Producers Blog

At Producers Hybrids, we are always looking for new ways to make sure our customers have the best products available for their farm. We understand farming today carries a lot of risk, whether it be changes in commodity prices, mother nature not cooperating, or other unexpected things that can occur during the growing season. Any time you are working with a living organism, such as corn and soybeans, there is never a guarantee that a certain hybrid/variety will work out as planned. There is always the possibility of something happening that is outside of our control. But the one thing we can control is bringing the best possible hybrids and varieties to our Producers Hybrids lineup. That’s why we will be starting Pre Commercial Research (PCR) trials in 2017.

What are PCR Trials?

The goal of PCR trials is to look at new germplasm and compare them against each other.

PCR trials are:

• Conducted through the AgReliant Genetics research program
• Prior to our P3 Trial Program
• 36 feet in length
• Replicated 3-4 times per location
• Located throughout the Producers Hybrids footprint
• In locations the AgReliant Genetics research program has been using to date

PCR setup:

• Hybrids in the testing trials are grouped by RM
• Each set will be within about 5 days of RM
• A minimum of 3 RM sets will be planted at each location:
  • The RM set that is the best fit for the area
  • The RM set that is a group earlier
  • The RM set that is a group later

These 3 sets will allow us to see how the different hybrids act when they move north or south of the zone they were intended for. Numerous locations, and 3-4 replications per location, will provide us with a reliable source of data to use for advancing products to the Producers Hybrids lineup.

Why the Shorter Row Length?

Some of you may be wondering why we are using the shorter row length for these trials, since the NET plots used longer rows. By planting a shorter row, we take the field variability out of the equation when comparing hybrids, which allows us to get a better look at the yield potential of the hybrids in the trials. Of course, yield will not be the only factor in determining which hybrids are advanced. We have teams in place that will be looking at these hybrids from emergence to harvest to make sure they are strong agronomically, as well. Once a hybrid has advanced from the PCR program, we will then use our P3 trial program to be able to really fine tune where to best place these hybrids on your farm.

Benefits of the PCR Program

1. More efficient use of test seed. This is especially critical with pre-commercial products, as seed quantities are often limited.
2. More products tested. With the NET trials, the test entries were limited due to more seed being needed and the need to keep the overall plot size smaller for more reliable data. The PCR trials will allow testing of 30-50 products vs. 5-10 tested within a NET trial.
3. Improvement over the NET Program used in previous years. Even though the NET program provided Producers Hybrids with data that enabled us to release strong products into our line-up, there is always the need to improve the quality of data used. The introduction of the PCR trials will allow for more timely planting, harvesting and better overall note taking of all potential new products. This timeliness and better notes will greatly improve the quality of information collected and, therefore, allow for better products for you. 
4. Almost perfect planting percent. The AgReliant Research Program’s sole focus in the spring is planting all research trials in a timely manner. With state-of-the-art research equipment and a well trained staff, these trials can be planted flawlessly, thus providing for more useable locations of reliable data. This allows our agronomists to focus on our P3 trials and assisting you and our sales teams with any needs throughout the spring.
5. Complete set of agronomic notes. The PCR trials have a dedicated team to follow these plots from planting to harvest. Notes and scores for emergence, disease, flowering and agronomics are taken throughout the year. This allows for stronger launches of new products for you.

As always, we will continue to look for new ways to make sure we deliver the best possible products for your farming operation. The implementation of the PCR program should give us the opportunity to look at more potential hybrids each year than we have been able to in the past. It should also give us a larger pool of data to look at when advancing hybrids in the future. This program, along with the currentP3 trial program, will allow us the opportunity to do the best job possible at one of the things we can control in raising a crop: product placement.

View a complete lineup of our current products at yourdealersite.thinkcaliber.com/products.