Here’s a tip: if you’re already considering what corn and soybean products to plant next year, check out one of our plots this summer! Stine has plots across the country, including our Master Yield in the Field plots, traditional showcase plots and side-by-side comparisons. Learn more about what we’re testing in our plots this year and how you can view them.
Master Yield in the Field Plots (Corn Only)
We planted approximately two Master Yield in the Field plots per Stine region. With 25 regions across the country, that means we’ve planted nearly 50 Master Yield in the Field plots this year in collaboration with our grower partners. Depending on their size, these plots include six to 10 Stine corn products, most of which are our top performers in that region. Some Master Yield in the Field plots also contain future products (our experimental hybrids) and have up to two national competitor brands and, where available, a local competitive brand in the mix for comparison.
Our main goal for these plots is to derive additional data from our corn products. We look at things like ear, top-leaf and tassel height; stand counts; emergence scores; and harvestable ears. In some, we also test different biologicals and crop inputs, in addition to varying planting populations and row configurations. The data collected from these plots allows us to provide growers with more scientific information about how specific corn products will perform under certain conditions, including varying soil types, weather elements, and under heavy disease, pest and weed pressure. These plots are planted between eight to 12 rows wide and with enough space in between to prevent a shading effect, which is something we often find in competitor plots (e.g., when a taller hybrid is placed right next to a shorter hybrid, the taller corn shades the shorter corn, thus winning the yield battle).
We also use our Master Yield in the Field plots for training. Our sales team members and seed dealers can study and understand how these products perform to help our grower customers choose the best corn products for their field types and growing environments.
Showcase Plots (Corn and Soybeans)
Our showcase plots are exactly what the name indicates — they showcase some of our top-performing corn and soybean products in a region and allow our sales team members, dealers and growers to see the products alongside one another firsthand.
We collaborate with our grower customers to plant showcase plots that feature four to six different Stine products and a competitive product or two. Like our Master Yield in the Field plots, these plots are recommended to be planted between eight to 12 rows wide and with enough space in between to prevent a shading effect. Our showcase plots give all products equal playing ground, which is important so growers can compare how competitor plants perform next to Stine products of similar maturity, traits and features.
Side-by-Side Comparisons (Corn and Soybeans)
Stine works with our grower customers to place side-by-side comparisons on some of their acres. While these comparisons are not technically plots, they serve a similar purpose in that they provide growers a more holistic view of Stine products versus competitors’ products. Master Yield in the Field and showcase plots are typically up to 12 rows wide; however, our side-by-side comparisons sometimes have up to 20 acres or more of each product, which is usually one Stine product planted next to a competitor or two Stine products planted side-by-side (if the grower plants 100 percent Stine).
Farm Progress Show Plot (Corn and Soybeans)
The Farm Progress Show is back this year! The show is being held August 31–September 2 in Decatur, Illinois, and we’re excited to have one of the few show plots at the event.
This plot highlights four of our corn hybrids and four soybean varieties, all of which were planted on May 25 with the help of the show’s Demo Field Cooperator David Brix. The show plot has emerged as of last weekend, and it looks great!
We encourage Farm Progress Show visitors to stop by our booth (#1152) to view our plot and grab our 2022 Stine Seed Catalog!
Overtreatment Research in Plots
We’re also conducting more research on seed corn overtreatments this year. While every Stine corn seed is treated, what we’re examining is the value of overtreating the seed (applying additional fungicides, insecticides, nematicide or biologicals to seed that has already been treated). This year, we have roughly 15,000 acres that were overtreated in our Master Yield in the Field, showcase plots and side-by-side comparisons. Our goal is to build our data on overtreatments so that we can provide a proven scientific response to growers questioning if overtreatment in corn adds value to our corn customers.
Find a Plot Near You
If you’re interested in viewing one of our Master Yield in the Field, showcase plots or side-by-side comparison this summer, or if you’d like to learn more about our overtreatment research, contact your local Stine sales rep. Use our Find Stine tool to locate your nearest Stine Seed rep or seed dealer. Come see firsthand the Yield+ advantage of our corn and soybean products in a plot near you!