022 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network” and “FBN” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. Financing offered by FBN Finance, LLC and its lending partners. Terms and conditions apply. To qualify, a borrower must be a member of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. and meet all underwriting requirements. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. Terms and conditions apply. Land financing offered by FBN Finance, LLC, provided in connection with Farmer Mac and our underwriting partners, and is available only where FBN Finance, LLC is licensed. To qualify, a borrower must be a member of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc., and meet the underwriting requirements of FBN Finance, LLC and its lending partners. All credit is subject to approval and underwriting. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. *Qualified farmers who are approved and close an Operating Line of Credit through FBN® Finance of $250,000 to $1,000,000 between September 1, 2022 - December 9, 2022, make a minimum purchase of $45,000 from FBN Direct® and payoff the balance in full by March 31, 2024 are eligible to receive a promotional interest rate of 0% when using the Operating Line of Credit  to finance purchases of input products made through FBN Direct® between September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023. Qualifying input products include crop protection, adjuvant, crop nutrition, seed, animal health and livestock feed. Advances on the FBN® Finance Operating Line that are not for the purchase of input products from FBN Direct® will be charged interest at the stated (non-promotional) contract rate in the Operating Line of Credit loan agreement.* Approved farmers who close a FBN® Finance Operating Line and make a minimum $45,000 purchase from FBN Direct® by December 9, 2022 will receive the benefit of automatic qualification for the 0% Club from FBN Direct®. The 0% Club offers qualified farmers a promotional rate of 0% interest on purchases of input products only made through FBN Direct® between January 21 - August 31, 2023. Qualifying input products include crop protection, adjuvant, crop nutrition, seed, animal health and livestock feed.  *Payments for all amounts owed under the associated FBN® Finance Operating Line of Credit are due March 1, 2024.  If the total balance for all amounts owed is not paid in full by March 31, 2024, interest charges on all purchases of input products made through FBN Direct® between September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023, using an Operating Line of Credit through FBN® Finance will be imposed from the purchase date at the stated (non-promotional) contract rate in the Operating Line of Credit loan agreement.   FBN Finance, LLC commercial operating lines of credit are offered by FBN Finance, LLC and are available only where FBN Finance, LLC is licensed. Input financing provided in connection with our financing partners. To qualify for a financing offer, a borrower must be a member of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. and meet the underwriting requirements of FBN Finance, LLC and its lending partners. All credit is subject to approval and underwriting. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.

Selection of soybean seed is one of the earliest and most important decisions soybean growers will make for the upcoming crop year. Knowing what challenges and opportunities lie ahead will make variety selection easier when making an online seed purchase from FBN Direct®. Turn a complicated decision into an exciting opportunity by remembering the four considerations below.  1. Take Advantage of Unique Crop Marketing Opportunities Depending on where you operate, you may have access to certain marketing opportunities that aren’t available to everyone. In the soybean world, this would include non-GMO soybeans.  There are certain markets that may allow you to take advantage of substantial premiums. FBN® offers Virtue™ Non-GMO soybeans for farmers looking to take advantage of margin opportunities in these markets.  [ Shop Virtue Non-GMO soybeans ]    2. Proactively Address Field and Soil Challenges Every field is unique, offering its own specific benefits and challenges during the growing season. Set your operation up for success next year by thoughtfully selecting seed that aligns with your specific soil types and environmental conditions. Investing in seed genetics well-suited for your fields may help you achieve higher yields and lower input costs to improve your long-term ROI.   Seed tech sheets offer helpful guidance regarding specific seeds’ performance in various categories, including disease pressure resistance, emergence, relative height, and color. FBN provides tech sheets for all seeds available for purchase on FBN Direct . You can access these tech sheets by visiting the product page for each seed type.  For example, you can view the tech sheet for the PL2E061 brand of treated Paloma™ Enlist E3® Soybean seed by visiting the seed product page and clicking on the “Product Tech Sheet” hyperlink below the seed name.   [ Download the free FBN Seed Selection Playbook: How to Use Data to Boost Seed ROI ] 3. Make Informed Decisions Without Missing Discounts Rather than rushing into a decision, it’s important to weigh your options to position yourself for a successful growing season. By putting an exclusive emphasis on high yielding seed, you may hit your target yield… or you may need to overcompensate on seed and chemical expenses, negating your profit.  The new FBN Flex Pick program empowers you to take advantage of early discounts without having to decide on a specific hybrid or variety until November 30, when you have more time to review performance and placement details. Without upfront commitment to a specific product, you get more time to decide on the right seed for your operation and consult with the FBN team to find the perfect product fit.  [ Learn More About Paloma™ Enlist E3® Soybean Flex Pick ] [ Learn More About Virtue Non-GMO Soybean Flex Pick ] 4. Plan Ahead on Weed Control  Take advantage of all the tools in your toolbox throughout the season by planning ahead on weed control strategies during your seed selection process. By selecting seed with certain crop protection tolerances, like Paloma™ Enlist E3® Soybean seed , which offers Glufosinate , Glyphosate and Enlist One® tolerances, you can rest assured that your future chemical applications will be positioned to address weed pressures without endangering your crop.  Note that federal and state EPAs regulate how and when certain chemicals can be applied. It is crucial to follow the label, as the label is the law.    [Explore FBN Crop Protection Products]  There’s a Better Way to Buy Seed At Farmers Business Network®, we’re committed to putting Farmers First® and powering the prosperity of family farmers. With the right tools in your hands, along with seed price and performance data contributed by thousands of farmers, you don’t have to keep buying seed the same way.  Visit FBN Direct to check out the soybean and other seed varieties available to buy now and have delivered directly to your farm within the delivery window you select.  Copyright © 2014 - 2022 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo,  “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN” and “FBN Direct” are servicemarks, trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. Paloma Seed™ products are sold by FBN Direct as a distributor for Warner Seeds™.  PALOMA IS A TRADEMARK OF M.S. TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C., WEST POINT, IA. “Enlist E3” is a registered  trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC or its affiliates.  “Virtue” is a trademark of GDM Seeds, Inc.. “Enlist One” is a registered trademark of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.  Product Use Statement: Enlist E3® soybeans contain the Enlist E3 trait that provides crop safety for use of labeled over-the-top applications of glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D herbicides featuring Colex-D® technology when applied according to label directions. Following burndown, the only 2,4-D containing herbicide products that may be used with Enlist™ crops are products that feature Colex-D technology and are expressly labeled for use on enlist crops. 2,4-D products that do not contain Colex-D technology are not authorized for use in conjunction with Enlist E3 soybeans. Warning: Enlist E3 soybeans are tolerant of over-the top applications of glyphosate, glufosinate, and 2,4-D. Accidental application of incompatible herbicides to this variety could result in total crop loss. When using 2,4-D herbicides, grower agrees to only use 2,4-D products that contain Colex-D technology authorized for use in conjunction with Enlist E3 soybeans. Always read and follow herbicide label directions prior to use. YOU MUST SIGN A TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT, READ THE PRODUCT USE GUIDE PRIOR TO PLANTING AND FOLLOW HERBICIDE RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT (HRM) REQUIREMENTS. The transgenic event in the Enlist E3® soybean is protected under Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. Patent Rights which can be found at: www.corteva.us/Resources/trait-stewardship.html. The transgenic event in the Enlist E3® soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Dow AgroSciences LLC and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. ®™ Enlist, Enlist E3, the Enlist E3 logo and Colex-D are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Please read the M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. Use Restriction Agreement located at: - http://www.mstechseed.com/use-restriction-agreement/ FBN recommendations regarding seed placement are based on field observations collected by FBN Direct, provided by FBN suppliers, contributed by member farmers or are consistent with local established agronomic practices. Individual results and performance may vary depending on local growing, soil, weather conditions, commodity prices. FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.

