Dominating the Dryland Acre
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This Kansas retailer says Brevant® brand corn helps his customers overcome adverse conditions.
Kansas sets itself apart from other key corn-growing areas in the United States with a climate known for exceptional seasonal weather changes. From having dry, hot summers to frigid, sometimes wet, winters, Kansas farmers know to expect the unexpected. This is why it’s important for them to have access to high-producing dryland hybrids that can withstand drought-like conditions.
Justin Shields, a Nutrien crop consultant in western Kansas, puts emphasis on the dryland acre because “water is always a consideration”. Shields says he starts working with his customers during harvest to make seed selections for the following season. The first step is determining the end use of the crop. Second, Shields identifies what kind of acre, including irrigated or dryland, the seed will be planted to. From there, the team decides what kind of hybrid will work best.
Particularly on the dryland acre, Shields recommends Brevant® seeds. Not only does Brevant® brand corn give Shields, and his customers access to one of world’s largest proprietary libraries of germplasm from Corteva Agriscience, but also it offers increased genetic diversity on the farm.
“We haven’t always had access to Corteva genetics,” Shields says. “One of the biggest reasons I like to offer Brevant seeds to my customers is because of the added genetic diversity. It’s important we change up the technologies in the field to be good stewards of those traits. That’ll protect us from bigger issues in five years.”
In his region, Shields requires hybrids to emerge under cold soils, grow under 100-degree heat and still make corn with limited moisture. Shields continues to push Brevant brand corn because of the proven performance on the toughest of fields and adverse conditions.
“We ask a lot out of dryland hybrids in this environment,” Shields says. “The dryland acre is a very tough one, but the hybrids in the Brevant brand portfolio have just flat out worked year in and year out. They produce a healthy crop and that’s why we continue to plant Brevant seeds.”
Designed to perform in environments with limited moisture, Brevant brand Optimum® AQUAmax® products deliver high yield potential despite drought and heat stress. With advanced stomata control and an efficient root system, these products are equipped to absorb and use less water per bushel.
Another key reason Shields encourages his customers to plant Brevant brand products is because of the disease protection bred into the seed, especially for farmers on multi-year corn-on-corn acres.
As new innovations continue to hit the market, Shields says he is appreciative of the support he gets from Brevant seeds. He says that new products added to the Brevant brand portfolio are built with tough environments, like western Kansas, in mind. Shields says Craig Solomon, area product manager for Brevant seeds, works with him on a high level to identify hybrids that would work well in his area. Locally, Shields gets day-to-day support from Justin Jamison, retail sales agronomist for Brevant seeds. Jamison helps Shields put in plots, select traits, deliver seed, and more to ensure farmer success.
“The Brevant seeds team takes care of us from all levels,” Shields says. “In season, we’re talking multiple times a week. They take care of us in that regard. That makes us want to continue supporting the brand.”
For more information about Brevant seeds, visit Brevant.com or contact your local ag retailer.
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