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Cedar Falls Today
By the People, for the People
Veteran No-Tiller Advises Careful Hybrid Selection for No-Till Corn
Agronomic factors beyond just cold vigor and residue need to be considered when choosing no-till corn hybrids, says Iowa farmer and consultant.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:55am
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An abstract visualization of the intricate web of agronomic factors that no-till farmers must consider when selecting the optimal corn hybrids for their fields.Cedar Falls TodayWhile more seed companies are finally acknowledging that factors like cold vigor, residue level, and germination rate should be evaluated when selecting corn hybrids for no-till, veteran no-tiller and Ag Spectrum regional director Kevin Newgard maintains that a number of other key agronomic factors also need to be considered, including temperature, sunlight, water, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace element utilization.
Why it matters
Choosing the right corn hybrid for no-till conditions is crucial, as different hybrids can react very differently to factors like soil temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability. Seed companies that don't provide this level of agronomic data are missing an important need for no-till farmers.
The details
Newgard believes the selection of corn hybrids for no-till should also be based on a hybrid's ability to utilize temperature, sunlight, water, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. While many major seed companies have been reluctant to provide this level of detail, smaller companies like Beck's Seed, AgVenture, and Wilson Seed are evaluating hybrids for these key agronomic factors and gaining market share as a result.
- Newgard has been a veteran no-tiller in Cedar Falls, Iowa for many years.
The players
Kevin Newgard
A veteran no-tiller from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and the regional director for Ag Spectrum, a company that markets fertilizers, soil additives, and promotes the Nu-Till system.
Beck's Seed
A seed company that evaluates corn hybrids for key agronomic factors relevant to no-till farming.
AgVenture
A seed company that evaluates corn hybrids for key agronomic factors relevant to no-till farming.
Wilson Seed
A seed company that evaluates corn hybrids for key agronomic factors relevant to no-till farming.
What they’re saying
“While many corn companies don't buy into the theory that hybrids react differently to agronomic factors, others do.”
— Kevin Newgard, Veteran No-Tiller and Ag Spectrum Regional Director
“Most of the major seed companies looked at this concept and decided they didn't want to follow it. As a result, says Newgard, several smaller seed companies are offering what farmers want and need in the way of selection data and they are going to gain market share as a result.”
— Kevin Newgard, Veteran No-Tiller and Ag Spectrum Regional Director
The takeaway
Selecting the right corn hybrid for no-till conditions is critical, and farmers need to look beyond just cold vigor and residue management when making these choices. Seed companies that provide detailed agronomic data on how their hybrids perform under different no-till factors will be better positioned to meet the needs of this growing market.
