Seed Planning for 2026

The last couple of weeks have been a big push on applying NH₃ and getting the 2026 growing season underway. Weather has cooperated, allowing us to get most of the NH₃ applied that growers wanted, and we are now on the downhill stretch of the fall application season. Once fall applications are wrapped up, it is time to start placing seed orders for 2026.

Early to mid fall is the ideal window to plan and order seed for the hybrids and varieties you want for both availability and the best pricing. We are actively submitting orders now and locking in the hybrids that delivered the strongest performance this year.

Disease ratings are top of mind for everyone, especially after the southern rust pressure we saw. While we are promoting products that handled southern rust well, we do not want to base all decisions on a single year's disease event. Several hybrids still have excellent yield potential with the right southern rust management. And if we return to a normal southern rust year, some hybrids that struggled this season may very well be top performers next year.

The biggest takeaway is the importance of truly knowing your hybrids and working with a trusted advisor to place products and management practices correctly. In several cases, hybrids that required two fungicide applications, when protected properly, still produced some of our highest yields. These are not hybrids to write off.

If you have questions about which hybrids or varieties you should be considering for 2026, give any of us agronomists at Smith Fertilizer and Grain a call. We are here to help you make the best decisions for the season ahead.