Indiana Ag Connection - Database Redesign Makes Hybrid Selection Easier for Farmers

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Database Redesign Makes Hybrid Selection Easier for Farmers
Indiana Ag Connection - 12/04/2009

The Purdue Crop Performance Program now has an improved variety trial Web site to make the selection of hybrids easier for farmers.

"Our goal is to provide quality, independent data for producers and companies," said Phil DeVillez, director of the Purdue Crop Performance Program (PCPP). "These test results provide farmers with a tool they can use in making their hybrid or variety selections."

The site's database is a brand new feature that allows growers to sort by any data column.

"The new database is flexible and has features that will allow our program to increase the amount of information available to the producers," DeVillez said.

One goal DeVillez has for the database is to eventually expand it across state lines.

"The database has the potential to hold information from other Midwestern universities, and by increasing the number of test sites, farmers will get better information on the consistency of hybrids and varieties."

The Farmer Nominated Soybean Program is a way producers to have direct input on which soybean varieties are placed into the trials. This is a partnership between the PCPP and the Indiana Soybean Alliance. For the 2010 growing season the program has been expanded so that every company will have the opportunity to have two varieties entered into the testing program at no cost to them.

Also, any farmer nomination will be entered regardless of how many nominations it receives.

"Last year, not every company was able to participate, but with this new opportunity we hope to change that," DeVillez said.

All of the data from the Farmer Nominated Program will be included in the database and will provide producers with a more inclusive list of varieties to select from.

"In 2010, we hope to expand testing by setting up trials for other technologies such as Liberty Link," DeVillez said. "Our goal is to provide producers information on as many soybean technologies as possible."

For more information contact DeVillez at 765-583-1406 or pld@purdue.edu.