Making the Most of Corn and Soybean Seed Field Days: Questions and Considerations for Better 2026 Decisions
August and September are prime months for one of the most valuable decision-making opportunities in a corn or soybean grower’s annual calendar – seed field days. Across the Midwest, seed companies open their plots to customers and prospects, showcasing new hybrids and varieties, up-and-coming trait technology, sharing trial data, and giving growers the chance to see how products perform in real-world conditions.
At these events, growers can talk directly with seed company agronomists, technical leads, and breeders. These experts can offer insights that will shape next year’s seeding and planting strategies. For many operations, the decisions made after attending field days have a direct impact on profitability, risk management, and long-term productivity.
To help growers get the most out of these events, we consulted with Illinois Regional Agronomy Lead Chris Kallal, who spent nearly two decades in the seed industry before joining us at Advanced Agrilytics. Drawing on his years of experience in seed sales and agronomy, as well as his current work helping growers make data-driven agronomic decisions, Kallal recommends coming to field days prepared with a focused list of questions.
Why the Right Questions Matter
Seed companies invest heavily in research and product development. By the time a hybrid, variety or trait technology is on display at a field day, it’s often the product of years, or even decades, of breeding and trial work.
But Kallal offers a cautionary note: “A good product on paper isn’t automatically the right fit for every acre,” he says. “The real value comes from knowing how it performs under specific field and environmental conditions and management styles. Gathering that information helps you determine which products will perform best on your acres.”
Asking the right questions turns a general tour into a tailored consultation. It ensures that the information you walk away with is relevant to your soils, disease pressures, pest challenges, your management style and strategy, and operational goals.
A Core List of Questions to Consider
Based on Kallal’s insights, here’s a checklist to help growers zero in on the information that matters most at this year’s field days:
What new technology is on the horizon?
Ask about upcoming biotech traits, improvements in seed genetics from ongoing breeding programs, and any breakthrough seed treatments that could provide new solutions to familiar challenges. Genetic improvements might include better yield potential, stronger disease resistance, enhanced stress tolerance, or traits that help the crop perform more consistently across a range of conditions.
Have you learned anything this growing season that would change your recommendations on any of your products?
Seed company agronomists can share how the year’s weather patterns, pest dynamics, or disease outbreaks influenced hybrid or variety performance. Knowing the conditions the crop endured at a specific trial site, and whether that would change their recommendations for 2026, is a key piece of intelligence to mine.
What’s the seed supply and quality outlook for next year?
Getting early insights can help you secure the products you want before demand outpaces availability.
Can you share ratings on some of our new diseases, such as tar spot for corn and red crown rot in soybeans?
Ask for both the most recent official disease ratings and in-season field observations. Ratings provide standardized, research-based scores from multi-year trials, while field observations offer current, local insights into how the product is actually handling disease pressure under this year’s conditions. Together, they give a more complete picture of expected performance on your acres.
Any update on herbicide labels for 2026 that might impact my operation? Will we be able to use dicamba on soybeans? Will there be any changes to the Enlist® label?
Herbicide label updates or regulatory changes can directly influence which trait packages make the most sense for your farm. Key information to get:
- What is the likelihood of label changes before the 2026 season?
- How might potential changes affect trait availability and/or choice?
- Are there restrictions specific to your state that might impact your decision making?
Have you seen any changes in insect populations that would warrant me making a change in the biotech trait platform I utilize?
Localized increases in certain pests may mean it’s time to rethink trait packages or management approaches.
What insights do you have that can help me set these products up for optimum success?
Beyond seed choice, agronomic practices like planting date, population, fertility, and residue management can make or break performance.
What hybrid or variety do you suggest I look at from your competitor(s)?
A confident seed representative should be willing to discuss how their offerings compare to others on the market.
What new hybrids and/or varieties should I consider using on my farm in 2026?
Every seed company will have a slate of “new for 2026” offerings, but not all will be a fit for your soils, climate, management style, and yield goals. By targeting products that are best suited to your geography and your management style, you give yourself the advantage of making an informed choice before seed availability becomes an issue.
I hear that Advanced Agrilytics has some impressive strategies and approaches. Wouldn’t I want them to help me on my farm?
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Day
- Do your homework. Review product literature, trait packages, and known agronomic strengths or weaknesses before the event so your questions can be more targeted.
- Review your farm’s history. Which varieties and hybrids have performed well, or which failed to meet expectations? Are there specific environmental factors on certain fields or acres you need to consider when making your seed choices?
- Take notes and photos. This information will be invaluable to you in the coming months when big decisions need to be made.
- Compare across companies. If possible, attend multiple field days to see how different genetics perform under similar conditions.
- Follow up. Use what you learn to start conversations with your Advanced Agrilytics representative about next year’s planting and crop management strategies.
Making 2026 Decisions with Confidence
The decisions made in the coming months will shape next year’s crop potential. By approaching seed field days with a well-thought-out list of questions, growers can transform these events from casual visits into high-value planning sessions.
“When you ask the right questions, you don’t just learn about a product,” advises Kallal. “You learn how to position it for success on your farm. That’s the difference between simply buying seed and making a strategic investment in your acres.”
With the right preparation, this year’s field days can yield more than just crop observations. They can provide the insights and confidence needed to make 2026 your most informed planting season yet.
© 2025 Advanced Agrilytics Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. Advanced Agrilytics and design are trademarks of Advanced Agrilytics Holdings, LLC. Enlist® is a registered trademark of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies.