JEFFERSONVILLE, Ohio – Ohio and Indiana farmers will have the chance to learn about the latest offerings – including hybrids, varieties and treatments – from Seed Genetics Direct (SGD) during the company’s corn and soybean field days, which run through Sept. 15.

SGD has hosted field days annually since July 2018. “As farmers begin to make planting decisions for 2024, field days provide the opportunity to tour corn and soybean fields to learn about and compare how new and previous corn hybrids, soybean varieties and treatments performed during this growing season,” explained Todd Jeffries, the company’s vice president. “They give farmers the opportunity to see the performance of genetics and technologies SGD offers. Growers can learn about each one individually and compare it with what they are currently growing. It’s an opportunity to see the product before you buy it.”

The turnover for new hybrids is now quicker than ever, Jeffries noted, thanks to double-haploid breeding and CRISPR technology. Yield increases over the past decade or two are driving the new hybrids hitting the market so quickly, he added.

“Field days provide the opportunity for growers to see and touch many of the new hybrids and varieties that have come out over the past year,” Jeffries said. “They can compare plant and ear height. They can check stalks and roots. They can peel back husks and count the number of kernels to estimate yield potential. They can also learn about corn disease protection.”

Field day attendees will receive a Seed Guide, which has data from local field tests. SGD works with a testing company that has 23 research locations in Ohio and Indiana, where 83 corn tests and 66 soybeans tests are performed in 30,000 yield plots, Jeffries said. SGD also works with a minimum of six major research foundations to obtain additional data. The company’s seed salesmen will be available at the field days to provide tours, more information and to answer questions.

SGD’s 48 corn hybrids and 32 soybean offerings may be seen at the field days, Jeffries said. Attendees will be able to learn about a change in SGD’s soybean treatment, its new brand – Innotech – for soybeans, and about its new corn trait package for above-ground pests and weed management, he said.

“We changed our soybean treatment and are doing something we think is pretty innovative,” Jeffries pointed out. “Most companies include neonicotinoid insecticide on beans, but we are removing it and replacing it with inoculant.”

Universities such as Ohio State and Purdue have researched and stated that neonicotinoid insecticide has little to no benefit for soybeans, he said. “Instead, insecticide produces resistance, harms beneficial insects, and flushes money down the drain, while inoculant benefits crop yield 70 percent of the time, enhances yield performance and keeps nitrogen in the soil for next year’s crop,” Jeffries stated.

SGD opened July 1, 2017, and is a family run company. The business was started by Chris Jeffries, who serves as the company’s president. In 1990, Chris started another seed company and his son Todd worked there. That company was purchased by Corteva and Chris retired to work as a seedsman with customers in 2015.

Todd Jeffries said his father was repeatedly told by his customer base how much they missed the old company and the personalized service. Those comments led Chris to start SGD, his son said. Todd joined his father’s company in 2019 as vice president.

The company has customers in 16 states. SGD has become the largest Ohio-based and the Eastern Corn Belt’s fastest-growing independent seed company, Todd Jeffries said. SGD has had more than 300 new customers in 2023.

Todd Jeffries said the company hopes field day attendees learn SGD is a viable option for their farm, especially when it comes to return on investment from farm inputs. SGD also hopes customers learn the company keeps things simple, as everyone gets the same seed and herbicide price, and there are no minimum orders or multi-year contracts, he said.

Field day attendees will be given a crop price sheet, Jeffries said. Those who place an order will receive $10 off corn, $2 off soybeans and $1 off wheat. Those who pay for their order at a field day will save an additional 14 percent.

The field days are free. For more information, visit seedgeneticsdirect.com.

- Aug. 29, 5-7 p.m., 2741 Weigand Road, Lockbourne, Ohio 43173

- Aug. 30, 5-7 p.m., 3303 Deep Cut Road, Spencerville, Ohio 45887

- Aug. 31, 4-7 p.m., 7091 U.S. 421, Osgood, Ind. 47037

- Aug. 31, 5-7 p.m., 2578 State Route 49, Fort Recovery, Ohio 45846

- Sept. 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 8608 N. Zaring Road, Scottsburg, Ind. 47170

- Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m., Lane between Lancaster Road and Old Route 35, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

- Sept. 6, 5-7 p.m., 16229 Road 11, Columbus Grove, Ohio 45830

- Sept. 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 7263 N. U.S. Highway 35, Williamsburg, Ind. 47393

- Sept. 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 7205 Johnson Fork Road, Brookville, Ind. 47012

- Sept. 12, 5-7 p.m., 14421 Upper Fredericktown Road, Fredericktown, Ohio 43019

- Sept. 13, 5-7 p.m., 10311 State Route 119, Anna, Ohio 45302

- Sept. 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 1221 Lloyd Road, West Union, Ohio 45693

- Sept. 15, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 8584 State Route 725 W, Camden, Ohio 45311