Albert Lea Seed House 2018 Conventional Seed Guide | Page 35

Neonicotinoids are effective systemic insecticides
that protect the corn seedling from insects such as
wireworms, cutworms and white grubs. Despite
their effectiveness, research has shown that
neonicotinoid seed treatments are linked to declines
in pollinator populations, including bees. At Albert
Lea Seed we recognize that when chemicals are
properly tested, labeled and applied, they are an
essential part of production agriculture. However,
there are planting situations where neonicotinoid-
coated seed corn is not essential. We believe that
farmers should be able to choose what level of seed
protection they want.
For more information on neonicotinoids and
pollinators, see: http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/
uploads/2012/03/NeonicsSummary_XercesSociety.pdf http://www3.
syngenta.com/eame/plightofthebees/en/bee-research/Pages/research-
faqs.aspx
REPLANT AND RETURN POLICIES
We will cheerfully accept returns of seed corn and
soybeans until June 15 (or 30 days after purchase).
After June 15, there will be a $10/bag restocking
charge. After July 15, there will be a $25/bag
restocking charge. Please bring your sales receipt.
We will NOT ACCEPT returns of:
• Seed corn or soybeans treated with a custom
treatment
• Opened bags of seed
• Wet bags of seed
• Bags with gas or diesel on them
• Bags in any condition that is unsaleable
If your Viking Seed Corn is frozen, drowned or hailed
out, you may purchase replant of available varieties
at a discounted price. Genuity ® and Roundup
Ready ® may also have replant protection from
Monsanto. Call 800-ROUNDUP.
HOW TO PLANT AND MANAGE
CONVENTIONAL CORN
You might assume that there is some mystery involved in raising
conventional corn. That really isn’t the case. Corn, whether traited
or conventional, requires solid management. There are four basic
management considerations that need to be addressed when raising
conventional corn.
“Pollinator-Safe” is
Viking Seed corn that
has not been treated
with a neonicotinoid
insecticide. Viking
Seed corn labeled this
way is still treated
POLLINATOR SAFE
with a package of
Viking Pollinator-Safe hybrid seed corn is not
treated with neoniconoid inseccides.
fungicides to protect
the seedling from soil-
borne diseases. This
option is available only on certain hybrids (68-86S,
42-92S, 51-95S, 51-04GSS and 49-09S) and only by
request at the time of ordering.
Field selection
The conventional wisdom states that rotated fields are the
ideal choice for conventional corn. However, Casey Staloch of
Agriguardian, Albert Lea, MN, knows many farmers in his area who
have placed conventional corn in a corn-on-corn rotation and done
very well.
“Good management is key,” Casey adds. “You have to do a good
job on the other points on this list, and when you do, you can grow
conventional corn in just about any situation.”
One common-sense suggestion: Although rootworm pressure
can often be addressed with insecticides, as we’ll note later,
avoid planting conventional corn in fields where you expect heavy
rootworm pressure if you don’t have the means to manage the pest.
Hybrid selection
This is just as critical for conventional corn as it is for any hybrid. Your
seed professional will need to know your rotation, soil type, planting
population, yield target and end use in order to match the correct
conventional hybrid to the right field.
Don’t stack the deck. Give your conventional corn a fair comparison
by planting some on your good ground. Don’t put it on your poorest
ground and expect it to compete with the stacked products you put on
your most productive acres.
Herbicide management
With herbicide resistance on the rise and the current push to vary
modes of action, most farmers are already using many of the weed
control components they would use with conventional corn. The only
significant difference would be the absence of glyphosate.
Always consult your agronomist or dealer before implementing any
weed control program, but here are a couple of examples of programs
that have provided exce