An Asset to Counties: MCGA Variety Plot Program
By Macy Kahler
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), through our affiliated county associations, offers one of the few independent, farmer-managed plot systems in the country. Participating counties organize and manage the plots and collect the data at harvest.
Why counties participate? Counties participate so they can obtain localized first-hand data that is relative to their geographic location. This is a great way they can give back to their county members and non-members — either by sharing this data on the program website or by holding a plot day. The counties can set a fee for seed companies to enter, and if they get enough entries, it can make a positive return on investment for them. Other counties may use it to interact with youth by having FFA students come out and assist with putting in a plot. In return, the FFA chapter may receive a portion of the funds after the grain has been sold.
What are the program details? Any county who chooses to participate will receive a planting form to log the varieties they plant, along with characteristics of those varieties, such as relative maturity. The form must be submitted by July 16th to be a participant. In August, the counties will receive a harvest form to log their data as they take out the plots. The program is free for counties who enter the data themselves. If they choose to have staff enter the data, the cost is $300 per crop/per county.
Where can I find plot results? The results are located on the Minnesota Corn website here. As soon as a county enters the data, it can be viewed instantaneously. It is important to note that these results are not just for members. Anyone can review these results, which is a great way to aid in planning what corn and soybean varieties you may be interested in trying for the next growing season. Seed companies also like this data as it gives them a way to better track how their products are performing across the state.
Interested in participating? Counties should reach out to mkahler@mncorn.org or call the state office at 952-233-0333 to obtain forms and ask any additional questions they may have. Seed representatives interested in entering varieties within a county plot should also reach out to Macy at mkahler@mncorn.org or call the MCGA office to get the current contact information for the county they would like to work with.
Further FAQs can be found here.
We’d like to thank participating county plot cooperators for the time and effort they put into ensuring complete and accurate plot information. Without their support and cooperation, the Variety Plot Program would not be possible.
*Minnesota Corn assumes no liability for the accuracy of the plot information.
Macy Kahler is the Minnesota Corn Growers Association district field manager for District 4.
