Atlanta, Indiana, USA
February 24, 2012

Beck’s Hybrids is pleased to announce a new program that will allow for further product segmentation in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. The Choice Trials program will allow Beck’s to provide growers with more products tailored for their specific growing conditions.

“The Choice Trials program gives us the opportunity to evaluate more hybrids than ever before,” said John Hunt, testing coordinator at Beck’s Hybrids. “With more than 50 Choice Trials across Beck’s marketing area, we’ll have a better understanding of how each product performs across our marketing area, and more specifically how they perform in different environments that are within our marketing area.”

Beck’s has been conducting similar product research for many years, but there are several advantages to the new Choice Trials program. To gain better data, each Choice Trial is planted by the Beck’s research department. The products are planted in a “mini-strip”, four rows wide and 40 feet long. The two center rows are harvested, allowing Beck’s researchers to accurately evaluate more products and their performance in specific environments.

“Unlike other programs in the industry, Beck’s Choice Trials work in tandem with our sales force, allowing customers and dealers to walk fields and preview new products,” said Dr. Kevin Cavanaugh, director of research at Beck’s Hybrids. “It’s important we continue to bring growers an increasing number of new, innovative products. By decreasing the variability in the plots, we’re taking one more step to ensure our customers are successful in their business.”

To help facilitate the Choice Trials program, Beck’s has hired three new employees in the research department – Trevor Stuart, Jake Nicholson and John Stewart.

Stuart, from West Lafayette, Ind., attended Franklin College and most recently worked as a research technician for Pannar Seed at the Brookston Research Station.

Nicholson, from Metamora, Ill., previously worked for Precision Ag as a service tech associate. He is an agriculture business management graduate from Illinois Central College in East Peoria.

Stewart, from West Lafayette, Ind., is an agronomy economics graduate from Purdue University. He formerly worked as a research technician in the Hybrid Research Department of Weaver Popcorn.

“This year we’re celebrating 75 years of providing farmers with the best in seed quality, field performance and service,” said Dr. Cavanaugh. “Adding the Choice Trials program and hiring more of the most talented people in the industry is just one more way we’re bringing customers more value to their business.”

Website: http://www.beckshybrids.com

Published: February 24, 2012