b'PARTNER CONTENTAn Insiders Guide to the BestVariety Options for 2022Jim Bagshaw, General manager at Alliance SeedA re you able to guess the number one most commonSo, how can a producer select varieties that offer the best question someone in my line of work gets asked? When Ichance of success? pick up the phone, when I run into farmers at farm shows, literallyFirst, dont get caught up in new variety hype. Yes, some new even as I passed mashed potatoes at my extended familysgenetics can outperform existing options in certain conditions. Thanksgiving dinner, I very, very regularly get asked: whats theHowever, new does not necessarily mean well-suited for best variety available?your farm. You might assume that I should have a fast and ready answer.Instead, carefully consider what are the two or three biggest Afterall, I am in the know for the newest varieties comingproduction challenges you typically face. Understanding your through the breeding pipeline, and a lot of new genetics are afields biggest issues will narrow your range of variety options step up in yield, disease protection and agronomics.by80 per cent or more.The problem, however, is that the varieties that might excelThen, think broadly. Very few growers have the benefit of most on your farm could prove duds a provinceeven a townperfectly consistent growing conditions across their entireaway. In fact, the varieties that will make you happiest mayfarm. Though Im not suggesting you excessively complicate not at all suit your very next-door neighbours managementmanagement by growing dozens of varieties, growing two or strategy, topography, disease challenges, pest issues, andmore varieties to better match different geography/soil types on other production influencing factors, and might not even beyour farm can increase your success. consistent across your own farm.Growing several varieties also spreads your risk. We live in Most frustratinglyfor you and for meis the fact that thethe land of extremes: from flooding to drought, from baking variety you swear by this year might be the exact variety youheat to frost, were home to it all. Growing crops is a little like swear at next year, when weather conditions, disease pressure orrolling the dice: do you plant for maximum yield or for drought other factors entirely change the game. No matter how fantastichardiness; for disease resilience or for frost tolerance? While the varietys genetic potential, a seeds growing conditions, boththe best answer will change each year and is only obvious in in terms of environmental factors and management care, will20-20 hindsight, planting multiple varieties reduces risk and influence at least two thirds of the final outcome.is proven to increase your overall returns over a three-to-five-Asking what variety is best is like asking which make andyear average, while also providing the option of spreading out model of car is best. Back when Henry Ford rolled out his firstharvest timing with varied maturities. Model Ts, he had the perfect answer to customers who askedFinally, ask for advice. Reputable sources have a long-term for choice: Any colour you want, as long as you want black.attitude and wont just recommend their own companys The world was simple when there was exactly one model andoptions. exactly one colour. Farmers are both blessed and challenged by choice in varieties today. Spring 2022 29'