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Clark, SD | For me a lot depends on how many acres of product come in a package. For instance, This year I'm planning on testing Nutri-shield, which comes on a package that will treat a probox of seed. So we'll take that probox and split it in a couple fields so I can run some side by side tests. Which fungicides I usually always leave one spray width check strip out in a field to see if it paid or not, but we know fungicide pays. Also planning to test some Nutex EDA this year as well, will probably split a few fields with that to see how it works.
In my opinion, small little plot tests are just that...most plots people put in on their best dirt that usually has the best fertility, just how seed dealers always have plots on the best dirt. To have an accurate trial I feel you need at least 20-40 acres of treated vs untreated to get a really good picture of if something works or not. It's going to cost you more that one year, but if it works out you're going to be making more yield/money. If it doesn't you learn a good lesson about whatever product your testing.
One Ill bring up is Pivot Bio, I've tested that for the last 3 years. One year it seemed it did what they said it did. But the last couple it hasn't done a thing at all. I offered to put a plot in for them if they would provide the product, but they wanted me to continue buying it, so PB is done around here unless they can provide a lot more data that proves its adding yield. | |
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What % and/or how many acres do you set aside for trials or test on your farm per year?
