Another year of BrettYoung Comparison Trials (BCTs) has come and gone, which means it’s time to dig into the data.
BCTs were first established as a way for Regional Account Managers (RAMs) and growers to assess BrettYoung 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 LibertyLink® canola, TruFlex™ canola, soybeans, and silage corn, with each assessing experimental products. Results from 42 BCTs have been received, with a few locations being dropped mostly due to high rainfall events and high field variability.
- Nine TruFlex BCTs
- 24 LibertyLink BCTs
- Three soybean BCTs
- One silage corn BCT
Justine Cornelsen, Agronomic & Regulatory Services Manager for BrettYoung, said this was the largest trialing network we’ve had for canola thus far, with the exploration focused on new LibertyLink hybrids.
BCTs have previously been of the same hybrid layout but due to differences in maturity, this year’s 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 and grower side x side trials, USA state university hybrid evaluations, and DL Seeds’ MAX Plots.
The Results #
Outlined below are preliminary trial results from data received prior to Oct. 23, 2024. 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, forming wide yield data ranges.
LibertyLink Canola #
| Hybrid | Average % of Trial Mean | Max Yield (bu/ac) | # of BCT Locations |
| BY 7102LL | 107% | 46.0 | 1 |
| BY 7206LL | 103% | 63.8 | 12 |
| BY 7204LL | 101% | 78.7 | 25 |
TruFlex Canola #
| Hybrid | Average % of Trial Mean | Max Yield (bu/ac) | # of BCT Locations |
| BY 6216TF | 104% | 54.3 | 6 |
| BY 6214TF | 98% | 58.1 | 5 |
| BY 6217TF | 97% | 58.6 | 6 |
| BY 6211TF | 96% | 36.5 | 1 |
| BY 6219TF | 94% | 60.2 | 7 |
Soybeans #
| Variety | Average % of Trial Mean | Max Yield (bu/ac) | # of BCT Locations |
| BY Robson XT | 108% | 48.0 | 1 |
| BY Nebo XT | 103% | 54.4 | 2 |
| BY Deno XT | 102% | 51.2 | 3 |
| Sunna R2 | 100% | 44.5 | 1 |
| BY Meru E3 | 100% | 50.1 | 3 |
| BY Arvon XT | 98% | 51.6 | 2 |
| BY Hector XT | 94% | 46.8 | 3 |
| Amirani R2 | 91% | 50.0 | 1 |
Silage Corn #
Yield data and feed analysis from our corn trials is still to come.
Data from the trials helps us determine products to license in future years and increases our experience with the hybrids currently 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 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 the years and throughout the different locations, 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 x E x M truly define a product’s potential.
That’s why the BCT program is run across Western Canada in varying geographies. This way, hybrid performance can be assessed under very different environments and management practices. Management practices can be small changes, like higher rates of fertilizer, fungicide applications, harvest methods, or alterations in combine settings. The environment always remains the wildcard.
If you are interested in participating in a BCT for the 2025 growing season you are invited to contact your local BrettYoung RAM. We’re always interested in bringing on new participants.
