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SW MN and Gold Canyon AZ | Guys its really not that hard to pick the top 5 in an area. What you need to do is get as many plots as possible from as many sources as possible. The CREAM will rise to the top. If you can get 2 year data its better.
As a district manager I struggle with trying to get plots setup so they mean something. Seems I run across alot of BLOCKED plots. What I mean by that is companies put all there numbers in a block and put company B numbers in a block, company c numbers in a block and so on. I really don't think those type of plots are fair to anyone. I like alternating plots. Company A, company B, company c, company a company b company c and so on. Everyone gets a fair shot and you compare maturities next to each other and traits next to each other. I put whatever is the HOT selling number in the area against my best. I figure if I can beat the best seller of there company side by side I will look good.
I see some companies put easy numbers to beat against there best. That doesn't mean anything to me and should not to farmers either.
I figure if I am going to get beat I want to be beat side by side and not from something blocked 5o varieties away down the plot.
I like the county plots done in our area. Most are replicated 3 times and alternated and weighed by nuetral parties. Each company has to pick his 2 best and go with it. This shows how good the district rep is at picking and how good the varieties are. Seems I do really good in those and those same varieties get beat in competitors plots HMMMMMM......
My ideas for plots:::
No Blocking, alternate companies
No short plots( soybean plots at least 600 ft and 6 rows)
No 4 row plots in corn(height effect)
No using 2 weigh wagons
Must have a a buffer from the road or other crops(don't start a soybean plot right next to the corn)
Replicate the main products Put the best sellers from different companies next to each other
Keep maturies close (2.0 vs a 2.0)
Keep the plot small( if your main sellers are 100 day don't put in 110 day or 85 day corn in the plot cause you don't sell them anyway. Just a few things I could think of.
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Picking corn hybrids for next year. It seems they all win every plot trial
