What I have learned about variable rate seeding for rice, corn and soybeans
Agronomy & Pest Management
Stewart Runsick
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Corning
Abstract
Corn, rice and soybeans are important row crops in NE Arkansas. The Arkansas agricultural economy has experienced a sustained cost-price squeeze, with production expenses exceeding total cash income for the third straight year in 2025. Falling commodity prices and high production costs are driving losses. Seed costs for corn, rice and soybeans have nearly tripled over the past 20 years. Corn seed prices for 2026 are estimated to reach $125.00 per acre, soybeans $90.00 per acre and rice $165.00. Row crop producers are looking for ways to reduce input costs while maintaining high crop yields. In 2025, I implemented an on-farm study looking at ways to utilize the precision planting equipment available to producers to incorporate precision planting and variable rate seeding to potentially save seed cost while maximizing yield. Another objective of the study was to compare current University of Arkansas recommended seeding rates with potential yield in Clay County Arkansas. In this study, I worked with a local producer with John Deere precision planting equipment, and the local John Deere technical services lead, to establish high and low seeding rates in crops based on soil texture and yield history maps. In the first year of this study, we found potential savings of 19% on corn (27.00 per acre), 10% on rice (16.00 per acre) and 33% on soybeans (30.00 per acre) in seed cost while realizing the potential for additional profits in areas of the field from an increase in yield. The results of this study were presented at the NE Arkansas Technology meeting with 54 participants and will be presented at future crop production meetings as well as shared with producers in the area by the equipment manufacturers technical service leads. The results of the study were also shared through our local demonstrations book and distributed among 150 producers in NE Arkansas. The County Extension program will continue to work with growers on an individual basis to fine tune seeding rates on individual farms.
Authors: Stewart Runsick
-
Stewart Runsick County Extension Agent - Staff Chair, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Arkansas, 72422