As we gear up for another growing season, it’s time to start planning for your 2025 crop. Early preparation is key to maximizing yields and profitability. To help you get a strong start, here are five expert tips from Stine® Soybean Technical Agronomist Tyler DuBay for planning your next crop, along with specific product recommendations to ensure your fields reach their maximum potential.
1. Know Your Fields
Understanding the unique characteristics of each field is the foundation for a successful season. Review soil test results, previous crop yields, and any disease or pest pressures you faced last year(s).
Tyler’s Tip:
"Field history is critical — monitor patterns like drainage issues, nutrient deficiencies or lingering pest pressure to build your planting strategy."
Focus on areas where improvements can be made, whether it’s through targeted fertilization, tile drainage installation or seeding rate adjustments.
Recommended Products:
- Stine 27EG22: Ideal for well-drained soils with high-yield potential.
- Stine 01EH32: Offers consistent performance in fields with variable conditions and moderate drainage challenges.
2. Choose the Right Seed
The seed you choose will have a direct impact on your yields. For 2025, consider options with the latest traits, improved disease resistance and adaptability to your environment.
Tyler’s Tip:
"Pick hybrids and blends that align with your field conditions — don’t just go for the highest-yielding seed. Think about disease tolerance, soil type adaptability and standability."
Recommended Products:
- Stine Blend 36EH100: Combines robust standability and stress tolerance for challenging environments.
- Stine Blend 13EH100: A high-yielding option with strong tolerance to white mold and sudden death syndrome (SDS).
- Stine Blend 23EH100: Specifically designed for drought-prone areas and fields with lighter soils.
Evaluate what worked in 2024, and consult with your Stine representative to find blends that align with your goals and challenges.
3. Create a Planting Plan
Optimal planting starts with proper planning. Early planting often boosts yields, but it’s essential to monitor soil temperatures and moisture levels to avoid seedling stress.
Tyler’s Tip:
"Create a plan for variable rate seeding, especially in fields with variable soils. Match population rates to soil productivity for the best results."
Recommended Products:
- Stine Blend 30EH100: Performs exceptionally well in early planting windows, even in cool soils.
- Stine 13EG23: A versatile option suited for variable rate seeding.
Don’t forget to factor in row spacing and seed treatments that can protect your crop during critical early growth stages.
4. Prioritize Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is one of the best tools to break disease and pest cycles while improving soil health. If you grew corn in 2024, consider soybeans or another rotational crop for 2025.
Tyler’s Tip:
"Crop rotation helps manage soybean cyst nematode (SCN) populations, reduce compaction and conserve moisture in drier years."
Recommended Products:
- Stine Soybean 34EH22: Offers strong SCN resistance and excellent standability.
- Stine Soybean 13EH62: An outstanding option for fields prone to white mold or SDS.
A diverse rotation also boosts long-term sustainability and improves nutrient availability in the soil.
5. Prepare for the Unexpected
Weather, markets and pests are unpredictable, but planning ahead can help you mitigate risks. Build flexibility into your management plan so you can adjust on the fly.
Tyler’s Tip:
"Always have a backup plan. For example, if white mold or SDS was a problem last year, select blends or treatments that can help you manage those risks."
Recommended Products:
- Stine Blend 19EH100: Delivers high-end yields while handling unexpected disease pressure.
- Stine 40EH92: A reliable option for diverse environments, offering adaptability to changing conditions.
Keep an eye on commodity markets to lock in pricing opportunities, and budget for unexpected input costs to protect your bottom line.
A successful 2025 crop starts with solid planning. By knowing your fields, selecting the right seed, optimizing planting practices, rotating crops and preparing for challenges, you’ll set yourself up for a profitable season.
With Stine’s cutting-edge lineup of hybrids, blends and soybeans, you can feel confident you have the tools to achieve outstanding results. For more tips or personalized recommendations, contact your local Stine representative today. Let’s make 2025 your best year yet!