One of the fastest-growing seed companies, Land O'Lakes, which produces CROPLAN GENETICS® and FORAGE FIRST® seeds, is giving producers a different perspective in the field.  In fact, it’s giving them 84 local perspectives into seed selection though Answer Plot learning sessions in 23 states across the U.S. and Canada.  Answer Plot sessions provide an in-depth learning opportunity literally conducted in the field.  This concept allows growers to see the difference between seeds up close and first-hand.

“Today, there’s more to selecting seed than just looking at your neighbor’s field at the end of the year,” says Mike Vande Logt, vice president of marketing and sales for Land O'Lakes Seed.  “It’s become a puzzle that our seed experts are here to help solve. We encourage growers to bring their toughest questions on everything from pre-harvest preparation to post-harvest evaluation when they attend their local Answer Plot session.”

The average grower might mistake the Land O’Lakes Seed Answer Plot site for a University research plot.  However, Answer Plots go beyond yield trials.  During Answer Plot days, growers can expect to learn about topics that are important to their geography, presented by leading agronomist-experts.  Topics often include genetic placement, nutrient management, disease tolerance, weed control, disease management, pest controls and root scores.  Many of these topics involve hands-on interaction.  Most important, they’re conducted in an environment that’s similar to the grower’s fields because Answer Plot sites are designed to be less than 90 miles apart within the main crop production states.

“Answer Plot sessions give growers an opportunity to see the genetic story behind our hybrids firsthand, while evaluating various technology traits that add value to their operations,” says Vande Logt.  “These agronomist-led programs show the results by demonstrating that better seeds mean better performance.”

Answer Plot sessions run throughout the season, taking place from 30 days pre-harvest to post harvest.  In total, Answer Plot sites cover more than 84 locations and 1,680 acres, including 42,000 soybean plot comparisons and 84,000 corn plot comparisons.  The sessions attracted more than 7,500 growers nationwide in 2005, and Land O'Lakes Seed is planning for more than 15,000 producers to experience the Answer Plot difference this year. 

Growers can learn more about attending an Answer Plot session in their area by calling their local co-op or retailer of CROPLAN GENETICS and FORAGE FIRST products, or by calling 1-800-295-3011.

Dates and locations: http://www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2006/pdf/16428.pdf

CROPLAN GENETICS is the proprietary brand of the farmer-owned, full-line seed division of Land O’Lakes, Inc., marketing in more than 40 states. Our seed division is the fourth-largest farm seed marketing system in the country, touting 25 varieties of alfalfa seed, 201 corn hybrids, 146 varieties of soybean seed, and a large variety of canola, sunflower, forage, wheat and cotton seeds.

Land O’Lakes, Inc. is a national farmer-owned food and agricultural cooperative with annual sales of more than $7 billion.  Land O’Lakes does business in all 50 states and more than 50 countries.  It is a leading marketer of a full line of dairy-based consumer, foodservice and food ingredient products across the United States; serves its international customers with a variety of food and animal feed ingredients; and provides farmers and ranchers with an extensive line of agricultural supplies (feed, seed, crop nutrients and crop protection products) and services.