Informed Seed Selection: Optimizing Soybean Yield with NK and CROPLAN Varieties

Choosing the right soybean variety is crucial for maximizing yield and managing risk, especially in Ontario, where diverse field conditions require a tailored approach. In 2025, NK Seeds and CROPLAN soybean varieties are leading options for Ontario growers, offering advanced genetics and trait packages such as Enlist E3 and XtendFlex.

Let’s dive into strategic seed selection and review specific CROPLAN and NK soybean recommendations, including high-yield options like CROPLAN WinPak for risk management in variable fields.

Why Soybean Variety Selection Matters

Selecting the right soybean variety goes beyond maximizing yield potential; it’s about matching the variety to field conditions, soil types, and pest pressures. By choosing well-adapted varieties, Ontario soybean growers can reduce risks, optimize performance across different field zones, and ensure consistent standability. Working with Certified Crop Advisor’s at Sylvite is key to finding the best match for your unique conditions.

One of the standout products this season is CROPLAN WinPak, which combines two high-yielding soybean varieties in a single bag. This unique pairing provides a 2-3 bushel per acre yield increase by balancing contrasting genetic strengths, resulting in better risk management for variable fields. WinPak’s adaptability allows it to perform well across diverse soil types, supporting a robust overall field performance.

Key Considerations for Ontario Growers

When selecting varieties, growers should consider factors such as:

• Emergence and early vigor: Quick emergence is essential in Ontario’s often-cool spring conditions, where a strong start can set the foundation for higher yields.
• Standability: Consistent standability is critical to avoid lodging, especially in heavier soils where plant structure is more likely to be challenged.
• Disease Resistance: Cyst nematode, sudden death syndrome (SDS), and white mold are notable concerns in Ontario, so choosing resistant varieties is essential to prevent yield loss.
• Trait Technology: Enlist E3 and XtendFlex offer distinct weed control benefits. Eastern Ontario growers may favor Enlist E3, while XtendFlex is ideal for Western Ontario, where herbicide resistance requires more aggressive management.

Enlist vs. Xtend Soybeans: Key Differences

When selecting herbicide-tolerant soybeans, Enlist and Xtend offer distinct weed management options:

• Herbicide Tolerance: Enlist soybeans tolerate 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate (Liberty), while Xtend soybeans tolerate glyphosate and dicamba.
• Weed Control: Both systems target tough broadleaf weeds, though Enlist provides less volatility, reducing drift risk. Xtend may have slight residual control but needs more restrictions for drift management.
• Flexibility: Enlist allows broader tank-mix options, making it more adaptable, while Xtend requires strict mixing guidelines.

Choosing between Enlist and XtendFlex systems depends on your specific weed spectrum, crop rotation, and application flexibility needs. Eastern Ontario growers tend to favor Enlist E3 soybeans for greater weed control flexibility, while Western Ontario growers often rely on XtendFlex soybeans to handle intense weed pressure. Since each system targets different problem weeds, consult your Sylvite specialist to determine the best option for your operation.

CROPLAN Variety Recommendations

CROPLAN offers a robust selection of soybean varieties tailored to Ontario’s unique growing conditions and they believe matching the right soybean genetics and traits to your field’s conditions are crucial for success.  The WinPak products offer two high yielding soybean varieties in one bag, carefully paired to deliver a winning yield strategy.  Below are some of the top recommendations, with specific varieties noted for each region.

Heavy Hitters for Eastern Ontario

Eastern Ontario fields typically require varieties with strong standability and resistance to white mold, as well as those suitable for 0.3-1.6 relative maturity. Here’s a look at some of the best choices:

1. CP0922WPX – This is an excellent choice for growers dealing with variable soils in the east. Its performance in challenging soils and robust disease package make it a top option.
2. CP1222WPE – Known for strong emergence and resilience in heavy clay this soybean WinPak is adapted to all soil types.  A key Enlist variety in it’s zone, just don’t push it north outside of it’s zone.
3. CP0624XF – With a well-rounded agronomic profile, this XtendFlex variety is versatile and has a reputation for handling Eastern Ontario’s variability with industry leading white mold tolerance.

