Notice: Using Internet Explorer may cause some issues with loading dynamic content such as Cash Bids. Please use a modern browser such as Edge, Firefox, or Chrome.

Dynamic Weather Icon for Today's Forecast
Weather N/A

Resource Center Detail

MiField® Research Trials - A Valuable Source of Information

06/17/2019
Real-world trials can deliver learnings in challenging growing season
MiField® Research Trials - A Valuable Source of Information
  • MiField® applied research trials have proven to be an invaluable source of information on overall knowledge of products and their performance in a “real-world” farming environment.
  • In most areas, where a crop has been planted, farmers may be dealing with several agronomic concerns as we progress through the remainder of the growing season.
  • There are numerous trial options available to address and evaluate agronomic and pest management issues.

Over the past 3 growing seasons, FS member companies and growers have worked cohesively to deploy and collect over 2,500 MiField Applied Research trials. Collectively, these data sets have proven to be an invaluable source of information on overall knowledge of products and their performance in a real-world farming environment. Through these trials, a farmer's needs are specifically aligned with the trial results, and received insight to selecting management practices across diverse environments and measuring return on investment (ROI) in your fields. 

The 2019 growing season has been challenging, with historical precipitation and planting delays that may have impacted the yield potential of the crops or the decision to not plant one in many acres. In most areas, where a crop has been planted, farmers may be dealing with several agronomic concerns and other may arise as the crop progresses through the remainder of the growing season.A MiField Research Trial is an opportunity to identify, isolate, and address these challenging conditions and potential yield limiting factors. The MiField trial platform provides a unique experience where farmers and crop specialists can learn from previous years and diverse growing conditions to help meet the needs in an unusual 2019 season. Consider addressing some of these agronomic challenges by conducting MiField Applied Research trials:

Nitrogen as a System

With the multitude of nitrogen systems being utilized this growing season, looking at different timings and products could provide future insights into better nitrogen utilization. 188 MiField trials over 3 years across varying environments showed an 8.8 bu/acre increase. 2019 “nitrogen as a system” trials will provide a good opportunity to showcase 4R Nutrient management, vital to stabilizing yields and reducing nutrient loss.

Nitrogen Rate

Given the extreme soil saturation during the past few months, many growers and crop specialists are contemplating adding nitrogen above their planned applications. The nitrogen cycle is dynamic and understanding all influences of nitrogen rate can be daunting in an environment like what we are experiencing. Conducting a nitrogen rate trial by utilizing varying rates and checks, will help evaluate the decisions made in 2019 and provide insights for future crops.

Sulfur

Sulfur applications on corn have become more common in the pursuit of higher yields with a well-documented (93 MiField trials) positive yield response (+4.6 bu/acre). However, for soybeans, a limited amount of trials in 2018, also showed a positive yield response to 22 lbs of sulfur (+3.8bu/ acre) and a higher ROI compared to the checks (22.15 bu/ acre). Considering that sulfate is subject to similar environmental influences as nitrogen, 2019 could be a great opportunity to explore the yield effects of sulfur applications in this growing environment.

Foliar Nutrients

In MiField trials, foliar nutrient applications have shown a positive response in most environments. Given some of the conditions of the 2019 planting season, root growth and nutrient uptake may be limited. In these instances, foliar nutrient applications can help compensate for poor nutrient availability and stressful growing conditions, by providing the necessary micronutrients and help delay senescence.

Aside from the topics mentioned above, there are numerous other trial options available to address and evaluate agronomic/pest management issues. While some areas will be impacted by prevented plant acres and below average yields in 2019, there is still the opportunity to evaluate a range of agronomic issues in this growing environment. Recognizing yield limiting factors and identifying management practices and inputs that can increase the profitability in years with less than ideal conditions is a key benefit of conducting MiField trials. FS is ready to face the adversities of this growing season alongside you.  

Learn more about MiField Applied Research at www.fsmifieldappliedresearch.com then contact your FS crop specialist about conducting a trial on your farm.

Related Articles

Sep 1, 2020

SLAM is a common acronym to remember the four point of grain storage and handling. And while all four points are important, the length of storage grain will endure, depends on practices during harvest, cleaning and binning.

Aug 25, 2020

Mid-season field notes can provide valuable data at harvest, helping to explain some yield differences you may see between and within fields.

May 7, 2020

Air temperatures at or below 28 °F for just a few hours can kill corn outright, even when the growing point is below ground, while air temperatures above 28 °F have a variable effect on young corn.

Related Videos

Nov 5, 2019

Exciting new products int he 100 and 105 day maturity range from FS InVISION.

Feb 18, 2015

​Listen to Jeff Bunting, Crop Protection Division Manager, discuss crop protection strategies for your farm.

We have revised our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Please read both of these documents as the changes affect your legal rights. By continuing you agree to these updates.

We have revised our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Please read both of these documents as the changes affect your legal rights. By continuing you agree to these updates.