Corn Plot Data Proves Reality of Genetic Gain
Nov 26, 2025
“We had really nice results from Federated’s corn Discovery Plots and the Winfield United® Answer Plots®,” said Kevin Carlson, Federated’s agronomy sales manager. “It was one of the best years overall.”
Carlson said, “The full-season hybrids shined the brightest because they took advantage of the entire growing year.” The newer traited hybrids, he said, “performed like new hybrids – they brought more yield to the table.” However, even the conventional corn did very well this year.
As growers move toward seed choices for 2026, Carlson said if disease and insects were an issue this year, “be sure to cover that with hybrid selection.” Tolerance levels for disease and insects are important to consider when selecting a hybrid because while tolerance for a particular disease is “not a silver bullet,” the hybrid choice is a definite mitigating factor.
There were no “one-year wonders” in this year’s plots, Carlson said, but there were products in both sets of plots that proved themselves as high-performing hybrids over the past 2-3 years, and those are definitely worth a second look.
The two plots are different – Answer Plots provide neutral information that is statistically accurate with replicated data, while the Discovery Plots are straight-up strip trials. Both plot settings feature a combination of new hybrids and older standards that provide good comparisons. In all of the plots, the “best products filtered to the top,” said Carlson.
The plots also proved, once again, that “yield potential is genetic,” Carlson said.” In moderate to high yield environments, Carlson said, “the genetic gain is real.” He advises growers to take a good look and pick a new product to try; pick the relative maturity to match your farm and your crop plans.
Some of the newer products are available in both conventional and traited hybrids. There is a “decent supply” of the conventional seed. “The better ones do sell out,” Carlson said. Across the board, any of the hot new products tend to sell out – especially if a particularly seed size is desired.
Review the plot info, talk to your Federated Agronomist, and then order early to get the hybrid you want, the best of the best.
“We have a lot of potential picks,” said Carlson, “but we are here to help with your selection.”
Carlson said, “The full-season hybrids shined the brightest because they took advantage of the entire growing year.” The newer traited hybrids, he said, “performed like new hybrids – they brought more yield to the table.” However, even the conventional corn did very well this year.
As growers move toward seed choices for 2026, Carlson said if disease and insects were an issue this year, “be sure to cover that with hybrid selection.” Tolerance levels for disease and insects are important to consider when selecting a hybrid because while tolerance for a particular disease is “not a silver bullet,” the hybrid choice is a definite mitigating factor.
There were no “one-year wonders” in this year’s plots, Carlson said, but there were products in both sets of plots that proved themselves as high-performing hybrids over the past 2-3 years, and those are definitely worth a second look.
The two plots are different – Answer Plots provide neutral information that is statistically accurate with replicated data, while the Discovery Plots are straight-up strip trials. Both plot settings feature a combination of new hybrids and older standards that provide good comparisons. In all of the plots, the “best products filtered to the top,” said Carlson.
The plots also proved, once again, that “yield potential is genetic,” Carlson said.” In moderate to high yield environments, Carlson said, “the genetic gain is real.” He advises growers to take a good look and pick a new product to try; pick the relative maturity to match your farm and your crop plans.
Some of the newer products are available in both conventional and traited hybrids. There is a “decent supply” of the conventional seed. “The better ones do sell out,” Carlson said. Across the board, any of the hot new products tend to sell out – especially if a particularly seed size is desired.
Review the plot info, talk to your Federated Agronomist, and then order early to get the hybrid you want, the best of the best.
“We have a lot of potential picks,” said Carlson, “but we are here to help with your selection.”