Answer Plot Program Implementing New Research Methods to Help Farmers Optimize ROI
Farmers are always looking to learn something new, especially if it will help them improve their return on investment or increase yield. For more than 20 years, the Answer Plot program from WinField United has been helping farmers understand how products and agronomic practices perform. This year promises to provide even more valuable data that farmers can put to work in their own fields.
“WinField United has implemented new research methods this year within its Answer Plot program that will provide both ag retailers and farmers with critical information they can’t get anywhere else to fine-tune management plans to enhance return on investment,” said Jamie Liefker, vice president of research and development, agronomy and product development, WinField United. “The data from the Answer Plot program provide ag retailers and farmers guidance on how to best manage specific hybrids, including insights on optimal planting populations, nitrogen and fungicide application.”
The new Answer Plot research design includes three levels of nitrogen per hybrid, enabling WinField United to create a nitrogen response curve for each hybrid it tests, providing each hybrid with a response score. In addition, hybrids are tested on how they respond to fungicide applications at the V10 stage and a second fungicide application at the R1 stage.
“This response data is available for all CROPLAN corn hybrid products, as well as most hybrids from WinField United’s partner seed brands,” said Liefker. “Combining these two testing strategies allows WinField United to test multiple interactions between nitrogen levels and timing of fungicide applications. Farmers can then use this data to help inform in-season decisions that may increase yield.”
Pinpointing Nitrogen Application Timing
This research data can help identify which hybrids should get additional nitrogen first. Careful management of nitrogen and other expensive inputs can help farmers achieve a higher return on investment while increasing the potential for successful on-farm sustainability practices.
“Knowing the response scores for each hybrid can also help farmers better forecast how much inputs they’ll need during the growing season,” said Liefker. “This specialized data allows Winfield United to offer data-backed and field-proven prescriptions.”
Since 2011, WinField United has provided response-to nitrogen (RTN) scores for most hybrids to help growers better manage their nitrogen and inform their hybrid decisions. The RTN scores are based on Answer Plot data from nitrogen trials. This new information will not change how RTN is calculated but will enable ag retailers to make more precise recommendations and help growers be more efficient with their inputs.
System Approach to Agronomy
The data and insights from the Answer Plot program are a key part of the Advanced Acre Rx (AARx) prescription program offered by WinField United. The AARx prescription program uses a system approach to agronomy with every prescription including a field-level agronomic program featuring products and ag technology recommendations with a service warranty for performance.
“Twenty years of Answer Plot program data allows AARx prescriptions to deliver predictable outcomes based on past performance of fields,” said Liefker. “The real key to unlocking the potential of the AARx program is the expertise of trusted local ag retailers who develop the plans that deliver ROI for the farmers they work with.”
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