Plant with confidence: Stine^® agronomists share practical tips for spring success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —  Adel, Iowa (April 24, 2026) — Spring success starts long before the crop emerges. From soil conditions and planter settings to seed placement and early stand evaluation, the decisions growers make at planting can shape performance throughout the season.

To help farmers plant with confidence, Stine^® Seed Company is sharing practical guidance from its agronomy team centered on three foundational principles that support early outcomes: product placement, the right planting guidance for each field and stand counts.

“Focusing on these areas can help growers match products to the right environment, place seed for more consistent emergence, and evaluate performance early and often to adjust when needed,” says Tom Larson, Stine’s director of agronomy. “Our agronomists are eager to help growers start the season off right this spring and are ready to support our customers however we can.”

Building on these core principles, as farmers finalize plans and hit the field, Stine agronomists highlight their top five recommendations to prioritize this spring.  

Watch soil temperatures and the forecast. Tony Lenz, technical agronomist serving southeastern South Dakota and northern Nebraska, encourages growers to monitor soil temperatures closely and track the extended forecast before planting begins. Stable conditions and fit soils help support stronger emergence and reduce early-season stress. “I recommend waiting until soil temperatures have reached at least 50°F for several days before planting, checking soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth with each probe, and reviewing the 10- to 14-day forecast to avoid cold snaps or heavy moisture. If frost is a concern, soybeans may be the better crop to plant first, because even with uneven emergence or a reduction in final population stands, yields can still be maximized versus corn.” 

Prioritize planter performance and consistent depth. Susan Hart, field agronomist serving western Minnesota, North Dakota and northern South Dakota, emphasizes the importance of checking row units and maintaining consistent seed depth. Uniform emergence starts with planter accuracy — small inconsistencies at planting can show up all season long. “The ideal planting depth for corn is 2 inches. It is important when first setting the planter to check every row unit and then periodically check it throughout the day, especially when changing fields and/or soil conditions.” 

Avoid planting into conditions that are too wet. Jacob Foote, field agronomist serving Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, advises growers to be patient when soils are not ready. Sidewall compaction and poor seed placement can limit root development and stand uniformity, making timing one of the most important spring management decisions. “Uniform emergence is one of the biggest contributors to maximize yield potential, so minimizing variability at planting should be a top priority. Plants that can emerge at roughly the same time will have less competition from neighboring plants and can become established earlier when crop development is crucial.” 

Start clean and support the crop with a solid fertility plan. Brett Gordon, technical agronomist serving Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, recommends entering the season with current soil fertility data, a strong burndown program and a plan for early weed control. Establishing a crop in a clean field gives it a better opportunity to compete and perform. “Often, we face cool, wet conditions in the early planting season; therefore, a good seed treatment is vital to ensure your crop can overcome these conditions.”  

Verify performance with early stand counts. Stine agronomists stress that stand counts remain one of the most valuable early-season tools available to growers. The numbers provide an early read on how planting decisions translated in the field and can help identify issues while there is still time to respond. Farmers can lean on their Stine agronomists for help monitoring stand counts during the season through the Yield Maximizer Program.  

Stine’s foundational principles for success reflect a broader agronomic mindset: place the right product in the right environment, plant with precision and care, and evaluate early. While each season brings different weather and field conditions, these core practices can help growers reduce risk and make confident decisions from the start.

 For Stine, agronomic support begins in the field. Its team works alongside farmers, retail partners and sales representatives to turn plot data, field observations and local conditions into practical guidance that improves performance acre by acre.

Growers looking for more insights and field-ready recommendations can visit StineSeed.com or connect with their local Stine representative for agronomic support tailored to their conditions, products and management goals.