BrettYoung’s 2024 trialing season brings a renewed focus on evaluating hybrids across multiple crop types, building on years of comparison work carried out with growers and Regional Account Managers (RAMs).
By expanding its trial network and incorporating a diverse range of new and existing products, the program helps create a clearer picture of how each hybrid performs under the varied conditions found across Western Canada.
BrettYoung Comparison Trials (BCTs)
BrettYoung Comparison Trials (BCTs) were first established years ago as a way for BrettYoung RAMs and growers to assess hybrids, new and existing, against each other while evaluating performance against industry checks. Trial locations span Western Canada, giving a well-rounded view of how each hybrid performs in the many conditions of the region.
Purpose and Background of BCTs
“This is the largest trialing network BrettYoung has had for LibertyLink® canola,” said Justine Cornelsen, Agronomic & Regulatory Services Manager for BrettYoung. “We’re excited to look at new products not only in LibertyLink canola but also in TruFlex® canola, soybeans and silage corn.”
This year, BCTs have been set up to assess over 16 experimental products across the different crop types.
Expansion of the Trialing Network
“The trials provide us not only with the opportunity to check out future varieties for our portfolio but also with the chance to generate more data with newly launched hybrids like BY 7204LL,” said Cornelsen. Product lineups at each BCT location vary with product maturity and type of clubroot resistance genetics.
Trial Design and How Data Is Used
Cornelsen explained that a typical BCT layout consists of replicated field-length strips of each product. Replications help capture variation in field trials for more equal product comparison, while the second reps are randomized to allow side-by-side comparison of different products and better assessment of maturity and plant architecture.
All data collected from BCTs is used to help inform fall decisions on which varieties to add to the portfolio. For some products, it is their first time being grown in commercial-scale productions, making grower feedback on performance and harvestability an important part of the process.
Canola
As our portfolio is already stacked with DefendR®-rated TruFlex hybrids, we’re trialing more products within the LibertyLink system to complement BY 7204LL. Eight new LibertyLink hybrids and three new TruFlex hybrids will be available to view through BCT locations.
“Our main canola genetics supplier, DL Seeds, has offered us a phenomenal hybrid lineup to test this season with exceptional disease resistance traits and strong pod shatter tolerance,” said Cornelsen.
The DefendR designation signals reliable pod shatter tolerance you can trust and durable disease resistance genetics. The new hybrids are fully packaged with DefendR designations, so yield performance and maturity will be the main distinguishing features among the new candidates.
Soybean
The soybean BCTs have been concentrated to Manitoba this season. There will be a focus on collecting more performance data from last year’s new varieties: BY Hector XT, BY Deno XT and BY Robson XT, and we’ll be taking a closer look at three new deployments: BY Nebo XT, BY Arvon XT and one experimental.
Cornelsen mentioned the soybean deployments last year focused on the mid-maturing varieties.
“This year’s focus is finding a new early-mid maturing variety to meet the needs of our shorter growing zones within Manitoba and Saskatchewan.”
Corn
Silage corn trials are the smallest segment within BrettYoung’s BCT program but provide valuable performance data and feed quality analysis. Two new experimental hybrids have been chosen for this year’s BCT program to be trialed against our standout silage hybrid, BY Brava RR2.
BrettYoung also has entries in many provincial and regional trials. Third party testing groups have our commercial products and some of our experimental products, so keep an eye out this season for those.
Cornelsen noted without the growers and agronomists helping us set up BCTs and additional trials, they wouldn’t be possible.
“We appreciate all the growers that help put trials in for us,” she said. “They’re the largest part in making BCTs successful.”
Visit a BCT Site
Connect with your BrettYoung RAM to tour a BCT site this summer.
FAQ
What are the BrettYoung Comparison Trials (BCTs)?
The BrettYoung Comparison Trials are a network of trials established to assess new and existing crop hybrids, allowing BrettYoung and growers to compare performance across different conditions and against industry checks.
Which crops are included in the 2024 BCT program?
The 2024 BCT program includes LibertyLink canola, TruFlex canola, soybeans and silage corn.
How are BCT field trials typically set up?
A typical BCT setup involves replicated field-length strips for each product. The strips are replicated and randomized to ensure equal product comparison and provide a better assessment of differences in maturity and plant architecture.
What is special about the DefendR designation in canola hybrids?
The DefendR designation in canola hybrids indicates reliable pod shatter tolerance and durable disease resistance genetics.
Why is grower feedback important in the BCT process?
Grower feedback on product performance and harvestability is important because it helps BrettYoung make informed decisions about which varieties to add to their portfolio.
Where are the soybean BCTs focused this season?
Soybean BCTs are concentrated in Manitoba for the 2024 season, with a focus on early-mid maturing varieties for shorter growing zones within Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
What is the purpose of the silage corn trials in the BCT program?
Silage corn trials are conducted to provide valuable performance data and feed quality analysis with new experimental hybrids compared to the standout silage hybrid BY Brava RR2.
