5 Key Considerations For 2026 Seed Selection

As you harvest this year’s crop, it’s time to start thinking about the next. Seed selection is one of the largest and most critical decisions you make each season, so it’s important to prioritize objective data and attributes over flashy marketing and slick sales pitches. Here are five areas at which to take a hard look when evaluating your options. 

1. Reliable, Unbiased Data 

Yield data is important, but your analysis shouldn’t stop there. Not all hybrids are created equal, and some respond better to certain management strategies than others. Response-to scores can help you match your seed choices to your management style and the potential of individual fields.  

We have been collecting response-to data through our Answer Plot® program since 2011. Response-to scores measure how individual hybrids respond to population, nitrogen and fungicide applications. Using these scores can help you allocate your crop inputs budget more precisely for more efficient and productive yields.

When browsing CROPLAN^® corn products, you can see how each hybrid scores in response-to population (RTP), response-to nitrogen (RTN) and response-to fungicide (RTF).

2. Corn Insect Trait Packages 

Some insects, like corn rootworm, require diversified strategies to achieve control, and it all starts with hybrid selection. In 2021, a new RNAi-based corn rootworm trait became available to farmers. 

SmartStax® Pro hybrids deliver the industry’s first three-way trait stack to control all three corn rootworm species. It has quickly become a hit with farmers since it provides a higher level of corn rootworm protection than the industry has seen previously. 

RNAi technology causes insect mortality by interfering with a corn rootworm’s ability to create a specific protein critical to its survival. RNAi technology works differently than a soil-applied insecticide or Bt traits to control corn rootworm, so it’s another tool to defend against their threats. 

Because of its effectiveness and popularity, we’ve expanded our selection to offer six SSPro hybrids for this season:
1.    NEW CP3276 SSPRO/RIB: Very strong late season agronomics; manage for southern rust.
2.    CP4024 SSPRO: Moderate RTN and RTF ratings; great flexibility.
3.    CP3715 SSPRO: Moderate RTN rating; works in areas where gray leaf spot is a concern.
4.    CP4652 SSPRO: High response to additional nitrogen applications; excellent top-end yield potential. 
5.    CP4917 SSPRO: High RTF rating; Good Goss’s wilt and southern rust tolerance.
6.    CP5320 SSPRO: High RTN rating; early vigor with dual purpose silage option.

The Trecepta® Technology trait is another new option that offers three modes of action against corn borers, fall armyworm, western bean cutworm, black cutworm and corn earworm to protect yield potential and grain quality.

The Trecepta trait has been a strong performer for many seasons now with an outstanding Lepidopteran pest protection package and excellent yield potential. Across the board this year, we have seen great value in this trait against corn earworm and western bean cutworm. Both pests were present across many acres, and the trait did an outstanding job.

In on-farm grower and Answer Plot trials from 2024, two of the overall top performers were hybrids with the Trecepta trait: 
•    CP5682 TRE: Averaged an +11.8bu/A advantage across 28 Answer Plot locations in 12 states, with an impressive 89% win rate.
•    CP5893 TRE: Averaged a +12.2bu/A advantage across 16 Answer Plot locations in 11 states, boasting an 88% win rate.

Our newest insect trait launched is the VT4PRO trait, which combines the power of RNAi technology, the Trecepta trait and Yieldgard® rootworm protection. Two of the VT4PRO products in our lineup have a close to 100 relative maturity and consistent high-yield potential: 

•    CP4083 VT4P: Relative maturity of 100; good stress tolerance for tougher acres.
•    CP3818 VT4P/RIB: Relative maturity of 98; consistent high-yield potential across environments and soil types.

Download the CROPLAN Seed Guide for more hybrid options and performance data. 

3. Soybean Disease Tolerance  

Seed selection is one of the most effective management tools for many soybean diseases, as well. For example, there are no in-season treatment options for sudden death syndrome (SDS), so it’s crucial to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of infection. For fields with a history of SDS, choose soybean varieties with high tolerance to the disease and purchase high-quality seed with strong early-season vigor (since slow seed germination and emergence can promote early-season plant diseases).

White mold is another costly soybean disease best managed through variety selection. If your fields have a history of white mold, consider choosing varieties with higher tolerance.

For fields with high variability, you might consider a WinPak^® soybean variety. These products uniquely combine two soybean varieties, delivering stability across acres while still mitigating the risk of disease. 

4. Seed Treatments  

Seed treatments probably aren’t your first consideration when purchasing seed, but they are important to help protect your investment. There are many seed treatment formulations, rates and components available at different price points, so you need to quantify those price differences to make apples-to-apples product comparisons. Make sure you understand what’s going on your seed by asking which fungicides and insecticides are in the treatment, what they protect against, whether or not there is nematode protection included and if there are additional components that could help support yield potential. 

All CROPLAN corn hybrids include Fortivent^® Plus seed treatment.¹ Fortivent Plus seed treatment combines the early-season insect control of Poncho® VoTiVo® seed treatment with ethaboxam fungicide for enhanced Pythium control. It also includes Fortivent Zn, which has shown to be outstanding for early corn development, including stand establishment and improved yield potential. In Answer Plot testing, Fortivent Plus seed treatment showed a 4.7bu/A average advantage over untreated CROPLAN products.²

We're one of the only seed brands in the industry to offer zinc as a standard treatment on all commercial hybrids to promote early-season growth and root development. In addition to a premium seed treatment to safeguard your investment, you also can rest assured knowing a 100% replant policy backs your CROPLAN hybrids.¹

For soybeans, Warden^® CX II seed treatment provides top-end insect and disease protection. It builds upon the same formulation you know and trust from Warden CX seed treatment by adding Vayantis® fungicide, an industry-leading active ingredient for enhanced control of Pythium and Phytophthora. 

5. Services and Investment Protection 

Your seed investment is one you need to steward all season long. The Advanced Acre^® Rx (AARx) program can help you match the right seed choices to the right acres and protect that seed investment with data-backed agronomic choices throughout the growing season. Plus, the prescription is backed by a service warranty, which reimburses farmers for the cost of services and some input costs if certain predetermined yield thresholds aren’t met.³
 
As you evaluate your seed options, keep these five areas top of mind and work with your CROPLAN seed retailer to get tailored recommendations and local expertise.  

¹Certain restrictions apply. Talk with your CROPLAN seed dealer for details.

²2018 Answer Plot trial data

³Agreement is required and conditions, restrictions and service fees apply. Percentage goals for the Approved Yield range from 95–105% for corn and 95–100% for soybeans. Due to factors outside of WinField United’s control, results to be obtained cannot be predicted or guaranteed by WinField United. Results may vary.

All photos are either the property of WinField United or used with permission. 

© 2025 WinField United. Important: Before use always read and follow label instructions. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Advanced Acre, Answer Plot, CROPLAN, Fortivent, Warden, WinField and WinPak are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.