Buying seed for next season can be a tricky process. You have to weigh performance and price for a particular hybrid or variety to make strong ROI-based decisions for your operation, but all too often you lack access to the data you need to make informed choices. It’s important to get the answers you need when making a big investment like this on your farm. Here are five key questions you need to ask this year to make sure you’re buying seed with your bottom line in mind: 1. How does the seed performance potential compare to its price?  You can easily view best-case scenario plot trial data from manufacturers, but you need to know how the hybrid or variety actually performs in the real world across thousands of acres. Not all seeds are going to produce the same yields at the same planting population, so you’ll need to evaluate planting variables that are going to work best for the seeds you buy. When farmers contribute data to FBN®, all farmers in the network benefit. With precision data, farmers are able to review yield performance, seed performance, and optimal seed placement . Ultimately, that data helps farmers make better decisions for their operation.* 2. How does this seed fit into your planting strategy? Your farm and fields are unique, so you’ll want to buy seed that is well-suited to thrive on each unique acre of your operation. While it may make sense to plant one hybrid of corn on certain parts of your acreage, it may be best to plant a different hybrid on another field. Learning how seeds perform under conditions similar to yours can help you make the right seed-buying decisions.  3. Do the seeds include the protective traits you need? Understanding the cost of traits alongside seed performance can help you optimize your seed selection for net revenue , rather than yield alone. Ask yourself if the expected increase in yield by planting seed with a particular trait technology will outweigh the potential cost increase of doing so. Look for overall profit potential in your seed selection, which comes from a combination of high yields (through high-performing genetics as well as trait technology) and reasonable prices. 4. Do the seeds align agronomically with your farm management capabilities? Do you have the equipment and resources required to successfully plant, maintain, and harvest the crops grown from the seeds you’ve selected? If not, you’ll want to consider adjusting your equipment and resourcing strategy for the upcoming season or purchasing alternative seed options.  5. Are you considering genetic diversity across your farm? By ensuring genetic diversity, you’re reinforcing the long-term viability of crops across your operation and supporting their ability to adapt to changing conditions, in addition to supporting future trait development.  There’s a better way to buy seed At Farmers Business Network®, we’re committed to putting Farmers First® and powering the prosperity of family farmers. With the right tools in your hands and seed price and performance data contributed by thousands of farmers, you won’t have to keep buying seed the same way. Here are a few ways to get started selecting your seed for next season:  Check out the seeds available to buy now on FBN Direct® with a full portfolio that includes traited and conventional corn, Enlist E3® traited soybeans, sorghum and hybrid rye at FBN.com/Seed . Try out the new FBN Flex Pick , which enables you to lock in early discounts without having to select specific hybrids or varieties upfront. Without having to commit upfront, you get more time to decide on the right seed for your operation and consult with the FBN team to find the perfect product fit.  Download the free FBN Seed Selection Playbook: How to Use Data to Boost Your Seed ROI to get more tips on selecting the right seed for your operation. Read through the latest seed guides to compare your available options, including the FBN Seed Guide and the Paloma™Seed Enlist E3® Soybean Guide .  * This is an updated post originally published in 2019 with new content written by Brad Roberts on September 20, 2022. Copyright © 2014 - 2022 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct” , "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.  Paloma Seed™ products are sold by FBN Direct as a distributor for Warner Seeds™.  PALOMA IS A TRADEMARK OF M.S. TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C., WEST POINT, IA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Information and insights provided by FBN are based on submissions from FBN members and in certain cases other third-party information, and its availability and accuracy is not guaranteed *Information and data may not be available for all seed products including some seed products distributed by FBN.

Since the mid-1990s, traited corn has been getting all the praise. The relative ease of planting corn that was bred with resistance to over-the-top herbicide sprays and to pests that could sneak in and steal yield overnight made genetically modified (GM) corn feel like a no-brainer. But is it?  The current commodity market isn’t doing us any favors, and corn today is selling for less on the CBOT than it was in 1974 — 44 years ago¹. Meanwhile, input prices aren’t following that downward trend. Seed prices continue to be on the rise, with multinational seed companies extracting more from farmers’ pockets every growing season. So, here’s the question many farmers are asking themselves as they look over their input bills and scale tickets this year:  If I’m going to keep growing corn, what are some other production options that could help my bottom line? Here is a rundown of the basic ins-and-outs of some of the most well-known corn production scenarios: Input Traited Corn (aka GM Corn) This category includes any corn seed that has at least one foreign (or "input") trait added to the seed through genetic modification.  Today, corn seed can have many corn traits stacked together. Some of the most common traits include corn borer resistance, corn rootworm resistance, and glyphosate resistance. The terms single-stacked, double-stacked, triple-stacked, etc., refer to the number of traits added to the seed. Farmers utilizing refuge-in-a-bag (RIB) products plant their traited corn and their required refuge corn (the amount of non-insect-traited seed mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency ) from the same bag. RIB products are a combination of conventional and non-insect-traited corn seed, which is intentionally included to help slow the development of resistance by pests. Conventional Corn Any corn seed that does not have foreign or input traits added to the seed through genetic engineering. This does not mean that it is 100% free of genetically modified traits, but instead that the traits were not purposefully or intentionally added to the seed. It is impossible to ensure that a bag of seed is 100% free of genetically modified material, due to unintended cross pollination during corn seed production. Glyphosate- and glufosinate-containing herbicides should not be sprayed over the top of conventional corn; however, there are insecticides approved for an application to traited corn that are also approved for conventional corn.  Non-GMO Corn The difference between conventional and non-GMO corn is simply a higher level of trait-free purity. This is achieved by seed production practices, farmer production practices, and marketing strategy. Similar to conventional corn, non-GMO corn seed does not contain any intentionally added GM material. When the term non-GMO is used, typically the farmer is growing un-traited corn with the intent to market the crop for a premium. There are often additional segregation and handling steps that must be taken to meet contract specifications to get a premium on non-GMO corn. They may also include seed testing and grain testing. Some contracts require a farmer to have grain with a 98% or better purity from GM events. The details in various contracts can be quite different; always review your contract closely to understand the purity that must be delivered to meet contract requirements. Organic Corn Your choice for organic corn seed must be a part of your organic systems plan that is approved by a certifying agency before the season begins. Because a steady supply of certified organic corn seed can be hard to come by, oftentimes you can use conventional corn seed in your organic plan, as long as it is not genetically modified and has been approved. Seed for organic corn production must also be free of any chemical seed treatment that is not approved (there are several approved seed treatments for organic corn production).  In order to be certified, your crop, as well as the soil, cannot have any contact with certain chemicals or other non-natural substances as outlined in the  USDA’s guidelines for organic production . The process for growing an organic corn crop requires the same detailed attention to inputs, with pest management being one of the biggest hurdles and most noticeable differences. The fields in which organic corn is grown also must be free of certain crop protection and fertilizer products for two growing seasons (before they can be used) to grow a certified organic crop, or 36 months following the last prohibited application, which can be accomplished over two crop years.  Be sure to consider all of your options for corn production. There is likely more than one scenario that can provide profit potential for your operation. Focus Your Farm on Greater ROI At Farmers Business Network® , we’re committed to putting Farmers First® and powering the prosperity of family farmers. Here are a few ways to start working with our team and let us support your farm this growing season: Download this year's F2F Genetics Network Seed Guide to review FBN 's broad set of seed options focused on great performance and price. The portfolio includes products that have top quality genetics and industry leading traits enabling you to diversify your operation whether you're looking for conventional, traited, or organic seed options. Explore our latest Interactive Seed Performance Report , which provides data on some of our most impactful products to date. The report also offers an opportunity to hear directly from our seed team about the products highlighted through the use of QR codes. Discover how you can save on seed purchases this year through FBN 's simple, easy to use programs. FBN Direct offers conventional, traited, and organic corn seed, in addition to soybeans, alfalfa, millet, and more. Join the conversation on FBN Community to connect with and share insights with other farmers as part of the FBN member network. Watch Now: FBN Seed Expert Panel on Maximizing ROI with Conventional Corn Sources: https://www.agriculture.com/markets/analysis/corn/how-did-prices-fare-following-or-golden_9-ar48090 https://extension.psu.edu/organic-corn-production https://www.agriculture.com/are-traits-worth-the-expense © 2015-2020 Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. All rights reserved. The sprout logo, "FBN" and "Farmers Business Network" are registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. “F2F Genetics Network” is a trademark of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. “Master Farmer” is a trademark of Masters Choice. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. F2F Genetics Network branded seed products and other seed products are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed. Terms & Conditions are subject to change at any time and without notice. See sales order form for additional terms and conditions. All sales are subject to entrance into a Master Distribution Agreement, where applicable, and the terms and conditions set forth therein.