Landec also owns Fielder's Choice Direct seed. The seed coating is designed to regulate the water uptake of soybean seed, thus delaying germination while protecting the seed in the soil. The company anticipates launching the polymer for beans in 2002. The concept of relay cropping has been around for years. And therein lies the challenge.
Plant soybeans too early in the wheat, and the legume grows too tall before wheat harvest.
But delay planting beans too long, and you risk extensive wheat damage and yield loss. The polymer-coated seed is designed to help you avoid such problems. Schielein tried relay cropping on 28 acres. Some specialists suggest you switch to narrow tires to limit stand damage. But Schielein's goal was to use existing equipment to keep down costs.