By Patrick Baron
DOWNS – Beck’s Field Day in Downs today showcases the latest research and technology available to farmers.
A family-owned company in operation since 1937, Beck’s Hybrids provides farmers with a deeper understanding of how to get the best possible yield from a harvest. At Beck’s Central Illinois Field Show, president Scott Beck explained the company takes part in years-long studies to help farmers succeed – what they call Practical Farm Research (PFR).
“We’ve identified some studies where we test certain products or certain practices,” said Beck. “If we’ve tested them for three years and we’ve gotten positive yield and positive return on investment over at least that three year period, then we call those PFR-proven products or practices.”
Beck highlighted the company’s seed products, which have been tested in multiple different sites to make better recommendations from a diverse germplasm pool. Director of PFR and Agronomy Jim Schwartz said the company doesn’t sell most of the products they research in PFR; that way farmers get an unbiased look at what could increase their yields.
“A lot of the technology we’re researching, a lot of the products and practices we’re researching, are ways that growers can increase productivity without necessarily increasing inputs,” Schwartz explained. “So they can be more efficient and more effective, protect the environment and protect our ground water, so that they can continue to increase yields without pouring more coals into the fire.”
Beck’s Central Illinois Field Show continues until 4 p.m. today. Beck’s has an event planned for August 24-26 in Atlanta, Indiana, where the company will present a more in-depth look at new technological advances in agriculture.
Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].
