Picking which hybrids to plant on your farm is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make this year. But even if you find the perfect match that aligns with your soil type, region, practices and more, those seeds could still use a little extra support. 

That’s where seed treatments come into play.

Why utilize seed treatments? 

Seed treatments offer protection against diseases and pests that can harm your yields. In places where soils tend to be cooler or wetter, the risk for these diseases is often higher — so the advantages of seed treatments are even stronger.

“Seed treatments are the best line of defense to fend off seedling diseases,” says LG Seeds’ Justin Krell. “They’re really the only way to control some of the major yield-robbing diseases.” 

That protection can also extend beyond just diseases. Some common issues that can wreak havoc if seedlings aren’t treated include sudden death syndrome, pythium root rot and soybean cyst nematodes. 

Seed treatments help protect seeds during the crucial germination phase by helping them push through difficult soils. Sometimes, those soils are the result of adverse weather that has created some crust. Other times, depending on the region, soils can just be naturally challenging. Seed treatments offer protection in both scenarios.

Without strong germination early on in the growing season, yield potential declines. But when this germination phase is protected as much as possible, farmers end up with better, healthier stands. 

Who benefits the most from seed treatments? 

It would be difficult to find a group of farmers who don’t see some benefit from seed treatments. 

“Seed treatments can fit on most farms,” Krell says. “But growers who are planting early will probably get the largest bang for their buck.” 

Your overall ROI on a seed treatment might depend on your: 

Region: In the northern Corn Belt, seed treatments are especially important. This region tends to experience cooler spring temperatures and wetter soils — which can lead to several harmful seedling diseases. When you can mitigate that risk at planting time with a seed treatment, you increase your chances for top yields. 

Tillage practice: Farmers who use minimal tillage on their operations could also see stronger ROI from seed treatments. 

“In a no-till situation, soils don’t warm up quite as fast,” Krell says. “With those cooler, wetter soils, seed treatment provides a bigger advantage.”

Planting timing: While early planters might see the biggest advantage from seed treatments, that doesn’t mean late planters won’t experience similar benefits. No matter when seeds go in the ground, seed treatments offer them protection against factors that can harm their growth potential. 

What is the data around seed treatment effectiveness? 

This growing season is on track to be one of the most significant examples of the importance of seed treatments.

After a cooler, wetter spring this year, especially in the Corn Belt and parts of the Southeast, many seeds needed the extra boost that seed treatments provide during germination. 

Harvest is still weeks away for those in the Corn Belt, but data from the past several years do show higher yields for farmers who utilized seed treatments. That trend is expected to continue.

When to start planning seed treatments 

We may already be past the midway point in the 2024 growing season. Most who were going to use a seed treatment have already done so. But it’s not too soon to start planning for the next growing season. 

“Now is the time to think about seed treatments for 2025,” Krell says. “2024 has already shown a large ROI from seed treatments based on having a cooler, wetter spring. When we get final data back from this season, this will be one of the strongest years we’ll have seen.” 

If you’re thinking about incorporating seed treatments into your operation next season, reach out to your local agronomist to discuss the best options for your farm.