For growers looking for flexibility across varying soil types, CROPLAN WinPak varieties, like CP1222WPE and CP0922WPX, offer stability across zones, managing different soil structures effectively within the same field.

Ideal Choices for Western Ontario

In Western Ontario, growers can typically face more weed pressure and have a preference for trait options given the weed spectrum they are dealing with.  Here are some great options.

1. CP1621WPE – An excellent choice for the region, CP1621WPE delivers strong performance across a range of conditions, particularly well-suited for the prevalent high yield environment soil types.
2. CP1921WPE – This Enlist variety performs well in multiple soil types found in Western Ontario, where its yield potential is maximized late in the season with unmatched pod fill.
3. CP2223WPE: An excellent choice for sandy soils, adapts well to the coarse soil; this is an upgraded WinPak from previous years for improved disease ratings.
4. CP2424WPXF: This XtendFlex variety thrives in clay soils, though growers should monitor standability closely. It’s a powerhouse for yield on heavier soils when managed properly.  A tall growthy bean with above average SDS tolerance for the south.
5. CP2724E: Perfect for fields susceptible to white mold, combines strong standability with excellent clay tolerance, making it a great choice for Western Ontario’s often-damp fields.

NK Seed Options for Ontario Growers

NK offers Ontario growers top-performing soybean varieties in both Enlist E3 and XtendFlex platforms, combining elite genetics with strong agronomic traits. The Enlist E3 trait, essential for robust weed control, is particularly valuable in Eastern Ontario, where resistance management is a growing concern. NK’s Enlist E3 varieties are known for solid pest tolerance, reliable emergence, and disease resistance, making them a strong choice for local conditions.

• S12-M5X: A standout in the NK lineup, S12-M5X is achieving impressive results in trials across eastern Canada. Known for its high yield potential and excellent agronomics, this variety continues to be a popular choice across thousands of acres in the region.
• S15-G9E3S: With Peking SCN resistance and strong Sudden Death Syndrome tolerance, this variety offers:
  • Excellent standability and strong White Mould tolerance
  • The Rps1k gene for solid Phytophthora field tolerance
  • Consistent yield performance when grown south of its recommended zone
• S22-A2E3: Delivering stable performance across diverse yield environments, this variety includes:
  • Excellent standability and very good White Mould tolerance
  • Strong Sudden Death Syndrome tolerance
  • Excellent Phytophthora field tolerance

These NK soybean varieties give Ontario growers a range of options to tackle weed and disease challenges, providing dependable performance across diverse growing conditions.

Making the Final Selection

Every field is different, and selecting the best soybean variety for your conditions requires an understanding of both genetics and agronomic practices. As you work through your seed selection, consider the following:

• Field History: What are the historical pest pressures, drainage issues, and soil type challenges in each field?
• Soil Type: Certain varieties excel in sand, clay, or variable soil types. CROPLAN WinPak, for example, offers a dual-variety option that balances these differences within a single field.
• Crop Rotation: Avoid placing the same trait package in the same fields year after year to mitigate resistance buildup and optimize soil health.

Partnering with your local agronomy advisor at Sylvite is invaluable in fine-tuning these decisions. Our advisors can provide insights into each variety’s performance across your unique fields, leveraging past experience and data from nearby test plots to ensure the right match.

Embrace Informed Seed Selection

Informed seed selection is more than picking the highest-yielding variety; it’s about finding the variety that best aligns with your soil, pest pressures, and operational goals. With strong offerings from CROPLAN and NK Seeds, Ontario growers have access to advanced genetics and trait packages that can significantly boost productivity and manage risks.

Whether you’re optimizing field management with CROPLAN WinPak’s risk-balancing approach or targeting specific agronomic strengths with NK’s Enlist E3 beans, a data-driven, collaborative approach to seed selection will give you the confidence to start 2025 on the right foot. Connect with your agronomy partner at Sylvite today to start building a soybean plan tailored to your fields.