Portfolio Samples

Finding the Right Canola

"I like Proven Seed’s Local Performance Check Program because it compares varieties from Proven Seed to the other top choices out there. That gives these tests a lot more credibility- farmers don't necessarily want to see a new variety compared to the checks or a variety that is six or seven years old."

I tell growers to compare as many trials as possible. The more trials you compare the more accurate the average will be. Look for nearby plots- the further a site is away from them the more likely it is to experience different weather and growing conditions. Because of the size of Proven Seed’s testing program there is always a Local Performance Check close by.

Having farmers manage the plots gives Local Performance Check trials a lot of credibility with the growers too. Proven Seed doesn’t tell the farmer to use 120 lbs of N or tell them to apply fungicides- all they ask is that the farmer treats all varieties consistently.

I find the Head to Head plots are also a good way to test standability. Tiny research plots are not a good way to measure lodging. Standability is a big factor here. Head-to-Head Trials are large enough to get a good idea which one stands better.

A canola variety has to win farmers over with its own merits. The results speak for themselves.

Ray Mazinke

Sales Agronomist, Rosenort Agro

 With almost 200 varieties to choose from, selecting the right canola for your farm isn’t easy. Proven Seed Retailers are a great resources to give you sound advice. Each year retailaers like Ray Mazinke count on information from the Local Performance Checks to make confident recommendations about varieties that are best suited for your fields. The Local Performance Check program is unique. Here’s why:

1. Providing meaningful results

   With eight years of Local Performance Check testing under our belt, we can tell growers and retailers how a particular variety performed under conditions similar to our own farm. And because we provide field characteristics such as soil type and total nutrients available, producers can narrow results even more.

2. Performance highlights

   Where possible, the Research Highlights section pulls together information spanning several years of Local Performance Check data. This will give you a bird’s-eye view of the performance of our varieties along with detailed site-by-site results included in the book.

3. Reliable information

   We work with our farmer co-operators to ensure that trial results are as fair and accurate as possible. Because we compare only those varieties that are grown together, farmers get meaningful common-site comparisons- a true apples-to-apples approach.

4. Ability to compare all herbicide-tolerant canola production systems

   Our Head-to-Head Trials let you compare the performance of herbicide tolerant systems by growing the latest varieties side by side. These direct comparisons let you see how varieties with the Roundup Ready, Clearfield and Liberty Link trait really stack up when grown under identical conditions.

5. Co-Operators Verify All Results

   We're proud that all of our sites are seeded and harvested by farmers. All our cooperators verify and sign off on the data collected from their farms. In many cases, they've added comments that give you insight into their trial. These are real people. These are real results.