Another year of BrettYoung Comparison Trials (BCTs) has come and gone, which means it’s time to look at the results from our canola plots.
BCTs were first established as a way for Regional Account Managers (RAMs) and growers to assess hybrids new and existing against each other while assessing performance against industry checks. With trial locations across Western Canada, these trials show us how our products perform in each environment of the region.
Trial Review #
This year, BCTs were set up to assess TruFlex™ and Optimum® GLY hybrids together. Apart from those we have LibertyLink® and Clearfield® trials, each assessing a combined total of 10 new canola hybrids from BrettYoung, including the brand new BY 7204LL. Results from 32 BCTs have been received, 14 in each the TruFlex /Optimum GLY and LibertyLink systems, and four in the Clearfield system.
Justine Cornelsen, Agronomic & Regulatory Services Manager for BrettYoung, said this was the largest trialing network we’ve had for canola with the exploration of four herbicide tolerance platforms.
BCTs have previously been of the same hybrid layout but due to differences in maturity, this year trials were set up with hybrids appropriate for the growing zone. There’s also a mix of swathed and straight cut trials, with the decision on best harvest method being left to the grower.
Hybrids from BrettYoung can also be found in retailer trials, USA state hybrid evaluations, DL Seeds’ Max Plots, and BrettYoung canola hybrid evaluation trials.
The Results #
Outlined below are preliminary trial results from data received prior to October 20, 2023. The number of BCT locations each hybrid was entered in is based on seed availability, maturity, and harvest type. Hybrids with wildly different maturities did find themselves side by side in the occasional trial and this is where wide ranges in yield data form.
LibertyLink #
| Hybrid | Average % of Trial Mean | Max Yield (bu/ac) | # of BCT Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| BY 7204LL** | 106% | 67.3 | 14 |
| BY 7102LL | 98% | 58.2 | 5 |
| BY23-7054LL EXP | 104% | 72.7 | 12 |
| BY23-0827LL EXP | 100% | 58.2 | 5 |
| BY23-0828LL EXP | 93% | 66.4 | 12 |
TruFlex/Optimum GLY #
| Hybrid | Average % of Trial Mean | Max Yield (bu/ac) | # of BCT Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| BY 6217TF | 96% | 57.7 | 13 |
| BY 6216TF | 107% | 64.6 | 9 |
| BY 6214TF | 109% | 68.9 | 8 |
| BY 6211TF | 100% | 59.2 | 10 |
| BY 6207TF | 102% | 60.1 | 3 |
| BY23-0125TF EXP | 102% | 41.8 | 2 |
| BY23-1751TF EXP | 100% | 60.1 | 14 |
| BY23-0040TF EXP | 99% | 55.6 | 14 |
| BY23-5673OG EXP | 97% | 48.7 | 8 |
| BY23-0189TF EXP | 95% | 53.3 | 13 |
Clearfield #
| Hybrid | Average % of Trial Mean | Max Yield (bu/ac) | # of BCT Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| BY 5125CL | 101% | 57.4 | 4 |
| BY23-0865CL EXP | 103% | 62.9 | 4 |
| BY23-0246CL EXP | 96% | 61.4 | 4 |
Data from the trials help us determine products to license in future years and increases our experience with current hybrids in our portfolio. Grower and agronomist comments on the hybrids help us to provide recommendations on how to best manage them.
“We appreciate all the growers and retailers that help put trials in for us,” said Cornelsen. “They’re the largest part in making BCTs successful.”
Data Variability and Evaluation #
With a robust dataset comes many mixed product performances.
“Good products don’t win every trial they’re in but over locations and years they should remain stable,” said Cornelsen.
A product’s yield performance is cultivated by its genetics (G), the environment (E) in which it is grown, and the management (M) practices used to help protect/increase yield. The combined effects of G, E, and M truly define a product’s potential.
This is why the BCT program is run across Western Canada in varying geographies so hybrid performance (the G) can be assessed under very different environments and management practices. Management practices can be small changes, such as higher rates of fertilizer, fungicide applications, harvest methods, or alterations in combine settings. The environment always remains the wildcard.
