4 Things to Consider In Soybean Seed Selection

FBN Network

Sep 11, 2023

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 a seed purchase.

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. 

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 PL2E190 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 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]


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]


Buy Seed Online from FBN Direct

At FBN, 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 three days.


© 2014 - 2023 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.

FBN Network

Sep 11, 2023