Success StorySeed Savings
Seed Savings
Author: David Appelman
Planning Unit: Bracken County CES
Major Program: Grains
Plan of Work: Measuring the Agriculture Business
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Left over seed often happens on farms due to many unforeseen circumstances. Planting delays due to weather, loss of crop acres due to property sales, or changes in market that alters planting decisions. The problem with left over seed is that it will have lower germination rates if any at all.
One local producer brought seed to the Bracken County Extension office for a germination test to determine if it could be salvages after a year in storage. This seed was treated with insecticides and fungicides, so it could not be fed, or used in any other way. The samples was sent to the seed testing lab at the UK Regulatory Services and a second sample was tested by the local ag agent. After 5 days allowed for germination, it was determined that the seed did have an 83.8% germination rate. One week later, the lab confirmed their test results showing an 84% germination rate. These 2 test confirmed the viability of the seed and that it could still be used with confidence by just increasing the seeding rate by 6% of normal (90% was the expected germination for new seed). Even with the increased seeding rate, this saved the producer over $2,000 by utilizing the container of old seed.
Stories by David Appelman
Freeze Damage to Wheat
Small grain production is mainly focused on cover crops in our area with a limited number of acres h... Read More
Forage Transition Plan
After many years of using corn silage to feed stocker cattle on a local farm operation, they wanted ... Read More
Stories by Bracken County CES
"Hunt" for a new outlook on life
If you were to ask any 4-Her that attends camp more times than not they will say it is the best time... Read More
Extension to go bags during COVID-19
In early March, planning for summer programs was underway, excitement about camp was building, fair ... Read More
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment