CROPLAN Seed Continues To Push Performance Higher

Brought to You by CROPLAN and WinField United

ADVERTORIAL

With every harvest comes a time to reexamine performance of a crop, a field and the other factors that contributed to the final yield.

Companies love to tout plot winners when seeking a seed order for 2025. But how many companies give you the hybrid or variety backstories that led to the wins? How many discuss ROI and the role of different agronomic practices on the right acres?

"When your board of directors is comprised of farmers and ag retailers that thrive on independent research targeted at seed development, your products offer a uniqueness in the industry," says Robert Cossar, seed marketing manager for CROPLAN seed.

"We have access to all the major traits and genetic platforms. This uniqueness allows our seed product managers to develop regional hybrids and varieties that deliver performance consistency and return per acre," he says. "Combine that with yield and agronomic practice trials across nationwide Answer Plot locations, and we're able to provide farmers with solid, data-driven success stories," Cossar says.

PERFORMANCE AND ROI

Cossar says there are several reasons why CROPLAN seed continues to push performance higher.

Consistent Performance. CROPLAN has a long history of selecting the best genetics and traits for the right acre. "We have a team of seed product managers across the U.S. who select the best hybrids for their region," Cossar says.

For example, CROPLAN has hybrids with high plot-win rates across many locations, weather events and agronomic practices. "In 2024, we have hybrids like CROPLAN CP5682 Trecepta with an 89% win rate, CP3715 SmartStax Pro (61%), CP4839 Powercore Enlist (82%), or CP5497VT2P VT Double Pro (84%)," he says.

Best Combination Of Industry Traits And Genetics. "What's unique about these four hybrid examples is their success across all trait platforms and multiple genetic lines. We truly focus beyond win rates to deliver consistent performance and optimal return per acre. But the customer conversation starts with management goals by field to place the right hybrids and varieties," Cossar says.

Growers want one or two new hybrids that can break a yield barrier. But across the farm, they want consistency from hybrids and varieties that can pay the bills. Keeping current with newer genetics and trait packages also pays dividends, as Cossar says their 2024 hybrids had a four-bushel advantage over 2023 numbers. That's one reason why relying on four or five-year-old genetics can reduce ROI, he adds.

DELIVER YIELD CONSISTENCY

To build on consistency, CROPLAN tests experimental genetics with farmers through on-farm trials. "Whether it's corn, soybeans, alfalfa or other crops, new genetics have to prove yield and attribute consistency across a maturity range and region in farmers' fields," Cossar says.

Farmers can also choose among all trait platforms, too. For example, corn fields showing rootworm resistance may benefit from the SmartStax Pro line or the newer VT4PRO technology.

"We start with assessing a grower's issues in each field. Then we discuss hybrid solutions that fit management and drive the highest ROI -- not necessarily the highest yields -- because not every acre can deliver 250 to 280 bushels per acre," Cossar says.

CROPLAN innovation continues across its soybean portfolio of top trait packages with the unique WinPak products. Two complementary varieties are strategically combined in the same bag to maximize yield potential and reduce soil, weather and pest variability risks.

ANSWER PLOT TRIALS ADVANTAGE

Answer Plot Trials Offer Distinct Insights. Based on 25 years of independent research data collected from all environments and growing conditions from locations in 20 states, growers and ag retailers' trusted advisors gain comprehensive seed and agronomic knowledge.

"We independently test CROPLAN seed alongside the competition, and growers appreciate our transparency," Cossar says. "The best hybrid backstories come from localized research results. This data helps us recommend how specific nitrogen or fungicide applications can increase ROI potential."

CROPLAN and WinField United test and retest products under varying field conditions to develop regional insights for every acre. Crop response is measured against management strategies, including plant populations, nitrogen and fungicide applications, and crop rotation/continuous corn. When analyzing the data using response-to scores, up to 90 bushels per acre could be at risk for any acre every year.

PLAN OPTIMIZES SEED INVESTMENT

The Advanced Acre Rx Program Shares Financial Risk. CROPLAN partners with the best agronomic advisors who understand input ROI value and the potential risks under various crop profit margins.

"We understand the challenges of asking growers to invest more input dollars, so we created a season-long plan that optimizes the seed investment," Cossar says. "Answer Plot data backs this unique offering to match hybrids and varieties with specific inputs that drive extra bushels. Growers who follow this prescription program have a money-back guarantee if yield goals are missed."

The two tiers of this program offer growers a customized choice of a full-season prescription plan (Elite Rx) or a targeted prescription program (Impact Rx). The popular proactive Elite Rx program includes a la carte product selection, seed selection and placement, plant nutrition by zone, pre- and post-herbicide applications, insecticide and fungicide applications, and in-season micronutrient recommendations based on tissue samples.

The Impact Rx program targets either plant health or seed and multiple modes of action. Both are managed by selected local retail agronomists, working directly with growers to help ensure success.

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-- To learn more about seed and program details or find a CROPLAN retailer, visit https://croplan.com/…

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