2025 BCT Program Overview

For the third consecutive year, BrettYoung has expanded its trialing footprint. In 2025, more than 50 BCT sites across Western Canada will evaluate canola, soybeans, and silage corn. These trials include new varieties, in-market products, and experimental entries, allowing growers and Regional Account Managers (RAMs) to compare performance across diverse real-world conditions. 

What Are BrettYoung Comparison Trials? 

BrettYoung Comparison Trials were established to help RAMs and growers evaluate new and existing hybrids side by side, including comparisons to industry checks. Because BCT locations span Western Canada, they provide a well-rounded understanding of how each hybrid performs across the region’s many growing environments. 

“This is the largest trialing network BrettYoung has had for LibertyLink® canola,” says Justine Cornelsen, Agronomic & Regulatory Services Manager. “We’re excited to look at new products not only in LibertyLink canola but also in TruFlex™ canola, soybeans, and silage corn.” 

This season, more than 16 experimental products are included across crop types. 

“The trials provide us with the opportunity to check out future varieties for our portfolio and generate additional data with newly launched canola hybrids like BY 7202LL, BY 7206LL, and BY 6223TF,” adds Cornelsen. 

How BCT Plots Are Designed 

BCT product lineups vary by maturity and clubroot resistance genetics. A typical site includes: 

• Replicated field-length strips 
• Randomized second reps to enable fair comparisons 
• Side-by-side assessments of maturity, plant architecture, and performance 

Data collected contributes to a larger BrettYoung dataset used to help determine which varieties move forward in the portfolio. For many entries, this is their first season grown at commercial scale — making grower feedback on performance and harvestability a key part of the evaluation process. 

Crop-Specific Focus Areas for 2025 

Canola

With a strong lineup of DefendR®-rated TruFlex hybrids already established, the 2025 program places additional focus on expanding the LibertyLink segment. Growers will be able to view seven new LibertyLink hybrids and three new TruFlex hybrids at BCT sites. 

“Our main canola genetics supplier, DL Seeds, has created a phenomenal hybrid lineup with exceptional disease resistance traits and strong pod shatter tolerance,” says Cornelsen. 

The new hybrids emphasize earlier maturity, pod shatter tolerance through Pod DefendR, and durable Clubroot DefendR disease resistance. Yield performance and plant architecture remain key evaluation factors. 

Soybeans 

Soybean BCTs are concentrated in Manitoba this season. The goal is to gather additional performance data on the early variety BY Nebo XT and to assess new deployments such as BY Meru E3, which is compatible with the Enlist E3™ Weed Control System, along with three experimental varieties. 

Cornelsen notes that last year’s soybean focus was on early to early-mid maturity varieties. 
“This year’s focus is finding a new mid-full season variety to meet the needs of the largest soybean production zones in Southern Manitoba.” 

Silage Corn 

For the first time, BrettYoung’s silage corn trials are being conducted across the Prairies. The program provides both performance data and feed quality assessments. 

The 2025 lineup includes: 

• Two new experimental hybrids 
• Comparisons to BY Brava RR2 and BY Guernsey VT2P 
• A third shorter-season hybrid evaluated in retailer trials 

Supporting Third-Party Trials 

In addition to BrettYoung’s own trials, many provincial and regional groups are also testing BrettYoung commercial and experimental products. Growers are encouraged to watch for these independent results throughout the season.

 Appreciation for Grower Collaboration 

Cornelsen emphasizes the importance of grower participation: “We appreciate all the growers that help put trials in for us. They’re the largest part in making BCTs successful.” 

To tour a BCT location this summer, growers can reach out to their local RAM.