Beck’s celebrates success of SeedIQ, shares research insights

ATLANTA, Ind. — Celebrating its 90th year as a family-owned seed company, Beck’s discussed new data-driven management tools and plant research insights during its annual Becknology Days.

At the center of the announcements was SeedIQ — a new digital tool for farmers.

Developed using artificial intelligence to analyze more than 16 million annual data points, SeedIQ gives customized hybrid recommendations based on field location, management practices and local environment.

Scott Beck, president of Beck’s, detailed how the company’s research team moved beyond traditional breeding to study specific physiological traits — what he calls “gene gems” — that directly impact yield and farm management decisions:

1. Kernel depth and yield building — “big breakfast vs. big dinner”: Research shows hybrids build yield through either high kernel count or larger kernel size.

• Kernel count hybrids require a “big breakfast,” early-season management, including up-front nitrogen and early fungicide applications, to protect yield potential set early in the plant’s life.

• Kernel size hybrids need a “big dinner,” benefiting from late-season nutrients and late fungicide protection to maximize individual grain size.

2. Root architecture and placement:

• Vertical roots can tolerate higher planting populations and respond best to in-row specific fertilizer applications.

• Horizontal roots require lower seeding rates to avoid crowding and perform better with broadcast fertilizer applications.

3. Silk emergence and drought tolerance: Research revealed a nearly 100% correlation between hybrids that put silks out prior to pollen shed and enhanced heat and drought tolerance, offering a key management signal for stress-prone acres.

“We’re looking at SeedIQ as a way to really get practical about how we comb through 16 million data points a year and make something out of it that can then support the dealer recommendations,” the company president said.

Nine Decades Of Growth

The technological developments mark a major milestone for Beck’s, which began in 1937 when Lawrence Beck and his son, Francis, each planted three acres of hybrid seed corn obtained from Purdue University.

Corey Beck, business and supplier strategist, highlighted the company’s expansion, noting that Beck’s has achieved a 10% average annual growth rate over the past 30 years.

Now the family-owned business serves farmers in more than 20 states, representing roughly 85% of U.S. corn and soybean acres, with over 13 million acres planted to Beck’s seed.

“Whether you’re purchasing seed from Beck’s or you’re purchasing seed from another brand, I want you to ask yourself, am I about to plant and purchase the hybrids that match the way that I farm?” Corey Beck asked.

“That’s the question that you need to be answering because that’s going to drive ultimately more revenue and more profitability in your operation.”