When choosing corn seed, the question of whether or not to spend significant dollars on "stacked genetics" is a difficult one.

Since weeds are a certainty in irrigated corn, Roundup-Ready seed is cost-effective, because it affords reliable weed control with economical glyphosate applications. Managing resistance is becoming a serious issue in some parts of the US, but careful herbicide selection and crop rotation can minimize the risk.

Using GMO seed to control insects, however, has several drawbacks:

• Insects are much less "reliable" than weeds: if you buy insect protection and the threat never materializes, you've thrown away good money. This happens often in this area: we know, because we have many years of records which prove it.

• With GMO seed, you pay for your insect control 6 to 10 months in advance. With conventional insecticides, you pay when (and if) you need them. Interest on your money is a hidden cost of seed-based protection.

• If you have a crop loss--due to hail or freezing, for example--seed-based insect protection is money spent needlessly.

• When you use conventional insecticides, you sometimes get a "free ride" for a secondary pest. For example, if you are controlling corn rootworms with the popular Penncap-M program, an infestation of Western Bean Cutworm, spidermites or European corn borer can often be treated simultaneously by tankmixing in another product.

• Because several popular insecticides (including Capture) are now available as generics, the price of conventional insect treatments have decreased, making them a relative bargain.

While GMOs often provide good control on the target insects, their downside is not limited to the 20% of your crop that is required to be left unprotected due to refuge requirements.

We believe that conventional insecticide applications can maximize your bottom line, and we know for sure that hiring local applicators (like us!) puts more dollars in local stores and tax coffers, as well as supporting our schools and community.

New Corn Herbicide

BASF recently introduced Status, a new broadleaf herbicide for corn. Status is Distinct with a safener added, which makes the product much safer for corn, and allows treatment up to a crop height of 36 inches tall. Status should help farmers manage glyphosate resistance issues.