DuPont Pioneer helps growers use 2013 data

DES MOINES, Iowa — DuPont Pioneer offers two unique field-analysis tools that help growers conduct deep dives on yield results — regardless of the brand of seed planted. Available through Pioneer Field360 services, these data tools — called treatment analysis and post-harvest calibration — provide an unbiased view of hybrid performance across a field.

“Growers taking advantage of these tools can sit down with their Pioneer sales professionals at the end of the year and review their operations,” says Nathan Paul, DuPont Pioneer services application manager.

“This offers a lot of information beyond simply average yield. Our sales reps and agronomists can help growers analyze yields based on different field environments.”

What it does

The treatment-analysis tool connects yield results to soil maps, fertility maps and as-planted maps, providing a report card on hybrid performance by unique environment.

With this information, a grower can focus on his hybrid selections for next year. DuPont Pioneer is the only seed company currently offering treatment analysis to growers.

“The background data for these tools comes directly from the grower,” says Paul.

“A key learning from yield data is that hybrid placement directly correlates to yield results. The analysis can clearly tell the story of why one hybrid performed better in one area of the field versus another.”

The post-harvest calibration tool uses a grower’s scale tickets to confirm yield information and to develop a better overall picture of product performance. The calibration takes into account several variables.

Example

For example, one variable looks at yield results from a field harvested earlier in the season versus later in the season when air temperatures and weather changes may skew yield numbers. The grower can save the work with their sales professional to the information from each scale ticket, field by field, in the Pioneer Field360 Select software to get the most accurate view of yield performance.

“Growers need to calibrate yield monitors frequently to collect accurate yield results, but some may be reluctant to pause long enough to complete the process during harvest,” Paul says.

“Post-harvest calibration ensures that the grower is recording actual yields and not depending 100 percent on a combine yield monitor that might be inaccurate.”

Services

With Pioneer Field360 services growers can work with their Pioneer reps, to enter information about what was planted and how, including hybrids and varieties, soil nutrients, soil types, chemical applications and other management practices. Growers can then use data from their yield monitors to understand how inputs and practices affect yields.

Suppose a grower plants a hybrid test plot and happens to select a field area with poor, wet soils. Twenty-five hybrids of similar maturity from different companies are planted, and at harvest the grower finds significant variation in yield.

A closer look reveals a pattern showing hybrids on the plot’s west side showed poorer yields overall, due to wet soil compared to hybrids planted on the east with better growing conditions.

With data managed via Pioneer Field360 Select software, a grower gets a more accurate picture of yield performance.

Benefits

Pioneer Field360 services allow growers to understand what’s happening within a field and thereby make management changes to improve productivity. These tools can help develop a variable-rate seeding plan by pushing plant populations in areas with higher yield potential and/or cutting back on seeding rates in areas with lower yield potential.

Another key benefit of Pioneer Field360 services is the tools are available via mobile. The Pioneer Field360 Notes app allows growers to organize field-by-field agronomic information and communicate with Pioneer sales professionals, account managers and agronomists.

For instance, a grower can note an observed pest or disease threat and use GPS to identify the precise location in the field. This can help target next year’s pesticide and/or fungicide applications.

In short, the Pioneer Field360 Notes app puts information at a grower’s fingertips. To learn more about Pioneer Field360 services, see your local Pioneer sales professional or visit pioneer.com/field360.