From Research to the Field: Key Takeaways from Two Days of Field Days

The Answer Plot^® Innovation Farm in Washburn, North Dakota, recently hosted retailers for two days of demonstrations and learning. Day one was part of a series of Answer Plot Live events hosted at Answer Plot locations across the country this summer, with topics ranging from emerging crop technologies and precision agriculture to agronomic research and data-driven crop management strategies. Day two showcased research focused exclusively on diverse field crops (DFC), including sorghum, canola, sunflowers and alfalfa.

Attendees left with practical insights they can apply to help their growers make more informed recommendations and decisions on the farm. Want to know what they saw and learned? Here are a few highlights to keep in mind for next season.
 

Day 1: Answer Plot Live Recap and Key Takeaways

Day one highlighted new technologies, agronomic research and how field-level data can translate into better on-farm decisions. Much like other Answer Plot events, sessions focused on taking concepts that can be difficult to conceptualize on paper and putting them into a real-world field setting where attendees could see how the products and technology perform for themselves. Key takeaways included: 

• Putting precision technology to work: The John Deere See & Spray™ session explored advances such as targeted weed detection, variable-rate applications and how the technology can gather more precise field insights. Session participants also learned how pairing the technology with InterLock^® adjuvant can help support consistent spray performance.
• Understanding the potential of spray drones: A live spray drone demonstration showed the technology in action while highlighting how factors such as droplet size and canopy height can influence application effectiveness.
• Getting more from herbicide applications: Attendees learned how pairing the right adjuvant chemistry with herbicides can help improve application performance and make the most of each pass across the field.
• Managing crops through stress: In a simulated hail-damage plot, session leaders demonstrated whether foliar stress-recovery programs could help crops recover and protect yield potential following a stress event.

Day 2: DFC Field Tour Recap and Key Takeaways

Day two focused on diversified crops, giving participants a closer look at the latest research, product development and management strategies across canola, sunflowers, wheat, field peas and forages. Key takeaways included:

• Advancing canola performance: The canola session highlighted advancements in disease management, shatter testing and proprietary seed care technologies designed to support crop establishment and protect yield potential.
• Exploring new varieties and seed technologies: In a session on sunflowers, wheat and yellow peas, attendees learned about new varieties in development, innovative seed encrustment and pelleting research, and new seed treatment technologies. Field pea research also evaluated Ascend ST3^® seed treatment as part of ongoing work on protein and yield potential.
• Building stronger forage systems: Forage crop discussions covered alfalfa, sorghum and triticale research, including new varieties being developed for dry conditions, alfalfa establishment and disease tolerance, and saline soil considerations. Discussion also focused on management opportunities for sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass.

Turning Research into Real-World Recommendations

Together, the two days gave a firsthand look at the research, technologies and management strategies WinField^® United is evaluating at the Answer Plot Innovation Farm, and at other sites across the country, to help the retailers in attendance bring actionable insights back to their growers and support more informed decisions across a diverse range of crops.

Ryan Moeller, WinField United seed product manager, emphasized that generating actionable insights is a key reason the Innovation Farm exists. 

“We’ve invested in the Answer Plot Innovation Farm to generate critical diversified crop management data and recommendations for farmers,” Moeller said. 

That investment allows WinField United to continue testing new products and practices under real-world conditions, helping turn research into locally relevant insights retailers and their growers can use to manage their acres with greater confidence.

All photos are either the property of WinField United or used with permission.

© 2026 WinField United. Important: Before use, always read and follow label instructions. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Answer Plot, Ascend, CROPLAN, InterLock and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.