NCGA, Eden to Announce Results of Field Trials at Commodity Classic (2-22-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Eden Bioscience will announce the results of field demonstrations of a foliar application designed to increase yields at the 2006 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif., the joint trade show and convention of NCGA and the American Soybean Association.

In 2005, Eden and NCGA formed a partnership program to give growers a chance to participate in a field demonstration program designed to document corn yield responses to foliar ProAct applications. Growers received complimentary product from Eden for growing a test plot and for following specific protocols for their test plots and applications, maintaining an untreated check plot, and collecting certain yield and crop management data. Data has been gathered from more than 60 growers in 12 states who put out 10 or 20 acres of their corn treated with Eden product.

“With the untreated control portions of the trials averaging 190 bu/acre, we’re anxious to learn the average yield increase, and under what conditions the increases were the highest,” said Nathan Fields, NCGA director of business development. “The partnership has allowed NCGA members to better understand the value of this type of product without incurring too much cost.”

Eden will announce the results at a What Is New session at 9:40 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4, with Dr. Ned M. French II, Eden Bioscience director of field biology and development. Growers can also discuss the results with Eden representatives at the Eden Bioscience booth 613-615.

“We’re looking forward to Eden presenting results at Commodity Classic,” Fields said. “Our growers averaged 190 bushels an acre on their controlled plots, which is more than 40 bushels over the national average. We’re anxious to see if ProAct helped their test fields even more.”

The partnership has been extended for 2006 and growers interested in participating may learn more about the program during Commodity Classic, Growers also may phone the Eden Bioscience customer service desk at (888) 552-5976 for more information about the Partnership.

Participating growers are urged to involve their crop advisers and consultants in the ProAct trials to further document growing conditions and product responses throughout the growing season in addition to yield results.