50 Ate Today? Thank a Farmer. Better Farming | November 2024 within the plot and some plots are so big they are actually inadvertently grown in slightly different soil types in the same field, which can skew the results. Comparing yield results from one side of the plot to the other side may prove to be problematic in supporting a fair evaluation of performance. The final source of information is the farmer’s very own individual plots on their farm. Some farmers will compare their current selections to a new offering on a side-by-side, fullscale, field-length strip replicated two or more times across the field. With planter monitor technology and digital data platforms, it is very easy to place hybrids across a field in replicated strips and then follow up with a yield monitor in the fall. Upon harvest, you can immediately see yield results by hybrid right in the combine on the yield monitor. This is real world. The comparison takes into account field variability, fertility, and a host of other management factors. Once again, it is not without its limits. It is very important that these comparisons run perpendicular to tile lines for a fair comparison and that the field has the same fertility and weed control programs. You only want to compare the hybrids, not a starter fertilizer trial on one side and nitrogen trial on another side of the field, or manure on one half fall-applied and spring-applied on the other. These differing treatments can affect hybrid performance and may lead to inappropriate evaluations. Regardless of who puts in the plots, there are always field days and plot tours with barbecues and seed representatives available for discussion throughout the season. There is no shortage of exposure to show-and-tell presentations and technical information on the current offerings. All you need to do is invest some time, show up, and ask questions! The final factor, and the one that most often carries the greatest amount of influence, is who you deal with. Who can bring you a factual, professional interpretation of seed selections tailored to your unique needs? You can ask yourself a few questions: Who knows you the best? Who knows your operation? Who solves your problems quickly and effectively? Who brings you new and innovative ideas and products? Is your seedsman there for corn at planting time, emergence, eight leaf, growth stages of VT, R1 and again at R6 and harvest time? Chances are that it might be a local Certified Crop Advisor seed dealer who sees you most often who is the most trusted source for your seed purchases. BF PROUDLY SERVING THE WORLD’S BEST FARM NOVEMBER 2024 $9.50 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40037298 TELL US HOW you’re growing: Paul.Nolan@BetterFarming.com We’re still growing. Still striving. Just like our farming readers. We’ve been bringing you this magazine for some 25 years now, and so far in 2024 we’ve been publishing bigger editions and printing more pages than ever before – going all the way back to 1999. Have we peaked? No way. We’re working as hard as ever, and our commitment to excellence continues – for Ontario’s commercial farmers and the agriculture industry across Canada. This landmark year serves as a perfect moment to express our gratitude to our devoted readers and valued advertisers. Each edition we publish reflects your ambitions and achievements. Your professionalism inspires us, and your spirit drives us. Thank you to our readers and advertisers for being the true essence of this magazine. Your continuing support is what makes our work so rewarding. Paul Nolan Publisher & Editorial Director crops: yield matter$ DALE COWAN Dale is agronomy strategy manager and senior agronomist for AGRIS Co-operative. He has been a regular contributor to Better Farming since its launch in 1999. CCA-ON, 4R NMS.
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